Some Things Wisconsin Golf

[klebs01]

Course was playable but two holes were closed due to flooding. Looks like a lot more rain on the extended forecast. I hope the rivers start going down so they can handle the rain in a few days.

[geauxtigers777]

When do most courses in Wisconsin aerate (will be going to Erin Hills, Whistling, Sand Valley in June)? I presume they don't do this during the peak season (late June), but just wanted to make sure.

[rtraudt]

Was there last Wednesday. Craig’s porch was open with what appeared like a typical menu, and in the mammoth clubhouse they had quick bag lunches with either cold sandwiches or brats/burgers (which is what we did after our morning round on Mammoth).

[collje26]

Played league last night at Chaska in Appleton, shockingly the course wasn't all that bad, had one mud ball (insert bubba voice)

[mci711]

Thanks for the info!

[jwhite86]

Whistling was aerated about 3 weeks ago, during the shutdown. Not sure if they would do it again so quickly.

[rtraudt]

Not a problem...enjoy your time up there! Courses were in fantastic shape, especially given the time of year. It was my first time playing Mammoth, and it was a phenomenal experience. Sadly, we didn't have time to get out on the Sandbox, so that leaves reason enough to get back up for another couple rounds later this summer, but we took advantage of the last day of the earliest season deals and I could not have been happier. Mammoth is just pure fun. Can pull driver on almost every hole, you almost always have a recovery shot at the green (and, even with a somewhat wayward drive, will still be in the short grass given the enormous fairways), but the slopes on and around the green prevent it from being a pure birdie fest (along with the wind, which was gusting over 30 when we played). Sand Valley was as much fun as I remembered, and is certainly more challenging off the tee, but the two courses complement each other so well given that they are on the same property. I'm looking forward to finally booking a whole weekend up there including lodging and nonstop golf.

[mci711]

I am driving up from Chicago for 36 on Friday. Long day of driving, but I am moving at the end of the year so I figured I'd knock it out while I can and while the rates are cheap. I saw that they are opening the practice facility Friday as well. So everything should be pretty close to "normal" as it can be. 75 and 5mph wind forecasted was the tipping point. I am really excited to get up there, unfortunately I was at 30 rounds last year at this time and 2 this year. There is a lot of rust to knock off.

[collje26]

Playing 27 at mascoutin on Saturday. Anyone play there yet this year, if so how are the conditions?

[collje26]

Update, mascoutin certainly had my number. Went 41 on the red, 39 on the white and 35 on the blue. One of the fairest tests I’ve played in a while with the conditions as they were. Greens were pretty slow in my opinion.

[TBone0576]

Next three days out at Brighton Dale Links. I haven't been out there all week but my guess is that it should finally be dried out for the most part. They have been getting crazy amounts of play out there and I would say half of the players are coming up from IL. When we walk off the course at 9am the lot is almost completely full. Don't remember it being like that except for holiday weekends. Course has been in nice shape overall. Sand is a little sketchy but I am sure it is like that everywhere with no rakes.

[TBone0576]

Oops.... double post. As long as I am here I might as well plug Petrifying Springs as well. They have a 2nd year grounds keeper there who came from Kohler and the course, while short is still a fun little track to play and a challenging walk if you go that route.

[mci711]

Is Blackwolf Run river a good walk or is a cart advised?

[collje26]

Played brown county last week, love that layout unfortunately the greens were pretty slow. Playing ridgeway country club this weekend and Lawsonia links on Monday.

[klebs01]

I played it May 7th and thought it was an easy walk.

[mci711]

I played Blackwolf Run yesterday and was surprisingly underwhelmed. I am a big Pete Dye fan so I was excited for the round. I live in the Chicago Suburbs and I am trying to scratch as many WI courses off as I can this summer as I am moving south at the end of the year. Overall I have played Whistling Straits -Straits/Irish, Erin Hills, Mammoth Dunes, Sand Valley, Lawsonia and Blackwolf Run. I would put BWR at the end of that list against those courses. Honestly, I'd go Sand Valley over Kohler at this point. I think Whistling Straits is best of the bunch but Mammoth Dunes and Sand Valley are much better than any of the other courses at Kohler. I also thought the service was better.

I didn't hate BWR, it was pretty, and challenging. But a lot of those holes just reminded me of other, better, Dye courses and made me wish I was there instead ?. Also, hole 13 is a really bad hole.

[J_Birdie]

What’s the conditions of Erin, Whistling, Irish, both BWR?

1 week until I leave for my trip!’

[BG5]

I agree with the above poster as Mammouth Dunes is probably the best course I have ever played. If I compared the Kohler Courses and others to Sand Valley I would rank them as follows

 

Mammouth DUnesWhistling StraightsSand ValleyErin HillsBlackwolf Run

[ode1]

I like MV quite a bit....but then the most I've ever paid to play it was ~ $85 in fall ....played it quite a bit at no cost when my friend worked there. Lots of fun holes and pretty scenery. I agree 13 isn't the best hole, but the next 5 are pretty cool, I especially like 14!

[mci711]

I agree, it had some awesome holes and scenery, I don't think it is a bad course. There are just so many good courses in Wisconsin to choose from that it wouldn't be the one I chose to play over any of the others.

[BG5]

I want to play Lawsonia soon....how does it stack up to Sand VAlley, Erin Hills, Whistling Straights and Blackwolf run?

[ode1]

Agreed.....it would be down the list.....I tend to vote "fun factor" #1 in my ratings vs. what I call "pageantry". So many good courses.....lots I want to get to and hope to have the good fortune to play in the near future!

[klebs01]

I think Erin and Sand valley are possibly better. I think Lawsonia is better than anything in kohler. Doesn't have the views of the straights, but that's now how I rate courses.

[mci711]

Mammoth Dunes. Whistling Straits, Erin Hills, Sand Valley.....decent gap....Lawsonia then the rest. I think there are 4 elite level courses then a handful of very good courses.

[rtraudt]

It's going to be a much different experience in many ways. For some, it may instantly make it an inferior course, while for others the differences in the total "presentation" factor less into the comparison. Personally, Lawsonia is still my favorite 18 holes of golf in the state. It certainly doesn't compare to the hospitality of the other courses that you just mentioned and the conditions are likely a step or two below (depending on recent weather and time of year), but the people are friendly, the food is good and cheap, and the Links course is spectacular. If the occasional blind shot doesn't offend you, and severe greens with sometimes "unfair" slopes (or whatever that term is supposed to mean in golf...fair vs unfair is not a concept that I understand in this game) are seen more as a fun challenge than a frustration, then Lawsonia has it all. I've played most of what are considered the top courses in the state, including all the ones that you've listed, and it's still the course that I find myself wanting to drive to play the most of them all. The price compared to those others certainly doesn't hurt either...

[rtraudt]

Looking at it as a whole package though, and not just in a vacuum comparing the Links course to any other single course, I'd take Sand Valley. The Woodlands lags far behind the Links, in my opinion, and the combination of the setting and the group of courses as a whole puts SV above Lawsonia. But let that take nothing away from the other places, which are all certainly worth a trip. I've only played EH once, and I'm dying to go back (planning this summer).

[JoeHatesSnow]

Being from southwest/central WI I've played a decent number of WI courses but not SV yet and none of the Kohler courses. I have played Lawsonia numerous times and have enjoyed it very much. It's an excellent golf course. That said, what is it that earns it such a reverent perch? I don't say this to downgrade it at all. There are just some courses I've played in WI that I enjoy more. Wild Rock in Lake Delton is one that I'm surprised doesn't get more love.

[collje26]

It's when the course was made, how it was constructed, play ability and price.

[mci711]

Woke golf culture blew it up. It is a fun place and good golf course. But I don't believe anyone that says they would play it over any of the top courses in Wisconsin. It is Wisconsin's Sweeten's Cove. Another awesome place that is blown out of proportion.

[JoeHatesSnow]

Ok, I get that stuff. More of an historical bent. I agree with all that, and aa I said it's a place I love to play. Just seems to have an extra level of respect from some here, and I just wanted to understand it a little more in case I'm not appreciating it as much as I should be.