THE WILLOW HILL GOLF DOME at 1350 Willow Road in Northbrook is open for golf this week from 8a to 8p. The Willow Hill Light Show runs through this Saturday night. So come out and enjoy the golf and the lights all week. Learn more at WillowHillDome.com.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect at LinkedIn/Facebook/Instagram

The 18th green at Talamore, complete with new sod-wall bunkers.

TALAMORE STILL GETTING BETTER

So if you have been to the Southern Pines-Pinehurst area, you probably know many of the golf courses in the area.

But if you have not played Talamore Golf Club, or haven’t been there in recent years. You are missing out.

The Rees Jones design was always a good golf course. But ownership investments several years ago, has brought constant improvements to the property.

At Talamore the work has been both inside (the clubhouse) and outside on the golf course, but most recently in the practice areas.

The newly updated range, adds a roof, Toptracer golf, and places to eat, drink and more. The new putting green offers a place to putt, and have fun contests.

SO BEFORE the practice area’s Talamore starting knocking off a to-do list around the golf course.

Because groups of trees were taken out, areas that repeatedly held water, had better drainage installed. Broken cart path’s were fixed or repaired.

There was bunker changes added, especially on the par 3-s saw the Scottish styled pot bunkers.

But then you toss in little touches, like yardage markers painted, new pin flags, and new washrooms. Gone were the porta-pottys.

The new patio and new furniture around the upper deck of the clubhouse. Over looks the 18th green.

So while the golf course has gotten better, and the practice area’s have been improved.

The Clubhouse and the half-way house have also been upgraded.

When golfers make the turn, they no-longer have to go all the way back to the clubhouse for beverages and snacks. The new halfway house sits not far from the tenth thee.

But for before or after the round, the clubhouse grill and bar have been redone. The upper level deck was rebuilt and new furniture has been added So the new view of the 18th hole is outstanding.

The living room in a Talamore villa.

Talamore is a Rees Jones design, that’s a solid straight forward golf course, through the sandhills and the pine trees of central North Carolina.

Elevation change figures into play, and the course will test players of all skill levels.

But one other great feature of Talamore, is that if your looking for a place to stay, it has great villas. Talamore’s sister-club Mid South designed by Arnold Palmer is just down the street, it too has outstanding villas. The villas at both courses are great for couples or groups.

THE SHACK INDOOR GOLF CLUB 1717 Chestnut Ave in Glenview is expanding this month. FOUR NEW simulators and a NEW PUTTING GREEN, will also the Shack to host more golfers than ever before. Stay tuned for details on reopening day. Keep it right here or visit TheShackGolfClub.com great dates for special group events like SuperBowl Sunday-playoff weekends and the Masters are filling quickly so don’t wait.

Talamore and Mid-South are located between the courses of Ross Resort and the Pinehurst Resort. So for more information please visit Talamoregolfresort.com.