Some Things Wisconsin Golf

[swizz]

Anyone played the tips at SV? I've got a tee time in a few weeks as i'm passing by the area for work and I will be paired with some randoms. I'm a scratch golfer and fairly long. I think it would be a burden in a way if I played different tees then the group i'm in. How short do the tees at 6500 play?

[ode]

14 hours ago, swizz said:

Anyone played the tips at SV? I've got a tee time in a few weeks as i'm passing by the area for work and I will be paired with some randoms. I'm a scratch golfer and fairly long. I think it would be a burden in a way if I played different tees then the group i'm in. How short do the tees at 6500 play?

I'll typically play ~6400 +/- and played the orange, orange/sand,and sand .... The sand was too short (played with group), moved back a set with the same group (two foursomes and one group played sand and other orange) and it was spot on.  Played combo tees with my buddy the next time I went and that was also a good test for us. Can't comment on the tips so Take for what it's worth 😉

[Phreddy]

Play the tees that fit your game and enjoy the course.  I've never had an issue playing multiple tees in a group with the longer hitters going off first.  The guys playing forward are often interested in watching a longer stick.  Anyone making the trip to SV will want to see you enjoy the course the way you were meant to play it.

 

Phred

[Lefty96]

20 hours ago, swizz said:

Anyone played the tips at SV? I've got a tee time in a few weeks as i'm passing by the area for work and I will be paired with some randoms. I'm a scratch golfer and fairly long. I think it would be a burden in a way if I played different tees then the group i'm in. How short do the tees at 6500 play?

I have played both the orange and the tips at SV. Im not sure I can give an exact number but that course certainly plays shorter. Your tee shots run out atleast an extra 15 yards if not more, and you will almost always be clubbing down one club on every approach to allow for the hard first bounce and release. 

 

If I were to throw out a guess, 6500 (orange) felt like I was playing 6100-6200. The 6900 (tips) felt more like 6500-6600. I have nothing concrete to back that up other than I have played quite a few rounds out there. The only thing that the extra distance changes is a few of the spots where you might try to carry some of the bunkers. 

 

Another thing to note is they often move tees up out there. Not all the time, but its not uncommon to see the tips playing shorter than stated on the card. Either way you choose it will still be a fun round and if you just tell the random pairing you prefer to play back I'm sure they will have no issue with it. Walking makes playing different tees feel like a non issue. 

[swizz]

Awesome! Appreciate the responses. Looking forward to playing it! 

[2Tall4Golf]

Meeting up with some friends coming down from central Wisconsin, and I’m coming from Chicago.  Any course recommendations around the Madison area besides University Ridge coming up from Chicago? Not looking to go crazy on green fees.  Thanks!

[games]

The Oaks is decent and convenient.  I’ve heard Glen Erin near Janesville is good.  Can’t recall if it’s Reedsburg CC or Baraboo CC that is public, but supposed to be good.

[Ryan3773]

Anyone played Oshkosh country club? Thoughts?

[ode]

16 hours ago, games said:

The Oaks is decent and convenient.  I’ve heard Glen Erin near Janesville is good.  Can’t recall if it’s Reedsburg CC or Baraboo CC that is public, but supposed to be good.

Reedsburg CC and Baraboo CC are both open for play to the public.  I have played them both, although RCC was many years ago, I remember it as pretty good.  Baraboo is just ok.  Glen Erin will be a bit of a drive but is a very good course, one of my favorites!

 

Wild Rock twilight is $59.....if you are there during the week M-R.  I think it's ~ $85 regular rate during the week.

 

Oaks is fun but it's not going to be cheap either.

 

Old Hickory in Beaver Dam is really good but roughly same drive as to Glen Erin.

 

You might also consider Riverside in Janesville.

[ode]

On 8/1/2021 at 6:43 AM, Ryan3773 said:

Anyone played Oshkosh country club? Thoughts?

It's OK.  I thought the front was fairly boring and flat.  The back picks up a bit with more twists and turns and a tiny bit of elevation change.  it was in really good condition.  This was last fall. Glad I checked the box, but I don't anticipate going back.

[shortstop20]

On 7/31/2021 at 6:04 PM, games said:

The Oaks is decent and convenient.  I’ve heard Glen Erin near Janesville is good.  Can’t recall if it’s Reedsburg CC or Baraboo CC that is public, but supposed to be good.

Reedsburg CC is good. 

[shortstop20]

Playing SV/MD on Aug 16th. Lawsonia Links Aug 17th, maybe the Woodlands as well. 

 

Thinking about getting a caddy for the morning round at SV and using a rickshaw for the afternoon round at MD. Am I going to wish I had someone to tell me where to hit it on MD?

Edited August 5, 2021 by shortstop20

[TBone0576]

1 hour ago, shortstop20 said:

Playing SV/MD on Aug 16th. Lawsonia Links Aug 17th, maybe the Woodlands as well. 

 

Thinking about getting a caddy for the morning round at SV and using a rickshaw for the afternoon round at MD. Am I going to wish I had someone to tell me where to hit it on MD?

I played this spring and other than maybe 3 holes it was all very obvious.  The fairways on Mammoth are very generous and the blind tee shots I’m thinking of were all on par 5s. 

[Lefty96]

17 hours ago, shortstop20 said:

Playing SV/MD on Aug 16th. Lawsonia Links Aug 17th, maybe the Woodlands as well. 

 

Thinking about getting a caddy for the morning round at SV and using a rickshaw for the afternoon round at MD. Am I going to wish I had someone to tell me where to hit it on MD?

While you certainly can play MD without a caddy and get around the course without any lurking trouble, you will likely miss out on some creative/less obvious ways to play shots you will likely encounter. Many of the holes have some funneling slopes that can be utilized to get the ball close to the hole without need for a perfect shot. They are not always obvious to a first time player of the course. 

 

If you play without a caddy you can play it like you see it from tee to green and be completely fine. You can certainly shoot a good score that way too. If you take a caddy theres a better than good chance they will point out an easier way to get near a pin that you wouldn't have noticed. Not necessary at all, but definitely an added bonus. 

[LBRMGR]

Heading to Wisco tomorrow:

 

Day 1: MD, Sandbox

Day 2: SV, Kettle Loop, Drumlin

Day 3: Erin Hills 36

Day 4: Whistling Straits, The Baths

[BG5]

I will be teeing it up at SV and MD tomorrow for an epic 36 hole day.  I played it last year early in the Spring but I am excited to see how the courses matured.  I played Bandon earlier in June so I am excited to see how it stacks up against those courses since I my mind is kind of foggy since last year.

 

Are the greens rolling fast?

[kamizzou91]

21 hours ago, BG5 said:

I will be teeing it up at SV and MD tomorrow for an epic 36 hole day.  I played it last year early in the Spring but I am excited to see how the courses matured.  I played Bandon earlier in June so I am excited to see how it stacks up against those courses since I my mind is kind of foggy since last year.

 

Are the greens rolling fast?

I played SV and MD a week ago, and the greens were rolling pretty good.  SV seemed to be a tad quicker, but both rolled well it seemed.  Not the fastest you'll play, but I would say a tad quicker than Bandon speeds.  

Edited August 11, 2021 by kamizzou91

[BG5]

Just got back from SV and MD.....it was my second time playing both and I had a blast....the courses are in amazing shape and they are def fast and firm.  SV has amazing customer service....I played 18 this morning on SV and played 9 holes on MD and then a tornado warning made everyone get off the course.  They told me I would not be charged a dime for the 9 holes I played.....Excellent customer service.

 

On a side note they also have junior caddies there for $60 plus tip.  Mine was a 14 year old kid and he was amazing

[LBRMGR]

Just got back from Wisconsin. Trip started off dicey as the horn blew as we were getting to the range ahead of our first round at MD. After a 4 hour storm delay, we got off at 4pm and played MD. As everyone says, the vastness of MD is amazingly fun. Finished walking up 18 at sunset - after birdies on the driveable 14th and par 5 15th. Woke up and played SV and just loved it. I expected to like MD more but I loved the routing of SV and just thought the more traditional Coore/Crenshaw course was more memorable. Greens at both were generally slow but true. After lunch we hit the Sandbox which was a ton of fun, played as an 8some and blasted music the entire time. Only drawback was we were supposed to play the Sandbox at sunset the first day but had to push to early afternoon because of the storms. Overall, SV was a phenomenal addition to WI golf. The service was fantastic,  food was incredible and golf was super fun and playable. Very excited for the future Lido and Sedge projects to complete this special place. We had a lake cottage which was sweet but we didn’t get to really use it as much given our 1 night stay.

 

After Sandbox we went straight to the shuttle van and drove 2.5 hours to Erin. As we knew from our trip in 2018, few experiences top EH and our visit this year reconfirmed that. After 36 holes at EH, we played the Drumlin after dinner which wasn’t there when we last stayed here and it. Such a fun way to end the day, despite it being chilly and pretty wet. We skipped the Kettle Loop for 36, which was a time big walk. I played significantly better on the 2nd 18 so it made the golf feel less tiring. After 2 nights at EH, the place is just 10/10. Service and employees are top notch, it’s almost as if they know exactly what you’re looking for before even having to ask. We had 2 cottages for our group which were exceptionally spacious and offered us a great place to hang before dinner. Food remains as good as I remembered and pro shop is huge and awesome. 
 

Saturday morning we shuttled to Kohler. Straits was so cool to play again after 3 years, and despite the natural beauty of the course being changed by the Ryder Cup work going on, it was cool to see with the grandstands going up. Course remains one of the toughest around but the scenes don’t get much better. Played the Baths after at 6:30pm and found it to be incredibly fun and in perfect shape. I could even argue those 10 holes are better than the 17 at Sandbox, but it might partially be due to playing Baths at sunset like we had originally hoped for Sandbox. 
 

All in, our itinerary was perfect (aside from Sandbox changing times), weather was 9.5/10 (after day 1 storms), service everywhere was impeccable and golf was fun. 
 

Can’t wait to get back to WI

[BirdieRoll]

If you're playing one round at a public course in the Lacrosse/Tomah/Black River Falls triangle, what course are you booking?  (MN courses are out as is Sand Valley). Thanks in advance.

[games]

14 hours ago, BirdieRoll said:

If you're playing one round at a public course in the Lacrosse/Tomah/Black River Falls triangle, what course are you booking?  (MN courses are out as is Sand Valley). Thanks in advance.

If SV is out due to price, I recommend playing one of the Lake Arrowhead courses.  It's been years since I've been there, but I thought it was good golf! 

[ode]

20 hours ago, BirdieRoll said:

If you're playing one round at a public course in the Lacrosse/Tomah/Black River Falls triangle, what course are you booking?  (MN courses are out as is Sand Valley). Thanks in advance.

I don't know of any in that triangle.....about an hour east of it in Rapids is Bullseye....worth a look!

[collje26]

Had the luxury of playing West Bend Country Club, couldn't have enjoyed a course more for only playing it once time, as a member of lawsonia I see so many similarities but the conditioning of the course combined with the layout it was absolutely phenomenal. So many good/well designed holes out there. 

[ode]

41 minutes ago, collje26 said:

Had the luxury of playing West Bend Country Club, couldn't have enjoyed a course more for only playing it once time, as a member of lawsonia I see so many similarities but the conditioning of the course combined with the layout it was absolutely phenomenal. So many good/well designed holes out there. 

Seriously thought about going when they opened up times for the RC, but then saw.the price.  Also talked to my pro about asking to get us on.as they are a member of NEWGA, as is my home course....not that it's a guarantee of getting on, but a chance.  It will be on the bucket list.  Thanks posting your thoughts!

[collje26]

9 minutes ago, ode said:

Seriously thought about going when they opened up times for the RC, but then saw.the price.  Also talked to my pro about asking to get us on.as they are a member of NEWGA, as is my home course....not that it's a guarantee of getting on, but a chance.  It will be on the bucket list.  Thanks posting your thoughts!

I think the yearly costs is about $10K, it's literally like taking the links course and framing it with trees. It's awesome, the member I played with took care of everything but wouldn't be shocked if they charged $150 a round.

[ode]

Played Sage Run twice, Sweetgrass, and another course just north of Escanaba called Gladstone.  Super course and a lot of fun to play.  Serious elevation change going on, cut thru some pines.  $26 to walk (not an easy walk).  Hope to return later in fall!  If you are up that way go and tee it up and have a blast!

Edited September 9, 2021 by ode

[collje26]

1 hour ago, ode said:

Played Sage Run twice, Sweetgrass, and another course just north of Escanaba called Gladstone.  Super course and a lot of fun to play.  Serious elevation change going on, cut thru some pines.  $26 to walk (not an easy walk).  Hope to return later in fall!  If you are up that way go and tee it up and have a blast!

That 8th, 9th and the driveable par 4 followed by the par 5 on the back are such fun holes. 

[Phreddy]

On 9/7/2021 at 12:58 PM, collje26 said:

I think the yearly costs is about $10K, it's literally like taking the links course and framing it with trees. It's awesome, the member I played with took care of everything but wouldn't be shocked if they charged $150 a round.

West Bend CC and Pinehills CC were both clubs that participated in the settlement with DuPont for selling a misbranded pesticide that killed trees.  My understanding of the IRS guidelines is that when they received the settlement they had 3 years to spend it on property improvements or be taxed on the award.  Both clubs are subsequently debt free, stocked with state of the art equipment and have reinvested in their courses.  West Bend has been moving forward to redo some bunkering to be more consistent with the Langford & Moreau style bunkering of the front 9.

 

I played West Bend as a reciprocal from another club and I think it was only $80.  The PGA reached out to clubs throughout SE Wisconsin asking them to make an effort to host Ryder Cup visitors.  West Bend is doing so, albeit at a stiff rate.

 

Phred

[collje26]

22 minutes ago, Phreddy said:

West Bend CC and Pinehills CC were both clubs that participated in the settlement with DuPont for selling a misbranded pesticide that killed trees.  My understanding of the IRS guidelines is that when they received the settlement they had 3 years to spend it on property improvements or be taxed on the award.  Both clubs are subsequently debt free, stocked with state of the art equipment and have reinvested in their courses.  West Bend has been moving forward to redo some bunkering to be more consistent with the Langford & Moreau style bunkering of the front 9.

 

I played West Bend as a reciprocal from another club and I think it was only $80.  The PGA reached out to clubs throughout SE Wisconsin asking them to make an effort to host Ryder Cup visitors.  West Bend is doing so, albeit at a stiff rate.

 

Phred

Yeah I remember that. There was a course in the valley (Butte Des Mort) that got several million from the same settlement. It actually improved the course because the trees needed to go but sadly they just built a pool area with tennis courts…..

[geochitown]

Steven’s Point CC is another that got the DuPont settlement money and Craig Haltom (Oliphant golf, Sand Valley, Club at Lac La Belle) worked with them to renovate the golf course