INDOOR OPTIONS-Golf season continues in he Chicago area. IN THE DOME at the Mistwood Golf Dome (L) on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook (630)-739-7600. IN THE Simulators at the Schaumburg Golf Club at 401 N. Roselle Road, just minutes from Woodfield Mall. The simulators are right downstairs from Chandlers Chophouse. Call (847)-885-9000.

THE GOG BLOG is written by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect- LinkedIn/Facebook.  ______________________________________________________________________

THE BALLS IN THE BATH

THE BATH’S.

Sounds simple correct. Well in some ways it is. Because “The Baths” are newest par-3 short course design in Wisconsin.

But what to name this 10-hole par 3 special didn’t take long, once Kohler Company President Herb Kohler got involved. So Kohler simply kept with company tradition and called his new layout with water, ‘The Baths’. Because the ponds didn’t sit well with Kohler and bath tubs have been a Kohler product for years. But in case you are wondering you can go for a dip in “The Baths” at times. Because the water is kept clean.

The 9th hole on ‘The Baths’.

While the idea to build the course along with a massive putting green was solid, there was the issue of figuring out exactly where to put it.

Kohler Vice President of Golf Dirk Willis came up with the idea, and then went out searching with the Kohler team to find the right spot.

The Bath’s scorecard, front and back.

But what Willis found was a location between two golf holes on the Meadow Valley Course. There was just over 20 acres. But that was enough to build the course, and the large two acre putting green built behind the final green.

The good news is that you don’t have to be staying at the resort to play ‘The Baths’, and like some other resorts there is an all-day rate.

Destination Kohler does include the option to play the course, on any of it’s golf packages.

But since the Baths are located at Blackwolf Run, the best time to play it are days you are scheduled there.

The par-3 8th hole Kris-crosses in between the dunes.

The architects of the 1,362 yard course, are Chris Lutzke and Herb Kohler.

But Lutzke had some guidelines from Kohler to follow. Make the course look like Pete Dye could have done it, or had a dye Influence.

Two, make all the holes be strong enough, that they would fit in on any of the other four of Kohler’s championship courses. Lutzke succeeded on all fronts.

But with the opening of ‘The Baths’, Destination Kohler has a place where the serious and the fun golfers can also co-exist.

Some of the other things ‘The Baths’ bring to the Kohler golf operation. It’s the course that the families can enjoy, the beginners can play, the kids can learn the game on. By the way, it’s perfect for those who are short on time. DestinationKohler.com