Some Things Wisconsin Golf

[eboettne]

9 hours ago, StudentGolfer4 said:

Havent played lido but I’ll chime in. 

If it’s your first time at the resort 

1a Mammoth
1b Sedge

3 SV

 

 

If you have played the courses before

Sedge

SV

Mammoth 

 

Mammoth is a ton of fun. For a first timer I would reccomend it over the other two that I have played. It’s the ultimate resort course. Plenty of memorable holes, fun shots to hit, should present more birdie looks than normal, and won’t leave you feeling dejected when you walk off of 18.
 

However, I don’t think it’s a fantastic golf course to play repeatedly. One of my biggest issue is good shots arent necessarily rewarded. I hit plenty of so so wedges that found a slope and would funnel towards the green/hole. When I fan a wedge out right from 100 yards that hits off the green but I still have a 15 footer for birdie I don’t feel quite right about it. The short driveable holes 6 and 14 are fun but not necessarily risk reward. 6 is a bit more than 14. 14 is driveable and fun but it doesn’t take a particularly good shot. From the correct tees an average to mediocre shot will hit the slope and funnel down towards the green. Compare that to the short 4s at Sedge and there’s a glaring difference. 

Thanks for the thoughtful response. I had the same feeling about Mammoth after my most recent trip.  Sand Valley I felt like my good shots were rewarded and bad shots were punished.  Mammoth seemed to gray that line like you said.  My rankings before playing Sedge are

 

1. Lido

2. Sand Valley

3. Mammoth

[StudentGolfer4]

Sedge Valley Review 

I played Sedge Valley the second week it was officially open. I walked off the 18th green in love this with the course. I decided to give it a bit of time to let the recency bias dissipate before sharing my experience. Let me preface this by saying I really enjoy golf courses that say here’s the tee box and there’s the pin. Go make the best score possible. Courses that dictate what type of shot the golfer needs to hit are not my preference. I also do not care what par is. Should a 470 yard hole be a 4 or 5? How about a 260 yard par 3? I don’t care one bit. If it’s a good golf hole it’s a good hole. With that said, here goes. 
 

I have nothing but good things to say about the golf course. The variety of holes is tremendous and not a single hole felt forced. The routing was varied and walks from tee to green flowed really well. The back to back par 3s on 7 and 8 weren’t an issue at all. Really it’s three par 3 over a 4 hole span and it’s done wonderfully.  
 

Hole 6 is the first of 3 short risk reward par 4s. These holes are designed more similar to 9 at Sand Valley and less like 14 at Mammoth Dunes. By that I mean they require a very good shot if you wanted to reach the green or get close. They start out wide but pinch and get tighter as you approach the hole. 6 is wider than 12 and 18 but all three of them require thought off the tee if you are laying up. On 14 at Mammoth you go for it because there’s no real downside if you miss. Mine as well give it a shot. On 6, 12, and 18 you stand on the tee and decide what your options are, judge your comfort level, and go from there. My group was 3 very good players and then myself lol.  2 guys hit the green and had makeable eagle putts. We had someone make bogey and yours truly walked off with a double. We played to a pin that was middle third of the green. A back pin would have been more challenging it appeared.

The 5 par 3s were all unique and more importantly played different yardages and allowed for a variety of shots. The day I played I hit PW, 8 iron, 5 iron, GW, and 6 iron in that order. I thought the downhill par 3 8th was one of the coolest holes I’ve played. Front pin playing 230ish all downhill. I hit a low draw 205 yard shot and ended up at the back of the green. If I could do it again I think 175 and using the slope to run it up even more would have been the play. 

 

One negative I’ve read about Sedge is the start isn’t the most exciting. I don’t deny that hole 1 isn’t the best hole on the course, but I think 2 does an excellent job setting the tone for the rest of the round. The large slope of the fairway provides some strategic options off the tee and will reward a well placed drive without severely punishing an okay shot. The course is still much wider than most but not like you find at mammoth or sand valley. If you miss the fairway the fescue or “sedge” seemed a bit more punishing than at Mammoth. I want to say more than Sand Valley as well but I didn’t play it this trip so maybe it has grown up a bit since last summer. 
 

Another complaint I’ve seen on Twitter, take it for with a grain of salt, is people dislike the blind shots. There are a couple out there but nothing crazy. 3 is blind due to lege bunkers about 40 yards short of the green. Theres nothing hidden up there and the land actually helps funnel you towards the putting surface if you miss short or right. 10 is blind if you hit it to the right side of the fairway. If playing the correct angle up the left side you will have a view of the green. I of course, did not. The par 5 11th is uphill and unless you get within 60 yards of the green you will have a blind 3rd. But again, it’s a green with no trouble around and plenty of room short and right to bail out. The 18th is a wonderful short par 4 that is driveable if you can carry it 250+. Given the design, if you choose not to hit the tee ball over the ridge with the fairway bunker you will most likely have a blind second shot. 
 

At par 68 and 5800 (no tips were out when I was there) there’s nothing lesser about the course. It’s much more challenging than mammoth and on par or a bit tougher than sand valley. Tom Doak would tell you that par 68 allowed him to pick the best holes and green sites without having to worry about finding par 5s and longer holes. After playing the course I completely agree. Given 1 round between Mammoth, Sand, and Sedge, I’ll be teeing it up at Sedge Valley every time. 
 

When I’m playing a special golf course I get excited approaching each tee because I want to see what’s in store next. At the same time I feel a bit of sadness because every hole played is one hole closer to be done. This is a round I simply did not want to end. This was my first round of the day with Mammoth booked for my afternoon round. I tried to change my second round from Mammoth to Sedge but the times didn’t work out. 
 

side note: I think I played the afternoon round at Mammoth with 

@Divot_Forensicist and his wife along with a newfound Canadian friend. (If that wasn’t you then disregard. Your post that described your schedule just so happened to be the same as the gentleman I played with.) 

[Chanceman]

2 hours ago, StudentGolfer4 said:

Sedge Valley Review 

I played Sedge Valley the second week it was officially open. I walked off the 18th green in love this with the course. I decided to give it a bit of time to let the recency bias dissipate before sharing my experience. Let me preface this by saying I really enjoy golf courses that say here’s the tee box and there’s the pin. Go make the best score possible. Courses that dictate what type of shot the golfer needs to hit are not my preference. I also do not care what par is. Should a 470 yard hole be a 4 or 5? How about a 260 yard par 3? I don’t care one bit. If it’s a good golf hole it’s a good hole. With that said, here goes. 
 

I have nothing but good things to say about the golf course. The variety of holes is tremendous and not a single hole felt forced. The routing was varied and walks from tee to green flowed really well. The back to back par 3s on 7 and 8 weren’t an issue at all. Really it’s three par 3 over a 4 hole span and it’s done wonderfully.  
 

Hole 6 is the first of 3 short risk reward par 4s. These holes are designed more similar to 9 at Sand Valley and less like 14 at Mammoth Dunes. By that I mean they require a very good shot if you wanted to reach the green or get close. They start out wide but pinch and get tighter as you approach the hole. 6 is wider than 12 and 18 but all three of them require thought off the tee if you are laying up. On 14 at Mammoth you go for it because there’s no real downside if you miss. Mine as well give it a shot. On 6, 12, and 18 you stand on the tee and decide what your options are, judge your comfort level, and go from there. My group was 3 very good players and then myself lol.  2 guys hit the green and had makeable eagle putts. We had someone make bogey and yours truly walked off with a double. We played to a pin that was middle third of the green. A back pin would have been more challenging it appeared.

The 5 par 3s were all unique and more importantly played different yardages and allowed for a variety of shots. The day I played I hit PW, 8 iron, 5 iron, GW, and 6 iron in that order. I thought the downhill par 3 8th was one of the coolest holes I’ve played. Front pin playing 230ish all downhill. I hit a low draw 205 yard shot and ended up at the back of the green. If I could do it again I think 175 and using the slope to run it up even more would have been the play. 

 

One negative I’ve read about Sedge is the start isn’t the most exciting. I don’t deny that hole 1 isn’t the best hole on the course, but I think 2 does an excellent job setting the tone for the rest of the round. The large slope of the fairway provides some strategic options off the tee and will reward a well placed drive without severely punishing an okay shot. The course is still much wider than most but not like you find at mammoth or sand valley. If you miss the fairway the fescue or “sedge” seemed a bit more punishing than at Mammoth. I want to say more than Sand Valley as well but I didn’t play it this trip so maybe it has grown up a bit since last summer. 
 

Another complaint I’ve seen on Twitter, take it for with a grain of salt, is people dislike the blind shots. There are a couple out there but nothing crazy. 3 is blind due to lege bunkers about 40 yards short of the green. Theres nothing hidden up there and the land actually helps funnel you towards the putting surface if you miss short or right. 10 is blind if you hit it to the right side of the fairway. If playing the correct angle up the left side you will have a view of the green. I of course, did not. The par 5 11th is uphill and unless you get within 60 yards of the green you will have a blind 3rd. But again, it’s a green with no trouble around and plenty of room short and right to bail out. The 18th is a wonderful short par 4 that is driveable if you can carry it 250+. Given the design, if you choose not to hit the tee ball over the ridge with the fairway bunker you will most likely have a blind second shot. 
 

At par 68 and 5800 (no tips were out when I was there) there’s nothing lesser about the course. It’s much more challenging than mammoth and on par or a bit tougher than sand valley. Tom Doak would tell you that par 68 allowed him to pick the best holes and green sites without having to worry about finding par 5s and longer holes. After playing the course I completely agree. Given 1 round between Mammoth, Sand, and Sedge, I’ll be teeing it up at Sedge Valley every time. 
 

When I’m playing a special golf course I get excited approaching each tee because I want to see what’s in store next. At the same time I feel a bit of sadness because every hole played is one hole closer to be done. This is a round I simply did not want to end. This was my first round of the day with Mammoth booked for my afternoon round. I tried to change my second round from Mammoth to Sedge but the times didn’t work out. 
 

side note: I think I played the afternoon round at Mammoth with 

@Divot_Forensicist and his wife along with a newfound Canadian friend. (If that wasn’t you then disregard. Your post that described your schedule just so happened to be the same as the gentleman I played with.) 

Thank you , such an awesome review. We will be there next month so I’m sending this the other guys.

[TBone0576]

I managed a 69 this morning from the tips out at Brighton Dale White.  Bogeyed the last but I really had it going and a personal best on that course for me.  They have both tracks in really nice shape right now.   I’ll take a run at Blue tomorrow.  

[Divot_Forensicist]

21 hours ago, StudentGolfer4 said:

side note: I think I played the afternoon round at Mammoth with 

@Divot_Forensicist and his wife along with a newfound Canadian friend. (If that wasn’t you then disregard. Your post that described your schedule just so happened to be the same as the gentleman I played with.) 

Indeed, it was a pleasure to meet and play with a fellow GolFWRXer! Great write-up of Sedge!

[TheBear95]

21 hours ago, TBone0576 said:

I managed a 69 this morning from the tips out at Brighton Dale White.  Bogeyed the last but I really had it going and a personal best on that course for me.  They have both tracks in really nice shape right now.   I’ll take a run at Blue tomorrow.  

 

Hell of a round, especially on White. Not too many scoring holes on that 18 compared to Blue. Congrats!!

[TBone0576]

22 hours ago, TheBear95 said:

 

Hell of a round, especially on White. Not too many scoring holes on that 18 compared to Blue. Congrats!!

Thanks Bear.   Managed to hit 15 greens including all of the par 3's which almost never happens, especially from those tees.  Every one is 190 or longer.   

[ode1]

2 hours ago, TBone0576 said:

Thanks Bear.   Managed to hit 15 greens including all of the par 3's which almost never happens, especially from those tees.  Every one is 190 or longer.   

I forget which one is which there is the Blue and White and #1 run parallel.....played the white for the first time last year and played the orange(🤔) and through in a few of the next tee box up to make the yardage more manageable.....even from those tees the par 3s are long!  The one.i remember the most is uphill....maybe 210 or so.  I thought that was a really good hole!

Edited July 29, 2024 by ode1

[golfortennis]

Anyone have any recent info on Eau Claire CC?  How likely is it to get a time on a Tuesday morning if a pro calls on my behalf?  

 

Driving from Ontario to Minneapolis.  Not sure we want to stay in Chicagoland, looking at many options.  Thought about South Bend, but that leaves too much driving the next day.  Not going Milwaukee way, and the prices for Whistling Straights/Erin Hills, etc. will come with a free divorce, so not thinking about any of those.   

[TheBear95]

6 hours ago, ode said:

I forget which one is which there is the Blue and White and #1 run parallel.....played the white for the first time last year and played the orange(🤔) and through in a few of the next tee box up to make the yardage more manageable.....even from those tees the par 3s are long!  The one.i remember the most is uphill....maybe 210 or so.  I thought that was a really good hole!

 

The White course is the one with the "orange" tees. #8 and #12 are the long par 3s. Both play uphill. Though #12 almost never plays the 279 yards listed on the card, it still plays in the 225-240 yard range. Tough holes. On the White course the par 5s are scorable, which is needed, because the par 3s and 4s are difficult (#5 in particular). 

Edited July 29, 2024 by TheBear95

[Phreddy]

1 hour ago, golfortennis said:

Anyone have any recent info on Eau Claire CC?  How likely is it to get a time on a Tuesday morning if a pro calls on my behalf?  

 

Driving from Ontario to Minneapolis.  Not sure we want to stay in Chicagoland, looking at many options.  Thought about South Bend, but that leaves too much driving the next day.  Not going Milwaukee way, and the prices for Whistling Straights/Erin Hills, etc. will come with a free divorce, so not thinking about any of those.   

You might also consider Lawsonia or perhaps Troy Burne in Hudson just down the road from Eau Claire.

[golfortennis]

17 minutes ago, Phreddy said:

You might also consider Lawsonia or perhaps Troy Burne in Hudson just down the road from Eau Claire.

 

Troy Burne is on the radar for when we are in Minnesota.  We are staying in Woodbury so it's a quick shot out there.  Lawsonia looks to be a ways off the freeway, so not sure we want to go that far out of the way.  

[ode1]

3 hours ago, golfortennis said:

Anyone have any recent info on Eau Claire CC?  How likely is it to get a time on a Tuesday morning if a pro calls on my behalf?  

 

Driving from Ontario to Minneapolis.  Not sure we want to stay in Chicagoland, looking at many options.  Thought about South Bend, but that leaves too much driving the next day.  Not going Milwaukee way, and the prices for Whistling Straights/Erin Hills, etc. will come with a free divorce, so not thinking about any of those.   

A friend played (last summer)  and loved it.  He played with his friend who is a member at a nicer country club that has some really good reciprocals (Eau Claire CC is not one of them).  The Pro called and got them on.  

 

I don't know which way you will be coming through Wisco, but you may look into Stevens Point CC...the way it used to be set up you can request a tee time on your own through the website.

[geochitown]

5 hours ago, golfortennis said:

Anyone have any recent info on Eau Claire CC?  How likely is it to get a time on a Tuesday morning if a pro calls on my behalf?  

 

Driving from Ontario to Minneapolis.  Not sure we want to stay in Chicagoland, looking at many options.  Thought about South Bend, but that leaves too much driving the next day.  Not going Milwaukee way, and the prices for Whistling Straights/Erin Hills, etc. will come with a free divorce, so not thinking about any of those.   

Wild Ridge might be another worth playing in Eau Claire area?  I haven’t played it myself, so I’d want someone to weigh in 

[TBone0576]

14 hours ago, TheBear95 said:

 

The White course is the one with the "orange" tees. #8 and #12 are the long par 3s. Both play uphill. Though #12 almost never plays the 279 yards listed on the card, it still plays in the 225-240 yard range. Tough holes. On the White course the par 5s are scorable, which is needed, because the par 3s and 4s are difficult (#5 in particular). 

 Number 5 may be one of the toughest holes in SE Wisconsin.   Little dog leg right with a pretty tight landing area if you want to go for the uphill green in two.  Plays about 425 from the back tee, miss the fairway and you have very little chance of getting on in regulation.  

[collje26]

Played in a tournament this weekend at Stevens Point Country Club, absolutely love that track and how challenging but fun it can play, greens were rolling around a 12-13 with some very interested pins. I encourage anyone who has the ability to play that course this year to do so as it's in great shape.

[ode1]

47 minutes ago, collje26 said:

Played in a tournament this weekend at Stevens Point Country Club, absolutely love that track and how challenging but fun it can play, greens were rolling around a 12-13 with some very interested pins. I encourage anyone who has the ability to play that course this year to do so as it's in great shape.

I am sure it was a fast track!

 

How did you do on the split fairway par 5, #15🤔 I think it is.  I like that stretch of that hole the sweeper right left, and then the par 3!

Edited July 30, 2024 by ode1

[collje26]

33 minutes ago, ode said:

I am sure it was a fast track!

 

How did you do on the split fairway par 5, #15🤔 I think it is.  I like that stretch of that hole the sweeper right left, and then the par 3!

Not too bad. Played is -1 for the two rounds. Number 8 was a different story, first round hit driver into the hazard then went for the green and hit that in the hazard and made a 7 with two penalty strokes. 

[ode1]

1 minute ago, collje26 said:

Not too bad. Played is -1 for the two rounds. Number 8 was a different story, first round hit driver into the hazard then went for the green and hit that in the hazard and made a 7 with two penalty strokes. 

Is that the par 5 along the river?....I wish that second shot was a bit more defined.....it's tough to see what's what without going up and seeing where the hazard is, where the layup is, and where to "miss" it if going for it.  It is a decent risk reward hole both off the tee and into the green.

 

A lot of fun holes out there!

[golfortennis]

Anyone on the west end played Troy Burne AND The Wilds in Minneapolis?  If my plan to get on a private course works out, I will have to choose one.  Thinking TB would be tough to beat with it making a top Wisconsin list, but just wondered. 

[miss0033]

On 7/31/2024 at 7:18 PM, golfortennis said:

Anyone on the west end played Troy Burne AND The Wilds in Minneapolis?  If my plan to get on a private course works out, I will have to choose one.  Thinking TB would be tough to beat with it making a top Wisconsin list, but just wondered. 

 

I am in the Twin Cities, and there are several courses I would pick before The Wilds.

 

Closer to you (and TB) - Stone Ridge

Closer the The Wilds - Legends Club

 

If it were strictly between those two, I'd pick Troy Burne without a 2nd guess.

 

[golfortennis]

7 hours ago, miss0033 said:

 

I am in the Twin Cities, and there are several courses I would pick before The Wilds.

 

Closer to you (and TB) - Stone Ridge

Closer the The Wilds - Legends Club

 

If it were strictly between those two, I'd pick Troy Burne without a 2nd guess.

 

 

Thank you.  That seems to be the way I am leaning.  I think TB is a definite.  Basically there for 2 days so only playing 2 courses(please don't rain!!)  Not sure if you have played it, but how would you compare StoneRidge to the Royal Club?  I have a pro who can make a call.  For other reasons I am likely going to target Midland Hills first, but, if those don't play out.... do I bother with Royal Club or would you say StoneRidge is a better course?

 

And thank you for the info.

[miss0033]

On 8/2/2024 at 7:54 AM, golfortennis said:

 

Thank you.  That seems to be the way I am leaning.  I think TB is a definite.  Basically there for 2 days so only playing 2 courses(please don't rain!!)  Not sure if you have played it, but how would you compare StoneRidge to the Royal Club?  I have a pro who can make a call.  For other reasons I am likely going to target Midland Hills first, but, if those don't play out.... do I bother with Royal Club or would you say StoneRidge is a better course?

 

And thank you for the info.

 

I have not played the Royal club since it turned private.  While I enjoyed playing it a half dozen or so times previously, I think Stone Ridge is the more interesting course, and am not losing any sleep that I cannot play Royal Club any more.

[golfortennis]

13 hours ago, miss0033 said:

 

I have not played the Royal club since it turned private.  While I enjoyed playing it a half dozen or so times previously, I think Stone Ridge is the more interesting course, and am not losing any sleep that I cannot play Royal Club any more.

Good to know.  Thank you for the info.

[TBone0576]

Hole 8 on Blue Spruce @ Brighton Dale yesterday.   They had the pin cut middle right which isn't great for a person who exclusively draws it.   Plays around 195-200 yards or so slightly uphill.  Anyway I hit a perfect high 5 hybrid and was drawing right at the hole.  Couldn't see where it ended up because the bunker blocks the bottom 1/3 of the hole.   Get up there and the ball was about 18 inches from the cup.  Upon closer inspection, based on the track in the dew, it appeared the ball had lipped out of the hole.  😄

[Gdane]

Some shots from Eagle Springs Golf Resort.  If you have young children getting into golf and/or are looking for a super laid back vibe with interesting architecture I cannot recommend this place enough.  Truly a hidden gem.

[Chanceman]

18 hours ago, Gdane said:

Some shots from Eagle Springs Golf Resort.  If you have young children getting into golf and/or are looking for a super laid back vibe with interesting architecture I cannot recommend this place enough.  Truly a hidden gem.

Thanks for that. We play it near the end of our upcoming trip. Should be a highlight!

[geochitown]

14 hours ago, Chanceman said:

Thanks for that. We play it near the end of our upcoming trip. Should be a highlight!

 

good choice

 

here is a fun view of the first green

 

photos are from 2 years back 

 

 

Edited August 11, 2024 by geochitown

[Lefty96]

Playing Erin Hills for the first time this weekend. Very excited and open to any advice?

 

Also hitting a warm up round on Friday at Lac La Belle.

 

Going to be a great weekend 

[ode1]

6 hours ago, Lefty96 said:

Lac La Belle.

#4 green is a trip