Wisconsin public golf

This year I am trying to knock out more Wisconsin courses, since this may be my last summer in Chicago before moving south. I have played Erin Hills, Whistling Straits, Blackwolf Run and am doing a weekend at Sand Valley. I hear a ton about lawsonia and the Bull, but never really hear much about Sentry World or Troy Burne even though they are ranked top 100. If I were looking to play 5 or so new courses in Wisconsin, which should I target?

This year I am trying to knock out more Wisconsin courses, since this may be my last summer in Chicago before moving south. I have played Erin Hills, Whistling Straits, Blackwolf Run and am doing a weekend at Sand Valley. I hear a ton about Lasawnia and the Bull, but never really hear much about Sentry World or Troy Burne even though they are ranked top 100. If I were looking to play 5 or so new courses in Wisconsin, which should I target?

Lawsonia never did much for me, and I've played there a few times.

If you have time, you could catch SentryWorld on the same trip you play Sand Valley. Renovated a couple years ago, and I've heard it's back to its original glory! There's a 36 hole complex about a mile away from Sand Valley called Lake Arrowhead. While not "Top 100" they are still nice layouts. I would be interested to know if Lake Arrowhead is upping it's game because of Sand Valley, or if its closing its doors. Can't believe it would be much in between...

If you consider the upper peninsula of Michigan part of Wisconsin, I understand there are now four great courses up there that are offering a package. I've played two of them: Timberstone and Greywalls. The course at the casino hotel that hosts the package is Sweetgrass. For me, Timberstone is the single most underrated, underplayed course I've ever seen. Located in Iron Mountain Michigan and just over the border from Wisconsin. Worth a trip unto itself, IMO. You could do a trip up the Lake Michigan coast line that includes Brown Deer (Milwaukee), the Bull (Sheboygan) and Timberstone. There are a couple worthy courses around Green Bay you could also consider (Brown County and Thornberry Creek).

I wouldn’t miss the Straits, black wolf run, or Lawsonia.

Maybe consider university ridge out in Madison, and wild rock in the dells is really nice as well, and both are very reasonable prices.

I wouldn't miss the Straits, black wolf run, or Lawsonia.

 

Maybe consider university ridge out in Madison, and wild rock in the dells is really nice as well, and both are very reasonable prices.

This year I am trying to knock out more Wisconsin courses, since this may be my last summer in Chicago before moving south. I have played Erin Hills, Whistling Straits, Blackwolf Run and am doing a weekend at Sand Valley. I hear a ton about Lasawnia and the Bull, but never really hear much about Sentry World or Troy Burne even though they are ranked top 100. If I were looking to play 5 or so new courses in Wisconsin, which should I target?

 

Lawsonia never did much for me, and I've played there a few times.

 

If you have time, you could catch SentryWorld on the same trip you play Sand Valley. Renovated a couple years ago, and I've heard it's back to its original glory! There's a 36 hole complex about a mile away from Sand Valley called Lake Arrowhead. While not "Top 100" they are still nice layouts. I would be interested to know if Lake Arrowhead is upping it's game because of Sand Valley, or if its closing its doors. Can't believe it would be much in between...

 

If you consider the upper peninsula of Michigan part of Wisconsin, I understand there are now four great courses up there that are offering a package. I've played two of them: Timberstone and Greywalls. The course at the casino hotel that hosts the package is Sweetgrass. For me, Timberstone is the single most underrated, underplayed course I've ever seen. Located in Iron Mountain Michigan and just over the border from Wisconsin. Worth a trip unto itself, IMO. You could do a trip up the Lake Michigan coast line that includes Brown Deer (Milwaukee), the Bull (Sheboygan) and Timberstone. There are a couple worthy courses around Green Bay you could also consider (Brown County and Thornberry Creek).

Thanks for the replies. I have already played the Kohler courses, that is why I left them out. Good info here though!

You have hit upon some good names. If you are playing Sand Valley, Sentry World is just down the road. It won't be your most difficult test, but it is always in excellent condition and the staff is first rate. Personally I love it. I also have high praise for University Ridge and Wild Rock. Another more off the radar is The Beloit Country Club. Brown Deer in Milwaukee is a muni that is a great test of golf skills. While in the Milwaukee area Naga-waukee is a must play for me every year. There is a lot to chose from in Lake Geneva, but I don't know those tracks well.

Phred

You have hit upon some good names. If you are playing Sand Valley, Sentry World is just down the road. It won't be your most difficult test, but it is always in excellent condition and the staff is first rate. Personally I love it. I also have high praise for University Ridge and Wild Rock. Another more off the radar is The Beloit Country Club. Brown Deer in Milwaukee is a muni that is a great test of golf skills. While in the Milwaukee area Naga-waukee is a must play for me every year. There is a lot to chose from in Lake Geneva, but I don't know those tracks well.

 

Phred

Thanks for the reply, sounds like University Ridge is pretty good. I will add that to my list for sure.

closer to the border...Glen Erin is supposed to be good

Greg Martin design and pretty tough

In Janesville by the airport, I believe, so maybe like Prairie Landing in its proximity to a small airport

and I also second Sentry World

We have a group that has been going up there every september for over 20 years

the renovation softened the course a bit, but provided some nice re-routing and utilized new pieces of land

If you can stomach some so-so conditions for a fun course, you've got to check out Spring Valley CC in Salem, WI (right on the border). It's a very interesting course with some old school features that are quite severe at times. The greens never run too fast and there is not a single bunker on the property, but it is fun. It's designed by the same guy who did Lawsonia (Langford), so play that first and decide if you like it. If you do, hit up Spring Valley and be sure to check out the original routing map that is framed in the clubhouse.

If you can stomach some so-so conditions for a fun course, you've got to check out Spring Valley CC in Salem, WI (right on the border). It's a very interesting course with some old school features that are quite severe at times. The greens never run too fast and there is not a single bunker on the property, but it is fun. It's designed by the same guy who did Lawsonia (Langford), so play that first and decide if you like it. If you do, hit up Spring Valley and be sure to check out the original routing map that is framed in the clubhouse.

I've driven by it, and it does look fun. Looks more hilly than your typical parkland course.

I love The Links at Lawsonia. Terrific old course with incredible green complexes, and a lot of history.

Troy Brune is a great course, although it will eat you alive on a windy day. I think of it as more of a Minneapolis course than a Wisconsin course.

Troy Brune is a great course, although it will eat you alive on a windy day. I think of it as more of a Minneapolis course than a Wisconsin course.

Yea I didn't realize how far west it was! I won't be making that drive.

University Ridge in Madison is pretty good.

While it's not a destination golf course, if one is in northwest Wisconsin, Spooner Golf Club is great fun. Not long, but an enjoyable layout, great shape, good pace of play and very affordable.

Played it for the first time last year and looking forward to playing it again this summer.

Some great advice here, you can't really go too wrong with any. I'll put in another vote for Wild Rock in Lake Delton, though. I prefer it to University Ridge but ymmv.

If you want something closer to home, Hawk's View is a fun course.

If you want something closer to home, Hawk's View is a fun course.

Isn't there some sort of regulation from the tourism board? Don't you have to demonstrate a willingness to spend $100 of tourist cash for every 10 miles north of the Illinois border?

If you want something closer to home, Hawk's View is a fun course.

 

Isn't there some sort of regulation from the tourism board? Don't you have to demonstrate a willingness to spend $100 of tourist cash for every 10 miles north of the Illinois border?

One way or another they're going to get you. Here's "the other way."

We were heading up to Erin Hills last summer and had crossed into Wisconsin. As a former resident and understanding the hatred for FIB's, I set the cruise control to 71, in a 70 zone. The 3 guys in the car gave me intense grief for going "so slow." Within 5 minutes, going 1 MPH over the limit, I was pulled over by a Wisconsin Trooper for exceeding the speed limit.

He actually let me go with a warning which was a SHOCK but I'm guessing he's not going to court to pursue that one.

If you want something closer to home, Hawk's View is a fun course.

 

Isn't there some sort of regulation from the tourism board? Don't you have to demonstrate a willingness to spend $100 of tourist cash for every 10 miles north of the Illinois border?

 

One way or another they're going to get you. Here's "the other way."

 

We were heading up to Erin Hills last summer and had crossed into Wisconsin. As a former resident and understanding the hatred for FIB's, I set the cruise control to 71, in a 70 zone. The 3 guys in the car gave me intense grief for going "so slow." Within 5 minutes, going 1 MPH over the limit, I was pulled over by a Wisconsin Trooper for exceeding the speed limit.

 

He actually let me go with a warning which was a SHOCK but I'm guessing he's not going to court to pursue that one.

We have a cabin 5 1/2 hours from home. On the bulletin board "up north" I have a stack of a dozen warnings. My wife only gets real tickets. I still have scar tissue from suggesting this was evidence of a referendum on who was the more pleasant in our union.

We're very fortunate that Wisconsin has so many great public courses. There's obviously the big names at Kohler, Sand Valley, and Erin Hills, but some of those lesser named courses offer incredible experiences. Sentryworld in Stevens Point is really fantastic after the renovation, and the course conditions are puuuuure. I've never played Lawsonia, but I know it's supposed to be a great layout. The Bull is a beast. The first few holes have you wondering if you're playing the same course you've heard people talk about, and then you get into the woods! Be sure to bring a lot of balls or your A+ game. Troy Burne is a great layout as well. It is more of a Twin Cities course, but if you're ever in the area it's a must play. Nearby stoneridge on the other side of the border would make for a great day of 36. Outside of those, Hayward has a ton of courses, some definitely better than the others. But if I were you, coming from Chicago, I'd make a weekend out of some of the more central courses and head north to Minocqua. Not only is the town beautiful in the summer (and really year round), but you can play two super fun courses once you're up there. Timber Ridge is a classic northwoods course that was private until only about 10-15 years ago. The conditions there are always top notch, especially for the area. And another 20 or so minutes from there is St. Germain Golf Club. This is another fun northwoods course which has you weaving through the woods, and the conditions are always really solid. A few gimmicky holes, but I'm ok with that every once in a while!

Billy_Baroo nailed it on the Minocqua area. If you need variety, you could add Eagle River and Trout Lake. I haven’t played Trout Lake in years, but I remember it being short, but scenic. St Germain is really good.

closer to the border...Glen Erin is supposed to be good

Greg Martin design and pretty tough

 

In Janesville by the airport, I believe, so maybe like Prairie Landing in its proximity to a small airport

There are a few similarities (next to the airport, mostly faux links) but there's more elevation change at Glen Erin and holes 12, 13, and 15 are woodlands with thick trees on both sides of the fairway. It's a great layout and personally I like it more than Landing. Also, the DuPage airport gets busy and there definitely isn't a secluded vibe. The Wisconsin Southeast Regional Airport might've been super busy when General Motors was still pumping cars out of Janesville but these days, it's just home to Paul Ryan's G5.

Where would Erin Hills fit in this tour?

Where would Erin Hills fit in this tour?

I played Erin Hills and Kohler courses last year. So just trying to add courses I haven't played to the list. I actually rank Erin as top 3 courses played for me. Right there with Bandon courses. I think I will make it back to Erin at some point this summer, it is so good.

If you're factoring in everything (course conditions, variety, green complexes, aesthetics, budget, etc.), Washington County should absolutely be included in this thread. It can be paired with Erin Hills or played on the way back from Lawsonia, and it's very secluded. Also, I really liked Mascoutin in Berlin (near Green Lake). The website is either hilarious or extremely culturally insensitive - "Some 300 years ago, fire-worshipping Indians lived in Mascoutin Village" is a direct quote from the website and the tee markers are all Native American heads because why not? - and the original red and white nines are traditional parkland that are good but not great. However, Rick Jacobsen did the blue nine in 1999 and I really enjoy that layout.

If you're factoring in everything (course conditions, variety, green complexes, aesthetics, budget, etc.), Washington County should absolutely be included in this thread. It can be paired with Erin Hills or played on the way back from Lawsonia, and it's very secluded. Also, I really liked Mascoutin in Berlin (near Green Lake). The website is either hilarious or extremely culturally insensitive - "Some 300 years ago, fire-worshipping Indians lived in Mascoutin Village" is a direct quote from the website and the tee markers are all Native American heads because why not? - and the original red and white nines are traditional parkland that are good but not great. However, Rick Jacobsen did the blue nine in 1999 and I really enjoy that layout.

Had never heard of Washington County. Just looked it up, looks pretty good. I couldn't imagine them getting a ton of play, it looks quiet. (From the pics at least)

Agree on Washington County. One of the better southeastern Wisconsin options.

If you're factoring in everything (course conditions, variety, green complexes, aesthetics, budget, etc.), Washington County should absolutely be included in this thread. It can be paired with Erin Hills or played on the way back from Lawsonia, and it's very secluded. Also, I really liked Mascoutin in Berlin (near Green Lake). The website is either hilarious or extremely culturally insensitive - "Some 300 years ago, fire-worshipping Indians lived in Mascoutin Village" is a direct quote from the website and the tee markers are all Native American heads because why not? - and the original red and white nines are traditional parkland that are good but not great. However, Rick Jacobsen did the blue nine in 1999 and I really enjoy that layout.

 

Had never heard of Washington County. Just looked it up, looks pretty good. I couldn't imagine them getting a ton of play, it looks quiet. (From the pics at least)

Washington County would be an excellent warmup round for Erin Hills. Nagawaukee is directly south of Erin Hills about 10 miles, and while not as difficult as WashCo or Erin Hills, is a solid, scenic test.

Does Erin offer any early season rates or is it strictly $295 straight out of the shoot? Just curious as if they don’t I’d rather wait until July or August for better weather if paying the rack rate.