SEVEN SIMULATORS and a PUTTING GREEN can be found at The Shack Golf Club at 1717 Chestnut Ave. in Glenview. Great flatbread pizza’s, lessons, club fittings and a chance to roll putts with a selection of Bettinardi Putters. So take advantage of the cold weather and snow, and book simulator time at TheShackGolfClub.com (847)-904-2905.

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

Packard’s Steakhouse at Innisbrook Resort has reopened from renovation. Welcome back!

Innisbrook Golf Resort proudly boast’s one of the best steakhouses, you will find on any golf property.

Packard’s Steakhouse is located in the Copperhead Clubhouse alongside the home course of the Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour.

Named in honor of the one of the legend’s in golf course architecture, Larry Packard. Packard designed all four of the golf courses at Innisbrook, and lived on Innisbrook property for many years, until his passing at the age of 101. Packard was a regular in the restaurant that carried his name for years.

Up-front window seating is another option in the refurbished Packard’s.

Bobby Barnes the resort’s interim General Manager and Ex. Director calls Packard’s Steakhouse “a special place.”

“During the renovation walls came down and the dining area opened up,” said Barnes. “Our bar level is now on the same level as the remainder of the restaurant, so customers don’t need to step up or step down when leaving.  But the progress didn’t stop on the inside of Packard’s, because outside the patio was enlarged. There is more room for groups and the tables have little fire boxes, and there are bigger fire pits to add to the atmosphere in the outdoor area.”

Larry Packard’s red tartan jacket on the wall in Packard’s restaurant pre-renovation.

So for those guests who have enjoyed Packard’s in the past, what was a staple in the restaurant, was Packard’s famed red tartan jacket. The jacket symbolized membership in the American Society of Golf Course Architect’s (ASGCA).

Packard’s jacket was framed and placed under glass. But while Packard’s has reopened, the red tartan jacket has not returned, yet! Barnes assures everyone that Packard’s jacket will return in the short future, to a wall in the renovated restaurant.

Behind the restaurant on the way to the first tee box on Copperhead, is a rock with a plaque that’s a tribute to Packard.

Packard’s reopened with a newly revamped menu, Barnes says,” The best thing about the new menu, is that I haven’t had one complaint yet about it so far.” But with the options on the new menu, it would be very hard to find anything at all to complain about.

If your hungry for a good steak, the Filet-Mignon comes highly recommended. Photo Courtesy of Innisbrook Resort.

But if your sitting in the bar area, on a hot day, or cold one.

There are plenty of options to cool you down, or warm you up.

But when it’s time to eat, there is nothing like the famed French Onion Soup to get your taste-buds working.

The Baby Wedge Salad, with some Blue Cheese dressing, will fill you up until the main course arrives. So now it’s time for dinner, for you big eaters there is nothing like the 22-Oz Bone-In Cowboy Ribeye-dry aged. But if your feeding for two-you and your partner might like to split the 40-Oz Porterhouse Steak.

The patio has been rebuilt and enlarged, the tables have fire boxes with fire pits heating the area, or adding some charm to the dining experience.

So if you still have any room left to eat, the dessert list is short & sweet. Whether it’s the cheesecake or some sorbet, you can’t go wrong.

The new menu does include numerous options from the list of seafood choices. So when one wraps up a lunch or dinner at Packard’s, there is not a chance they are leaving still hungry. To see the full menu’s for both lunch and dinner, see the resort’s website at Innisbrookgolfresort.com.

   (L) The new bar in Packard’s at Innisbrook. (R) The long putt contest is back at the Chicago Golf Show Feb. 28th through March 2nd. Get tickets at Chicagogolfshow.com.