PGN Fun Village Mini Golf – Hickory Hills, IL

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Played July 7, 2021

Reviewed by Mr. Tee

During the pandemic, I had lots of time indoors during the winter to research courses in the upper Midwest of the US to play during the summer months. I mapped out a lot of the options and something stood out to me about PGN Fun Village in the southern Chicago suburbs. I’m a sucker for courses with a massive castle facade (see Par-King) and seeing that the facility had two 18-hole courses, I was especially keen to check out all 36 holes. During a break at work in July 2021, I ventured out and started off my exploration south of Chicago at this facility.

Rating

From the minute I pulled into the parking lot, it was clear that this was a massive facility. The two courses were surrounded by a tall fence next to the parking lot where you could peek through to see a few of the 36 holes. A large brick castle doubles as the clubhouse and arcade for the first point of entry. You head out the doors and are greeted with two courses, east and west. Both courses have green turf, red brick (with fairly large gaps for mortar), and the dreaded metal-rimmed cups. The course takes you out to the main drag at West 95th Street and then winds back towards the main building to finish. The size of the course is substantial and it would have been even more heightened if the large connected water features were running. I’m not sure if they are not functioning or if they aren’t on during off-peak times. I’d love to play the course with them operating as they surround nearly every hole. While I don’t love the spacing between the bricks and the metal-rimmed cups for competitive playing (or even standard play for the public), my only recommendation would be new turf. I have a feeling it has been a while since this 30+ year-old course has replaced the playing surface but it would make some of the challenging holes a little less frustrating. With truly special facilities, we will opt to review each course individually but I’d say that the east and west courses are equally good with a nice variety of gameplay spread throughout the 36 holes. Overall, this is a sizeable space to putt through, and would recommend it if you’re in the area.

Love the bricked castle main building
Clear signage is helpful when there are multiple courses
Each hole is numbered clearly on the bricks but sadly, none of the holes are accessible by wheelchair
and when you get down to the surface with the ball, you can see that the turf is well-worn which makes for fast and sometimes frustrating play
Would love to see these moats filled with water but I also was there before 12pm on a weekday
Rocks are the major obstacles with nice box hedges up throughout
Staying west
Again, those massive waterways would look incredible with shimmering blue water
Have to be extra careful close to the cup with those darn metal rims
Up and over horseshoe holes at the halfway point
The journey through the course has nice elevation changes and imerses you in the experience
The shubbery and landscaping all add to the overall ambiance
Love seeing landscaping incorporating into the center of a hole while protecting the trees and bushes
Fun? Yes, indeed!
Head down below for the 17th hole
Water is looking murky but I bet it looks really nice with good lighting
The 18th hole on each course meet in this big covered room
Setting the sails to head east
Take a right to head to the east course
Glance across the east course. Those waters are looking a bit rough.
Covered cave early on the east course
Downhill spiraling path on the penultimate hole of the east course
Please don’t do this even if you get frustrated on the course

PGN Fun Village Website

8125 W 95th St, Hickory Hills, IL 60457

Pros

Massive facility that feels immersive
Solid variety of gameplay and putting challenges
Massive castle for the surrounding buildings / clubhouse

Cons

Water hazards weren’t on when I was there
Turf is a bit worn down
Metal rimmed cups

Nerdy Notes

  • 2 18-hole courses (East Coast and West Coast). No par listed for either
  • Prices: Senior/Child – $6 (Mon-Thurs) / $7 (Fri-Sun & holidays) | Adult $7 (Mon-Thurs) / $8 (Fri-Sun & holidays)
  • 2-course special $10
  • Other amusements include an arcade, double-decker driving range and Jump N Fun playland/playground
  • Neither course is ADA accessible due to stairs and no openings in the bricks surrounding each hole
  • Opened during the summer of 1991 by the Gianakas family. Initially, they were looking at a Greek / mythology theme but landed on medieval. The whole complex cost over $4 million dollars.

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