The reigning “official” top 10 list of public golf courses in the state of Wisconsin on my website dated back to 2011. Obviously, it’s time we update that!
This is no longer a post from 2011, but a page that will be dynamic over time… Not that there will likely be much in flux. While Wisconsin has been blessed with great new and renovated golf courses more than most states, there are few public tracks I’ve yet to play and/or review. Of those, the ones I can see being contenders for this ranking include:
- Troy Burne (Hudson)
- Trapper’s Turn (Wisconsin Dells) *
- The Legend at Bergamont (Oregon) *
- St Germain (Saint Germain)
- Eagle Springs (Eagle)
- The House on the Rock (Spring Green)
- Brown County (Green Bay)
- Grand Geneva, Highlands (Lake Geneva)
- Old Hickory (Beaver Dam) *
- Royal St. Patrick’s (Wrightstown)
* Denotes that while I have played the course, it was before I started writing about golf in 2011 so I have yet to photograph/review it
The Top Ten Public Golf Courses in Wisconsin
1. Erin Hills (Erin)
Designer: Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry, Ron Whitten (2006)
Yardage: Black-7731, Blue-7147, Green-6742
Slope/Rating: Black-145/77.9, Blue-139/75.0, Green-135/73.2
Par: 72
Located in the middle of nowhere, Southeastern Wisconsin, Erin Hills found itself the center of the golf universe as it played host to hundreds of thousands of spectators for the 2017 US Open.
With its fine fescue fairways and bent grass tees and greens, the design team of Hurdzan & Fry used elevation, natural prairie features and deep, craggy bunkering stunningly at Erin Hills.
Erin Hills Golf Course website
2. Whistling Straits, Straits Course (Haven)
Designer: Pete Dye (1998)
Yardage: Black-7790, Blue-7142, Green-6663
Slope/Rating: Black-152/77.2, Blue-145/74.2, Green-141/71.9
Par: 72
Host of the 2004 PGA Championship, 2007 US Senior Open, 2010 PGA Championship, 2015 PGA Championship and the much-anticipated 2020-21 Ryder Cup, the Straits course is perennially rated as one of the top five public courses in the country, alongside legends like Sand Hills, Pebble Beach, Pacific Dunes and others.
The Straits course features eight holes running alongside the shore of Lake Michigan, and offers one of the most beautiful (and windy) settings for golf in the world.
Whistling Straits, Straits course website
Looking for more on Wisconsin’s Top Par 3 Holes?
A Par 3 Paradise: Wisconsin’s Top 33 Par Threes
Wisconsin’s top 33 par three holes (that I’ve played) leaves us only wanting more. For quality and diversity, this state is unrivaled.
3. Blackwolf Run, River Course (Kohler)
Designer: Pete Dye (1988)
Yardage: Black-7404, Blue-6865, Green-6507
Slope/Rating: Black-151/76.2, Blue-144/73.7, Green-139/72.1
Par: 72
One of the top modern tracks in the country, Blackwolf Run’s Original Championship course (half River, half Meadow Valleys) has hosted numerous professional events including the 1998 and 2012 US Women’s Opens, and in the mid-nineties the Arthur Andersen World Golf Championships (WGC).
The River course is Pete Dye’s quintessential parkland layout, and features a tipped out slope/rating of 151/76.2, making it one of the most challenging (“Dye-abolical”) golf experiences in the country. It’s also one of the most beautiful.
Blackwolf Run, River course website
4. SentryWorld (Stevens Point)
Designer: Robert Trent Jones, Jr. (1982, 2015)
Yardage: Black-7145, Blue-6630, White-6110
Slope/Rating: Black-139/74.7, Blue-131/72.3, White-125/69.8
Par: 72
Home of the famed “Flower Hole,” SentryWorld is much more than just one beautiful par three. The course is a classic Robert Trent Jones, Jr. parkland design in central Wisconsin, and has been a perennial top ten to fifteen course in the state for nearly 30 years (including number one until Kohler entered the scene).
Following a major renovation in 2015 by the design team of RTJ, Jr., Bruce Charlton and Jay Blasi, the reimagined SentryWorld is now better than ever. Its improved routing and added length have updated the course for the times and technology, and have simultaneously made it more challenging for the low-handicapper and more fun for the weekend warrior.
SentryWorld Golf Course website
5. Lawsonia, Links Course (Green Lake)
Designer: William Langford, Theodore Moreau (1930)
Yardage: Blue-6853, White-6494, Gold-5889
Slope/Rating: Blue-130/73.0, White-128/71.5, Gold-124/68.8
Par: 72
The most legendary public course in the state, the Links is a perennial top 100 course in the United States, and Wisconsin’s most true-to-form links-style setup. Dramatically elevated green complexes, brilliant use of elevation, manipulation of site lines and devilish berms and bunkers have maintained the Links course as one of the state’s best tests of golf for over 90 years.
The Golf Courses of Lawsonia website
6. Sand Valley, Sand Valley Course (Rome)
Designer: Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (2017)
Yardage: Black-6938, Orange-6535, Sand-6050
Slope/Rating: Black-134/73.2, Orange-130/71.4, Sand-127/69.6
Par: 72
Coore & Crenshaw’s original layout at the now world-famous Sand Valley Golf Resort in Rome/Nekoosa provides a unique and challenging golf experience in a restored Midwest desert landscape that feels time zones away from anything else in Wisconsin.
Wonderful lodging, terrific hospitality and 53 holes of world-class golf has quickly made Sand Valley the state’s top golf destination.
Sand Valley, Sand Valley course website
7. Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes (Rome)
Designer: David McLay Kidd (2018)
Yardage: Black-6988, Orange-6587, Sand-5975
Slope/Rating: Black-132/72.4, Orange-124/70.5, Sand-117/68.0
Par: 73
David McLay Kidd’s big, bold layout at Sand Valley has quickly risen to top-tier status in both state and national rankings with some of the most imaginative and memorable holes you’ll find in Wisconsin or the Midwest.
Par threes like the 8th, 13th (pictured below) and 16th put a premium on quality iron shots as anything short or off at all will find a sea of sand.
Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes website
8. Blackwolf Run, Meadow Valleys Course (Kohler)
Designer: Pete Dye (1998)
Yardage: Black-7165, Blue-6735, White-6236
Slope/Rating: Black-144/74.6, Blue-138/72.6, White-132/72.1
Par: 72
With half of Blackwolf Run’s original 18 holes (“The Original Championship Course”), the back nine of the Meadow Valleys includes probably my favorite hole in the entire state of Wisconsin: The magnificent par four fourteenth, known as “Nature’s Course.”
Blackwolf Run, Meadow Valleys course website
9. Wild Rock (Wisconsin Dells)
Designer: Michael Hurdzan & Dana Fry (2008)
Yardage: Quartzite-7414, Granite-6953, Shale-6393
Slope/Rating: Quartzite-141/76.5, Granite-135/74.5, Shale-134/70.8
Par: 72
The one word that comes to mind when trying to describe Wild Rock is “Majestic.” Drastic changes in elevation, beautiful conditions and terrific variety to its hole design make it, in my opinion, one of the most underrated courses in the state.
10. The Club at Lac La Belle (Oconomowoc)
Designer: Alex Smith (1896), Craig Haltom (2020)
Yardage: Black-6906, Blue-6321, White-5870
Slope/Rating: Black-135/73.2, Blue-129/70.5, White-125/68.5
Par: 71
Recently reopened following significant renovations led by Craig Haltom and the Morse family, I expect The Club at Lac La Belle to rise quickly in these rankings as time progresses and its greens and overall course conditions level out over time.
The Club at Lac La Belle website
11. Whistling Straits, Irish Course (Haven)
Designer: Pete Dye (2000)
Yardage: Black-7201, Blue-6750, Green-6366
Slope/Rating: Black-146/75.6, Blue-141/73.5, Green-137/72.0
Par: 72
The Irish at Whistling Straits is Wisconsin’s next best thing to its $400-plus big brother Straits course next door. Striking vistas of Lake Michigan and a perfectly curated layout make the course quite memorable.
Carved alongside the Straits’ championship venue, the Irish features much of the same charm that makes Whistling Straits such a fantastic tournament venue: Roaming herds of sheep, huge cliffs and changes in elevation, and lightning-fast bent-grass greens and fairways that roll beautifully. Even the restrooms built into the hillsides add to the rustic charm that is Whistling Straits.
Whistling Straits, Irish course website
12. University Ridge (Verona)
Designer: Robert Trent Jones, Jr. (1991)
Yardage: Black-7259, Blue-6610, White-6053
Slope/Rating: Black-144/74.9, Blue-139/72.0, White-129/69.3
Par: 72
A Robert Trent Jones, Jr. design, U-Ridge is home to the Wisconsin Badgers golf team and host to the PGA Champions Tour’s American Family Insurance Championship.
The back nine has some exceptional holes cut through the woods, starting with the thirteenth and continuing through sixteen, which is one of the coolest golf holes I’ve ever played.
University Ridge Golf Course website
13. Geneva National, Gary Player Course (Lake Geneva)
Designer: Gary Player (1991)
Yardage: Black-7008, Gold-6417, White-6014
Slope/Rating: Black-141/74.3, Gold-133/71.5, White-130/69.7
Par: 72
My favorite of the three layouts at Geneva National Golf Resort, the Player course has some incredible golf holes including the ultimate drivable par four fifth (pictured).
With limitless risk/reward scenarios, Player allows golfers to risk disaster for the potential reward of more manageable approaches and two-putt birdie opportunities.
Geneva National Resort & Club website
14. The Bull at Pinehurst Farms (Sheboygan Falls)
Designer: Jack Nicklaus (2003)
Yardage: Black-7354, Blue-6867, Green-6424
Slope/Rating: Black-147/76.3, Blue-144/73.8, Green-138/71.7
Par: 72
The Bull is beautiful, to say the least, with fun but penal hole layouts. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the course is spread out over 400-plus acres of former farm land, and beautifully incorporates the Onion River, dense forests, rolling hills, deep ravines, large ponds and significant elevation changes.
The course rolls out one signature hole after another, especially in the stretch of the fifth through eighth holes, which is one of my favorite four-hole stretches of all time.
The Bull at Pinehurst Farms website
15. Geneva National, Arnold Palmer Course (Lake Geneva)
Designer: Arnold Palmer (1991)
Yardage: Black-7171, Gold-6638, White-6057
Slope/Rating: Black-140/74.7, Gold-134/72.2, White-128/69.4
Par: 72
The Palmer Course at Geneva National Golf Resort features some of the most unique hole layouts in the Lake Geneva area. The par five seventeenth is ranked as one of Arnie’s “Dream 18” holes, and is one of mine, as well.
Geneva National Resort & Club website
16. Brown Deer Park (Milwaukee)
Designer: George Hansen (1929)
Yardage: Black-6759, Blue-6306, White-5847
Slope/Rating: Black-133/72.9, Blue-129/70.6, White-124/68.5
Par: 71
Brown Deer Park has one heck of a past, having held numerous Greater Milwaukee Opens, US Bank Championships, three USGA Pub Links tournaments and the Symetra Tour’s annual PHC Classic. It was even the first course Tiger Woods played at in his professional career – he aced the par three 14th.
Brown Deer Park Golf Course website
17. Washington County (Hartford)
Designer: Arthur Hills (1997)
Yardage: Black-7048, Blue-6587, White-6198
Slope/Rating: Black-134/73.6, Blue-130/71.5, White-126/69.7
Par: 72
Consistently ranked one of the top 50 municipal golf courses in the country, Arthur Hills’ Washington County is a wonderful inland links with great length and fantastic greens.
Washington County Golf Course website
18. Grand Geneva, The Brute (Lake Geneva)
Designer: Robert Bruce Harris (1968)
Yardage: Blue-7085, White-6554, Red-5244
Slope/Rating: Blue-136/73.8, White-131/71.9, Red-129/70.0
Par: 72
Everything you need to know about The Brute at Grand Geneva is said in its name. This course is immense: Huge bunkers, huge water features, huge greens, huge elevation, even huge on-course art sculptures.
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa website
19. The Oaks (Cottage Grove)
Designer: Greg Martin (2003)
Yardage: Scarlet-6763, Black-6310, Blue-6011
Slope/Rating: Scarlet-134/72.6, Black-129/70.6, Blue-126/69.2
Par: 71
The Oaks made its way to being one of my favorite golf courses in the state by way of its lightning quick and undulating greens, its unique mix of six par threes and five par fives and always terrific pace of play.
20. Glen Erin (Janesville)
Designer: Greg Martin (2003)
Yardage: Orange-6849, White-6342, Green-5786
Slope/Rating: Orange-126/72.4, White-121/70.3, Green-116/67.7
Par: 71
One of the most recently developed courses in the state, Glen Erin is a beautiful linksy track with great greens and a sporty, strategic layout.
21. The Bog (Saukville)
Designer: Arnold Palmer (1995)
Yardage: Black-7221, Gold-6709, Green-6351
Slope/Rating: Black-143/75.3, Gold-138/72.9, Green-133/71.1
Par: 72
An Arnold Palmer signature course, The Bog is the Milwaukee area’s toughest championship test at 7,200-plus yards from the tips. Tight fairways and wild greens add to a challenge that can overwhelm the weekend warrior.
22. Lake Arrowhead, Lakes course (Nekoosa)
Designer: Ken Killian (1998)
Yardage: Black-7105, Blue-6585, White-6144
Slope/Rating: Black-140/74.8, Blue-134/72.5, White-128/70.5
Par: 72
Located just down the road from Sand Valley Golf Resort, and across the street from The Lido, the Lakes course at Lake Arrowhead tends to be members’ second favorite course on property, but it’s the one I loved most.
One of the most challenging championship courses in Central Wisconsin, the Lakes is a stern, tree-lined test of golf with seven significant water hazards that come into play. Beautiful, secluded and nearby, Lake Arrowhead is a wonderful addition to any Sand Valley golf trip itinerary.
Lake Arrowhead Golf Club website
23. Hawk’s View (Lake Geneva)
Designer: Craig Schreiner (2001)
Yardage: Black-7074, Blue-6595, White-6210
Slope/Rating: 133/73.1, Blue-128/71.0, White-124/69.2
Par: 72
Hawk’s View has one of the best collections of par threes in the state, and is a really fun, challenging golf course. The former site of the Mt. Fuji ski hill, the back tee boxes on the par three 17th provide an 87-foot drop.
24. Wild Ridge (Eau Claire)
Designer: Greg Martin (1999)
Yardage: Black-7034, Gold-6607, Blue-6175
Slope/Rating: Black-136/74.6, Gold-134/72.3, Blue-130/70.5
Par: 72
Wild Ridge has incredible elevation and a great collection of par fives, including the behemoth 650-plus yard par five 3rd. This was an awesome and fortuitous stop on the way back from the Twin Cities, just off I-90/94 in Eau Claire.
25. Bullseye Golf Club (Wisconsin Rapids)
Designer: Leonard Macomber (1922)
Yardage: Blue-6633, White-6385, Gold-5749
Slope/Rating: Blue-131/73.6, White-129/72.3, Gold-125/69.5
Par: 72
Recently turned semi-private, Bullseye is a classic parkland style course that’s a great, affordable complement to nearby Sand Valley Golf Resort.
make a list of the best under $100 for the normal golfer
Awesome list, thank you. I would suggest you play Whispering Springs in Fond du Lac. Excellent course and economical to boot.
I loved Whispering Springs and need to get back there – I reviewed it back in 2012 here:
https://wiscogolfaddict.com/2012/09/05/whisperingsprings
W/S is one of the courses I’d consider one of Wisconsin’s top “hidden gems!”
Thank you for the reply – love hearing from other golf enthusiasts and wish more would comment!
Troy Burne (near Hudson, WI) — more of a Twin Cities metropolitan course than a WI course — deserves consideration for this top 25 (at least around the 20-25 spots, in my opinion). Fun list — thanks for compiling with commentary.
I’m sure Troy Burne will make this list whenever I’m able to play it – I’ve heard it’s great and love the photos I’ve seen. Thanks for the comment, Brian!
Timber Ridge in Minocqua, Turtleback in Rice Lake, Riverside GC in Janesville are courses I could play over & over & never tire of.
I’ve heard a lot of great things about Turtleback, especially. Again, all courses I’ve yet to play but I’m sure they’ll be in contention when I’m able to get to them! Thanks for the comment, Gary, I appreciate it!
Nagawaukee in Pewaukee is a old time classic design by Larry Packard. It’s design along with an affordable price should put it in everyone’s top 25. Check out the views of Pewaukee Lake on the back nine.
I’ve always loved Nagawaukee! Growing up in Hartland I played there a ton as a kid, but haven’t been back in years. I should soon.
Would love to see a list like this but with places the “Common” man could hit up several times a year without trading in his flat bottom. Maybe something like “Best places under $60 w/ a cart”
Just feels very hard to call places with triple digit round fees “public”
Very understandable. Wisconsin is rich when it comes to having incredible public courses, but we’re also in a spot where competition and the availability of out-of-state funds has pushed rates through the roof. You’d have to be very wealthy to be able to play many of the top courses in our state on a regular basis.
Interesting selection of Wisconsin public golf courses. I’ve been ‘involved” with ‘most of the “newer’ golf courses in Wisconsin and it’s interesting that most of those you’ve selected are in the $7 million design/construction cost range. When the game, and it’s construction craze took off after WWII, the development cost was under $1 million, until along came John Joanis’ SentryWorld…and “away we went.”
Personally, I think that’s just the way it is in Wisconsin. The majority of the great private clubs are incredible Golden Age courses while the development boom of the ’80s-present (SentryWorld, Geneva National, Kohler/Sheboygan, Erin Hills, Sand Valley, etc.) introduced world-class courses that leapfrogged the majority of existing inventory (and cost a fortune to build).
Any classic designs you think are missing from my top 25? If you’ve got your own list I’d love to see it. I always enjoy and appreciate your opinions and stories on Wisconsin golf, and would love to get together for another round this season if you’re up for it.
Thanks for swinging by and for the comments, Gene, it’s always great to hear from you.
-Paul
You have compiled a great list! All of the courses on the list are fantastic. I’m on the staff at House on the Rock Resort, aka The Springs. You should come back and see us. This is my first time on this website, I like it.
Thank you, Chad, and welcome – it’s always good to meet another Wisco Golf Addict! I’ve been meaning to get to House on the Rock for years but it’s never worked out. Hopefully this is the year 🤞🏼 I’ve heard good things!
Paul
Thanks to turning me on to Sand Valley. Sue and I played the sandbox today and we play Mammoth tomorrow. The rooms are great and yes the water pressure is excellent. I’ve had the sturgeon twice now at Aldos and tonight the pork shank. The food is wonderful. Your write up of the resort was great and very informative. You obviously did your homework
Thanks again.
Eric Schackmuth
Hey Eric, thanks for your comment and feedback! I can’t believe the night we all had dinner at Sand Valley was your 1st time there and I’m excited for you that you have so many more awesome SV experiences to come… Especially if you stick around Wisconsin for a while. You, Susan and Frank will need to make your way down by me more often this season so I can properly introduce you to more of the great golf Wisconsin has to offer.
And I thought the sturgeon was ridiculously good, too!
I’m a caddy at sand valley and long time wisconsin golfer trying to play as many great wisconsin courses as possible.
This a solid list with some nice personal touches. (I agree with Wild Rock in the top 10). I suggest adding Old Hickory in Beaver Dam and The Legend at Bergamont in Oregon to your “need to play list”
Also, Hawk’s Landing in Verona is private. It can only be played as a guest of a member.
Thank you for the note, Cole, and my apologies for the late reply but I’m excited to get back to Bergamont (played it just after it opened before I was writing/shooting) and Old Hickory (played it a few years ago for the “Scarpacci Open” in a freezing cold sleet/snow mix, but I hear all great things have been happening there). Both are on my list!