Published: June 4, 2025
Most golfers know the frustration of standing over a fairway bunker shot during a round, realizing they've never actually practiced this crucial skill. Practicing fairway bunker shots is one of the most overlooked parts of a golfer’s routine -- mostly because it’s so hard to find a place to do it. In the Chicago area, only a handful of driving ranges offer dedicated fairway bunker areas. If only Nathan Fielder could help us rehearse out here.
For players who want to sharpen their skills and face fewer surprises out on the course, knowing where to practice matters. Below is a list of the only 18 driving ranges in Chicagoland where you can actually step into the sand and work on these tricky, sometimes game-changing shots. Transform your sand game from a liability to a weapon.
With multiple greens, bunkers, and even two separate driving range areas, Pine Meadow’s practice facilities are truly excellent overall. You could practice here all day if you wanted to. The fairway bunker is just to the left of the range (that is, the range closest to the clubhouse).
The massive putting and chipping green here is a sign this place takes practice seriously. Indeed, they renovated the whole practice facility, including the driving range, in 2021. The grass-tee range is separated from the fairway bunker by a fence for safety. To be honest, a few more on this list should probably have that feature too.
Phillips Park is so committed to the bit that they have a sign in their bunker next to the driving range that says “This is a fairway practice bunker. No chipping to [the] practice putting green.” Respect.
The practice facility at The Preserve is excellent overall, with three separate greens to hone your skills. One of those includes a greenside bunker. The fairway bunker is thoughtfully placed on the far left side of the driving range, well out of the way of trouble from your fellow range denizens.
Unfortunately the driving range at Highland Woods is mats-only. And those mats have been known to show their age on occasion. But the fine folks at the Forest Preserves of Cook County that own this course were nice enough to bless us duffers with a fairway bunker on the left side of the range.
There’s only one practice green at Sanctuary, and it’s shared between the driving range and a practice green. However, it’s big enough that multiple golfers can practice both fairway and green approaches from the bunker at the same time.
Bliss Creek's driving range features what may be the widest bunker on the list at 85 feet across. This is somewhat notable given the range's compact 220-foot depth before reaching the tree line. With just 15 hitting bays available, the expansive fairway bunker provides a good practice opportunity if you’re waiting for an open spot.
The driving range's round bunker presents a slight challenge due to its location. When the grass tees are positioned further back, hitting shots poses no issue. However, with the tees moved forward, as shown in the photo, caution is advised. It's best to wait until the range is less crowded for safety reasons. Regardless, the sand is in excellent condition -- consistent with the quality found across the entire golf course.
Way out in the far west burbs past Aurora lies Blackberry Oaks. Nestled on the right side of the grass-tee range is this large, circular bunker. The diameter is about 30 feet and the lip is definitely something you need to account for. Another green here has two bunkers for greenside trap practice.
I’m of the general opinion that a great course like Thunderhawk, with gobs of space on the property, could improve its overall short game training options. There’s just one small green next to the driving range for this dedicated purpose. Sure, there’s a large putting green near the first tee, but there’s no room for pitch shots there. In any case, Thunderhawk has blessed us with a nice fairway bunker on the far right side of the range. Be aware of potential stray golf balls from other range-goers though; you could be within range.
The dual-purpose bunker on the left side of the Winnetka driving range serves both the fairway and the diminutive green next to it. The lip is definitely something to be conscious of. Also, if you’re hitting greenside bunker shots, be very careful not to skull one out of there. It’ll go flying through the first tee, earning the ire of the starter.
There’s a short game green about 60 yards to the left of the driving range at Silver Lake. A huge fence partitions it from the driving range. Golfers can hit shots up to about 50 yards here -- it’s really useful. The bunker tucked away at the end of the green is a dual-purpose trap that can be utilized for greenside or fairway practice.
The tiny fairway bunker is easy to miss at Stonewall. It’s only about 20 feet wide, but it does exist, and that’s the important part. It’s tucked away on the left side of the range. Speaking of tucked away practice areas, not a lot of people know about the short game area here. It’s about 80 yards east of the second green. Ample room for chips, pitches, and it has two bunkers.
Makray has 3 practice greens as part of their solid facility. One is a large putting green, and another is a short game practice green with enough space for wedge offerings up to about 60 yards. The fairway bunker on the left side of the range is a welcome sight for those of us that struggle with this particular shot.
Village Greens’ driving range is only about 230 yards deep, so we’d all appreciate it if you didn’t nuke your Happy Gilmore drives out of the yard. The practice bunker is on the left side here, well out of harm's way from the other tees. It doesn’t drain exceedingly well, but that’s okay by me.
There are three golf courses in Hoffman Estates and two of them have fairway bunkers to practice in. I’m guessing the fine residents here must have well-tuned bunker skills. The range here is pretty small, and relatively tight. If you slice a driver badly, there’s a good chance it lands on the first hole. Regardless, the small fairway bunker is on the left of the range, and it’s easy to miss. I certainly did for years. It’s tied with Stonewall Orchard for the prize of smallest fairway bunker. But I’m not mad achya!
Three separate greens at Bittersweet let golfers hone their skills across all short-game disciplines. The fairway bunker here is to the left of the range, and it’s at the very front of the grass tee area. If I’m being honest, it might be a little too far forward. There’s possibly a lot of golfers behind you hitting range balls; be careful out there.
While I have issues with the quality of the hot dog at Buffalo Grove, I do appreciate the fact that they have a practice fairway bunker.
Note: The Oakton Driving Range in Park Ridge also had a fairway bunker to practice from on the right side of the range. However, that range is closed at the moment as they work on a $33.4 million sports complex renovation. Not sure if the bunker will survive the modifications.
Most golfers know the frustration of standing over a fairway bunker shot during a round, realizing they've never actually practiced this crucial skill. Practicing fairway bunker shots is one of the most overlooked parts of a golfer’s routine -- mostly because it’s so hard to find a place to do it. In the Chicago area, only a handful of driving ranges offer dedicated fairway bunker areas. If only Nathan Fielder could help us rehearse out here.
For players who want to sharpen their skills and face fewer surprises out on the course, knowing where to practice matters. Below is a list of the only 18 driving ranges in Chicagoland where you can actually step into the sand and work on these tricky, sometimes game-changing shots. Transform your sand game from a liability to a weapon.
Map Key
Driving range with fairway bunker
Driving range with fairway bunkerPine Meadow Golf Club
Mundelein, IllinoisWith multiple greens, bunkers, and even two separate driving range areas, Pine Meadow’s practice facilities are truly excellent overall. You could practice here all day if you wanted to. The fairway bunker is just to the left of the range (that is, the range closest to the clubhouse).
The practice trap next to the Pine Meadow's range is one of the largest in Chicagoland
Naperbrook Golf Course
Plainfield, IllinoisThe massive putting and chipping green here is a sign this place takes practice seriously. Indeed, they renovated the whole practice facility, including the driving range, in 2021. The grass-tee range is separated from the fairway bunker by a fence for safety. To be honest, a few more on this list should probably have that feature too.
The training fairway bunker at Naperbrook. A fence separates the bunker from the rest of the range.
Phillips Park Golf Course
Aurora, IllinoisPhillips Park is so committed to the bit that they have a sign in their bunker next to the driving range that says “This is a fairway practice bunker. No chipping to [the] practice putting green.” Respect.
This is the only bunker with a sign in it on this page. Perhaps in all of Chicagoland
The Preserve at Oak Meadows
Addison, IllinoisThe practice facility at The Preserve is excellent overall, with three separate greens to hone your skills. One of those includes a greenside bunker. The fairway bunker is thoughtfully placed on the far left side of the driving range, well out of the way of trouble from your fellow range denizens.
It's not the largest fairway bunker but it's placed thoughtfully, unlike some on this list
Highland Woods Golf Course
Hoffman Estates, IllinoisUnfortunately the driving range at Highland Woods is mats-only. And those mats have been known to show their age on occasion. But the fine folks at the Forest Preserves of Cook County that own this course were nice enough to bless us duffers with a fairway bunker on the left side of the range.
Fairway bunker is on the left side of Highland Woods' driving range
Sanctuary Golf Course
New Lenox, IllinoisThere’s only one practice green at Sanctuary, and it’s shared between the driving range and a practice green. However, it’s big enough that multiple golfers can practice both fairway and green approaches from the bunker at the same time.
Sanctuary's one practice bunker
Bliss Creek Golf Course
Sugar Grove, IllinoisBliss Creek's driving range features what may be the widest bunker on the list at 85 feet across. This is somewhat notable given the range's compact 220-foot depth before reaching the tree line. With just 15 hitting bays available, the expansive fairway bunker provides a good practice opportunity if you’re waiting for an open spot.
This boss of a fairway bunker is 85 feet wide
Orchard Valley Golf Course
Aurora, IllinoisThe driving range's round bunker presents a slight challenge due to its location. When the grass tees are positioned further back, hitting shots poses no issue. However, with the tees moved forward, as shown in the photo, caution is advised. It's best to wait until the range is less crowded for safety reasons. Regardless, the sand is in excellent condition -- consistent with the quality found across the entire golf course.
Well-manicured sand is a beautiful sight
Blackberry Oaks Golf Course
Bristol, IllinoisWay out in the far west burbs past Aurora lies Blackberry Oaks. Nestled on the right side of the grass-tee range is this large, circular bunker. The diameter is about 30 feet and the lip is definitely something you need to account for. Another green here has two bunkers for greenside trap practice.
Circles are one of my favorite shapes. Definitely in my top 3
Thunderhawk Golf Club
Beach Park, IllinoisI’m of the general opinion that a great course like Thunderhawk, with gobs of space on the property, could improve its overall short game training options. There’s just one small green next to the driving range for this dedicated purpose. Sure, there’s a large putting green near the first tee, but there’s no room for pitch shots there. In any case, Thunderhawk has blessed us with a nice fairway bunker on the far right side of the range. Be aware of potential stray golf balls from other range-goers though; you could be within range.
Keep your head on a swivel. You might catch a stray from a fellow range-dweller
Winnetka Golf Club
Winnetka, IllinoisThe dual-purpose bunker on the left side of the Winnetka driving range serves both the fairway and the diminutive green next to it. The lip is definitely something to be conscious of. Also, if you’re hitting greenside bunker shots, be very careful not to skull one out of there. It’ll go flying through the first tee, earning the ire of the starter.
It not the size of the bunker that matters. It's the motion of the explosion (off the clubface)
Silver Lake Country Club
Orland Park, IllinoisThere’s a short game green about 60 yards to the left of the driving range at Silver Lake. A huge fence partitions it from the driving range. Golfers can hit shots up to about 50 yards here -- it’s really useful. The bunker tucked away at the end of the green is a dual-purpose trap that can be utilized for greenside or fairway practice.
Is it a greenside bunker? Is it a fairway bunker? ¿Por que no los dos?
Stonewall Orchard Golf Club
Grayslake, IllinoisThe tiny fairway bunker is easy to miss at Stonewall. It’s only about 20 feet wide, but it does exist, and that’s the important part. It’s tucked away on the left side of the range. Speaking of tucked away practice areas, not a lot of people know about the short game area here. It’s about 80 yards east of the second green. Ample room for chips, pitches, and it has two bunkers.
The Muggsy Bogues of fairway bunkers
Makray Memorial Golf Club
Barrington, IllinoisMakray has 3 practice greens as part of their solid facility. One is a large putting green, and another is a short game practice green with enough space for wedge offerings up to about 60 yards. The fairway bunker on the left side of the range is a welcome sight for those of us that struggle with this particular shot.
Makray's fairway bunker is about 45' x 20' for those of you keeping score at home
Village Greens of Woodridge
Woodridge, IllinoisVillage Greens’ driving range is only about 230 yards deep, so we’d all appreciate it if you didn’t nuke your Happy Gilmore drives out of the yard. The practice bunker is on the left side here, well out of harm's way from the other tees. It doesn’t drain exceedingly well, but that’s okay by me.
Perhaps drainage isn't this trap's strong suit, but I'm not complaining
Hilldale Golf Club
Hoffman Estates, IllinoisThere are three golf courses in Hoffman Estates and two of them have fairway bunkers to practice in. I’m guessing the fine residents here must have well-tuned bunker skills. The range here is pretty small, and relatively tight. If you slice a driver badly, there’s a good chance it lands on the first hole. Regardless, the small fairway bunker is on the left of the range, and it’s easy to miss. I certainly did for years. It’s tied with Stonewall Orchard for the prize of smallest fairway bunker. But I’m not mad achya!
The fairway bunker here is easy to miss
Bittersweet Golf Club
Gurnee, IllinoisThree separate greens at Bittersweet let golfers hone their skills across all short-game disciplines. The fairway bunker here is to the left of the range, and it’s at the very front of the grass tee area. If I’m being honest, it might be a little too far forward. There’s possibly a lot of golfers behind you hitting range balls; be careful out there.
The fairway bunker at Bittersweet's driving range
Buffalo Grove Golf Course
Buffalo Grove, IllinoisWhile I have issues with the quality of the hot dog at Buffalo Grove, I do appreciate the fact that they have a practice fairway bunker.
Buffalo Grove's fairway bunker is on the right of the range
Note: The Oakton Driving Range in Park Ridge also had a fairway bunker to practice from on the right side of the range. However, that range is closed at the moment as they work on a $33.4 million sports complex renovation. Not sure if the bunker will survive the modifications.
