The Windy City gives golfers first-class options

updated 2:45 p.m. ET July 20, 2006

For the golfing traveler, a short stopover in Chicago can be torture. You know there are more than 200 public golf courses in the Chicagoland area, but you have a day or less in the Windy City before you're back on a plane to your next destination.

Luckily for travelers, business or otherwise, several of the top public courses in Chicago are a quick drive from one of the city's airports.

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O'Hare long ago replaced Midway as the city's largest and most-used airport but the older facility has stuck around and is a popular hub for low-fare carriers. Most of the course options can be accessed from either airport via Chicago's freeway system. To the west of the two international hubs is regional DuPage Airport.

First class

Cog Hill Golf and Country Club in Lemont is close to Midway and an hour or so from O'Hare, and would be worth visiting at twice the drive, according to its many fans.

"Cog Hill is kind of central, so that's usually the most logical way to go," said Charles Klees, owner of Charles J. Klees Golf Shop in Chicago. "It's kind of a no-brainer. It's the best in the area and they have four courses."

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Led by the nationally recognized Dubsdread course, which hosts the PGA Tour's Western Open - Cog Hill is considered by many to be the Chicago's true can't-miss golf destination. Also including the Blue, Red and Ravine courses and the Cog Hill Learning Center, this is a complex that caters to golf lovers.

"Cog Hill is pure golf without the fancy amenities that sometimes get in the way of the game itself. Golf is first at Dubsdread and all the Cog Hill courses," Dave Berner wrote for GolfIllinois.com.

Business class

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The Glen Club sits closer to O'Hare and is a stunning transformation of the former Glenview Naval Air Station. Tom Fazio worked wonders with some uninspiring terrain, creating a course of rolling fairways, lakes and creeks. It'll run more than a $100 for a round, but it's truly one of Fazio's great works.

Roughly an hour northwest of O'Hare in Mundelein, Pine Meadow Golf Club is a tough course to get on, as both locals and visitors line up to take their swings on this Joe Lee/Rocky Roquemore design.

Bunkers are numerous on this course, which does a fine job of protecting par with a slope rating of 138 from the forward tees. They accept reservations up to 120 days in advance, and calling ahead of time is generally a good idea at this popular public run.

Fly into the Windy City for first-class golf

For the golfing traveler, a short stopover in Chicago can be torture

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	Steve Lowery hits his second shot on the 4th hole during the final round of the Cialis Western Open on July 4, 2004 at Cog Hill Golf Club in Lemont, Illinois.
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