THE SHACK AT 1717 CHESTNUT AVENUE IN GLENVIEW is open daily. But now will be expanding from 4 to 7 simulators, and the addition of a new putting green. Some theatre like seating will be added, with additional features for special group events. So do book now as some dates around top level sporting events are filling up quickly. The food and beverage options get high ratings from the patrons who have come and visited The Shack. So learn more at ShackIndoorGolfclub.com or call today (847)-904-2905.
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 2024 WORK BEGINS in the Willow Hill Golf Dome in Northbrook (L) or in the putting Lab of Studio “B” Bettinardi Golf in Oak Brook. The winter trip starts next week.
IT’S COMING AND IT STARTS NEXT WEEK. The winter golf trip, and it launches my golf season for the year ahead. Because the winter trip allows me to do much, on my way down to and back from the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando Florida.
the Willow Hill Golf Dome-1350 Willow Road in Northbrook. Willowhilldome.com Golf hours have returned to 8a to 3 pm. 160 yards long-see your ball fly.
SO THIS YEAR I will see several new courses along the way, and there is excitement in golf because of the amount of new courses that are opening in the year ahead.
THE PGA TOUR IS UNDERWAY and all it took was 29 under par to win. 29 under-geez, is this what it will take most weeks to win. So yes these guys are good, but seriously it’s like the tour is playing muni’s from under 7,000 yards. But now it’s off to Sony on Oahu in Honolulu, the greens are smaller, and the fairways are tighter. So let’s see what happens.
Architect the late Mike Strantz.
ARCHITECT MIKE STRANTZ
Here was a golf architect that many golfers who have seen his work, call him, ahead of his time.
Because now that I know a little more about Strantz, I agree with those who feel that way.
Strantz a Tom Fazio disciple, went off on his own and created some interesting golf courses. But not everyone really liked what he designed at first.
Tobacco Road just Northeast of Pinehurst North Carolina, was known as a love-it or hate-it golf course. I was told I would like it, so I went and played it. I did like it. But then last year I played two more Strantz designs. This time in South Carolina. But while the weather was very rainy, both True Blue and the Caledonia Golf and Fish Club were very good golf courses.
So just over a month ago, I learned about another Strantz golf course, Tot Hill Farm about 50 minutes northwest of Pinehurst. Last year a several month renovation was done, recapturing the Strantz vision. Early reviews are outstanding, so good that the marketing department for THF challenged golfers to come play it on Twitter (X).
So after seeing some photos, and seeing it is on my path to Pinehurst. Challenge accepted. What until next week. So as the year moves forward and the winter trip moves along. I am going to try to learn more and write more about Strantz, who sadly died from cancer in 2005 before he designed his tenth golf course.
Welcome to Tot Hill Farm-North Carolina. 50 minutes NW of Pinehurst.
THERE IS NO OFFICIAL Mike Strantz Golf Trail, running through the Carolina’s, but maybe there should be. I am not sure how many Chicago area golfers know about Strantz. But if they did, Chicago golfers heading to the major golf destinations in the Carolina’s, would try to play Strantz’s golf designs. Records say Strantz did seven new courses and two major renovations, before he passed away.
IMO-STRANTZ would have fit in well with someone like Chicagoan Mike Keiser. The two Mikes likely would have worked well and created well together. MORE on Mike Strantz as 2024 moves along.
THE CHICAGO AREA HAS A NEW GOLF DOME that has now been open 45 days. The owners of White Tail Ridge Golf Course in Yorkville, have built an indoor golf dome on the Aurora/Bristol/Oswego border. So in between the snowflakes this week, I’m planning to learn more from Director of Golf Alex Balog.
CALLAWAY GOLF is first out of the blocks with a major equipment launch, the Paradym Ai-Smoke. I plan to hit them this week. See my story from yesterday on the Driver, fairway woods, hybrids and irons. I will have more on the new Callaway Chrome Soft line of golf balls coming up later this week.
BECAUSE THERE SEEMS TO BE plenty of snow coming this week. The outdoor courses that have been open will have to close. So hit the domes, hit the simulators, plan your golf trips to warm weather states. IT IS that time of year. The Gog Blog returns all week long. RS