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Rick Sides

Golf in Chicago
« on: February 15, 2025, 11:00:44 AM »
Heading to Chicago the last week in march for a concert . Any chance any courses will be open that time of year ?

PThomas

Re: Golf in Chicago
« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2025, 11:37:09 AM »
Cog Hill I think keeps two courses all year round
199 played, only Augusta National left to play!

Andy Silis

Re: Golf in Chicago
« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2025, 12:19:17 PM »
Last couple of years most courses here in Chicagoland have opened up around March 20-25. It’s been a relatively mild winter again so the chances of conditions being fairly decent out of the gate are pretty good.
Where are you staying in the Chicago area?

Rick Sides

Re: Golf in Chicago
« Reply #3 on: February 15, 2025, 01:39:55 PM »
Hey Andee , we are staying right near the river walk downtown. Also if anyone has any restaurants, suggestions or things to do for a three day weekend, let me know

Andy Silis

Re: Golf in Chicago
« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2025, 02:53:12 PM »
Rick;


Best steak houses: Bavette’s Bar and Beouf,  Chicago Chop House, Gene and Georgetti


Best Dive Bar: Rossi’s


Best Chicago Beef Sandwich: Al’s


Breakfast: Lou Mitchell’s


Best Thin Crust Pizza:  Phil’s Pizza


Entertainment: Catch a show at The Second City

Rick Sides

Re: Golf in Chicago
« Reply #5 on: February 15, 2025, 05:28:49 PM »
Andy , thank you . Looking forward to all the spots especially a good dive bar !

Mike Nuzzo

Re: Golf in Chicago New
« Reply #6 on: February 15, 2025, 05:52:12 PM »
I loved Pequod's deep dish pizza
I stood in front of A Sunday on La Grande Jatte like Cameron from Ferris Bueller's day off at the Art Institute of Chicago
The beer at Hop Butcher is excellent, but I was hoping to get to Duneyrr Fermenta Winery and Brewery which has a narrow schedule and had a private party while i was looking in from the outside.... it is probably the most interesting beer in the city.
I went to a concert at Shubas Tavern too....
« Last Edit: February 18, 2025, 05:21:42 PM by Mike Nuzzo »
Thinking of Bob, Rihc, Bill, George, Neil, Dr. Childs, & Tiger.

Ira Fishman

Re: Golf in Chicago
« Reply #7 on: February 16, 2025, 09:25:46 AM »
Deep dish: Pequod’s is tough to beat but Pizano’s gives it a run for its money.
Dive bar: Old Town Ale House even though Roger Ebert made it famous.
Hot dog: Wolfy’s
Deli: Manny’s
Dive bar if you play golf North: Meier’s Tavern
Dive char cheddar burger if you play North: Poochie’s

Jeff Schley

Re: Golf in Chicago
« Reply #8 on: February 16, 2025, 10:50:47 AM »
Don't drink so no bar rec's, don't really like deep dish either.  Yes I am from Chicago. ;) However I do have an outstanding thin crust recommendation on the South Side: Vito & Nicks
"To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice your gifts."
- Steve Prefontaine

J_ Crisham

Re: Golf in Chicago
« Reply #9 on: February 16, 2025, 10:56:42 AM »
Rick,
     The weather can be marginal at best at the end of March. Golf might be doable but it is going to be sloggy any place you play. I agree with all of the restaurant options listed. Chicago has some great museums if you are into the arts /culture. The Art institute for one has so much to see. A really nice affordable restaurant right across the street is The Gage. If you are looking for Italian, Piccolo Sogno is a solid choice, in the River North area, some good options are The Erie Cafe, and also a pretty festive spot, Carnivale.

PCCraig

Re: Golf in Chicago
« Reply #10 on: February 17, 2025, 01:33:39 PM »
If you are staying in the City I would skip golf. Lots of other fun things to do than go play a half frozen Cog Hill #1.
H.P.S.

Quinn Thompson

Re: Golf in Chicago
« Reply #11 on: February 17, 2025, 05:14:03 PM »
Would agree and echo PCraig’s statement above, or, as the great Mike Ryoko so elegantly put it:


“So if you visit Chicago, enjoy the many great courses, the Midwestern friendliness and the citie’s other amenities. But if a stranger with a goofy swing wants to play for more than loose change, take a pass. It’s a long walk back to your hotel in bare feet.”
- taken from an old Golf Digest article he submitted: “Golf - Chicago Style”.
( recommended read )


If stating by the river there in downtown, I’d say try Miller’s Pub on Wabash for a good hot sandwich and an Old Style beer perhaps: legendary old haunt.


Art Institute is a must, but so too should be the American Writers Museum - just on the other side of Michigan Avenue and a few blocks North. In there you should find a display from another famous Chicago Writer, Nelson Algren, who famously wrote: “ Chicago is an October kind of city even in Spring.”

If there is “golfing weather” breaking through while you’re there, I’d say partake in the Chicago Architectural Boat Tour instead. Catch the boat below the Michigan Avenue Bridge ( the most beautiful bridge in all the world… )

Enjoy THE great American City, and try the deep dish and if you haven’t - some people like it. When in Rome 〜
« Last Edit: February 17, 2025, 05:19:10 PM by Quinn Thompson »

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