When most people think of miniature golf, they think of playing in the great outdoors, in the fresh air. Of course, playing outside can also mean taking on oppressive heat, blanketing humidity and carry-you-away mosquitoes along with the windmills and water holes.
That’s where indoor miniature golf comes in. Although most of the 5,000 mini-golf facilities in the United States are outdoors, according to Skip Laun, operations director of Miniature Golf Development of America in Jacksonville, Fla., “indoor mini-golf is very popular in Europe, especially in Scandinavian countries. The indoor game isn’t as popular in the United States, but there are still a handful of them.”
There are also several indoor golf driving ranges in the Chicago area.
Among the handful of indoor mini-golf courses in the area are Four Seasons Indoor Golf in Roselle, Enchanted Castle in Lombard, Family Sports Center in McHenry and Inside Sports in Rockford. Here’s a look at each course:
Four Seasons Indoor Golf, 1350 W. Lake St., Roselle: Would you like to tour the United States west of the Mississippi River without leaving Roselle? That’s the idea behind Four Seasons’ 18-hole course. For instance, Hole No. 1 is the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, No. 2 is Mt. Rushmore, No. 8 is the Seattle Space Needle, No. 9 is California’s Redwood Forest, No. 10 is the Golden Gate Bridge and No. 17 is the Alamo.
Four Seasons opened 20 years ago; Mike Larson has been owner for the past six years. “We have moms and dads who come in here and tell me that this is where they had their first date. Now they bring their kids in here, which is fun,” said Larson. “People also like the year-around comfort, regardless of the temperature, rain, sleet or snow.”
Four Seasons costs $4.50 per round for adults and $4 for children 11 and under. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call 630-980-8882.
Enchanted Castle, 1103 S. Main St., Lombard: Enchanted Castle is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. Along with a nine-hole mini-golf course, the Castle also features activities such as laser tag, 280 video games, a kids’ playland, bumper cars and a virtual roller coaster.
“It’s a course that’s good for kids and adults alike, and people seem to get a kick out of playing indoors,” said Angi Hatfield, marketing manager.
Enchanted Castle costs $2.75 per person. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday. Call 630-953-7860.
Family Sports Center, 5306 W. Elm, McHenry: Looking for a walk in the park? That’s the feeling you get at Family Sports Center’s 18 holes.
“It’s a pretty course,” said Joe D’Angelo, who owns the facility with his father, Joe Jr. “There are trees, plants, a waterfall, a pond and a brick sidewalk to guide mini-golfers through the 18 holes. First-time visitors are intrigued to play indoors. It’s a great family atmosphere.”
Mini-golf rates are $3.50 for those 12 and under and $4.50 for those 13 and over. Family Sports Center, which opened in 1992, also has three batting cages, 15 arcade games and an ice cream shop. Hours are 3 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 3 to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Call 815-344-2582.
Inside Sports, 3600 N. Main St., Rockford: Inside Sports, with batting cages and an 18-hole mini-golf course, opened seven years ago. The course has a patriotic theme, with lots of red, white and blue.
“The course doesn’t have a large degree of difficulty, which the kids appreciate,” said owner Bill Lewis. “Miniature golf is a fun thing to do indoors. It’s great for families on a cold winter night.”
Mini-golf rates are $2.75 per person. Hours are 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Inside Sports will be open seven days per week beginning at the end of January. Call 815-637-2441.
There’s a saying on the PGA Tour that you “drive for show, putt for dough.” Once you get done working on your putting game, you can also take out the big sticks, regardless of the weather, and work on your long game at one of the Chicago area’s indoor driving ranges or golf instructional facilities:
Indoor Golf Links of America, 16356 104th Ave., Orland Park: Play a simulated round of golf on one of 21 courses, including Pebble Beach, for $31. Indoor Golf Links also has indoor putting greens and sand traps. Call 708-403-4040.
Crystal Lake Golf Learning Center, 4418 Buhl Rd., near Crystal Lake: The facility features 12 heated “garages” where golfers practice by hitting to five greens.
Rates are $10 per half-hour and $18 per hour. Also available are indoor practice nets, a putting green and golf simulators. Call 815-479-9150.
Des Plaines Golf Center, 353 N. River Rd., Des Plaines: This three-tiered outdoor driving range has 80 heated hitting areas. The farthest pin is 265 yards away, and there are three greens to aim for. Balls are placed on tees automatically, and tees can be adjusted for height. Golfers put their money in a machine and receive a charge card for $5, $10, $20, $50 or $100 worth of balls. Call 847-803-4653.
Poplar Creek Golf Bubble, 1450 Poplar Creek Drive, Hoffman Estates: Golfers gather under the air-supported, synthetic bubble to hit balls in 70-degree temperatures. The hitting area is 63 yards long, and there are 32 mats for golfers to hit from. There’s also a practice putting green.
Weekday rates are $8 per half-hour and $15 per hour. Weekend rates are $10 per half-hour and $18 per hour. Call 847-882-2538.
Nordome, 3443 Dundee Rd., Northbrook: There are 32 tee stations and two putting greens at the bubble located at Sportsman’s Country Club. Rates are $8 per half hour weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and $10 per hour on evenings and weekends. Call 847-562-1235.
White Pines Golf Dome, 500 W. Jefferson St., Bensenville: White Pines is a 100-foot-tall, 100-yard-wide, 100-yard-long dome with an artificial turf surface. It has two decks, with 35 mats on the main level and 15 mats upstairs. Golfers aim for three target greens. Weekday rates are $9 per half hour and $16 per hour. Weekend rates are $10 per half hour and $19 per hour. Call 630-766-0304.
Ultimate Sports Dome, 100 Business 30, Aurora: The dome has 20 tee stations for working on your woods and irons. Prices begin at $6 for a small bucket of balls. Open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 630-820-2085.
