Some Things Wisconsin Golf

[collje26]

If price wasn't an option I would agree. Unfortunately for wisconsin alot of top courses are private.

[mci711]

8 of the top 10 courses are public in Wisconsin. I also don't take in consideration of price when comparing public courses for the most part.

[Phreddy]

How are you defining "private." Kohler is private but available to the public. I've played a lot of truly private golf in Wisconsin: Milw. CC, Ozaukee CC, West Bend CC, Bluemound CC and a dozen others. Some are really really nice with great architectural heritage, but for putting a peg in the ground and conditioning none are superior to Erin, Kohler or Sand Valley.

 

It will be interesting to see where this falls in the rota now that it is opening for play. A lot of history here as well.

Home - The Club at Lac La Belle

Phred

[jwhite86]

Was talking with the greenskeeper at my local course last night... It sounds like The Bull is going to be turned into housing... Tough break for one of my favorite courses

[mci711]

That was on my list to play this summer. It looked awesome. That is too bad.

[collje26]

Depends what you classify as the top 10. I'd be extremely shocked if Milwaukeee Country Club, Blue Mound, Ozaukee, Minocqua Country Club aren't in the top 10.

[collje26]

Erin doesn't do it for me, played there 6 times and it's a great golf course but isn't "fun" in my opinion. I have not played Sand Valley yet, heard Mammoth is amazing, but if you've played MCC and Ozaukee I'm shocked you think Erin hills is better maintained. I'd honestly put up Oneida Country Club and Horseshoe bay right up there as well.

[collje26]

That is brutal. I know the owner's, terrible circumstances with the buyer pulling out of the deal at the last second.

[mci711]

Just going off of golf digest. Rankings are completely suggestive obviously.

[ode1]

Before playing SV and MD I would have said Lawsonia Links 1a and Wild Rock 1b...now I'd really have to think about my rankings....but I'd still keep them as is until I've played SV and MD enough to really let it sink in and allow for a more in depth ranking. I've played LL ~ 40 times and WR ~ 15, and to me playing them on the same day is a perfect day! Re Lawsonia it's the amazing greens that are forefront in my mind as to why it's rated so high, followed by it's lay out with elevation change, blind shots , angled hokes, strategic cross bunkering. I think it's fair off the tee and you best be sharp into the green or you can get your ass kicked! I love how you can see the entire or most of the back 9 from any of the holes.....you can get some cool panoramic shots with smart phones piecing them together. I feel like I'm thinking about strategy on more shots on the Links vs. other courses. One cool hole after another!

[ode1]

I know this is trivial, but you can't even enter the property at Erin Hills without a tee time. I get it, they don't want a bunch of riff raff pulling in, but I was super excited to pull up after happening upon EH after taking the back way home (avoiding rush hour on 43 and 94) after a round at The Broadlands. No dice. The guy at the guard shack gave us a scorecard and a program. Not saying I won't play EH, but I won't go out of my way to do so!

[ode1]

Yeah, that is a kick to the n\/ts. I look forward to my rounds there early and late in the season. Such a beautiful piece of property with so many memorable holes!

[ode1]

I would play Lawsonia over The Straits or The Irish....no question. It's an easy decision for me. I do marvel at the fact it used to be a military dumping ground and Dye moved all that dirt around and made what he made. But it's as contrived as it possibly can get! Looking to the east you have the lake, it's nice but adds nothing to the strategic play on the courses! I live less than a mile from it and can gaze out at that lake any day I want, so it adds very little to the experience. Other than Looking at the lake, what's natural about Whistling? I think The River and Meadow Valley have better scenery and are a more natural setting for golf. Both good courses, but I would still choose to play Lawsonia Links over both Blackwolf courses as well. It would be a much tougher decision when SV/MD get thrown in. Something about those sand dunes blew me away and the courses are built right through them, so it comes into play everywhere, and everywhere you turn it's there. You can see it and feel it hitting you walking around. Unique. I love how firm and fast it is, I love how open and expansive it is, I love that it's playable, yet strategy still comes into play. I'm probably just suggesting that I like Coore/Crenshaw, McClay-Kidd, and Langford/Mareau courses better, but then I've only played one of each.....and I've played 4 of Dye's.....re: price.....it is absolutely a factor to deny it is silly. I played Lawsonia Links today, tee time at 3:20, twilight for 35$ + tax. Most anyone can do that. What's the cheapest you can play Blackwolf? Whistling? Sand Valley/Mammoth? Erin Hills? Most cannot afford that! I am glad Lawsonia is what it is and not in Milwaukee or Chicago or on the lake (the big one anyways?), as it would be another once per year possibility!

[mci711]

Quality of course has nothing to do with price. Thats like comparing a ferrari and camry and saying the camry is better because it is 25k. If other people can afford it or not has nothing to do with how good the course is. Not everyone can play pine valley either, that doesn't take away from how good the course is.

I respect your opinion though, everyone likes different things.

[Sofie]

Theres a new trend now

[jwhite86]

Looks like word got out... new offer submitted $2.2 million offer to buy The Bull golf course submitted in advance of scheduled sheriff's auction

[ode1]

All good and relevant points. I'll admit to wishing I could afford the Ferrari, but am good with the Camry.....well an 08 Vibe?....here's to a few test drives at the Ferrari dealership along the way!That is big news! ? The deal holds up!

[collje26]

Headed to Minocqua this weekend, playing trout lake, big fan of the character around the greens and one of the best ranges to practice on in my opinion. Boy are the rates at timber ridge getting up there!

[dearth12]

If you guys had to pick 1 round to play out of these, which would it be:

 

Geneva National

University Ridge

Lac La Belle

 

 

Thank you

[collje26]

1 round I'd be going for University Ridge. They aren't anywhere near each other however if you were able to play all day one day I'd go to Geneva National with the 3 courses they have.

[GeorgeHWB]

I really hope The Bull is saved. I love that course. It's about an hour drive from my place so I only play there a handful of times a year but I've enjoyed it every time I've played. And because I like late afternoon golf (I'm not a morning person), I've always gotten a good rate and have also always been able to complete 18 holes.

 

It's one of my very favorite courses to play in September and October. Beautiful.

[GeorgeHWB]

Most courses in Wisconsin are aerated in the fall (September or October) and some are aerated in the early spring (March). I've never heard of a Wisconsin course aerating in June.

[geochitown]

Has anyone played The Club at Lac La Belle during the preview period?

Sounds interesting

[games]

Exactly. I recall it goes back to a comment by Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA, saying the Links course had some of the best green complexes of any course in America.

[JoeHatesSnow]

I go on an 'up north' trip once a year with about a dozen guys and Trout Lake is one of our favorites. Also like Northwood in Rhinelander and St. Germain Golf Club.

[collje26]

Never played north woods but st. germain I’ve played a bunch. Was shocked how firm trout lake was.

[JoeHatesSnow]

Trout Lake is fun for a group competition. A driveable par 4 to finish brings a lot of possibilities into play.

[collje26]

Super fun. The finishing stretch of 15,16,17,18 is a good mix. 18 really makes you think, if you miss that green pin high left or right good luck getting up and down.

[JoeHatesSnow]

Yeah, that green. If it was playing as firm as you say that must have been fun putting. You also need to watch where you park in the lot, I've seen that roof and lot get peppered more than a few times.

[games]

Never played Northwood? Oh wow. Bring two dozen and hope you finish with six. I've seen really good golfers driven to madness due to the lack of rough. There's fairways and trees and not a lot of in-between.