Mini golf: Big-time family fun
Looking for a way to spend some quality time with the family on Father's Day? Work on raising a new generation of golf-lovers by heading to these local mini golf courses to putt with the kids.
Congo River Miniature Golf, 1325 N. Barrington Road, Hoffman Estates, (847) 843-1778; golfcongoriver.com
Hours: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily
Price: $6.95 to $12.95
Congo River's two 18-hole courses were designed by golf professionals. The challenging courses have proved to appeal to families, teens, young adults and seniors.
“There are no two holes alike,” said Holly Patrick. “You go over bridges, through landscaping and through greenery. There are waterfalls, a river, water shoots and some of the holes have water hazards.”
Congo River operates 10 golf courses in Florida, and the Hoffman Estates location has the same tropical feel, complete with live palm trees planted every summer. The spot also has an arcade with air hockey tables, a mini golf video game and classics like Pac-Man.
Par-King, 21711 Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire, (847) 634-0333; par-king.com
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday
Price: $7 to $8.50
The Lincolnshire miniature golf course opened in 1976, though much of Par-King's equipment comes from a Morton Grove course dating back to the '50s.
“The place has a very old-school feel,” said manager Chris Boznos. “There are very few places like this left in the country.”
Almost half of the holes on the two 18-hole courses have mechanical components like opening and closing trap doors. For safety purposes, kids shorter than 48 inches aren't allowed to play, though the course is very popular with families with older kids and teenagers, packing in high school and college students at night. Par-King is very well maintained, with staff planting thousands of flowers each year to go with the topiary and flowering trees and bushes. While miniature golf is the focus, some people come to Par-King just to use their air hockey table.
Putter's Peak, 950 W. Lake St., Addison, (630) 458-2660; addisonparkdistrict.org
Hours: 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Price: $6 to $10
Putter's Peek is part of Addison Park District's Links & Tees Golf Facility, which also features a driving range and a nine-hole golf course perfect for beginners. The 18-hole mini golf course is named for the huge volcano in the middle of it, which players must hit balls through and down the sides of. The facility is decorated with rocks and waterfalls, along with prairie grass-style plantings. All the putting turf was replaced a few years ago, ensuring smooth play surfaces. On Father's Day, adults get a free round of golf when paying for two kids.
“We're a very family-oriented facility,” said Charles Sims, golf operations manager. “Dad might come up and go to the range and hit balls while the kids go down to mini-golf or they do it together. We have amenities for people of all ages and skill levels.”
TopGolf, 699 W. Thorndale Ave., Wood Dale, (630) 595-4653; topgolf.com
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday; 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday
Price: $5 to $6
TopGolf's 18-hole mini golf course has no straight shots, with putters navigating elevations and water elements. This year they also added more plants to give it a woodsy feel and a set of wheels at each hole that you can spin to get an extra challenge like putting with your weaker hand or with your eyes closed. For Father's Day, the facility is offering a special package for $40 for adults and $20 for kids, which includes two games in the driving range, club rental, an all-you-can-eat buffet and a $15 gift voucher for a return visit.
Wilderness Falls Mini Golf, 145 S. Clow International Parkway, Bolingbrook, (630) 378-8888; wildernessfalls.com
Hours: Noon to dark Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to dark Saturday and Sunday
Price: $6.95-$7.95
Wilderness Falls features two 18-hole courses. The Bear Course plays through a cave housing Bigfoot and across a 36-foot waterfall, while the Eagle Course is laid out on top of a 40-foot tall mountain.
“It's challenging for those that are competitive, but kids have a great time,” said general manager Dan Bradley. “There's a lot of water and a lot of cool shots. One hole drops 30 feet straight down and there's a lot of chances to lose your ball.”
The facility also includes a small arcade, baseball and softball batting cages and a concession stand serving Slurpees, ice cream and pizza. On Father's Day they'll be giving all dads the gift of a free round of golf at Romeoville's Mistwood Golf Club.