Northwoods Charm and Prime Conditions Right off U.S. 41/141

Living in the Green Bay area for three years growing up, I was lucky enough to play golf at many of the Packerland’s best courses, including top public layouts like Brown County, Thornberry Creek at Oneida, and Royal St. Patrick’s.

With my parents living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, I passed by the highway junction (U.S. 41 & 141) community of Abrams countless times. During that drive I’d always catch glimpses through the trees of Pine Acres Golf Course—a sporty track right on the Pensaukee River.

This summer I finally stopped and played this Northwoods layout located just 20 minutes north of the Green Bay area. I’m sure glad I did.

Overview

From a quick glance at the scorecard, it would be easy to dismiss Pine Acres as not worth a visit. The par-35 layout tips out at 2,671 yards, and doesn’t feature a single bunker. However, avid golfers ignore this place at your own peril.

Pine Acres features a solid, affordable track, featuring a superb set of medium-sized greens that are raised and fall off to all sides. While not exactly Pinehurst No. 2 saucers, the putting surfaces provide plenty of challenge.

Despite heavy rains all summer long, Pine Acres’ greens were in terrific condition when I played the course in August 2025. The whole place played firm and fast. It is exactly the kind of conditions you love to play golf on, and unexpected at such a lowkey place.

Pine Acres

Abrams, Wisconsin

Par 35; Tees: White – 2,671/32.6/104; Red – 2497/33.8/107

Highlights and Favorite Holes

Pine Acres features several solid holes. My favorites were the bookend challenges, the 9th and the 1st.

The 190-yard, par 3 9th is a stout finisher. The hole starts with a benign river carry, before finishing at a tough green set below the club house. When I played the hole, I hit a perfect hybrid 25 feet short of the flag and then nailed the putt for one of my most satisfying birdies of the year.

The 355-yard par 4 1st hole is an excellent starter, a gentle dogleg left played across the river. The longest par 4 at Pine Acres then traverses back uphill to a green set into a natural opening within the pines.

But the best hole at Pine Acres is the 4th, a 342-yard par 4, which is another gentle dogleg left. Ponds guard both sides off the tee, so a layup is the best choice. However, a longer approach will be tested by Pine Acres’ toughest green. It slopes severely back to front, falls off sharply to the left, and is guarded on that same side by a beautiful mirror pond.

Another hole I enjoyed at Pine Acres was the 297-yard, par 4 8th, which played as a strategic gem. This short par 4 moves hard from right to the left, with out of bounds bordering the inside of the dogleg. If you don’t lay back off the tee, or take on the corner, a tall oak tree blocks your approach into the small target.

Pine Acres features only one par 5—the 462-yard 7^th hole. However, with its switchback fairway and beautiful green site, the hole offers plenty of challenge.

The Lowlights

Overall, I enjoyed every hole at Pine Acres, including all three fun par 4s under 300 yards, holes 3, 6, and the already mentioned 8th. None of those three holes played easy, or were drivable despite their distance. Each hole required two smart shots to set up a birdie chance.

If I was picking one weak spot at Pine Acres, it would be the 5th hole. While fun and scenic, the 5th plays as an easy par 3 for low handicappers, especially with its large, flattish green. However, the 126-yard hole had the potential to be an even better challenge.

Final Thoughts

The Green Bay and Appleton areas feature a bunch of solid golfing options, from the public courses I’ve already mentioned to private gems like Green Bay Country Club, Oneida Country Club, and North Shore County Club, all of which have been featured on this website. But if you are looking for something different, or perhaps an easy escape to the Northwoods with the chance to go low, check out Pine Acres.

Plus Pine Acres is easy to pair with a bunch of other inexpensive, fun courses in its vicinity. This includes Patriot Golf Course (formerly Sandalwood) just minutes away from Pine Acres and also in Abrams, River Island Golf Club in Oconto Falls, and one of my favorite courses in Wisconsin, Hunter’s Glen in the nearby cottage town of Crivitz.

With the calendar turning to fall, it is now football season. Green Bay Packers fans, if you haven’t been to Lambeau Field, or toured around the Titletown district, do yourself a favor and just go. A visit to the best homefield advantage in the NFL, and the Packers Hall of Fame, is an easy day trip from just about anywhere in Wisconsin.

While you are busy exploring Titletown, don’t forget about playing golf at Pine Acres. I’m glad I never did.