Village Greens Golf Course

Tips for Improving Your Short Game

Though driving a ball off the tee may produce the farthest shot, many round of golf are won and lost on the green. If you don’t have the skill to bring your ball home, then your 300 yard drive is almost meaningless. Here are a few basic tips for improving your short game and becoming a better overall golfer:

Determine the shot

When your ball is lying within 50 feet of the green, your first move should be to determine what kind of shot to take. Your ball’s position and the slope of the green are the most important factors to consider. For instance, if you’re chipping from a sand bunker onto a fast green, you should get as much loft as possible.

Pick the right club

Now that you know which shot to take, your next step is to decide which golf club can best achieve that shot. For maximum loft, you should always turn to your wedges. If you want to get your ball rolling on the green, you might try a soft shot with a three or four iron.

Decide how to swing

As you select your shot and club, you should be thinking how you want to hit the ball. If you hit it too soft, your situation won’t change much; if you hit it too hard, you may end up on the other side of the green. Generally speaking, you shouldn’t go above a half swing for shots of 50 feet or shorter.

Practice, practice, practice

Just as with any other endeavor, the best way to improve your short game is to practice whenever you can. With each weekend outing, you may pick up a par here, or a birdie there. It’s also a good idea to hit the putting green so you can perfect one of the most difficult and frustrating components of golf.

For some of the finest, most reasonably-priced golfing in the Chicago area, come by Village Greens of Woodridge. Our frequent golfing deals make weekly golf outings very affordable, even for golfers on a budget. Call us today at (630) 985-3610 to learn more about our golf course.

U.S. Open Champions Across the Years

One of the four major golf tournaments of the year, the U.S. Open has been played nearly every year since 1895. During that span, there have been many champions from around the globe. If you’re willing to put in the practice, you may someday find yourself hoisting the U.S. Open trophy. Here’s a quick look at a few notable U.S. Open champions through the years:

Horace Rawlins

Englishman Horace Rawlins was the first person to win the U.S. Open back in 1895. Though the temperature was in the 50s and high winds made playing difficult, the relatively unknown Rawlins managed to sneak by favorites Willie Dunn and Willie Campbell. Rawlins won a gold medal and $150 for his victory.

John J. McDermott

For the first 15 years, the U.S. Open was dominated by European players, which was embarrassing considering that it is an American event. Luckily, John J. McDermott became the first American-born golfer to win the event in 1911. At age 19, McDermott was the youngest U.S. Open champion of all time (a record that has yet to be broken to this day).

Jack Nicklaus

In 1966, Jack Nicklaus became the first golfer to win the U.S. Open two years in a row. He went on to win 16 other major championships, including the U.S. Open twice more in 1972 and 1980. Jack Nicklaus is tied with Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones, and Ben Hogan for most U.S. Open victories (4).

Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods, one of the greatest golfers of our time, won the U.S Open in 2000, 2002, and 2008. Though Woods has experienced some well-publicized issues off the course, he is arguably one of the best golfers of this generation. Last month, Woods overtook Jack Nicklaus with his record-breaking 74th PGA tour victory.

Even if you'll never see your name next to these golfing greats, come by Village Greens of Woodridge. You’ll find that our 18-hole golf course is both great for practice and having fun. Visit our website or call us at (630) 985-3610 to learn all about our current specials or to schedule a tee time.

Can You Relate to These Frustrated Golfers?

Golf can bring out the best and the worst in the men and women who play it. If you’ve ever broken a club after a wayward shot, you’ll be relieved to know that you’re not alone. Even the pros lose their temper—only they do it in front of thousands of people.

In this short video, you will get a look at some of the most outrageous golf tantrums in recent pro golf history. Here, you’ll see the best of the best acting like the worst of the worst as they throw their clubs, curse, and smash tee markers.

Though golf is frustrating, most of us have trouble staying away. If you’re looking for a quality golf course near Woodridge and Naperville, call Village Greens at (630) 985-3610. We offer some of the finest golfing deals you’ll find anywhere in the Chicago area.

Host Your Next Meeting at Village Greens Golf Course

For decades, golf has been an extremely popular sport among business leaders. In fact, many business deals and partnerships have been brokered on the fairway, far away from stuffy conference rooms and fluorescent lights. Today, that tradition is alive and well at Village Greens, one of the finest golf courses in the Chicago area. Here are a few reasons why you should consider hosting your next big meeting with us:

Varied meeting spaces
When booking a meeting or conference venue, space is always a huge concern. Luckily, Village Greens offers a variety of spaces for a wide range of events. Our small conference rooms are perfect for a dozen or fewer associates, while our outdoor patio can accommodate up to 120 guests.

Sophisticated amenities
New technology has always been an important part of business, which is why we have high-speed internet, large-screen televisions, and a business center for making copies and sending faxes. Also, if you’re worried about the logistics of your meeting, our professional team members will help you plan every detail.

Delicious food
If you’re going to host a group of business associates for an afternoon, you’ll need to feed them at some point. Luckily, Village Greens offers a range of delicious foods, including steaks, burgers, salads, desserts, and much more. We also have enough space and food for anywhere from 20 to 125 associates.
 

Excellent golfing
If you’re not too distracted from all the other perks, you and your associates can enjoy the centerpiece of any Village Greens outing: our elegant 18-hole golf course. We offer a good mix of challenging and easy holes, each of which are well maintained and beautifully landscaped. Perhaps the best part of our golf course is how reasonably priced it is; in fact, we offer the best value for golf in the Chicago area.

If you’re looking for a great venue for your next business meeting, you should strongly consider Village Greens of Woodridge. Our well-groomed course and sophisticated amenities will encourage you and your associates to approach business in a whole new way. Call us today at (630) 985-3610 to reserve space and tee times.

Get Your Golf Fix With These Links

Golf is a sport of tradition and skill. It is also a lot of fun and well worth the time spent perfecting your swing. If your golf obsession extends beyond the course, take the time to browse the following resources:

• Learn about golf etiquette from USGA.org.
• Every sport has its own special lingo. Look over these common golf terms to improve your vocabulary.
• You can improve your swing by following these ten golf swing tips from HowStuffWorks.com.
• Developing a pre-shot routine will help you get in the zone before you swing. Consider these pre-shot routine tips from Golf.com.
• A good pair of golf shoes is imperative to a good golf game. Explore these types of golf shoes to see which type is best for you.
• Do you know where the word “golf” came from? Visit USGAMuseum.com to learn interesting historical facts about golf.
• Hit monster shots with these golf driving tips from GolfTipsMag.com. 
• Your short game is just as important as your distance game. Fortunately, Golf.com offers some helpful putting tips to help with your short game.
• If you want to get started in golf but don’t know where to start, consult this golf beginners guide from GolfDigest.com.
• Are you ready to take your golf game to the next level? Check out these tips on how to play golf like a pro from Yahoo.com.

Village Greens of Woodridge is your source for fun, affordable golf. We also offer private lessons and a driving range to practice your swing. Give our golf course a call at (630) 985-3610.