News Chicago
For Lakeview golfers, the season has a hard stop. Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course on the lakefront closes for the winter, and by November outdoor practice in the neighborhood gets hard to come by. If you are looking for indoor golf near Lakeview, one of the closest options is Bucktown Golf Club, about three miles southwest at 2309 N. Damen Ave., half a block south of Fullerton Avenue.
The club runs year-round with three private golf simulator bays, each equipped with Trackman, the launch monitor used by tour players, coaches and club fitters. It is about 15 minutes from Lakeview by car and 20 minutes by bike.
Indoor Golf Near Lakeview, From November to April
The pitch to Lakeview golfers is simple: keep the swing you built in August instead of starting over in May. Members book a bay for an hour, often once or twice a week after work, and use the winter months to practice or play full rounds on simulated courses.
Each bay is private. When you book one, it is yours for the session, so there is no waiting behind other players and no crowd watching your swing.
Trackman in Every Bay
Trackman uses radar to track both the ball and the club through impact, so the numbers on the screen are measured rather than estimated: ball speed, launch angle, spin, carry, club path and face angle. That makes it useful for focused practice. Work on one thing for an hour, then check whether the numbers actually changed.
Golfers who would rather play than practice can take on real courses, run skills challenges or join one of the club’s leagues, which use Trackman’s built-in scoring. Professional lessons are also available in the bays.
Membership, Guests and BYOB
Bucktown Golf Club is membership-based. Membership is $150 a month with no initiation fee and no long-term contract, and members can cancel anytime. It includes:
- Online booking of one 60-minute member session per day, from any device
- Access to all three private Trackman bays
- Free guests during your session
- BYOB, with no bar tab and no spending minimum
- Practice, course play and leagues for every skill level
Not ready to join? Non-members can book a bay by the hour as a guest or schedule a tour first. According to the club, most members toured before joining, and membership is capped, so availability can change.
Getting to Bucktown Golf Club From Lakeview
- By car (about 15 minutes): West on Belmont Avenue to Damen Avenue, then south to Fullerton. Or south on Ashland Avenue to Fullerton and west to Damen. There is street parking on Damen and the side streets.
- By bike (about 20 minutes): South on Damen from Belmont, or Lincoln Avenue to Southport, then Clybourn, then west on Fullerton.
- By CTA (about 30 minutes): The #9 Ashland bus south to Fullerton, then the #74 Fullerton bus west to Damen. Or the #77 Belmont bus west to Damen and the #50 Damen bus south to Fullerton.
Questions Lakeview Golfers Ask
How far is Bucktown Golf Club from Lakeview?
About three miles southwest, at 2309 N. Damen Ave. It is roughly 15 minutes by car from Southport and Belmont.
Do I need a membership to play?
No. Guests can book a bay by the hour, and you can schedule a tour before deciding on a membership.
Can I bring friends?
Yes. Members can bring guests to their session for free.
Is it open in winter?
Yes. The club runs year-round, including after the lakefront courses close for the season.
Plan Your Visit
Current membership details, booking and tours are on Bucktown Golf Club’s indoor golf near Lakeview page. The club can also be reached at (847) 372-0691. Golfers in Wicker Park can read our earlier look at indoor golf in Wicker Park.