THE WILLOW HILL GOLF DOME is now open for golf daily from 8a to 3p. So come hit balls in the largest dome (150+ yards) in the Chicago area. Bob and Kim Dickman are doing lessons and clinics this winter. So call the dome or visit WillowHillDome.com.

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

  SO WHY NOT-have Arnie come and watch you putt at The Shack Golf Club 1717 West Chestnut Avenue in Glenview. The new putting green is open, more simulators will follow soon. So visit TheShackGolfClub.com or call The shack at (847)-904-2905.

WRITING FROM BULLS BAY GOLF CLUB-A Mike Strantz design in Awendaw SC.

CHAIN 10-where the flag was flapping.

THE CHAIN has been unlocked for play.

So it’s now open, or most of it anyway.

Northbrook IL. based Kempersports Management has another winner at it’s Streamsong Resort, in Central Florida (A little south of Lakeland).

Red, Blue, then Black-now it’s a foursome, with the new “Short Course” The Chain. Fleetwood Mac should be singing about the course, and maybe they already did. But if your play well-this Chain can be broken.

The closing hole #13-for now anyway.

So for now-the Chain is only 13 holes. That is because this Bill Coore-Ben Crenshaw creation, the second on the property (Red Course the first) is not fully opened.

There are a few holes in the middle of the linksy style track, that are done but still growing in.

But they do appear they are not very far away from opening, even better is that they look like good holes, very good holes. So when The Chain fully unlocks, there will be 18 holes, if not 17 or 19. See the thing is with Crenshaw and Coore, they are known for finding places on a routing, that can squeeze in one more hole.

Building improvements at the Schaumburg Golf Club are done. The three simulators are open. Book a simulator bay today at (847)-885-9000. the pro shop and Chandlers are open as well. SchaumburgGolf.com.

So in case you wondering. The Chain is not a replay of either the Preserve at Bandon Dunes, or the SandBox at Sand Valley.

Because the style and sand land-look have a strong sense of “scruffy” to it.

IN FACT the white sand and it’s sweeping style around the hills of Streamsong, almost loo more like it’s Streamsong neighbor. Gil Hanse’s Black Course.

But while there is no official par for the course at this time, it plays to a yardage of 1130 from the front tee’s. With a bolder 2017 yards from the Back tee’s. So of the 13 holes, 12 are par 3’s with one hole playing as a par four (293 yards).

The Shack indoor golf club is open, and will be getting bigger in the short future. The new putting green is open, and four more new simulators are coming soon. so book a bay by calling (847)-904-2905 or go to The Shackgolfclub.com. Over 100 courses to play, top sports dates for group events are selling out quickly.

Current hole 8 is  the only par-4 hole in play now. But it won’t be the only par-4, once the course fully opens.

Coore and Crenshaw did such a great job designing the current batch of par-3’s.

That these holes could be interchanged with par-3 holes on the other Streamsong Courses and fit right into play.

One thing that is nice for guests that just want to slip out for a few holes, on arrival or departure day is that the Chain located right in front of the Lodge.

So you can walk there right from the front door in a few minutes. The Chain is “exactly” what it is supposed to be, a fun course and timely course for golfers to play. All age and skill level groups will enjoy The Chain. So go play, and try to “unlock” or “break” The Chain.

So learn more at Streamsongresort.com. More pictures at Rory Spears Facebook and other social media platforms.