MomsTribute
FORE! When it comes to golf for children, I’m a firm believer that it can be fun and educational at the same time. Watching my son and daughter start out on the course and seeing how much they love being out there, swinging their clubs and chasing after the ball is as satisfying as a hole-in-one!
And what’s more, you don’t have to worry about them not getting enough exercise. Not only is golf a great way for kids to get out and get active, but it can also help with important lessons and skills, such as: mindfulness, sportsmanship, coordination, concentration, and balance. With kid-friendly courses around the country that focus on making the experience fun yet still educational, there’s ample opportunities for your child to learn to play and enjoy the game of golf.
Golf can offer many benefits for children, both in terms of their physical health and their overall well-being. With so many options to choose from, there are local courses, driving ranges, or even mini-golf, in Chicagoland, experiences are not to be missed. Here are a few of my personal recommendations:
The award-winning par 68, 18-hole layout features outstanding conditions, 4 sets of tees for players of all ability levels and is a local treasure of Arlington Heights, Illinois. This course underwent a comprehensive renovation in 2016, including a revamp of all tees, greens, and bunkers- making the course a true gem in the northwest suburbs. Arlington Lakes Golf Club offers something for every golfer, with a kid-focus especially made. Arlington Lakes believes kids of all ages can feel successful and love the sport and strategy of the game. Offering junior lessons throughout three seasons of the year, your child will be hitting down the fairway in no time. The course features strategically placed, edged bunkers that bring a natural look to the course. Living up to its name, water comes into play on 13 of the 18 holes. You will find its design will truly test your skills as a golfer, but is navigable enough for even the youngest golfers. Check out their available tee times and twilight special pricing.
Another local kid-friendly attraction with a golf focus is Top Golf Schaumburg. Top Golf offers over 100 spacious climate-controlled hitting bays to allow for year-round driving-range golf (even during rain, sleet, or snow!). The specially designed golf balls contain computer chips that record the length, speed, and trajectory of your golf drive. This element makes for kid-friendly competition between my children. Note to Moms: it’s best to reserve a bay ahead of time, utilizing the daytime pricing for you and your child, because once 9pm arrives, children under 21 are not allowed. Top Golf also offers group or individual hitting lessons and my son has even enjoyed a couple birthday parties there, too. They have a wide-selection of kid-approved snacks on their menus and the ample space in each hitting bay makes for a unique golf experience.
For yet another golf experience, Par-King (the home of the iconic pink castle built in 1977) is a mini-golf course in nearby Lincolnshire, Illinois. This mini-golf entertainment venue boasts two 18-hole courses, 19 moving obstacles and 7 water holes that you’ll find both a fun and challenging experience for pros and first time golfers alike. Even though this is a kid-friendly venue, littles must be 48 inches tall to participate in golf. Par-King is a cash-only operation, but they have an ATM on site if you are short of cash. I can remember visiting this kid-friendly venue when I was a little girl in the 1980s. My Dad would take me and my sister at least once each summer and its unique and creative putt-putt course experience left a lasting impression in my mind that I couldn’t wait to take my kids when they were both tall enough. “The Pink Place,” was what we called it…and to this day, it doesn’t disappoint.
The PGA offers 13 different camp locations in the Chicagoland Area: Half-Day, Full-Day, Advanced, Indoor, Competitive, Specialty - they offer something for every kid interested in learning more of the game of golf. Check out KidFriendlyVenues app to find a camp near you.
If this blog helps in any way to give working moms a chance to achieve best time management with the best of all-round beneficial activity for kids, KidFriendlyVenues app is the place to go for further information about the venues for star rating by other moms. Details also include locations, amenities and contact.
Dana H
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