Going to Whistling Straits

[Bulldogdoc]

I need advice

My friend and golfing buddy have just planned a trip to Whistling Straits in early September. We are planning on playing the Straits, Blackwolf Run, and the Irish course. Any advice from folks that have been there would be great.

Early September. What kind of weather should we expect?

How much should we tip caddies. I an an 8 handicap and my buddy is a scratch.

Are there any courses close by in Kohler we could play?

Anything anyone didn't expect, pitfalls, surprises, etc?

Thank you in advance

[cross]

You are in for a treat. I played Straits and Irish about 4 years ago on a beautiful day in August. One of those quintessential golf experiences.

I would assume that in early September you should expect summerlike weather, subject to an unusual weather pattern passing through at that time. I'm not a local but I play fall golf in Northern Michigan every year. I assume they would be similar.

I think I tipped my caddie $40 or $50 per 18 holes. I can't remember for sure. I believe their website has some suggestions for tipping based on your satisfaction level with the caddie. I know I did some online checking at their site (or maybe on here) before I played there. I happened to hit it off with my caddie and he arranged to loop both of my rounds that day.

As far as other courses, these recommendations are just based on my own research. I have not played any of them. Obviously, there is the River course which is part of the American Club properties and doesn't appear to be on your list. There is a Nicklaus course in the area called The Bull that receives good reviews. I'm not sure how far away they would be, but I've read great things about Lawsonia Links and Erin Hills (future US Open site). If you are traveling into or through Milwaukee, you could check out Brown Deer Park which is the home of the PGA Tour event in Milwaukee.

My only surprise was how memorable the Irish course was relative to the Straits course. I don't mean that I necessary like it better, I could just remember every hole better because the holes on the Irish course are more distinct from one another. On the Straits course I felt like many of the holes were visually similar because the bunkers are everywhere on every hole (and somewhat disorienting) and the holes generally all run parallel to the lake shore. The par threes are mostly perched out over the lake. Straits is a monster course, but I honestly have trouble remembering the aspects of most of the holes that run parallel to the lake.

[ode1]

I can personally recommend:

The Bull--Nicklaus design and very, very challenging course. It's very close to Blackwolf, just off Hwy 28 past Target. Easy to find.
Lawsonia--both the Links and Woodlands courses are nice, w/ there names pointing to the style of course. You are looking at about an hour drive from Sheboygan, taking Hwy. 23 right there. The Links gets the most pub. and deservedly so, but the Woodlands is pretty darn sweet itself. Should be able to get an all day w/ cart rate to do both.
Brown Deer Park--Old school, mature trees, etc. But very well kept, straight forward course. They are no longer having the GMO there, which is a shame, but this course is highly underrated IMO. Take I 43 to Milwaukee and exit Good Hope Rd to the West and it's just a few miles.

Others that I've heard great things about:

Washington County--just North of Milw. and is a links style course
The Bog--Palmer design located in Saukville which is about equidistant from Sheb. and Milw.

I've played all the Kohler courses and they all have a ton of eye candy and are visually very imposing (especially The Straits and Irish courses), but IMO all are playable if you hit the ball relatively straight. Fwy's are generous enough and there is always a bail out area. The greens are severe to say the least w/ a lot of undulation. Very hard to read the break and uphill downhill on putts, so pay attention and read from all the angles. The original 18 at Blackwolf is what you'll play and was reseeded last year and is in pristine condition. They are reseeding the newest 18, which will be ready for play next year, so you should get to ride by and see an untouched beauty. Playing w/ a caddie was an experience I'll never forget and really a lot of fun. I tipped 50 and couldn't see going much less than that. Hopefully the sheep will be out, kind of an unexpected treat to see them. Did I say good luck reading the greens yet:)

[HenryBall]

[quote name='Bulldogdoc' timestamp='1279372450' post='2581511']
My friend and golfing buddy have just planned a trip to Whistling Straits in early September. We are planning on playing the Straits, Blackwolf Run, and the Irish course. Any advice from folks that have been there would be great.

Early September. What kind of weather should we expect?

Wind and mid sixties. The weather is so variable on lake michigan so I would bring the gauntlet of clothing.

How much should we tip caddies. I an an 8 handicap and my buddy is a scratch.

It depends on how they fufill your requests. Make sure they are aware that you want them to read putts or if you do not want them to. It helps to be on the same page as them. I agree with the previous post approx 50 works.

Are there any courses close by in Kohler we could play?

The Bog and the Bull for sure

Anything anyone didn't expect, pitfalls, surprises, etc?

The course has amazing scenery, and the course is in tournament shape. The course doesn't have the creativity for shot making as Blackwolf or the Irish. I would recommend playing those as well.