Some Things Wisconsin Golf

[Big A HG]

> @collje26 said:

> > @"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.

>

 

The risk on #4 and #16 are minimal to nil compared to going where the tee shot visually says you should go. There are zero reasons not to cut corners on either of those unless you are dealing with an insane headwind on #4. #12 isn't worth the risk for most players, but I've seen it done.

 

Hole #9 at GBCC is a tough hole when trying to get your GIR and make your par, but you can pretty much guarantee no worse than bogey by just playing it as a par 5 if you are out of position or not that long of a hitter. Hole 12 at Autumn Ridge from the tee is ridiculously tough no matter what your skill level is. It doesn't give you a safe option. The worst is, the fairway is already almost impossible to hit in a spot that leaves you an unobstructed second shot, but due to the slope of the fairway towards the nearside woods and ravine, half the shots that hit the fairway in the landing area don't stay on. If you try to hit the correct side, you bring jail or a hazard into play on the far side.

[games]

> @games said:

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

 

What a great day at WCGC. Shot 89 from the blues at 6,600 yards. (Caught it for $35 hot deal on GolfNow, too!) It made me rethink my idea of playing one SEW bucket list course before leaving. I will play Brown Deer or maybe WCGC again. When golf season comes to Wisconsin, it is a real treat. We are blessed to have munis like WCGC, Brown Deer, Nagawaukee, and Brown County. It's been awhile since I played Wanaki and Dretzka, but I recall those being really decent tracks, too!

[rtraudt]

> @games said:

> > @games said:

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

>

> What a great day at WCGC. Shot 89 from the blues at 6,600 yards. (Caught it for $35 hot deal on GolfNow, too!) It made me rethink my idea of playing one SEW bucket list course before leaving. I will play Brown Deer or maybe WCGC again. When golf season comes to Wisconsin, it is a real treat. We are blessed to have munis like WCGC, Brown Deer, Nagawaukee, and Brown County. It's been awhile since I played Wanaki and Dretzka, but I recall those being really decent tracks, too!

 

There are few places I’d rather be at 6:00 AM on a summer Saturday than Brown Deer or Washington County. Easily my two favorite “affordable” courses in the general Milwaukee golfing area. One of my favorite aspects of Brown Deer is the variety of clubs that I hit off the tee over a round of 18.

[micahawitt]

@games was just at Dretzka about 2 weeks ago and it was in great shape, very fun course imo. Haven't played wanaki in a few years so not sure. Also, if anyone in Waukesha area and is going out, let me know!

[mci711]

How is University Ridge? In general and this summer. I may pair it with a Lawsonia trip from Chicago. (cheaper trip, no SV this time around).

[zer0]

> @mci711 said:

> How is University Ridge? In general and this summer. I may pair it with a Lawsonia trip from Chicago. (cheaper trip, no SV this time around).

 

Fantastic. Along with Lawsonia and Washington County, probably the 3 best values in Wisconsin.

 

 

[JoeHatesSnow]

> @zer0 said:

> > @mci711 said:

> > How is University Ridge? In general and this summer. I may pair it with a Lawsonia trip from Chicago. (cheaper trip, no SV this time around).

>

> Fantastic. Along with Lawsonia and Washington County, probably the 3 best values in Wisconsin.

>

>

Venture a bit further north and play Wild Rock in Lake Delton too. I don't think you'd regret it.

 

[mci711]

> @JoeHatesSnow said:

> > @zer0 said:

> > > @mci711 said:

> > > How is University Ridge? In general and this summer. I may pair it with a Lawsonia trip from Chicago. (cheaper trip, no SV this time around).

> >

> > Fantastic. Along with Lawsonia and Washington County, probably the 3 best values in Wisconsin.

> >

> >

> Venture a bit further north and play Wild Rock in Lake Delton too. I don't think you'd regret it.

>

 

Thanks for the recommendation, University Ridge is more so between Chicago and Lawsonia, which is what I am looking for though.

[PuttCurseRepeat]

It was nice to be back, golfing in Wisconsin this week. Two buddies and I were blown away by Mammoth Dunes on Wednesday. On Thursday we played Lawsonia and while we all enjoyed it, my friends weren't as charmed with it as I am. Their loss, I suppose.

 

Both courses were in great shape. Just a bit of winter kill repair on a couple of Lawsonia's greens, but was hardly noticeable. What was noticeable, and perhaps skewed my friends' experience, was a ton of commotion just off the first tee as we were getting started. There is not much room between the clubhouse and 1st teebox and the path was pinched with traffic, including golf carts, maintenance carts and people inluding staff who were speaking well within earshot of the tee markers. I didn't recall all that commotion on my previous visits. But much worse than the minor annoyence on the first tee was an incident on the 14th tee. As we pulled up to the tee box, a Sam Elliott looking character driving a maintenance cart trailing a giant blower passed along side of our carts, and in the process, blew a thick cloud of grass clipping, leaves and dust at us from a range of about 15 feet. Wtf?!? Add to it that it was a hot day, so the debis stuck to us quite nicely. ? We complained to the ranger, but now thinking about it again, I think an email to the head pro is in order.

 

After the round I had the fish sandwich (haddock) at Langford's Pub. Very good!

[collje26]

Playing autumn ridge in about an hour. Hopefully the rain is done for the day!

[games]

Next chapter in my Wisconsin value course tour: The Broadlands at 11:30 today. This one was $18 on GolfNow, which I would consider better than the $30 hot deal I got at WCGC. Ridiculous prices...

[ode1]

All this talk about Autumn Ridge. The head pro at my current course was the pro out there for a few years. Used to go out in late fall and play as much as I could for $25. 36 quite a few times and 54 once. I'll always remember the sounds of bullets "whizzing" over my head from the shooting range nearby. I realized that sound in the movies is realistic, lol! As for the course, it is about as "target golf" as it gets. No thanks!

[micahawitt]

> @games said:

> Next chapter in my Wisconsin value course tour: The Broadlands at 11:30 today. This one was $18 on GolfNow, which I would consider better than the $30 hot deal I got at WCGC. Ridiculous prices...

 

Broadlands a fun little track, its the best draining course that i know of and no matter the weather, its always playable. My biggest wish for that course, is the back 9, make 10-13 that last of the nine.....other than that, great track imo.

 

if you want some great food/beer after hit this place up....[https://google.com/maps/place/Sideliners+Pub+and+Grill/@42.9531201,-88.3796005,15z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x8805bf8e44d338b1:0x950a7ee20defc769!2sEagle,+WI+53119!3b1!8m2!3d42.8794563!4d-88.474265!3m4!1s0x8805bba7772f55f3:0xcf746fc488a1ca34!8m2!3d42.9564304!4d-88.3637935](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sideliners+Pub+and+Grill/@42.9531201,-88.3796005,15z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x8805bf8e44d338b1:0x950a7ee20defc769!2sEagle,+WI+53119!3b1!8m2!3d42.8794563!4d-88.474265!3m4!1s0x8805bba7772f55f3:0xcf746fc488a1ca34!8m2!3d42.9564304!4d-88.3637935 "https://google.com/maps/place/Sideliners+Pub+and+Grill/@42.9531201,-88.3796005,15z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x8805bf8e44d338b1:0x950a7ee20defc769!2sEagle,+WI+53119!3b1!8m2!3d42.8794563!4d-88.474265!3m4!1s0x8805bba7772f55f3:0xcf746fc488a1ca34!8m2!3d42.9564304!4d-88.3637935")

[ode1]

> @micahawitt said:

> > @games said:

> > Next chapter in my Wisconsin value course tour: The Broadlands at 11:30 today. This one was $18 on GolfNow, which I would consider better than the $30 hot deal I got at WCGC. Ridiculous prices...

>

> Broadlands a fun little track, its the best draining course that i know of and no matter the weather, its always playable. My biggest wish for that course, is the back 9, make 10-13 that last of the nine.....other than that, great track imo.

>

> if you want some great food/beer after hit this place up....[https://google.com/maps/place/Sideliners+Pub+and+Grill/@42.9531201,-88.3796005,15z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x8805bf8e44d338b1:0x950a7ee20defc769!2sEagle,+WI+53119!3b1!8m2!3d42.8794563!4d-88.474265!3m4!1s0x8805bba7772f55f3:0xcf746fc488a1ca34!8m2!3d42.9564304!4d-88.3637935](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sideliners+Pub+and+Grill/@42.9531201,-88.3796005,15z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x8805bf8e44d338b1:0x950a7ee20defc769!2sEagle,+WI+53119!3b1!8m2!3d42.8794563!4d-88.474265!3m4!1s0x8805bba7772f55f3:0xcf746fc488a1ca34!8m2!3d42.9564304!4d-88.3637935 "https://google.com/maps/place/Sideliners+Pub+and+Grill/@42.9531201,-88.3796005,15z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x8805bf8e44d338b1:0x950a7ee20defc769!2sEagle,+WI+53119!3b1!8m2!3d42.8794563!4d-88.474265!3m4!1s0x8805bba7772f55f3:0xcf746fc488a1ca34!8m2!3d42.9564304!4d-88.3637935")

 

I,d go 13-16 as the finishing holes. I'd leave 10 where it is as it's about the only let down on the course. I do like 17 and 18, but finishing with a par 3 is goofy!

[micahawitt]

> @ode said:

> > @micahawitt said:

> > > @games said:

> > > Next chapter in my Wisconsin value course tour: The Broadlands at 11:30 today. This one was $18 on GolfNow, which I would consider better than the $30 hot deal I got at WCGC. Ridiculous prices...

> >

> > Broadlands a fun little track, its the best draining course that i know of and no matter the weather, its always playable. My biggest wish for that course, is the back 9, make 10-13 that last of the nine.....other than that, great track imo.

> >

> > if you want some great food/beer after hit this place up....[https://google.com/maps/place/Sideliners+Pub+and+Grill/@42.9531201,-88.3796005,15z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x8805bf8e44d338b1:0x950a7ee20defc769!2sEagle,+WI+53119!3b1!8m2!3d42.8794563!4d-88.474265!3m4!1s0x8805bba7772f55f3:0xcf746fc488a1ca34!8m2!3d42.9564304!4d-88.3637935](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sideliners+Pub+and+Grill/@42.9531201,-88.3796005,15z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x8805bf8e44d338b1:0x950a7ee20defc769!2sEagle,+WI+53119!3b1!8m2!3d42.8794563!4d-88.474265!3m4!1s0x8805bba7772f55f3:0xcf746fc488a1ca34!8m2!3d42.9564304!4d-88.3637935 "https://google.com/maps/place/Sideliners+Pub+and+Grill/@42.9531201,-88.3796005,15z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x8805bf8e44d338b1:0x950a7ee20defc769!2sEagle,+WI+53119!3b1!8m2!3d42.8794563!4d-88.474265!3m4!1s0x8805bba7772f55f3:0xcf746fc488a1ca34!8m2!3d42.9564304!4d-88.3637935")

>

> I,d go 13-16 as the finishing holes. I'd leave 10 where it is as it's about the only let down on the course. I do like 17 and 18, but finishing with a par 3 is goofy!

 

Agree, that par 3 finisher is just not right. at least 13 is a nice smooth dog left into the end. I was also stating that as broadlands wouldn't have to do anything to change layout either. As for leaving 9 and going right to 14, that makes sense as well. Much better flow imo

[Big A HG]

> @ode said:

> All this talk about Autumn Ridge. The head pro at my current course was the pro out there for a few years. Used to go out in late fall and play as much as I could for $25. 36 quite a few times and 54 once. I'll always remember the sounds of bullets "whizzing" over my head from the shooting range nearby. I realized that sound in the movies is realistic, lol! As for the course, it is about as "target golf" as it gets. No thanks!

 

You are very accurate in your assessment of Autumn being target golf. If you end up playing there regularly, it actually is quite fun and not as challenging as your first few times. When I was a member out there many years back and ventured elsewhere, I would find how much more boring it was when most par 4s and 5s were just bomb and gouge and little thought was necessary. Autumn tests your thinking on every shot on the course and I give credit to that course helping me become the player I am today.

 

As far as the nearby shooting range and bullets whizzing by, I can't say I've ever heard or noticed any of that after playing thousands of holes there over hundreds of rounds. I don't know even know where the shooting range would be. On a few occasions I've heard gun shots from a nearby farm, but nowhere close enough to feel in range...just the acoustic bellow of a far off gun shot. And those were exceptionally few and far between. I'm not calling you a liar as I haven't lived in Wisconsin for quite some time now, and have only played it a few times since, so maybe the shooting range is new. But, based on the location and surrounding geography, I'm not sure where you'd even realistic have one that affects anybody on the course.

[collje26]

Agreed with the target golf however you can get greedy on a couple. I somehow ended up making a 7 on 7 the par 3 and took a rip with a driver on 8 and ended up with 110 left and made an easy 4. Really enjoy the fact that the course forces a hand and either makes you hit it to a spot or you have to work the ball both ways. Ended up shooting 75 from the blues with a quad, double, and 2 bogies.

[ode1]

> @"Big A HG" said:

> > @ode said:

> > All this talk about Autumn Ridge. The head pro at my current course was the pro out there for a few years. Used to go out in late fall and play as much as I could for $25. 36 quite a few times and 54 once. I'll always remember the sounds of bullets "whizzing" over my head from the shooting range nearby. I realized that sound in the movies is realistic, lol! As for the course, it is about as "target golf" as it gets. No thanks!

>

> You are very accurate in your assessment of Autumn being target golf. If you end up playing there regularly, it actually is quite fun and not as challenging as your first few times. When I was a member out there many years back and ventured elsewhere, I would find how much more boring it was when most par 4s and 5s were just bomb and gouge and little thought was necessary. Autumn tests your thinking on every shot on the course and I give credit to that course helping me become the player I am today.

>

> As far as the nearby shooting range and bullets whizzing by, I can't say I've ever heard or noticed any of that after playing thousands of holes there over hundreds of rounds. I don't know even know where the shooting range would be. On a few occasions I've heard gun shots from a nearby farm, but nowhere close enough to feel in range...just the acoustic bellow of a far off gun shot. And those were exceptionally few and far between. I'm not calling you a liar as I haven't lived in Wisconsin for quite some time now, and have only played it a few times since, so maybe the shooting range is new. But, based on the location and surrounding geography, I'm not sure where you'd even realistic have one that affects anybody on the course.

 

It was the back 9 at the furthest point out around holes 13, 14, 15, and it only happened one time...who knows may have been some locals practicing on the farm??

I just assumed there was a range nearby.

[Big A HG]

> @collje26 said:

> Agreed with the target golf however you can get greedy on a couple. I somehow ended up making a 7 on 7 the par 3 and took a rip with a driver on 8 and ended up with 110 left and made an easy 4. Really enjoy the fact that the course forces a hand and either makes you hit it to a spot or you have to work the ball both ways. Ended up shooting 75 from the blues with a quad, double, and 2 bogies.

 

Yes! The target golf does not mean there are not options from the tee....quite the opposite. 75 is a great score at Autumn. 7th green and 12th tee are both too difficult for anything outside of a pro golfer in my opinion...but make it through those holes and you can put a fantastic round together if your game is sharp. Driver on 8 is gutsy, depending on how far you hit. I just try to hit a smooth draw with a fairway wood to the top of the hill and let it funnel down...usually leaves you next to the blue 200 marker which actually plays about 185 directly to the middle IIRC. Sounds easier than it is to hit that tee shot, though. Left is super dead and right is not very friendly if you miss it. The course plays a lot like how Pebble did this year in the US Open. There are some holes you have to hold on and pray, but plenty of others that let you put a score together. There is nothing monotonous about the course which is also nice.

[collje26]

> @"Big A HG" said:

> > @collje26 said:

> > Agreed with the target golf however you can get greedy on a couple. I somehow ended up making a 7 on 7 the par 3 and took a rip with a driver on 8 and ended up with 110 left and made an easy 4. Really enjoy the fact that the course forces a hand and either makes you hit it to a spot or you have to work the ball both ways. Ended up shooting 75 from the blues with a quad, double, and 2 bogies.

>

> Yes! The target golf does not mean there are not options from the tee....quite the opposite. 75 is a great score at Autumn. 7th green and 12th tee are both too difficult for anything outside of a pro golfer in my opinion...but make it through those holes and you can put a fantastic round together if your game is sharp. Driver on 8 is gutsy, depending on how far you hit. I just try to hit a smooth draw with a fairway wood to the top of the hill and let it funnel down...usually leaves you next to the blue 200 marker which actually plays about 185 directly to the middle IIRC. Sounds easier than it is to hit that tee shot, though. Left is super dead and right is not very friendly if you miss it. The course plays a lot like how Pebble did this year in the US Open. There are some holes you have to hold on and pray, but plenty of others that let you put a score together. There is nothing monotonous about the course which is also nice.

 

Yup! 12, I hit a 3 wood down the middle to 160 and hit the green but 3 putted. The 14th hole I caught one and put it in the middle of the green and 2 putted. It takes 4-5 times to get the lines but after it's so fun to play.

[Big A HG]

> @ode said:

> All this talk about Autumn Ridge. The head pro at my current course was the pro out there for a few years. Used to go out in late fall and play as much as I could for $25. 36 quite a few times and 54 once. I'll always remember the sounds of bullets "whizzing" over my head from the shooting range nearby. I realized that sound in the movies is realistic, lol! As for the course, it is about as "target golf" as it gets. No thanks!

 

I forgot to mention that I think I know who you are talking about and that you must be out at Branch now. If so you, you can tell him he's a hack from his old golf buddy. In fact, I probably know you if you played with him that much.

[games]

> @games said:

> Next chapter in my Wisconsin value course tour: The Broadlands at 11:30 today. This one was $18 on GolfNow, which I would consider better than the $30 hot deal I got at WCGC. Ridiculous prices...

 

The Broadlands was in good condition. About 6-7 aprons around greens were clearly affected by the wet Wisconsin spring. But, again, what a great layout and given the damp spring, in pretty good shape!

[ode1]

> @"Big A HG" said:

> > @ode said:

> > All this talk about Autumn Ridge. The head pro at my current course was the pro out there for a few years. Used to go out in late fall and play as much as I could for $25. 36 quite a few times and 54 once. I'll always remember the sounds of bullets "whizzing" over my head from the shooting range nearby. I realized that sound in the movies is realistic, lol! As for the course, it is about as "target golf" as it gets. No thanks!

>

> I forgot to mention that I think I know who you are talking about and that you must be out at Branch now. If so you, you can tell him he's a hack from his old golf buddy. In fact, I probably know you if you played with him that much.

 

Will do..... I've only played a few holes with Brad after running into him at the end of a round out at Branch. We joked at the beginning of this season, "see you next year". As I'm often their before they open or at the end of the day so I just tdont have much interaction with the guys in the clubhouse!

[ode1]

I don't know if anyone has played Lawsonia Links since the State Am 7/15-7/18, but apparently the pin positions have been same since final round. I played yesterday and ?. Never have I played it with that combo of pins, most being near a corner of the green, and if they were not corner located they were near a ridge/swail, 6, 12. I think 4 was middle but over to the left.....hard to get it close....so much fun and a test of playing away from the pin and not getting greedy!

[tomuch23]

Wanaki in Waukesha County is shutting down after this year. Just released a statement earlier this week. Naga waukee and Moor downs won't be affected.

[Phreddy]

> @tomuch23 said:

> Wanaki in Waukesha County is shutting down after this year. Just released a statement earlier this week. Naga waukee and Moor downs won't be affected.

 

That's a shame. I was a kid when it opened. The neighborhood moms would take turns driving a car load of us out there in the the summer. With a resident card and $5 in your pocket you cold play 18 and get lunch. I think they may have reversed 9's, but back in the day #2 ran along Town Line Road. We never called home for rides without first walking the ditch along Town Line. Pre-metal woods and balata balls meant pretty good pickings courtesy of any slicers. Of course half the time you would be excited to find a Titleist only to pluck it from the weeds and see a smile the size of Halloween pumpkin on the back side.

 

Phred

[games]

> @tomuch23 said:

> Wanaki in Waukesha County is shutting down after this year. Just released a statement earlier this week. Naga waukee and Moor downs won't be affected.

 

That's sad. I remember being surprised to learn (don't know if it is still the case) that Wanaki actually has a higher slope rating than Nagawaukee!

[tomuch23]

> @Phreddy said:

> > @tomuch23 said:

> > Wanaki in Waukesha County is shutting down after this year. Just released a statement earlier this week. Naga waukee and Moor downs won't be affected.

>

> That's a shame. I was a kid when it opened. The neighborhood moms would take turns driving a car load of us out there in the the summer. With a resident card and $5 in your pocket you cold play 18 and get lunch. I think they may have reversed 9's, but back in the day #2 ran along Town Line Road. We never called home for rides without first walking the ditch along Town Line. Pre-metal woods and balata balls meant pretty good pickings courtesy of any slicers. Of course half the time you would be excited to find a Titleist only to pluck it from the weeds and see a smile the size of Halloween pumpkin on the back side.

>

> Phred

 

I worked there in the summer time for a couple season's (grounds) while in high school over 20 years ago. Still have nightmares about the mosquitoes while working the back 9 there. Just up until they took the fences down along Lisbon(#18) and lannon(#2) Rds I would walk that myself collecting any premium balls. Then after all those years they removed the barbed wire for whatever reason. Was within the last 3 years I believe but should have been done long before that.

 

On a side note I had a buddy who hand glided across the street at the old airport. Went up with him a few times so flying over the course was a normal thing. So peaceful up there with no engines running, just floating along. Stopped at the store and bought a disposable camera (again over 20 years ago) for each ride. The river that ran thru the course was a massive headache with the flooding ever since day one. I know there is a petition started now about saving it but the land is pretty valuable so I don't see it having any effect, considering the course has been losing money every year for quite some time. Attached a picture I took when we were gliding over the course.

[tomuch23]

Here's a couple pictures I was talking about from the previous post. Gliding over Wanaki, Good times.

 

[Phreddy]

Tomuch,

That airport was home to a skydiving school. You would hear the drone of airplane engine, hear it cut out, look up and see dots tumble out. When I was kid there was a par 3, I think #3 at the time, now probably #13. I was on the green putting when suddenly it got really dark and then I was enveloped in silk. The skydiver had missed the airport and come down quiet as a leaf on the golf course. Good days.

Phred