I'm going to Chicago this weekend and I'm looking for course recommendations (I'll be staying in a hotel in downtown Chicago--I'll have a car but don't want to drive more than 50 miles). I've looked over the courses listed in the directory, but I'm looking for some personal comments and recommendations.

TIA

Riverside Park in Hammond, IN is a nice 18 hole course. Hammond is just southeast of Chicago. I've played there several times while visiting my sister (I live in Houston). About 25 miles further south down Hwy 41 in Cedar Lake, IN, is Lemon Lake it's a nice (I believe) 27 hole. I've heard the courses in the Chicago are arean't that great, mostly little nine holers. Joliet, IL is not too far from Chicago (southwest?). West Park in Joliet is a cool course, too. Of course, I haven't played it since '98.

Madison Meadows in Lombard is about 30 mi west of downtown chicago. Decent 18-hole course. A bit closer than Joliet. Has long tees on most holes.

The UW Parkside course in Kenosha is pretty good too. That is probably close to 50 miles from the Loop.

The best courses in Chicago are in the Indiana and Wisconsin parts of Chicago!

Don't drive out just to play Lombard, it's not worth it. Lemon Lake is the best within range. If you go out to the Joliet area, there are a few close together. West park is decent, try the red tees for a challenge (just ask a local where they are, #4 is a hike back up the hill). And if you make the trip out to Joliet, try Channahon.

Highland Park (Fink or Centennial) are closest, but small. They are also less crowded.
Bevier in Waukegan is the best maintained and Fairfield in Round Lake is the most challenging, but pretty far away.
Lombard, Bevier, and Channahon are my pix......
Bruce, your knickers must be on too tight! :-)

Go to Joliet. It is worth the trip. Play Channahon, and West Park, it will take you the day. The drive down is about an hour, I think that at West PArk they have a league on Sunday AM.

If you just want to go for a short round on a nice enough course, hit the Munster/Hammond course, it is just down the sky-way and you can get there in about 30 minutes. It is the closest. right after I-80 and 41.

I tend to agree with the Madison Meadows comment, it is way to FLAT to play and you will not be as happy as playing in the Joliet area. It is the best part of the Chgo area to play, plus enough traffic there to get you to the other courses close by.

Good luck

Keep going after Munster/Hammond and hit the Valparaiso, IN Course. This IS the best course closest to Chi-Town. Its about 1-1.5 hours from Chi.

Sorry I missed this discussion. Poor guy, it's in the low 40s high 30s today....

The suggestions were all good, even though not within your 50 mile limitations ( a sad reality for this area).

One other roadtrip would be to head to
SOUTH BEND, IN(Rum Village Pk (http://www.pdga.com/courses_by_city.php?id=258)) 18 holes in a pretty park/ tall, majestic trees, some nice elevation holes,
MISHAWAKA (http://www.pdga.com/courses_by_city.php?id=250), IN- (Wilson Pk (http://www.georgewilson.homestead.com/)) 18 holes up, down and around a skihill(might be closed)
OSCEOLA (http://www.pdga.com/courses_by_city.php?id=253), IN- (Ferrettie Baugo Creek (http://www.sjcparks.org/baugo.html)) 18 holes shortish, alot of it through woods, but with 1 hole teeing off a "sledding hill"- The weakest course on my list, IMNSHO.
NILES, MI- (Madeline Bertrand (http://www.pdga.com/courses_by_city.php?id=439)) 18 holes in a gorgeous state park (get good directions!)

Of course,HAMMOND, IN -(Riverside Pk. (http://www.pdga.com/courses_by_city.php?id=242)) Is just of the Hwy, and could be included. Oh, and it's now called Matt Lovasko Memorial DGC.

Fairfield Park DGC in Round Lake, IL is undergoing improvements. By August, there will be 18 5x12 limestone teepads, chain upgrades, sanded and retouched baskets, and new tee markers!

13 Players drove from as far as Milwaukee and Chicago to come out this morning for the first of three or four "improvement" days at Fairfield. It was only 28 degrees with 15 mph winds. We finished two 5x12 teepads with crushed (I mean FROZEN CHUNKS of) limestone, and skirted about 10 baskets with woodchips. Also got some wooded fairways cleaned up and lined with felled trees.

THANKS to Brett Comincioli, Maddison, Becky (Tree) and Jon Brakel, Phil Clark, Al Short, Dave Brown(ie), Rob Schoenhoft, Myk Deardork, Daniel Wheeler, Garrett Moddox, Jason Hany for such hard work in the cold! This was a real step for Illinois disc golf, as three different clubs joined forces to tackle this project! The C-Tier Illinois Open on August 10th is gonna ROCK BABY!

Jack Lowe mentioned at West Park there is league play on Sunday. Can an out of towner join in and/or is there any local tourneys this weekend at other courses?

Chris,
There is no longer leagues on Sunday, that is a Winter League. However, during the Spring and Summer months we can be found on Wednesdays for a "traveling" best shot league. Everyone is welcome, so if you will be in town for a Wednesday night feel free to e-mail me to find out which course leagues will be located at. Thanks!
Jason McKinney
#17714

i'm gonna be in town dec 22 04 where is league that night?