Some Things Wisconsin Golf

[rtraudt]

> @bankkur74 said:

> > @tharpst said:

>

> > Erin Hills Sunday

> >

> > I've never been and am incredibly excited about the opportunity to play such great courses.

>

> Can you provide some info on playing Erin Hills when you are done? We are heading up there from Springfield, IL the weekend of June 7th. This is our first time venturing there to play and can't wait. We also plan on stopping outside of Rockford to play a quick 18 to get ready. thanks!

>

 

Do you have an afternoon time at Erin and plan on playing outside of Rockford the same day? If that’s your plan, I’d recommend just making the entire drive at once and playing Washington County, which is just a few minutes from Erin and is, along with Brown Deer, one of my two favorite “affordable” courses around Milwaukee. Worth considering for sure, in fact I’ll be playing there Sunday morning!

[games]

> @rtraudt said:

> > @bankkur74 said:

> > > @tharpst said:

> >

> > > Erin Hills Sunday

> > >

> > > I've never been and am incredibly excited about the opportunity to play such great courses.

> >

> > Can you provide some info on playing Erin Hills when you are done? We are heading up there from Springfield, IL the weekend of June 7th. This is our first time venturing there to play and can't wait. We also plan on stopping outside of Rockford to play a quick 18 to get ready. thanks!

> >

>

> Do you have an afternoon time at Erin and plan on playing outside of Rockford the same day? If that’s your plan, I’d recommend just making the entire drive at once and playing Washington County, which is just a few minutes from Erin and is, along with Brown Deer, one of my two favorite “affordable” courses around Milwaukee. Worth considering for sure, in fact I’ll be playing there Sunday morning!

 

This! Washington County is the perfect warmup to Erin Hills. Erin Hills is Ginger and WashCo is Mary Ann. Have a great time!

 

 

[ode1]

> @TheBear95 said:

> Played Lawsonia on Saturday. The greens were recently punched, but they weren't terrible. That said, you are probably looking another week or two until being back to normal.

>

> This was my second time playing the Links and unfortunately I have yet to see the greens at their famed best. On my first trip up, it rained very hard that morning and the entire course was soaked (playing slow) when I played it that afternoon. On Saturday, the weather was great, warm and sunny with a strong west wind. The sun and wind quickly dried out the Links and I was able to get a taste of how the course can play. Too bad the greens were punched.

>

> I have two critiques on the course though. The first is a personal preference, but I wish they grew out the grass areas between the holes to frame the holes better. Especially on the back 9. This time of year everything is so green, the entire back 9 just look like one large sea of green to my eye. Also, with the fairways so wide, I doubt it would impact pace of play.

>

> The second was that the bunkers were awful. Filled with big rocks. I was in the left front bunker on 4 and was scared to hit out of it. I don't need a pristine course, but I loathe bunkers filled with rocks. This place needs new sand pronto.

>

> That said, I'm planning on coming back in August. I really, really want to play this course with the greens running at their normal pace.

Fair criticism. The grass does take a while to grow up after winter/spring, but it does fill in.

[bankkur74]

> @rtraudt said:

> > @bankkur74 said:

> > > @tharpst said:

> >

> > > Erin Hills Sunday

> > >

> > > I've never been and am incredibly excited about the opportunity to play such great courses.

> >

> > Can you provide some info on playing Erin Hills when you are done? We are heading up there from Springfield, IL the weekend of June 7th. This is our first time venturing there to play and can't wait. We also plan on stopping outside of Rockford to play a quick 18 to get ready. thanks!

> >

>

> Do you have an afternoon time at Erin and plan on playing outside of Rockford the same day? If that’s your plan, I’d recommend just making the entire drive at once and playing Washington County, which is just a few minutes from Erin and is, along with Brown Deer, one of my two favorite “affordable” courses around Milwaukee. Worth considering for sure, in fact I’ll be playing there Sunday morning!

 

We actually are driving up on Friday and catching a Brewers game that night. Decided to play 18 somewhere on the way up on Friday just to play somewhere different. We then have a tee time on Saturday early afternoon and then again on Sunday morning.

[jckrjr7]

> @bankkur74 said:

> > @tharpst said:

>

> > Erin Hills Sunday

> >

> > I've never been and am incredibly excited about the opportunity to play such great courses.

>

> Can you provide some info on playing Erin Hills when you are done? We are heading up there from Springfield, IL the weekend of June 7th. This is our first time venturing there to play and can't wait. We also plan on stopping outside of Rockford to play a quick 18 to get ready. thanks!

>

I played Erin Hills on Sunday and Monday. Course is in very good shape although you can tell it’s still needs a few more weeks for the grass to grow in. Greens weren’t playing quick and the fescue was thin in some places so you weren’t penalized too much. I expect that will all change by the end of June. I was impressed with how quickly the course dried out as they’ve had a lot of rain throughout May.

 

I’ve seen a lot of people complain about the caddies but my dad and I had an older guy named Eric on the bag and he was a total pro. Caddied at the open and been there close to 10 years.

 

[DeeBee30]

Quick side note: I played Mammoth Dunes with a WRXer named Randy back in mid-May...Randy if you’re a regular on this thread, give me a holler.

[ode1]

> @IrishGolfer14 said:

> I played Stevens Point country club yesterday, and I was very impressed. The fairways were fairly wide, usually bordered by a thin strip of rough (not very long) and then a sandy wire grass native area. Greens are fairly large, with a pretty good amount of movement/undulation that had a very natural feel to it. They aren’t perched up with steep drop offs like you see at Lawsonia Links. The course played quite firm and fast, which was impressive considering that there had been a pretty decent amount of rain recently, so I would think that it might play even firmer in the summer. Thankfully, the bunkering on most greens allow for you to run/bounce the ball up there, but you have to be a little strategic off the tee in order to get the right angle if you want to get it close that way.

>

> The course is not perfect by any means, as there are a few holes that I would consider boring or weak, and the routing is a bit bland as the first 7 holes just kinda play back and forth. Also, if you’re looking for more of a lush green country club you probably won’t be finding that there, although I, along with many, will find that a plus. But all in all, it was a great course/experience and I will definitely be back if I’m in the area again.

 

I played it today. Very good write up on your part!

 

The positives= nice green and greenside bunker complexes; firm and fast throughout; and a few holes that were pretty cool with my favorite being the last par 5, with the split fairway....that was a fun hole; and ability to run up, I like that a lot, especially given how firm and fast it plays.

 

Condition was just ok. Lots of poa creeping in. Mish mash of linksy style with trees on one side of the hole or sprinkled here and there. I realize the tree issues they had and it's not their fault and knew this to be the case, but it does not look good/not visually appealing. I could imagine how amazing it was with those huge pines lining both sides of the fairway.

 

My buddy and I had fun and if we were in the area and needed another course to play, it would be a consideration. Also, when we called on Thursday to confirm we could get on, we were told one price, when we got there and paid it was another. Not the end of the world, but also, not cool!

[Lefty96]

I got to play Lawsonia Links yesterday for the first time this year. Low 80s, mild wind, and a shining sun made for a very pleasant day of golf. The course was in pretty good shape. Couple dead spots on a few tees and a couple fairways, but nothing that ever impacted the lie of my golf ball. The greens were just a touch slow compared to how I remembered them, but still rolling pretty good (In fact my playing partner who hadn't been there before thought they were rolling pretty quick). You could tell they had been aerated but the grass has grown in nicely. Perfect true roll on most of the holes, however a couple on the back nine were a bit bumpy. Every bunker I was in (and I'll be honest it was quite a few) was raked smooth and I did not see any rocks in them. The fairways were really rolling out off the tee which was a nice bonus. Overall it was a great day, and the course is in fantastic shape. I would say the greens will be at their full glory in no less than a week.

 

We teed of after 3 in the afternoon and still got 27 holes in with time to spare. So I got to play the 7th hole twice which is one of my favorite par threes in Wisconsin. It was just a perfect afternoon of golf.

[games]

Some here know I'm moving to Iowa. I start my new job on July 8. Besides doing some house cleaning and packing, I'd like to get some Wisconsin golf in between now and then. I might do Erin Hills as a bucket list course. Beyond that, I'd spend time at smaller publics like Edgewood and New Berlin Hills near my house. Anyone got a muni near their house that is taken care of and fun to play that doesn't get a lot of chatter, here?

[Big A HG]

> @games said:

> Some here know I'm moving to Iowa. I start my new job on July 8. Besides doing some house cleaning and packing, I'd like to get some Wisconsin golf in between now and then. I might do Erin Hills as a bucket list course. Beyond that, I'd spend time at smaller publics like Edgewood and New Berlin Hills near my house. Anyone got a muni near their house that is taken care of and fun to play that doesn't get a lot of chatter, here?

 

If you don't mind the hike (it's not too bad), Autumn Ridge is a favorite of mine for the quality vs cost.

[games]

> @"Big A HG" said:

> If you don't mind the hike (it's not too bad), Autumn Ridge is a favorite of mine for the quality vs cost.

Yes, great call! Valders, right? I've heard good things, just never got there.

 

[Big A HG]

> @games said:

> > @"Big A HG" said:

> > If you don't mind the hike (it's not too bad), Autumn Ridge is a favorite of mine for the quality vs cost.

> Yes, great call! Valders, right? I've heard good things, just never got there.

>

 

Yep, technically Valders, though it's a bit down the road. The course is very hilly, so take a cart. Also, it can be a difficult course for a first timer who has never played it. The course is not long on the scorecard, but there are a lot of forced layups due to ravines and some parts get quite narrow, so clubbing down off the tee can be important. If you go, I can tell you how to play every hole off memory so you're best prepared. I'm heading back to WI this coming weekend and plan on playing The Bull and Autumn Ridge while back as my folks live in the Sheboygan area, if you wanted to play.

[geochitown]

I played the “glacial 9” at quit qui oc last summer in Elkhart lake and really liked it

 

Very different from the other 18 holes on property in that it’s more modern, with more interesting greens and more dramatic topography.

 

Sounds similar to the description of autumn ridge above

 

Cool tidbit

On some of the easternmost holes, one can hear the cars racing over at Road America

[Big A HG]

> @geochitown said:

> I played the “glacial 9” at quit qui oc last summer in Elkhart lake and really liked it

>

> Very different from the other 18 holes on property in that it’s more modern, with more interesting greens and more dramatic topography.

>

> Sounds similar to the description of autumn ridge above

>

> Cool tidbit

> On some of the easternmost holes, one can hear the cars racing over at Road America

 

Yes, the Glacier 9 is very similar in style to Autumn Ridge and is quite fun. There's a lot less in the way of requiring course knowledge than Autumn Ridge, and as I recall, it plays a bit firmer (Autumn gets watered pretty heavily usually...but you'll thank them for it). Both are fun tracks and it would be great if the Glacier 9 ever got another 9. The original 18 at Quit Qui Oc is a Tom Bendelow design, though I believe the back nine was redone at some point (not sure to what extent). It's by no means a legendary track as it plays mostly like any decent muni, but is a good, affordable round.

 

One thing to note if you head to Quit Qui Oc is the Glacier 9 has its own separate clubhouse.

[DeeBee30]

Played Skyline in Black River Falls this afternoon with a local regular named Tim and find myself both happy and sad at the same time.

 

First the happy: what a fun layout! Almost all of the holes have some interesting characteristics, the course has great rolling terrain & elevation changes, and many of the greens are small with tricky subtle breaks.

 

Now the sad: the course is in horrendous shape. A vast majority of tee boxes, fairways and greens are in bad shape with tons of bare patches. The short rough is sparse, so the ball sinks down to the ground level. And the sand in the bunkers is closer to large grain dirt than sand. All this and a $48 price tag. I teed off at 3:15, and the course didn’t have nearly the traffic it should on a 70* Friday afternoon.

 

That track has such great potential. I hear they’ve had some issues with turnover in the superintendent position...they need to figure that 5h*t out because it’s a crime to let a course like that fall into such disrepair and suffer from neglect. Close off and seed some of the tee boxes. Seed and rope off the dead patched of fairway (and cut that grass to a decent height). Figure out how to repair the greens. Make the course worth the money being charged! I told all of this to the guy in the pro shop, and he accepted the feedback but made the excuse that they had rough weather this spring. Well, so did everyone else, and some supers managed to get the courses in great shape anyway.

 

To Skyline GC and the city of Black River Falls: please step up and figure out how to maintain your golf course. That track could draw people from an hour + away, but not in that condition.

 

 

[collje26]

Playing both the links and woodlands this morning, excited to see the state of the course since it’s hosting the Wisconsin state am shortly. Playing mascoutin tomorrow morning on top of it.

[ode1]

> @collje26 said:

> Playing both the links and woodlands this morning, excited to see the state of the course since it’s hosting the Wisconsin state am shortly. Playing mascoutin tomorrow morning on top of it.

 

Played last Friday (Links) and it was very good. Enjoy it!

[collje26]

> @ode1 said:

> > @collje26 said:

> > Playing both the links and woodlands this morning, excited to see the state of the course since it’s hosting the Wisconsin state am shortly. Playing mascoutin tomorrow morning on top of it.

>

> Played last Friday (Links) and it was very good. Enjoy it!

 

So fast and firm. Went 73 on the links and 75 on the woodlands. The greens on and links are as good as I’ve seen in a while.

 

[zer0]

Just re-upped my membership at Lawsonia for the year! Heading up there next week for 5 straight days of golf. Might even squeeze in a round or two on the Woodlands while I'm there.

[jimwgt26]

Played my first round at Lawsonia Links on Saturday. In many ways it exceeded my expectations. The layout and the property are exceptional. I love the blind shots, the downhill par 4’s, the par 5’s are storable. It’s a classic fun course. I have read that the sand is bad, so I wasn’t surprised at how bad it actually is. The Links could be as good as the other top WI courses if they improve the bunkers. My only negative, I had a 12:45 tee time. I drove up from Chicago and arrived at noon. They told me I was on the tee and didn’t have time to go to the bathroom, let alone stretch or hit a few balls.

[Justmuckit]

Not worth starting a new thread - so...

Is it safe to assume that the B/Junior caddies at Sand Valley single bag?

And if you've used one, what did you tip on top of the $60 suggested?

 

Thanks!

[BG5]

I think it’s just a straight $60 for the kid. Most are young

[collje26]

> @Justmuckit said:

> Not worth starting a new thread - so...

> Is it safe to assume that the B/Junior caddies at Sand Valley single bag?

> And if you've used one, what did you tip on top of the $60 suggested?

>

> Thanks!

 

Ask for Evan. Really good caddy.

 

 

[Big A HG]

We talk a lot about the Wisconsin big dogs (Whistling, Erin, SV, Lawsonia, etc). I'm going to give a little love to my home track, Autumn Ridge. I paid $39 to play with a cart on Friday afternoon. It's barely over 6000 yards from the tips, but it's plenty of course for the big hitters. There are a lot of forced layups and it's very much target golf from tee to green on most holes. It's very well-maintained and the greens were rolling quick and smooth. I haven't been able to confirm this, but Autumn Ridge was being built around the time Whistling Straits was. The course designer was able to get Pete Dye on the course for a day and give some pointers on the design. Afterward, it was dubbed "Baby Blackwolf". The course is only 15-20 minutes from Whistling Straits, so if you're ever in the area and want a fun, inexpensive round, give Autumn Ridge a try.

 

I took a few photos I thought I'd share:

 

Hole 6, par 4, from behind green looking back towards landing area. Tee shot is typically a 190-200 yard club to forced layup with 120-140 left (depending on accuracy of tee shot) between trees framing your approach.

 

Hole 7, par 3, from tee. Basically an island green without water and the toughest green on the course (maybe almost unfair when rolling as quick as it was with the severe back to front). Plays about 165 from tips.

 

Hole 9, par 5, from back right of green towards fairway. Fairway has a generous landing area, but don't miss it or you may as well pull out another ball. Hole plays uphill and your second shot is impeded by a single tree in fairway (seen in photo), but is reachable with a great tee shot and lofty approach.

 

Hole 11, par 3, very downhill, I think the yardage says something like 170-175, but plays less. Left is extremely dead. Miss right and you take your bogey and run. Just hit the green! I watched Kentucky John get his 12th hole in one here in 2005 at the age of 74...his license plate still read "8HOLEN1". The guy never touched a golf club until the day he retired at age 60, but never stopped once he did.

 

Hole 11 cart path caution sign. Though not technically against Wisconsin state law if you don't, riding is more or less mandatory when playing Autumn Ridge due to the severe elevation changes, but it makes for a fun drive...which the sign only encourages.

 

Hole 15 from behind the green, the shortest par 3 on the course. Plays about 120, but is a bit uphill with a tiny postage stamp green with a ridge that separates the front third and ready to penalize not only those who are inaccurate, but can't control their spin. Miss this green and hope you get a favorable resting place as short, left, or right are mostly dead.

 

 

 

[collje26]

Played there many times! It is in great shape but a big quirky for my taste. A lot of irons off the tees but great greens.

[games]

Later this morning, teeing off at Washington County for the last time. Should have played it more over the years. A truly great track...

[PuttCurseRepeat]

> @Justmuckit said:

> Not worth starting a new thread - so...

> Is it safe to assume that the B/Junior caddies at Sand Valley single bag?

> And if you've used one, what did you tip on top of the $60 suggested?

>

> Thanks!

 

Yes, Juniors single bag. Just played yesterday. Gave my Junior $80. He was as good or better than one of the A caddies my buddy had 2 years ago. Ask for Jackson.

[jwhite86]

> @collje26 said:

> Played there many times! It is in great shape but a big quirky for my taste. A lot of irons off the tees but great greens.

 

Agree... The greens are great... but the rest of the layout is not my cup of tea

[Big A HG]

Autumn is a very different type of course, and if it's your first time there and you're not playing with a regular, I can see how it'd be frustrating. But, once you understand the layout and sightlines a bit, the course becomes very playable and fun. It's a thinker and shot-makers course and definitely not bomb and gouge. There are a few holes that typically make or break a round, though. I hate to include the first hole in such a description, but it is definitely a tough hole and can sidetrack your round right away. Hole 7 is very difficult as there is no room for error at any point on this par 3. Hole 12 is probably the hardest par 4 in Wisconsin. The tee shot is stupid hard. If you get through hole 12 and have a decent round going, you can get through the rest of the back 9 fairly easy. There are a few "shortcuts" for longer hitters such as on 4, sometimes 12, and 16.

[collje26]

> @"Big A HG" said:

> Autumn is a very different type of course, and if it's your first time there and you're not playing with a regular, I can see how it'd be frustrating. But, once you understand the layout and sightlines a bit, the course becomes very playable and fun. It's a thinker and shot-makers course and definitely not bomb and gouge. There are a few holes that typically make or break a round, though. I hate to include the first hole in such a description, but it is definitely a tough hole and can sidetrack your round right away. Hole 7 is very difficult as there is no room for error at any point on this par 3. Hole 12 is probably the hardest par 4 in Wisconsin. The tee shot is stupid hard. If you get through hole 12 and have a decent round going, you can get through the rest of the back 9 fairly easy. There are a few "shortcuts" for longer hitters such as on 4, sometimes 12, and 16.

 

However the risk isn’t worth the reward. A lot of those holes if you hit it to the laying area you have 8 iron or less anyways. As for the hardest par 4 i’d put #9 at Green Bay Country Club up there with any hole in the state.