Probably Going to Skip Kohler

[Chanceman]

On our upcoming golf trip to the Great Lakes we have decided to pass on the Kohler courses. To pay US$1600 to play those four courses is beyond reasonable, for us at least. Does anyone agree with me? And remember you also have to take caddies and stay there at their very high room rate to get the tee times you want. I know plenty of people treat it as a once only bucket list trip but there is a limit to what is reasonable. And there are many outstanding courses to play at less than half the cost.

[Shriner]

Of course, no golf course is really "worth" that in a sense with so many other options.  However, it is one of those places where you are paying for much more than the golf.  The food, American Club, service and setting are all world class.  You won't find much like it in the U.S. especially considering one of the courses has now hosted a Ryder Cup and numerous majors.

 

It's really a personal decision since money is involved, but hard to be disappointed with Kohler.  It is gorgeous and the courses are ranked in the top 100 for a reason.  

[cassel191919]

I think the golf is all great and it is for sure expensive, but I honestly think the price is worth it for the showers alone lol.

[eboettne]

At that price, no it's above my price point.  However, early season rates are great.  I booked Kohler for 2 nights and played all 4 courses + the Baths for $990(double occupancy at the Inn on Woodlake).  It was the first weekend in May so you deal with a little weather/colder temps but we had a blast. 

[Abh159]

FWIW replay rates are almost 50% off and you aren't required to take a caddie at any of their courses (although they highly recommend you do).

 

Sure, it's not a bargain golf trip destination, but you can easily find ways to play it for less $$$. Or you can make it a really expensive trip and go all out with all the bells as Whistles (see what I did there 😉) if you want to.

[exgolfpro]

I have gone up for the past 7 years.  And we are going again this July.  Here are a few things to keep in mind that can make the trip a little cheaper.  1) Stay at Inn on the Woodlake instead of the American Club.  2) On Whistling Straits, see if you can book the first "twilight" tee time.  I have gotten this time the last 4 years and have finished 18 each time.  Doing this will save in 2 ways, first you are not required to take a caddy at twilight and second you get a 30% discount for playing at twilight.  3) take advantage of the replay rate and play the cheaper course first.  What I mean by this is, if you play The Irish at full rate, you can pay 'replay' rate on Whistling Straits.  This is a discount of about 30%.  Or play Meadow Valleys first and 'replay' The River course for the same discount.  it does not make it cheap, but will probably save you $300-$400 over the course of 4 rounds.

[Drwoods2017]

It's only worth it if you include a day at the kohler spa.  That place is insane. I agree with the others though its a great experience but what I think it's worth and what you think it's worth are probably 2 completely different things.

[Shipwreck]

For our guys golf trip we decided to play The Baths in the early morning, relax and have lunch, then go play first twilight at Straits. I know the Baths is only a 10 hole course and it’s still like $80, but the 2 acre putting green is going to be a blast where we can all play some $ games and just kick off the guys trip. I would definitely try and do a twilight at Straights if you can swing it! 

[st1800e]

If I went back I’d stick to the Straits and the River.  The other two are fine, but not the same experience as the first two.  
Also check out The Bull at Pinehurst Farms.  Memorable.  

[Shipwreck]

26 minutes ago, st1800e said:

If I went back I’d stick to the Straits and the River.  The other two are fine, but not the same experience as the first two.  
Also check out The Bull at Pinehurst Farms.  Memorable.  

The Bull is hands down my favorite course out there. Unbeatable price, condition, layout. Just an overall great track with a finishing hole that can wreck any scorecard!

[Roody]

My wife and I are doing Kohler as the third leg of a Wisconsin trip we have planned for this summer (Sand Valley and Erin Hills are the first two legs). This will be our first trip to Wisconsin. 

 

Will it be worth it? Everyone has a different take on perceived value, but I am 100% confident it will be worth the price. Trips like these are bucket items, and memories for a lifetime. 

[Shipwreck]

9 minutes ago, Roody said:

My wife and I are doing Kohler as the third leg of a Wisconsin trip we have planned for this summer (Sand Valley and Erin Hills are the first two legs). This will be our first trip to Wisconsin. 

 

Will it be worth it? Everyone has a different take on perceived value, but I am 100% confident it will be worth the price. Trips like these are bucket items, and memories for a lifetime. 

I’ve played all of the Kohler courses and they truly are bucket list courses, some more than others. When I tried to book Straits for end of august, the only place available was the American Club resort, which is the most expensive and it required a 2 night stay minimum just to play the one course. So just for the room for 2 nights, it was going to be about $1300. Then another $550 for the round of golf etc. and suddenly the value of it becomes less and less. 
 

You can definitely play all 4 courses if you’re strategic with your planning, which may require a twilight Straits round or something like that. This year is going to be my 3rd year going to Wisconsin so if anything, I’d say stick with SV and Erin Hills, play some lesser courses, and come back for Kohler at a different time of the year when it isn’t prime. 

[cassel191919]

14 minutes ago, Roody said:

My wife and I are doing Kohler as the third leg of a Wisconsin trip we have planned for this summer (Sand Valley and Erin Hills are the first two legs). This will be our first trip to Wisconsin. 

 

Will it be worth it? Everyone has a different take on perceived value, but I am 100% confident it will be worth the price. Trips like these are bucket items, and memories for a lifetime. 

Yes it is worth it. The golf is great and last time I was there the rooms and spa were almost worth it by themselves. 

[klebs01]

On 3/17/2023 at 12:05 PM, Shipwreck said:

The Bull is hands down my favorite course out there. Unbeatable price, condition, layout. Just an overall great track with a finishing hole that can wreck any scorecard!

Its not close to the Kohler courses. Not great layout, or conditions. Maybe worth playing if you can get a twilight round for $60. 

[Shipwreck]

22 minutes ago, klebs01 said:

Its not close to the Kohler courses. Not great layout, or conditions. Maybe worth playing if you can get a twilight round for $60. 

I respect your opinion, and my position is coming from an out of towner that plays nothing but desert golf courses year round, so seeing things like trees and a lot of grass is already a plus in my book. I never said it was close to the Kohler courses, but the price is definitely a lot more enticing. The last two times I played it (Oct last year and May the previous) the conditions were impeccable. 

[klebs01]

3 minutes ago, Shipwreck said:

I respect your opinion, and my position is coming from an out of towner that plays nothing but desert golf courses year round, so seeing things like trees and a lot of grass is already a plus in my book. I never said it was close to the Kohler courses, but the price is definitely a lot more enticing. The last two times I played it (Oct last year and May the previous) the conditions were impeccable. 

Fair enough. It is a good option for a “cheap” round when in the area. Someone heading there just need appropriate expectations. 

[ode]

3 hours ago, klebs01 said:

Its not close to the Kohler courses. Not great layout, or conditions. Maybe worth playing if you can get a twilight round for $60. 

Lol, the Bull hate runs deep!

 

It's a very good course.  

 

I would highly recommend it. 

 

@Roody if you get the chance/makes sense to get in a round, go and make your own mind up!

[Go_Blue!]

I would pay that to play for sure. But I also just booked a Pinehurst trip in September that is gonna be at least 3x that cost all said and done.