Head to the Dome
Most of us are stuck here in Chicago, enjoying the winter! The countdown is on for spring to come, and most of us can use the off season to work at getting our swings in shape. I suggest going to a dome at least once a week to hit some balls.
The Good
The idea is to keep all the body parts moving and ready. Don’t worry about focusing on technique, but rather focus on form. Build up your stamina and rhythm. Get used to swinging the club while staying in balance. In later posts you will learn more about the importance of balance.
All of the domes in the Chicago Area are climate controlled, and provide a temperature that allows a light jacket or sweater. Although limited in size, most of the domes have open spots during most hours of operation. Weekends tend to be the most busy time, while weekday times before noon are less crowded. Almost all domes operate on a time used basis, and you can spend 1/2 hour to an hour for a set fee.
The Bad
I prefer to hit balls outdoors. Indoor ranges and domes serve a purpose, but for actually refining and developing swing mechanics I like to see the flight of the ball. Domes are limited in that they can not realistically duplicate on course conditions. Imagine the space that you would need to cover to replicate a medium par three.
- 160 yards would require a 480 foot long span
- A green 25 yards wide would require a span of 75 feet
- FYI-Wrigley Field is 400 feet to Center field
Most domes are approximately 100 yards in depth, so for even average golfers, it is the length of a short iron (8 iron or under). Most of the clubs you will be using will fly less than half its “normal” distance before being stopped by the netting.
Lighting in most domes is adequate, but due to the construction, balls will get lost after traveling 1/2 the distance. Depth perception is difficult to equate when hitting in the domes, so I suggest that you plan on limiting the use of long irons or woods, since the feedback is limited.
Synthetic mats are a necessity, given that they take quite a beating. Every patron to a dome hits dozen of shots from one small area. So these mats need to last.
- Synthetic mats do not give like natural turf
- Fat or heavy shots deflect off of mats
- Balls will sit “up”
- Tee height is limited
It is all about moderation when hitting off of synthetic mats. I know from experience that over doing it on mats can cause hand problems, and equipment problems.
Domes in Chicagoland
500 W. Jefferson Avenue, Bensenville, IL 60106. Phone Number #630.766-0304
One of the best domes in Chicago. It is 300 feet long by 300 feet wide. The dome has 50 hitting stations. It also has a 45 foot contoured putting green. Open 7AM to 11PM Daily. $19.00 per hour on weekdays and $22.00 for weekends. The clubhouse boasts food & drink as well as a stocked proshop. Currently there are 8 PGA/LPGA professionals available for lessons. I think it is the cream of the crop and worth the drive.
801 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove IL 60089. Phone Number #847.459.2321
The Buffalo Grove Golf Dome is operated by the Buffalo Grove Park District. It has some great PGA/LPGA instructors like Bev Miller, Kristy Vik and Todd Sones. The clubhouse provides food and drink, a proshop, club fitting and repair. The rate is $20.00 per hour on weekdays prior to 6 PM, $22.00 per hour after 6 PM. On weekends the price is $22.00 per hour. Hours of operation vary (Monday 9 AM – 4 PM–Tuesday-Friday 9 AM – 10 PM– Saturday 7 AM – 7 PM and Sunday 7 AM – 5 PM)
800 W. Lake Street, Addison IL 60101. Phone Number #630.458.2660
Just east of Interstate 290, the Addison Links and Tees dome is easy to get to. The facility offers professional instruction and a small clubhouse. PGA Instructor Lou Solarte teaches here during the winter. The cost is $20.00 per hour weekdays and $22.00 per hour weekends.
730 N. Bolingbrook Drive (Route 53) Bolingbrook IL 60440. Phone Number #630.739.7600
North of Interstate 55, this is Da Coachs’ place. Ditka’s Sports Dome offers golf, food and drinks as well as a salon. It is a multi-purpose dome, so check the availability of golf by going to the website. It has 44 stalls (on two decks) and is open year round. Rates are $20 per hour Monday-Thursday, and $26.00 Friday-Sunday. Junior and Senior discounts are available.
Not Quite a Dome…
27W240 Mack Road, Wheaton IL 60189. Phone Number #630.260-8199
The new Golf Academy at Cantigny Golf is not a dome, but an amazing facility that offers year round instruction. It has heated bays that open out to the range. Be warned, the bays face north, so if it is cold and the wind is as it usually is at this time of year, it will be a challenge! The bays are interesting in that they are state of the art instructional marvels. This is the place to go to get your GEEK on. Video, club repair, Sports Psychologist, Fitness Guru Dr. Paul Callaway and top notch instructors complete this package. I admit I’m biased, since I worked there, but we never had the tools that the current staff have now! Use of the facility during the non-season months is limited, so I suggest that you call and ask for more details. The Golf Academy at Cantigny Golf is open Tuesday – Friday 10 AM-9 PM, Saturday and Sunday 9 AM – 6 PM. It is closed on Mondays.
These are a few ideas of places to go while waiting for spring. Now go out and hit some balls!
Stay in the mood, and look for our 31 Days to a better Swing Planner coming out in a few weeks.
Congratulations on your new site. Great logo,page design and content!
wow that is a good idea cuz i know this cold weather is gona be even longer since the groundhog saw its shadow