Some Things Wisconsin Golf

[StudentGolfer4]

@collje26

 

Good information here. I don’t have an issue with the price but would be disappointed to find temporary tees and such.  I’ll put it on my list for next summer! 
 

@games and here I am thinking St. Germaine resembled a bowling alley at times. After looking at North Wood I realize some of those holes were downright wide in comparison lol. 

Edited June 25 by StudentGolfer4

[kyackley]

Eagle River Golf Course is more wide open version of St. Germain, that might be worth checking out.

As for down here in Southeast Wisconsin, Petrified Springs is in really nice condition. I haven’t been to Brighton Dale yet. 

[games]

1 hour ago, StudentGolfer4 said:

 

@games and here I am thinking St. Germaine resembled a bowling alley at times. After looking at North Wood I realize some of those holes were downright wide in comparison lol. 

 

It always seemed to me that St. Germain, while narrow, was still very playable because the turf seems to hold water better and there is just more rough between fairway and trees than there is at Northwood.

 

Northwood gets scary when it gets dry. Drives run forever, but sometimes roll off the fairway. There isn't a whole lot of rough between the fairway and the trees at Northwood.

[Mauiman76]

Heading to Lawsonia on Friday morning to play 90 holes over the weekend. Can’t wait to get up there!

[collje26]

On 6/25/2025 at 8:48 PM, StudentGolfer4 said:

@collje26

 

Good information here. I don’t have an issue with the price but would be disappointed to find temporary tees and such.  I’ll put it on my list for next summer! 
 

@games and here I am thinking St. Germaine resembled a bowling alley at times. After looking at North Wood I realize some of those holes were downright wide in comparison lol. 

If you’re looking for another round I’d check out plum lake. Such a cool 9 hole track you wouldn’t get sick of playing it twice. 

[collje26]

17 hours ago, Mauiman76 said:

Heading to Lawsonia on Friday morning to play 90 holes over the weekend. Can’t wait to get up there!

The links is in finally good shape and the woodlands greens are phenomenal. I know they got hit hard on Monday with storms but should be real good. 

[zer0]

18 hours ago, Mauiman76 said:

Heading to Lawsonia on Friday morning to play 90 holes over the weekend. Can’t wait to get up there!

 

how many you playing Saturday?   One year when they still had the play all day plan me and my buddies got in close to 54 before losing the sun.   The last 5 or so we had the cart girl just riding along with us as our personal bartender.

[StudentGolfer4]

@mauiman waiting to hear how your trip was. Hope you saved your best round(s) for today!

Edited June 29 by StudentGolfer4

[Mauiman76]

9 hours ago, StudentGolfer4 said:

@mauiman waiting to hear how your trip was. Hope you saved your best round(s) for today!

Ended up playing 108 holes! Played 54 on Saturday through the heat but it was a blast. Only 18 on the Links this morning and loved every minute. Everything was in good shape and Woodlands has turned into a great track. It’s perfect for an afternoon round to enjoy the shade and stay slightly cooler. Absolutely beautiful up there and we’ll be back again in early October. Still ranks as my favorite affordable place to go.

[StudentGolfer4]

Good to hear! I’ve got 36 booked there in a couple of weeks. Currently playing the links in the morning and woodlands that afternoon. I’ve gone back and forth on just playing the links twice. 
 

It sounds like you would recommend playing both? 

[kyackley]

I’ll be playing for the first time Majestic Oaks at Lake Lawn next week. Hoping it’s as nice as the other courses in that area.

[Mauiman76]

19 hours ago, StudentGolfer4 said:

Good to hear! I’ve got 36 booked there in a couple of weeks. Currently playing the links in the morning and woodlands that afternoon. I’ve gone back and forth on just playing the links twice. 
 

It sounds like you would recommend playing both? 

I would play both to see the whole property. Years ago I would say play the Links twice but now I feel like it holds up really well and is a perfect contrast to the Links.

[kyackley]

I played Brighton Dale yesterday, first time since the big storm. Played the Red Course since I only had time for 9 holes. 

[collje26]

1 hour ago, Mauiman76 said:

I would play both to see the whole property. Years ago I would say play the Links twice but now I feel like it holds up really well and is a perfect contrast to the Links.

The woodlands has become a very great compliment to the links. Much different style of golf but the conditioning, bunker reductions and clearing out some of the junk has really made the woodlands a great course. However I will say it better be now that they are charging what they have been for both courses.

[jwhite86]

22 hours ago, StudentGolfer4 said:

Good to hear! I’ve got 36 booked there in a couple of weeks. Currently playing the links in the morning and woodlands that afternoon. I’ve gone back and forth on just playing the links twice. 
 

It sounds like you would recommend playing both? 

I'd recommend playing both as well.  I had a blast last time I was out there.

[TBone0576]

19 hours ago, kyackley said:

I played Brighton Dale yesterday, first time since the big storm. Played the Red Course since I only had time for 9 holes. 

Haven’t been on the Red yet.  I’ve heard they made some significant changes and that the refresh was well done.  

[ode1]

On 6/30/2025 at 1:18 PM, kyackley said:

Majestic Oaks

The greens are very good!  I don't know that you will be blown away by the layout but it's solid with enough elevation change to make it interesting.  I'm always content after walking off the course!

[kyackley]

3 hours ago, ode1 said:

The greens are very good!  I don't know that you will be blown away by the layout but it's solid with enough elevation change to make it interesting.  I'm always content after walking off the course!

I try to play as many new courses as possible every summer. Looking forward to trying Majestic Oaks. 
 

As for Brighton Dale, I was very impressed for what they have done. And I have heard nothing but good things from friends that have played it since the big storm. 

[ode1]

9 hours ago, kyackley said:

try to play as many new courses

Yes....look forward to this every year and finding some new hidden gems!

[Chanceman]

On 6/30/2025 at 12:53 PM, Mauiman76 said:

Ended up playing 108 holes! Played 54 on Saturday through the heat but it was a blast. Only 18 on the Links this morning and loved every minute. Everything was in good shape and Woodlands has turned into a great track. It’s perfect for an afternoon round to enjoy the shade and stay slightly cooler. Absolutely beautiful up there and we’ll be back again in early October. Still ranks as my favorite affordable place to go.

The big question is did you make it to the Goose Blind bar in Green Lake? If so when did you leave?

[Mauiman76]

11 hours ago, Chanceman said:

The big question is did you make it to the Goose Blind bar in Green Lake? If so when did you leave?

No, never been there. We’ll try to go this Fall.

[collje26]

2 minutes ago, Mauiman76 said:

No, never been there. We’ll try to go this Fall.

😂 if you want recommendations from a local there’s many other spots that are better just maybe not as convenient. 

[ode1]

@Phreddy

 

https://www.wisconsin.golf/courses/planned-for-270-acres-just-west-of-erin-hills-kettle-forge-envisioned-as-a-world/article_fa0f5e3f-4601-4317-9226-c08e16263669.html

 

Is this same project you were referring to last year? It sounds like the same property.  Lang is mentioned, as well as Sticker....but not in the same vein as the previous article.  Sounds like different developers and investors as a whole and Lang is now on the outside looking in  .... What's the skinny, almost sounds like Lang was hoodwinked 🤔

Edited July 8 by ode1

[zer0]

On 7/1/2025 at 8:36 AM, Mauiman76 said:

I would play both to see the whole property. Years ago I would say play the Links twice but now I feel like it holds up really well and is a perfect contrast to the Links.

 

agree 100%.   When i was a member I used to tell people that for every 10 rounds at Lawsonia I would play 9 on the Links and 1 on the Woods.  But after seeing the updates to the course (especially the new 18th hole) I would definitely recommend upping that ratio.  Would still play the Links the majority of the time, but it would be much closer to 70/30 or 60/40 vs the 90/10 split I was at back then.

[zer0]

On 7/3/2025 at 7:25 PM, collje26 said:

😂 if you want recommendations from a local there’s many other spots that are better just maybe not as convenient. 

 

yep, Goose Blind is average at best for food.  Much better options in town and the surrounding towns like Ripon.    But if you're just looking for a drinks in a dive bar atmosphere then Goose Blind is top notch for sure.

[Phreddy]

17 hours ago, ode1 said:

@Phreddy

 

https://www.wisconsin.golf/courses/planned-for-270-acres-just-west-of-erin-hills-kettle-forge-envisioned-as-a-world/article_fa0f5e3f-4601-4317-9226-c08e16263669.html

 

Is this same project you were referring to last year? It sounds like the same property.  Lang is mentioned, as well as Sticker....but not in the same vein as the previous article.  Sounds like different developers and investors as a whole and Lang is now on the outside looking in  .... What's the skinny, almost sounds like Lang was hoodwinked 🤔

 

I'm fairly certain it is not the same property or project.  The Bob Lang idea was out near Oconomowoc and not near the current Erin Hills.  Bob essentially bankrupted himself with his attempt at Erin and any project with his name on it will be a "show me the money first" deal.  This is "8 miles east of Erin Hills," envisioned as a private member only club and is 30 minutes to an hour from a population center.  It reminds me of a project like Harvester in Iowa or Sand Hills in Nebraska where they are looking for a national membership.  Just guessing of course, but I don't see the demographic for it locally.  Metro Milwaukee has some pretty nice upper tier privates.  Other parts of the state not so much.

[ldchristopher]

38 minutes ago, Phreddy said:

 

I'm fairly certain it is not the same property or project.  The Bob Lang idea was out near Oconomowoc and not near the current Erin Hills.  Bob essentially bankrupted himself with his attempt at Erin and any project with his name on it will be a "show me the money first" deal.  This is "8 miles east of Erin Hills," envisioned as a private member only club and is 30 minutes to an hour from a population center.  It reminds me of a project like Harvester in Iowa or Sand Hills in Nebraska where they are looking for a national membership.  Just guessing of course, but I don't see the demographic for it locally.  Metro Milwaukee has some pretty nice upper tier privates.  Other parts of the state not so much.

This is definitely not the same project as Trinity Hills. The land is about the same size but I don’t think Lang ever got the money to build Trinity Hills. He needed a partner to put up $28.8 million of the $40 million needed and that never happened, or at least hasn't happened yet. He also wanted Stricker to design the course even though Steve is an admitted novice in the field. 
https://www.wisconsin.golf/courses/this-is-going-to-happen-erin-hills-visionary-bob-lang-has-another-dream-in-his/article_5eb90726-ac0e-11ef-9705-23da19e2812e.html

[kyackley]

Played Majestic Oaks at Lake Lawn Resort last Wednesday. Course is in great condition. 
Also played Spring Valley on Saturday. Course held up well after all the rain we got the night before. 
Booked Fox Hollow and Forest Hills for next week when I’m in the La Crosse area.

[StudentGolfer4]

A few days after playing Lawsonia and I am still trying to gather my thoughts on it. I think the course is good, really good. How I would stack it up to the handful of other top 100 places I’m not really sure though. It’s rightfully in there, but I can’t figure out where just yet.
 

Highlights. 
 

The layout was a ton of fun and the land was much better than I expected. Walking onto 11 tee and seeing the entire back 9 laid out was a really cool “reveal”.
 

6-9 on the front was my favorite stretch of holes. 

 

I love the conditions and how they embraced firmer playing surfaces. The fairways with a bit of brown in them were great. 
 

Endless pin positions would help keep the course fresh if playing it frequently. The fescue/heather was for sure a penalty but in my limited experience it was findable and playable. 
 

I love how you could use some slopes around the greens to funnel balls to certain pin positions and run shots onto the green. I tend to play a higher ball but a couple of my playing partners used the slopes with great results. This is great for lower spin/trajectory players. 
 

The variety of par 3s were enjoyed. From running up a 4 iron on 10, hitting a short wedge on 14, the redan like 12th, and of course the boxcar hole.

 

 

My biggest points of contention are actually around the bunkers. 

 

They forced players to think their way around the course but I kept asking myself “are these maybe a bit much?” I’m 100% a guy that believes bunkers should be penalties and not something players want to find themselves in around the green but some of these were over the top maybe.
 

I was able to get out of all of them fine, and even got up and down twice but I don’t know. The thought was never, how much room do I have up there, where do I need to land it, or what’s this ball going to do when it’s on the green. The task was simply, swing hard and get out of here. 
 

On a couple of occasions they led to my playing partners picking up after a couple of whacks. I’m sure that’s not an uncommon thing.  If we are going to criticize and talk about some of the cavernous Pete Dye bunkers as over the top, like at PGA West, these need to be discussed as well. It’s not just 1-2 that you have to avoid. It’s almost every hole. And plenty of greens has them on both sides and wrapping around towards the rear. 
 

I understand the course was built in a different time with different equipment and the ball didn’t fly as far. With that said, the placement of some bunkers made me scratch my head. On 2 you can create the blind shot with mounds and not need sand 130 yards off the tee. 6, 8, and 10 come to mind as similar bunkers. You can still obscure the landing zone without requiring a 130-160 yard carry from the tee box. I generally dislike hazards that only apply to weaker players. If someone hits it in there off the tee it felt too much like a double penalty. Especially considering the depth of the bunkers. 
 

The layout of the back 9 led to a bit of a shooting gallery at times. My group didn’t run into issues but it seems like I heard constant shouts of Fore! It looks like they may have eliminated some fescue between holes and that probably led to it being more of a problem but it definitely was. It was definitely a problem  on 10, 12, and 14. 

 

I enjoyed the woodlands course as well. Nothing new or noteworthy but I agree it’s worth a play. I would be lying if a couple of times I wasn’t wishing I was on the links again though. The greens were m fantastic. Rolled true and fast. 2, 5, 10 were favorites. 3 was a dramatic par 3 but I think the green was a bit small and bunker too penal for the length of shot. Would work well from 120-140 but not as much from 175. (Maybe it generally plays shorter I don’t know.)  Did they build a new green on 18 at some point? The one ticket away further right had 3-4 holes and the type of flags you would see on a putting green. Based on where #1 tee is I don’t see how it could have been used for that purpose though. 
 

Paid $190 for the day. Cant beat it for that price. The staff everywhere was great. The starter in particular, Joe, was an asset to the course. 

Edited July 16 by StudentGolfer4

[ode1]

1 hour ago, StudentGolfer4 said:

6-9 on the front was my favorite stretch of holes

I would add #5 as it's reachable even for an average hitter, *if you catch the ramp in the fairway, and I love that green!  #6 is my favorite hole on the course.  That fwy bunker prevents bomb with impunity IMO, although you could still try and fit one between the bunker and the hay on the right, it's a relatively tight fit and being in the fwy is crucial for distance control into that green.  The play is to be just short of the bunker, as from there you are level with the green, making distance control the easiest.  No excuses from that point🙃.  I like the cross mounding as it makes it semi blind and adds a bit of uncertainty. 

 

1 hour ago, StudentGolfer4 said:

3 was a dramatic par 3 but I think the green was a bit small and bunker too penal for the length of shot. Would work well from 120-140

Move to one of the up tees.  I've done it a time or two for fun and would agree, it's a better hole from closer!

 

Glad you enjoyed it!