Home to the two Great Lakes, Wisconsin’s incredible natural scenery extends to its array of golf courses, too, which include some of the most charming the Midwest has to offer.
(Photo: The Oaks Golf Course)
The midwestern state of Wisconsin is a hugely popular golfing destination, thanks to the beautiful landscapes that serve as a backdrop to many of its courses. If you’re planning a trip to Wisconsin, and would like to play a round or two during your stay, we’ve picked out some of the most enticing golf courses dotted across the state.
The Oaks
The Oaks Golf Course is a family-owned and operated 18-hole public golf course located in the village of Cottage Grove. This par-71 tract combines exceptional playability with some delightful natural scenery. Featuring six par 3s, five par 5s, and seven par 4s, the course is suitable for all skill levels – a testament to the design talents of its acclaimed architect, Greg Martin. Bentgrass fairways, tees and uniquely sloped greens give the course a country club feel, as do the thick rough and true-rolling putting surfaces. The picturesque layout is complemented by more than 250 mature oak trees scattered throughout the property. Notable on-site amenities include a state-of-the-art performance center, golf shop and full-service bar and restaurant.
4740 Pierceville Road, Cottage Grove
Rolling Meadows Golf Course
(Photo: Rolling Meadows Golf Course)
Located in Fond Du Lac, at the base of Lake Winnebago, Rolling Meadows has gained a loyal fan base since opening in 1972. The club is home to a picture-postcard, 27-hole links-style championship course featuring rolling terrain along with strategically placed bunkers, all surrounded by Prarie grass, woods, water and a 10-acre wetland. The large bentgrass greens are undulated and true to putt, while modern hybrid bluegrass fairways provide for excellent play for golfers of all abilities in a fun and inclusive environment. Rolling Meadows also features a full practice facility and an on-site Pub and Grill.
560 West Rolling Meadows Drive, Fond du Lac
Sand Valley
(Photo: Sand Valley Golf Resort)
Situated in the ancient, tumbling sand dunes of central Wisconsin, the Sand Valley Golf Resort offers three unique golf courses – The Sandbox, Sand Valley, and Mammoth Dunes – modelled after the famous Heathland golf courses of London. Similar to the great links courses, the courses feature dramatic sand dunes, windy playing conditions, unusual bounces from firm fairways, and a multitude of strategic playing options. Away from golf, the resort is also home to luxurious lodging and dining facilities, multiple grass tennis courts, three fishing lakes, a 24-hour fitness centre, and miles of scenic hiking trails.
1697 Leopold Way, Nekoosa
Whistling Straits
Open, rugged and windswept terrain and meandering streams define the two exceptional links-style courses at Whistling Straits. Sculpted along two miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, the Straits course will play host to The Ryder Cup in 2021 and has previously played host to the PGA Championships on three occasions. while the grassland-and-dunes aspect of the Irish is a deceivingly tranquil landscape. Dramatic changes in elevation, with a range of sandy areas and natural bunkering, adds to the challenge of both courses.
N8501 Lakeshore Road, Sheboygan
Erin Hills
(Photo: Erin Hills Golf Course)
Spread across 652 picture-postcard acres in the Kettle Moraine in Southeast Wisconsin that were carved by glaciers thousands of years ago, Erin Hills pays homage to the power and beauty of nature. Designed to accommodate the 2017 US Open, the course combines a mix of traditional and modern elements with challenging playing conditions that provides a test for seasoned golfers and beginners alike. The resort on which it is located features high-spec accommodation, full-service dining and an outdoor patio.
7169 Co Road O, Hartford
Lawsonia
One of Wisconsin’s most beloved golf destinations, Lawsonia features two highly distinctive 18-hole golf experiences on the same site. Surrounded by historic landmarks and abundant wildlife, the Links course is annually ranked as one of the very best courses in the country, while the Woodlands course offers classic parkland style golf in a beautiful natural setting. Both courses cover a range of elevation changes providing rolling fairways and multi-tiered greens, while more than 90 bunkers are strategically placed throughout, as well as a deep, challenging rough. On-site lodging, a pub with dining, and a well-stocked golf shop are among the club’s other amenities.
W2615 South Valley View Drive, Green Lake
SentryWorld
Widely considered the pinnacle of parkland golf, SentryWorld combines the character and versatility of a top class modern course with a welcoming atmosphere and stunning natural beauty. Set amid fields, forest and lakes and adjoined by a boutique hotel packed with upscale amenities, the public course reflects its surrounding landscapes, providing players with gorgeous views at every turn—from the spectacular fifth hole, a par five that hugs the shore of a vast lake, to the legendary “Flower Hole,” where 33,000 flowers surround the gently sloping green. In terms of playability, it’s a course within reach for golfers of all skill levels, challenging low-handicap golfers with narrow corridors off the tee and looming fairway hazards, while offering recreational players a friendly, inviting experience.
601 Michigan Avenue North, Stevens Point
Troy Burne
(Photo: Troy Burne Golf Club)
A world-class championship masterpiece, Troy Burne has gained widespread acclaim since opening for play back in 1999. Carefully sculpted out of 420 acres of rolling St. Croix Valley hills, the course features over 120 bunkers protecting generous bent grass fairways and stadium greens. Water comes into play on eight holes, while amber prairie grasses cover the hillsides along many holes, providing a vivid contrast to the emerald fairways and roughs. Well-groomed fairways and greens keep the course difficult yet inclusive, while the terrific views add to the experience. On-site amenities include a clubhouse, a golf shop and a bar and grill restaurant.
295 Lindsay Road, Hudson
Wild Rock
(Photo: Wild Rock Golf Club)
Set against the backdrop of an old stone quarry with rocky mounds and extreme elevation changes, the course at Wild Rock boasts an almost desert-course feel and is one of the few quarry courses anywhere in the US. A Championship 18-hole course in Wisconsin Dells, its greens are expansive, fast and impeccably maintained, with five sets of tees that cater well to scratch golfers and beginners alike. There’s also a full practice area with driving range, putting green and chipping bunker, while the rustic clubhouse features massive log beams, vaulted ceilings and drinking and dining options.
856 Canyon Road, Wisconsin Dells
Blue Mound
Delivering an exceptional golfing experience to members and guests for over 100 years, Blue Mound features a challenging 18-hole course, an elegant clubhouse, fine dining and a variety of social activities. Situated virtually at the centre of the metropolitan area, the club has a beautiful 200-acre site in Wauwatosa. The historic golf course, designed by the acclaimed Seth Raynor, was the first in Wisconsin to host a golf major – the 1933 PGA Championship – and is maintained at the highest levels, with greens and fairways in pristine condition.
10122 West North Avenue, Wauwatosa