Choose where I will play in July...University Ridge, Lac Le Belle, Glen Erin or Dubsdread #4

[exgolfpro]

In early July, I will be taking my (now annual) vacation to Kohler Wisconsin and hope to play the great courses in that area again.  But this time, I will be travelling up by myself from Missouri (wife is travelling with her parents to meet me).  So I am looking to play a course I have not played yet on my way up.  I have been checking a few out online, but was wondering what everyone else thought.  Here is a list of a few I have been thinking about.....University Ridge outside Madison, Lac Le Belle (newly remodeled, many may not have played yet), Glen Erin near Janesville, Wi and Dubsdread at Cog Hill (chicago).  Another i've considered is Brown Deer Park in Milwaukee.  For those who have played many of these, which is the best?  If there is any others I should consider on roughly a St Louis to Milwaukee path, let me know.  Thanks.

Edited January 6, 2021 by exgolfpro

[Phreddy]

Of those mentioned, and inside the borders of Wisconsin, I like U Ridge and Brown Deer the best.  I think Lac La Belle is a fun course, but I would give it another year to grow in and let the new holes mature.  U Ridge is a tad funky as the front 9 is a faux links layout and the back is a woodlands course.  Not saying that is a bad thing, just very different.  Brown Deer is a classic parkland style course, generally in very good condition and it will offer you a test.

 

Phred

[ode]

I played U Ridge for the first time last fall and really liked it.  As above poster notes front 9 and back 9 have a completely different feel to them.  Front is good and the back I loved.  There is some serious elevation change in that course!

 

Wanted to play LLL last year but it didn't work out.

 

Didn't get to BD last year....typically do late in the year when the rates drop, which did not happen this year.

 

I play Glen Erin several times per year and thoroughly enjoy it.....it is a really good course.  Most holes have links feel to it with a few tree lined holes that sneak up on you and have an intimidating look to em off the tee compared to the other holes.

 

I would give UR the edge over BD, however if those don't work for some reason, GE is a good option too but isn't quite on the same level as the others.

[Argonne69]

I'd go with Dubs. Yes, it's pricey. However, it's a solid test of golf. You have to hit the ball straight, or the bunkers will chew you up. The greens are tricky, but not impossible. Miss them, and the greenside bunkers are penal. 

 

U Ridge is solid as well, but not in the same class as Dubs.

 

Have you played Erin Hills? That would be another option on the trip to Kohler.

 

[exgolfpro]

Yes, i've played Erin Hills several times and will likely include it on this trip as well.

[damayason]

TPC Deere Run is a possibility.

[reperna]

I have only played Dubs in that grouping. But I will say its a ton of fun and a tough course. Its also a little bump for me playing a course tiger won at.

[LeftyBobby]

Another vote for U Ridge. Awesome layout with excellent course conditions. I would also check out any of the Geneva National courses. Grand Geneva courses are nice as well, but I'd give the nod to Geneva National courses. I have a friend who lives in St Louis so I've driven down there a few times and Geneva Nat should be right on your route. Personally, Glen Erin would be the last on my list to play -- not that it's bad (it's quite fun) but there are many other courses on your route that are better.

If you're going to play Erin Hills, try and get my home course of Washington County in there (15 min away from each other). Voted a top 100 public golf course in America and rates are good, especially before 10am. I live about 15 min from Brown Deer and while I do enjoy it, and played it a lot the last few years for convenience sake, I would recommend the other courses on my list before Brown Deer. 

[exgolfpro]

On 1/22/2021 at 8:32 AM, LeftyBobby said:

Another vote for U Ridge. Awesome layout with excellent course conditions. I would also check out any of the Geneva National courses. Grand Geneva courses are nice as well, but I'd give the nod to Geneva National courses. I have a friend who lives in St Louis so I've driven down there a few times and Geneva Nat should be right on your route. Personally, Glen Erin would be the last on my list to play -- not that it's bad (it's quite fun) but there are many other courses on your route that are better.

If you're going to play Erin Hills, try and get my home course of Washington County in there (15 min away from each other). Voted a top 100 public golf course in America and rates are good, especially before 10am. I live about 15 min from Brown Deer and while I do enjoy it, and played it a lot the last few years for convenience sake, I would recommend the other courses on my list before Brown Deer. 

Thanks for the advice.  I've been to Washington National but never played it.  Might do it this time, thanks.

[geochitown]

I’d probably say Dub’s as well

 

crazy Rees Jones bunkering but I love the rolling land and the layout, especially the back nine, holes 13-18.

 

if you go straight up 294 from dub’s you could go play another Trent stones at Thunderhawk, closer to the Wisconsin border, or a Keith Foster which borders the state line. Which is Shepherd’s Crook, then go straight to Kohler

 

Speaking of Kohler, my wife and I just returned from a great weekend there to celebrate her 40th.

[Woodridge]

Dubsdread is going to be used as the US Open local qualifier on May 3rd. Just another factoid.

[exgolfpro]

On 1/25/2021 at 9:25 PM, geochitown said:

I’d probably say Dub’s as well

 

crazy Rees Jones bunkering but I love the rolling land and the layout, especially the back nine, holes 13-18.

 

if you go straight up 294 from dub’s you could go play another Trent stones at Thunderhawk, closer to the Wisconsin border, or a Keith Foster which borders the state line. Which is Shepherd’s Crook, then go straight to Kohler

 

Speaking of Kohler, my wife and I just returned from a great weekend there to celebrate her 40th.

Yes, we love it there.  My wife and I went there on a whim about 7 years ago and we now go back every summer for our vacation.  

[Schley]

On 1/6/2021 at 7:35 PM, exgolfpro said:

In early July, I will be taking my (now annual) vacation to Kohler Wisconsin and hope to play the great courses in that area again.  But this time, I will be travelling up by myself from Missouri (wife is travelling with her parents to meet me).  So I am looking to play a course I have not played yet on my way up.  I have been checking a few out online, but was wondering what everyone else thought.  Here is a list of a few I have been thinking about.....University Ridge outside Madison, Lac Le Belle (newly remodeled, many may not have played yet), Glen Erin near Janesville, Wi and Dubsdread at Cog Hill (chicago).  Another i've considered is Brown Deer Park in Milwaukee.  For those who have played many of these, which is the best?  If there is any others I should consider on roughly a St Louis to Milwaukee path, let me know.  Thanks.

alittle farther to go but what about Lawsonia Links?  Great track.

[geochitown]

I don’t want to speak for exgolfpro, but I think he has played lawsomia and many of the good tracks around Kohler 

[hammergolf]

On 1/6/2021 at 10:35 AM, exgolfpro said:

In early July, I will be taking my (now annual) vacation to Kohler Wisconsin and hope to play the great courses in that area again.  But this time, I will be travelling up by myself from Missouri (wife is travelling with her parents to meet me).  So I am looking to play a course I have not played yet on my way up.  I have been checking a few out online, but was wondering what everyone else thought.  Here is a list of a few I have been thinking about.....University Ridge outside Madison, Lac Le Belle (newly remodeled, many may not have played yet), Glen Erin near Janesville, Wi and Dubsdread at Cog Hill (chicago).  Another i've considered is Brown Deer Park in Milwaukee.  For those who have played many of these, which is the best?  If there is any others I should consider on roughly a St Louis to Milwaukee path, let me know.  Thanks.

I would highly recommend Dubsdread. Played it in October. Great test of golf, with great green and surrounding bunker complexes. 

[exgolfpro]

On 1/30/2021 at 2:01 PM, geochitown said:

I don’t want to speak for exgolfpro, but I think he has played lawsomia and many of the good tracks around Kohler 

Yes, I have, thanks.  What great greens!