Wisconsin Golf Trip

mci711 · November 28, 2018

What was rack rate at whistling 10-15 years back ?

I'm amazed that ws is booked months in advance as well considering the economics of things.

Think it was in the range of $250 back in the early 2000's.

One thing to keep in mind is a lot of the round there are booked as part of a golf package and WS is a touch better priced with a hotel and other golf included.

Not surprised that it is booked. Really you have a world class venue drawing players from everywhere who want to play in July August or September. That aint a lot of tee times. Having played and paid rack rates staying at the central hotel at Kiawah, Pebble, Streamsong, Pinehurst, Bandon, Sand Valley, Erin Hills, Arcadia Bluffs, Forest Dunes, and others; Kohler was the most disappointing from a value perspective. This from a guy who is not cost averse. While Pebble was more expensive at the Lodge, the overall experience being on property around the course and ambiance IMO it represented a far greater value. I would suggest paying the higher rack rate at WS to AVOID staying at the american club, which is an inferior experience from a value perspective than those mentioned above.
Interesting. Not counting Kiawah's incredibly good value winter stays which blow the others out of the water; we find Kohler's 3 days + replays/2 nights stay to be excellent value.
Pinehurst and Pebble being the worst 'value'. Everyone has their IMHO, but not sure what part of all the tour buses and looky-loos leads to a better ambiance.
Pebble is an awesome course, but being in that fishbowl knocks the 'experience' down a peg for me.

Totally get this sentiment, and see how many feel this way. I guess to qualify my opinoin I must submit that I have not found a better golf ambiance than the huge balcony off the rooms in the Alvorada building at the lodge fronting the 18th fairway overlooking still water cove, or having dinner as the sun sets at the Bench seated at the firepits as the last groups roll up 18. More expensive yes, IMO better value than anything the American club has to offer. Dont read this as a knock on Kohler. It is world class to be sure, but for my tastes the American Club is a solid skip. This opinion values the actual golf similarly.

Having a room/balcony at Arcadia may be my favorite view in golf. Over looking Pebble 18 is great, but you see 1 hole. Our room at arcadia looks over 15 holes and a lake that looks like an ocean and the sunset is directly over the water.

delmer · November 28, 2018

Interesting. Not counting Kiawah's incredibly good value winter stays which blow the others out of the water; we find Kohler's 3 days + replays/2 nights stay to be excellent value.
Pinehurst and Pebble being the worst 'value'. Everyone has their IMHO, but not sure what part of all the tour buses and looky-loos leads to a better ambiance.
Pebble is an awesome course, but being in that fishbowl knocks the 'experience' down a peg for me.

Totally get this sentiment, and see how many feel this way. I guess to qualify my opinoin I must submit that I have not found a better golf ambiance than the huge balcony off the rooms in the Alvorada building at the lodge fronting the 18th fairway overlooking still water cove, or having dinner as the sun sets at the Bench seated at the firepits as the last groups roll up 18. More expensive yes, IMO better value than anything the American club has to offer. Dont read this as a knock on Kohler. It is world class to be sure, but for my tastes the American Club is a solid skip. This opinion values the actual golf similarly.
That's fair enough. I just find the hustling and bustling overshadows the physical setting and those views. And then all the foot traffic during the day really puts a damper on things for me. I actually prefer sitting on a bench watching groups come up 9/18 at The Straits, to 18 at Pebble.
I think NCGA specials and then a nice spot in PG or Carmel can be excellent value as such; however, then we're appling and oranging things.

Of course I prefer sitting on the deck in the Golf suite at Bandon, seeing the ocean and watching groups come up 18 there more than any of them :)
Apologies OP (is he still around, lol) for the rabbit hole digression here. I'm out.

I'm a member at an SCGA club and I haven't seen any Pebble specials lately. They used to send them out a couple times a year.

dcmidnight · November 28, 2018

Dont read this as a knock on Kohler. It is world class to be sure, but for my tastes the American Club is a solid skip. This opinion values the actual golf similarly.

Couldn't agree more. I've said this before in other threads but I found the American Club to be the most overrated/overpriced lodge I've stayed at. Includes stays at Pebble, Pinehurst, Kiawah, and Sea Island among others. Just a complete skip for me next time.

scottleo · January 28, 2019

I go on a golf trip every year, end of June. How are the accommodations and food at Sand Valley? We went to Whistling Straits 2 years ago and stayed at Woodlake and played all 4 courses, had a great time, loved The Straits, Irish, Blackwolf Run and Meadows in that order. Thinking of going back there but have read some great things about Sand Valley. How is Mammouth Dunes compare? The Sand Box? Stayed in Cabot last year, loved the golf, hated the food....

Roadking2003 · February 3, 2019

We were there last August and played all the courses at SV and Kohler and also Erin Hills and The Bull.

SV accommodations are new and nice, but not luxury. Food was good. And sitting out behind the clubhouse with some whiskey and a cigar watching the sunset is spectacular.

SV courses are very nice, but not even in the same league as Erin Hills and Whistling Straits.

Our group of eight voted on their favorite courses for this trip. Erin Hills and Whistling straits were #1 or #2 on everybody's list. Mammoth Dunes was last or next to last on every list. Sand Valley, Blackwolf Run River, The Bull and Whistling Straits Irish were all bunched in the middle.

Even thought MD was last on our list, I recommend going there. It was a lot of fun.

Caddies at Sand Valley are also a level below Erin Hills and Whistling Straits.

Josh L. · February 5, 2019

If those are your only options and you are only playing 2 rounds I'd go with Erin Hills and the Straits. Those are two lifetime experience courses. I've been fortunate to play the Straits 3 times and Erin Hills twice. I'd happily go play either course again.

I know this is an unpopular opinion but I was unimpressed with Black Wolf Run, I played both courses there for free while working in Wisconsin and I'd never pay to play them. They were in excellent shape and the greens were phenomenal but the layouts were forgettable aside from a few holes.

Haven't played Sand Valley yet as they were finished after I moved away from Madison, they look interesting, I'll play them when I get back out there.

baddomes · May 19, 2019

> @baddomes said:

> Good info on the speed traps. Headed from SV to lawsonia next year in May (fingers crossed for global warming, just this winter, just in wisconsin) and would not have thought about going 10 mph over whatever the speed limit is.

I am sitting in MKE with a fresh f****** speeding ticket from Rosendale. Cop gunned me before the 30 mph sign as I was slowing down from 55. Said 52 in a 30. Cop was pulling out before I got near the 30mph sign. IL plates on a rental.

6. f******. Points. The only other speeding ticket Ive had was 10 years prior.

If you are making this trip, slow down to 30 a mile before you get to any signs that say 30.

Phreddy · May 20, 2019

> @baddomes said:

> > @baddomes said:

> > Good info on the speed traps. Headed from SV to lawsonia next year in May (fingers crossed for global warming, just this winter, just in wisconsin) and would not have thought about going 10 mph over whatever the speed limit is.

>

> I am sitting in MKE with a fresh **** speeding ticket from Rosendale. Cop gunned me before the 30 mph sign as I was slowing down from 55. Said 52 in a 30. Cop was pulling out before I got near the 30mph sign. IL plates on a rental.

>

> 6. ****. Points. The only other speeding ticket Ive had was 10 years prior.

>

> If you are making this trip, slow down to 30 a mile before you get to any signs that say 30.

>

Sorry. Rosendale is a notorious speed trap. Completely ridiculous but true.

Roadking2003 · May 20, 2019

> @DBake said:

> Erin Hills and Sand Valley

>

> or

>

> Whistling Straits and Blackwolf

Erin Hills and Whistling Straits...by a wide margin...

Roadking2003 · May 20, 2019

> @DoubleorQuits said:

> I would go Erin Hills and WS. The Sand Valley courses are great, but the reality is you can play these courses in OR, Canada, FL, NE and other places, while EH and Kohler are unique it WI.

>

I agree. SV is fun but not even in the same league as EH and WS.

BG5 · May 20, 2019

Its funny how unique each persons perspective can be :) I recently played Erin Hills and Whistling Straits along with Blackwolf Run and they are great courses no doubt. But Erin Hills was not that impressive to me and I doubt I will ever go back. I am def not saying its a dog track but just did nothing for me.

Looking forward to playing Sand Valley and Mammoth Dunes to see how I like them and will likely be up there in less than a month. I am guessing that I will love them but you just never know. I know Roadking plays golf all over the place and really enjoy reading his reviews alot but I was shocked his group had Mammoth Dunes ranked so low. Not disagreeing at all but its just so interesting how different people view courses.

THe pics of SV looked pretty sweet but I can wait to see how I rank them compared to Erin and Whistling. I also plan to play Lawsonia sometime this year to get my fix of Wisconsin golf.

SCalGolfer · July 1, 2019

Haven't played Sand Valley but Lawsonia Links was the most enjoyable round of any listed. I'm not saying it's a better course but I enjoy it more. Whistling has great views but it's too expensive IMO. Erin Hills is also good but overpriced.