Ah, Chicago – a city defined by its iconic skyline, deep-dish pizza, famous sports teams and the rhythmic blues that echo its streets. But come winter, the Windy City isn’t just known for its biting chill and thick snow blankets. For golf enthusiasts, it also signifies a halt to their regular rounds, turning the expansive greens into distant memories.
Yet, with winter turning the fairways frosty and Chicago’s bustling urban sprawl making it a challenge to lug golf gear to the outskirts, a solution has emerged right in the heart of the city. Indoor golfing venues have teed off in popularity, offering a respite from the cold and the hustle while being easier on the wallet.
Whether you’re evading the snow or the city traffic, here’s your guide to the 10 best indoor golf places in Chicago, where every swing feels like summer.
Five Iron Golf
Five Iron Golf is an urban indoor golf experience that combines Trackman golf simulators with a bar, restaurant, and dedicated spaces for events. Founded in 2017, it began as a way for golf enthusiasts to enjoy the sport year-round regardless of weather (or daylight) conditions, but also as a more inclusive approach of the game which has totally re-shaped urban golf culture. As of 2023, Five Iron golf has become the most popular indoor golf network with more than 20 locations in major U.S cities.
Iron Golf has 4 different venues in Chicago:
- The Metropolitan (Willis Tower, South Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL)
- Lincoln Park (1000 W North Ave a200, Chicago, IL 60622)
- The Loop (108 N State St, Chicago, IL 60602)
- River North (1000 W North Ave a200, Chicago, IL 60622)
The Green
The Green is a 10,000 square ft indoor golf venue in Bucktown that can host up to 230 people for private events.
Given the quality of the golf simulators, we can understand why they have self-proclaims themselves as “America’s most immersive golf experience.”
The Green’s simulators use 24-position articulating plates that allow golfers to play from a wide range of lies and surfaces (fairway, rough, bunker…), including putting and whipping. Whether for discovering the game through quick mini-games or playing a full round of virtual golf, The Green brings all visitors the best in indoor golf and entertainment.
In the middle of the venue, an extensive cocktail bar serves drinks, food to share, salads, sandwiches, and breakfast bagels.
- The Green (2131 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60614)
X-Golf
X-Golf has more than 80 locations in the U.S. where you can play golf on simulators all year-round, including 10 locations in the Chicago metropolitan area:
- Wrigleyville: 3549 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
- Glenview: 2847 Pfingsten Rd, Glenview, IL 60026
- Schaumburg: 1100 American Ln, Schaumburg, IL 60173
- Libertyville: 1177 S Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, IL 60048
- Naperville: 790 Royal St George Dr Suite 139C, Naperville, IL 60563
- Orland Park: 15876 South La Grange Road, Orland Park, IL 60462
- Algonquin: 1704 S Randall Rd, Algonquin, IL 60102
- Kildeer: 20771 N Rand Rd Suite I-4, Kildeer, IL 60047
- Geneva: 1900 S Randall Rd Suite 120, Geneva, IL 60134
- Downers Grove: 1310 Butterfield Rd, Downers Grove, IL 60515
X-Golf uses its own golf simulator technology called by the same name, engineered by its R&D department in the last 15 years. Whether you are looking to improve your game or have fun with friends, you can enjoy a variety of amenities and services in each location:
- golf simulator rental
- virtual golf rounds
- golf lessons
- sports bar (with cocktails)
- shareable food
- tournaments
- event hosting (70+ people)
My Chicago Golf
Situated in the vibrant heart of Chicago’s River West neighborhood, My Chicago Golf offers a mix of MCG golf simulator rentals, an indoor putting green and private golf lessons (one hour or packages). This urban sanctuary caters to both seasoned golfers and newcomers, providing a chance to experience world-renowned courses without leaving the city.
With a focus on enhancing the skills of its patrons with video analysis and custom training with drills, PGA professionnel instructor Marcus Yado and his assistant Anthony Bolden can help you improve you iprove your game regardless of weather conditions.
The venue also has it’s own YouTube channel where Marcus regularly uploads golfing tips.
- My Chicago Golf (707 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60642)
PARennial Golf
PARennial Golf is unique and very different from other indoor golf venues because it’s fully automated. The facility is staffless, open 24/7, and everything is managed by their own software (and soon a mobile app):
- create an account,
- select your membership package (monthly or annual),
- check available spots,
- access to the facility,
- start your sessions,
- contact support in case you need something (available 24/7).
PARennial use Trackman technology for their indoor golf simulators, so your can train while having access to all the data you need or play golf courses from around the world. PARennial also sells it’s software product to other indoor golf businesses.
- PARennial Golf Chicago Adresse : (2355 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614)
Play18 Chicago
Nestled in the heart of the Loop, Play18 Chicago provides a year-round indoor golfing experience. Marrying PGA Tour golf simulators, a bar, a lounge, and rental clubs at your disposal, golf enthusiasts can come to have fun and discover the game of golf, train their swing, or virtually play on the world’s most iconic courses, regardless of the Windy City’s weather. Play18 also offers a premier venue for corporate events.
- Play18 Chicago (17 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60602)
Halfway House Indoor Golf
Halfway House Indoor Golf is a venue within a venue. Inside the HB Jones Restaurant in Elmhurst, you will find four Full Swing golf simulators, where you can play more than 130 golf courses, practice your golf swing, take lessons or have fun with friends and family on MultiSport.
HB Jones serves homemade comfort food and beverages (including 70 beers) directly at your golf bay table.
Rates go from $25/hour to $35/hour depending on the day and the season to rent a golf bay (can be shared by 6 people maximum).
- Address: 555 S York St, Elmhurst, IL 60126
Iron Street Golf Center
Iron Street Golf was created in 2020 by Rich Considine in Bridgeport near Bubbly Creek to offer local golfers of South Chicago a more straightforward solution to practice and play rounds all year. The family business uses Golfzon indoor golf simulators, which feature: 200 golf courses, swing analysis, adjustable plates for slope and realistic lies (rough, sand, fairway…), real-time ball flight, and an app (available on Google Play and App Store). Bay 1 also accommodates lefties.
Bay rental costs $50 per hour and can be shared by up to 6 golfers.
- Address: 3700 S Iron St, Chicago, IL 60609
Talking about street golf, have you read our article on urban golfing ?
Chicago Golf and Social Club
The Chicago Golf and Social Club is a membership-only indoor golfing venue between Horner Park and Revere Park. Bays are available 24/7 and use the best technology (GC Quad, Trackman Golf, and Uneekor), giving access virtually to more than 1000 golf courses.
The Chicago GSC offers various services and amenities:
- membership plans (6 and 12 months)
- golf simulatoer rental
- golf lessons (by Tom Borst)
- club fitting (Ping, Taylormade, Titleist, Callaway)
- event hosting
- golf club repair and customization
Membership is at total capacity (a waitlist is available), but if you know a member, he can bring you as a guest for $25.
- Address: 4045 N Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60618
Legends Indoor Golf
Legends Indoor Golf is an indoor golfing venue in Downers Grove where golfers can practice, take lessons with PGA professional Kyle Rich, and play rounds on virtual golf courses regardless of weather conditions from November 1 to April 15.
The golf center has 9 simulators using Foresight Sports launch monitors, FSX Software, and a full-size putting green. You can also order food, drinks and organize events during the opening season. Rates go from $30 to $45/hour, and bays can be shared by a maximum of 5 people.
- Address: 2091 63rd St, Downers Grove, IL 60516
Screengolfers.com: all the best indoor golf venues in Chicago in one place
Are you regularly playing golf indoors in Chicago and/or in Illinois? Check out screengolfers.com! We listed all the indoor golf venues in Chicago, and in Illinois , and in 48 other States in the USA. Finding a simulator bay has never been easier.