Two, 18-hole championship golf courses along with the United States Golf Academy are located at Swan Lake Resort.

Tranquil Swan Lake

Close By Venue Is Place Where Golfers Of Any Age Can Get Better

Most golfers have heard of the dozen or so greatest of them all. There's Hogan, and Tiger and "The Bear" (Nicklaus)‹oh my. Leaving, Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer, Byron Nelson, Gary Player, Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen off that list would be sacrilegious. So, too, would Sam Snead.

So, the thought of having a beer and a bite to eat at Sam Snead's Tavern & Grill following a day of serious golf interrupted by some not-so-serious play, seemed like a tasty thing to do. Everywhere I looked, there hung pictures of the great "Slammin' Sammy", dressed "to the nines" in his famous fedora and perfectly knotted tie and sweater.

The restaurant is one of seven located throughout the country dedicated to the man who was one of the best golfers in the world between 1930 and 1970 having won a record 82 PGA tour events. It's also part of a rising star golf resort that provides top flight playing opportunities and the best in game improving technology and instruction only 90 minutes from Chicago's Northwest suburbs.

Swan Lake Resort, surrounded by working farms in northern Indiana, is a destination that offers the creature comforts of a large vacation destination with an emphasis on golf and how to improve at the easily frustrating game.

Swan Lake, which includes the Indiana Golf Club and its two 18-hole courses, and the United States Golf Academy, is situated about 25 miles south of South Bend, Ind. In terms of hustle and bustle, it really has none compared to the frenzy of Chicagoland. Instead, it's a place that blends the natural beauty of the area with a quiet, laid back way of life and people who clearly understand and practice Hoosier hospitality. Besides the Sam Snead Tavern & Grill, Swan Lake consists of 92 individual rooms, a spa and workout facility, on-site massage therapy and a new indoor-outdoor pool.

Make no mistake about it, golf is king at Swan Lake. What's especially nice is that one doesn't have to feel like a "pro" to play or learn there. People of all ages, genders and sizes pay visits throughout the year to either learn how to play if they're just starting out, or to fine-tune their skills to cut 3 or 4 strokes off their game.

To get your bearings once you've arrived at Swan Lake, located on one side of the two-lane Plymouth-LaPorte Trail road lies the resort, restaurant and two courses. Across the street stands the academy, the second oldest golf school in the country that features the most golf improvement technology of any such school open to the public in the U.S. Beyond the academy building stretches thousands of yards of golf landing areas where various new clubs manufactured by the big names in the business are tried out and where lessons in small groups or individually are given.

The philosophy of the academy is simple, according to Golf Director Pat Bayley: "We're here to affect score. We teach individuals, not methods. There's no right golf swing. We teach concepts."

What that refreshing piece of news means is that academy instructors are not going to try to change your existing golf swing to emulate that of Tiger Woods. They help people interested in bettering themselves by utilizing and improving what already exists. By doing so, the frustration level plunges while the skill level‹and mostly importantly, score‹improves.

Most people who visit Swan Lake do so for one to three days at a time. Various "Stay & Play" packages are available for very reasonable costs ranging from $82 per person to $270 per person for two nights stays. The cost to play Indiana National Golf Club's two courses is a bargain as well with green fees costing $50 Monday through Thursday and $60 Friday through Sunday. Those prices include carts.

Back at the academy, two full simulators help golfers adjust their swings to hit the ball straighter and farther. Regular golf leagues and long ball driving contests are run on the computerized simulators where layouts on the screens can be adjusted to allow the playing of 18 of the world's best courses such as Pebble Beach and Bay Hill. The latest in new drivers, putters and irons are everywhere in organized fashion inviting anyone to take a few swings to test the fit and distance. The academy's putting lab, run by Bruce Rearick, is simple but unique. Using laser beam technology, it helps golfers line-up their putts so they don't pull it left or push it right. In my case, I was unknowingly lining up to pull the ball on every putt. With a slight adjustment, I was taught how to straighten things out. Whether I heed what I was told is something I'll have to work out.

Another bit of rocket-like technology at the academy is the use of an amazing piece of machinery called "The Trackman". It measures the entire flight of the ball and provides pertinent information for a better fitting club. For example, for someone hitting a wedge, The Trackman accurately measures the club path, launch, spin and distance. It also measures trajectory and helps determine which type of golf ball is best to use based on the way someone hits the ball. It's amazing to see the flight of the ball you just hit appear on a computer screen that measures all the reasons why it went where it did.

According to Bayley, Trackman technology was originally developed as a missile training system. "If it spins and flies, we can work with it," said Bayley. The Trackman can also be programmed to any playing conditions in the world. So, for those of you planning a trip to take on the wind-swept courses in Ireland, Swan Lake can simulate those elements.

Numerous other golf-related services and assistance is provided at the Swan Lake complex. There are nine experienced instructors on staff including Bayley with 24 years teaching and Rearick 25 years.

And, where else can you can you had dinner with Sam Snead.

For more information, call 800-582-7539 or visit www.swanlakeresort.com.