Every now and then, a golf course comes along that completely resets your expectations – where you leave wondering how in the world does this place exist, and how have I not played it until now?

That was my reaction following my first round at Eagle Springs Golf Resort in Eagle, Wisconsin.

To me Eagle Springs is, without question, the biggest hidden gem in Wisconsin golf.

The architecture, the setting, the history – it’s all incredible. And yet, somehow, this place still flies under the radar. Even among avid golf enthusiasts, it remains a well-kept secret, and that blows my mind. I’ve told golf-obsessed friends about it, and the response 90% of the time has been the same: “Where’s that?”

Just 40-45 minutes from Milwaukee, Eagle Springs is one of the most fun golf experiences I’ve had. It’s the kind of course that excites you walking up the first fairway and laugh when you discover what awaits around every bend. Every hole is interesting, smart and totally unique – there are no weak links.

If this was a full 18-hole course, folks would be talking about it as one of the very best in the Midwest. As a nine-holer, it’s already one of the best in the world (#23 according to Golf.com). Regardless, I’ve included it in my Top 25 Public Courses in Wisconsin rankings, even with just nine holes:

---

A Golf Course Lost in Time (In the Best Possible Way)

The origins of Eagle Springs’ design are a bit of a mystery, and that only adds to its intrigue.

The course dates back to 1893, making it the oldest golf property in Wisconsin.

The Tuohy family, Irish immigrants, may have built the original layout themselves, and while the first and second holes are said to have been redesigned in 1921 by sporting goods giant A.G. Spaulding, there’s some question about that since he had already passed by 1915.

Others surmise Tom Bendelow, who worked extensively across the upper Midwest at that time, may have been involved (I can personally see this being the case), while still others think it may have been Langford & Moreau (which I don’t see). It is also possible the family did all the design work themselves.

There’s a lot here that I haven’t seen anywhere else, so who knows?

What’s clear is that someone who truly understood golf course architecture was involved. More remarkably, the Tuohy family made their own tweaks over the years – something that typically leads to head-scratching design choices, but in this case, it somehow always worked. And it worked brilliantly.

Take the fourth green, for example. It features a bold punchbowl design that, in theory, probably shouldn’t work because of drainage concerns (something my friend and Emergency 9 Golf Owner/Architect Sam Beckman discussed with me at length – if a punchbowl element was to be added, the conventional location for it would be toward the treeline). But, the family added a single, barely noticeable drain and… voila, it’s become one of the coolest greens complexes around. It’s this kind of unorthodox, risk-taking design that makes Eagle Springs so special.

And while the Volcano Hole gets wide-spread attention, I don’t think it’s even the best par three on the course! To me, that honor belongs to the seventh, which is endlessly flexible and incredibly fun to play… especially from the original tee location that allows full use of the ramp behind the green (though this teeing location creates safety concerns from the sixth tee).

How good is Eagle Springs? One well-known European golf rater told the owners that the first two holes might be the best opening stretch in the world. That may sound like hyperbole, but can you think of better?

---

A Course (and Experience) Unlike Any Other

As much as I love the course itself, the entire Eagle Springs experience is what makes it truly special.

• The clubhouse? It’s an old laundry building from the resort’s early days, complete with an apple tree growing right through it – absolutely charming
• The logo? Classic, featuring the Volcano Hole’s greens complex (yes, I bought a shirt and a hat)
• The drive in? A long, winding, secluded 1.5-lane road that takes you past Eagle Springs Lake, helping set the stage for an eclectic, old-school golf adventure

The owners, Matt and Anne Krug, are phenomenal people, too, who have been incredible stewards of the course. Now in its sixth generation of family ownership (Anne grew up spending much of her time here), they continue to make thoughtful improvements while maintaining the course’s soul. You can feel their love for this property, and that passion is infectious.

And then there’s the price: $38 with a cart! Find me a better golf experience anywhere at that price point. You can’t.

---

A Pilgrimage Worth Making

A first visit to Eagle Springs is not just a round of golf – it’s a pilgrimage to the roots of Wisconsin golf. It’s a trip back in time. It’s also a masterclass in golf course design, showcasing bold, creative ideas that are rarely seen in modern golf these days.

Some courses make you want to play better. Eagle Springs makes you want to play more. It’s the kind of place you can’t stop thinking about, and once you experience it for yourself, you’ll understand why.

And if you don’t believe me? Go play it. Just don’t be surprised if part of you wants to keep it a secret, too.

---

“Took You Long Enough”

That was the general consensus among Wisconsin golf personalities on social media. And, “Puts off going there forever, now you’re out there first thing in 2025! Got the Eagle Springs fever!” Hell, my initial visit had @munis_and_monsters on Instagram include it in his “Top 10 Most Notable Happenings in His Golf World” for 2024 – I can’t tell you how many times he urged me in the past to check it out.

---

Known for the Wrong Reason?

Throughout the first 14 years of WiscoGolfAddict.com I heard a consistent message when posting about the best par threes in Wisconsin: “How can you have a list of the state’s best par threes that doesn’t include 2 at Eagle Springs?”

I can’t tell you what kept me from visiting this property for so long, but I can tell you I won’t stay away.

I first met Eagle Springs’ Co-Owner, Matt, while playing The Lido with Patrick Koenig and Brandon Carter two years ago. Patrick was making his way across the country for the RGV 2.0 Tour and we had a late-afternoon tee time set up at the recently debuted, 68th-ranked golf course in the world. I hadn’t met Matt before, but had obviously heard of Eagle Springs and thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with him and the rest of our group.

Fast forward to the following year and I started doing regular golf podcasts with Richie Burke, Stephen Watson and Harrison Ott for Milwaukee Uncut. If you look through the Instagram comments of this social media post about Wisconsin’s best par threes, especially, it’s littered with exclamations about the exclusion of Eagle Springs’ famous Volcano Hole.

See more

As the season wound down, I resolved to fill that void. I [at long last] made my initial pilgrimage to Wisconsin’s oldest golf property on October 27, 2024. My world of golf may never be the same.

Along for that visit was my friend and professional golf course architect Sam Beckman.

I love visiting properties for the first time with Sam. His expertise on golf course architecture and excitement for unique and compelling design are contagious, and I always enjoy the conversations that ensue.

This was Sam’s first time at Eagle Springs, too, and – like me – he was floored.

While a nine-hole course doesn’t typically require a 3,500+-word article, Eagle Springs – like in all ways – is the exception.

Let’s dive into the course.

Eagle Springs: A Hole-by-Hole Overview

Hole 1: Par 4 (hcp. 7, 298/248)

Most interesting architectural features: Blind tee shot; half-pipe fairway; oversized knob between greens complex and fairway; two distinct punchbowls

So many golf courses have first holes that are more or less throw-aways – it’s a way of transporting players from the clubhouse out toward the golf property, and a “friendly handshake” is a nice way of easing them into it.

With just nine holes on property, it’s nice that Eagle Springs doesn’t do that. Instead, the first hole presents players with a completely blind, uphill tee shot with a single tree toward the left side to provide an ideal target line.

From there, things get really interesting. A good tee shot should catch the half-pipe-like mounding that surrounds the first hole’s fairway, funneling shots inward.

I’d honestly feel cheated if I didn’t end up in the fairway here as it provides one of the coolest approach opportunities found anywhere. A gigantic mound separates the lowered fairway from the elevated greens complex – with a middle- to right-side pin it’s primarily blind with the knowledge that the spine in the middle of the green divides the putting surface into multiple sections.

Hitting just right of the center spine will result in shots entering the lower-right bowl, while left of it will lead them toward the lower-left one. Depending on the pin position, this can very quickly mean a kick-in birdie or a challenging 50-foot putt over the knoll with a bunch of wiggle.

The first at Eagle Springs is probably the best opening golf hole in Wisconsin, and – up there with the first at Tobacco Road in Sanford, North Carolina – one of the most memorable first holes I’ve ever played.

Hole 2: Par 3 (hcp. 4, 134/134)

Most interesting architectural features: Exaggerated Volcano green – need I say more?

Dubbed the “Volcano Hole,” there may not be a more intimidating short par three in the state of Wisconsin, nor many that I’ve seen throughout my golf travels.

Playing to the same 130-135 yards as the Island Hole at TPC Sawgrass, the second at Eagle Springs is a third the size of a target.

See more

While water surrounding the 17th in Jacksonville may be penal, I’m not sure it holds a candle to the issues players will face if even a hair off-target here. Miss slightly left or right and you’ll be faced with a monumental flop shot from either side. The only miss is short-middle, where players can use the length of the green (front-to-back) to keep a recovery shot on or near the putting surface.

The course also offers an alternate second hole, which is a downhill par three adjacent to the tees. If I had to guess, this is probably the most pristine putting surface around as I can’t imagine many players would forego the challenge of the Volcano Hole for something so much simpler.

Hold 3: Par 4 (hcp. 6, 306/227)

Most interesting architectural features: Old elevated tee box next to second green would be amazing tee shot; subtle ridgelines in greens complex divide green; shared communal space with fifth green, sixth tee creates sense of community

The third is the most architecturally benign hole on the golf course, though it does provide plenty of challenge, especially from the tee. With a tree line and swampland lining the left side of the playing surface and water short and right, drives need to be fairly long and accurate.

I find the greens complex on three to be interesting: while flat in comparison to the rest at Eagle Springs, it does have some interesting spines that – when the turf is firmed up – can make putt-reading very challenging.

I also enjoy the shared communal space in this section of the property where the third, fifth and sixth holes all come together. I would personally love to see it all mowed to first-cut height.

Hole 4: Par 4 (hcp. 1, 401/296)

Most interesting architectural features: Intense risk/reward opportunity on approach with smart kicker slope on right side; punchbowl on back-right of greens complex

The fourth might be one of the best-designed par fours in Wisconsin. With a tee shot between tree lines, the second shot is where things get wild!

The property’s previous generation of ownership (the Krugs are the sixth generation of family ownership) accentuated the dropped space between the fairway and green on the left side, and also installed a really cool, thoughful punchbowl on the back-right of the greens complex.

First-time players or those looking for adventure will take the ultimate risk/reward shot here – over a cavernous depression left of the fairway to a green that’s perched 20-30 feet above it. Approach shots that come up short will likely kick into the woods, while the smart play is short-right of the green to hit the fairway’s kicker slope and propel balls left and onward.

Hole 5: Par 4 (hcp. 2, 413/398)

Most interesting architectural features: Shared communal space with third green, sixth tee creates sense of community; downhill tee shot with beautiful views

A downhill par four, the view from the tee on five is spectacular, overlooking much of the course as well as Eagle Spring Lake beyond.

Favor the right side of the fairway off the tee as the left side can leave tricky approach shots over water that will be partially blocked by trees. I hit two of them during my last round here, luckily winding up just short of the hazard.

Hole 6: Par 4 (hcp. 8, 291/263)

Most interesting architectural features: Half-pipe uphill fairway; Pete Dye-like volcano bunkers flanking entrance to green; shared communal space with third green, fifth green creates sense of community

The sixth is a really fun tee shot – uphill, and with another half-pipe to funnel balls inward. The front of the green, elevated significantly above the fairway surface, is a mere 10-15 feet wide and protected by volcano-like pop-up bunkers on each side.

I call this the “Happy Face Hole” as that’s how it appears from the sky. A semi-circle bunker complex around the back and sides completes the smile.

Hole 7: Par 3 (hcp. 9, 133/133)

Most interesting architectural features: 20-yard long backboard beyond hole to funnel tee shots toward center of green, inspires creative shot-making and club selection

Keep that smile going because this hole is a ton of fun.

See more

The Volcano second is undoubtedly the most well-known hole at Eagle Springs, but is it the property’s best par three? My vote is no. The seventh, a short- to mid-range, downhill tee shot holds that title, in my opinion.

Playing off a ridgeline, the seventh is 135-145 yards from the tee, but players can play it an unlimited number of ways. In fact, the course is known to have all-club shoot-outs on the hole where players will hit a tee shot with whatever numbered ball they pick (from one (putter) to 13 (driver).

Putter would be tough on this hole, needing to aim left of the fronting sand complex to use the hill that propels shots toward the right. Driver would be interesting – a little knock-down into the hillside could work well to feed back toward the center of the green.

In normal play, club selection can be within two to three irons or wedges as a shot directly at the hole is likely to be 20-30 yards shorter than one off the hillside.

This is a fabulously well-designed golf hole that brings players’ creativity into play.

Hole 8: Par 5 (hcp. 5, 447/348)

Most interesting architectural features: Blind tee shot; incredibly wide fairway with blind, downhill approach and rollout

The eighth is a charming golf hole with a straightaway, wide fairway that would rival the width of almost anything at Mammoth Dunes. If you can’t keep your ball in the fairway here, you may have issues.

Personally, I really enjoy playing the eighth at Eagle Springs, but I agree with others who say there’s a lot of opportunity here. I don’t know if it’s a Principle’s Nose central bunker, but as my friend and Emergency 9 Golf Owner/Architect Sam Beckman pointed out there are natural ridgelines that can be used to create off of in order to introduce more interest within the layup zone.

Probably the smallest green on property, the approach shot in on eight is blind as the fairway falls toward the putting surface. Shots are meant to be run on here as anything that runs out too much is liable to wind up in the half-moon trap beyond it.

Hole 9: Par 4 (hcp. 3, 391/270)

Most interesting architectural features: Expanded greens complex adds pinnability, playability for approach shots

If you’re not able to carry 250-260 yards to cut the corner on nine, it can be a very challenging and long golf hole.

While the intended route of play is toward the treeline, making it a subtly right-to-left dogleg, long hitters can aim well left of the trees and over the built-up mounding to set up a wedge in.

The green here was admittedly very difficult to hit when we played last season; specifically, it was undersized for the hazards facing players unable to carry it (and likely too short from back-to-front to allow long enough approaches to hold).

Superintendent Mark Deutschmann (formerly of Old Elm in the Chicago area) expanded the putting surface following the 2024 offseason to make the hole more playable and pinnable. Now, with extra greens space on the left side and toward the back, new holes can be cut that will allow longer shots in without the [extreme] worry about coming up short, rolling down the hill and even potentially into the parking lot.

Is Eagle Springs Wisconsin’s ULTIMATE Hidden Gem?

The short answer for me: YES… Absolutely!

Eagle Springs Golf Resort is more than just a great nine-hole course – it’s a living, breathing piece of golf history that has somehow remained a hidden treasure in Wisconsin’s overall golf landscape. Its combination of quirky, strategic architecture, deep-rooted history and an atmosphere that feels almost frozen in time makes it one of the most compelling golf destinations in the Midwest. It’s a place where golf’s past and present intersect in the most unexpected and delightful ways.

What sets Eagle Springs apart is its authenticity. There’s no pretense here – just pure, unfiltered golf the way it was meant to be played. The course doesn’t rely on flashy marketing campaigns or million-dollar renovations. Instead, it thrives on its own merit, offering a unique and unforgettable experience that speaks for itself. Whether it’s the infamous Volcano Hole, its clever use of terrain or the sense of camaraderie among everyday golf enthusiasts, there’s a magic here that modern courses often struggle to replicate.

Then there’s the Tuohy family’s remarkable stewardship. To have six generations of the same family care for a course is virtually unheard of, yet they’ve maintained Eagle Springs Golf Resort with an uncanny ability to balance preservation with innovation. They’ve made strategic improvements while ensuring the soul of the course remains intact. That passion and dedication are felt in every aspect of the experience, from the course conditions kept by Deutschmann to the no-pretenses, welcoming atmosphere in the clubhouse.

The fact that Eagle Springs is still relatively undiscovered by so much of the Southeast Wisconsin golf community makes it even more of a must-visit. While Wisconsin has no shortage of world-class golf destinations – from Kohler to Sand Valley, Erin Hills, Lawsonia (maybe its only real in-state comp), The Club at Lac La Belle, SentryWorld and Geneva National – there’s something undeniably special about finding a course that feels like a well-kept secret.

In an era where golf can sometimes feel overly commercialized, Eagle Springs serves as a refreshing reminder of the game’s roots and the joy of discovering something truly unique.

For those who appreciate golf course architecture, history and just pure fun, Eagle Springs is an absolute pilgrimage. It challenges, surprises and delights in equal measure, and once you’ve played it, you’ll find yourself itching to return. There’s no doubt that it belongs among the greatest nine-hole courses in the world – and for those lucky enough to experience it, Eagle Springs becomes more than just a course. It becomes a story worth sharing, even if part of you may want to keep it a secret.

Eagle Springs website