As far as I know, nobody else in Wisconsin has published a true, experience-based ranking of the state’s private golf courses. I never mind being first.
This list is built on first-hand experience and reflects my time on the ground at 37 of Wisconsin’s 55 private clubs to date. I continue to add to that number each season – especially as more of my professional photography work takes me inside private clubs across the state – and this ranking is intended to evolve as that journey continues.
I fully expect this list to spark debate, and that is part of the fun. Golf enthusiasts are passionate about their clubs, and they should be. If your course does not crack the Top 25, that does not make it a weak course – Wisconsin is packed with outstanding private clubs, and I have yet to encounter one that I would consider anything close to a bad experience.
These rankings are centered on the overall golf experience, including course design, conditioning, aesthetics, atmosphere and playability. Architecture and sense of place matter here just as much as pedigree or reputation.
There are still several well-regarded private clubs on my personal wish list, including but not limited to:
- Lake Geneva Country Club (Lake Geneva)
- La Crosse Country Club (Onalaska)
- Butte des Morts (Appleton)
- Wausau Country Club (Wausau)
- Eau Claire Golf & Country Club (Altoona)
- Greenwood Hills (Wausau)
- Chenequa (Hartland) – last played in 1999
- Meadowbrook (Racine)
- Goldeneye (Lake Geneva)
Think your private club belongs in the conversation? Feel free to reach out at paul@wiscogolfaddict.com and let’s see if we can get a round on the calendar.
My Top 25 Private Golf / Country Clubs in Wisconsin:
Date of update: February 4, 2026
1. The Lido at Sand Valley (Nekoosa)
Designer: Tom Doak (2023), original: CB Macdonald, Seth Raynor, Alister McKenzie (1917)
Yardage: Black-7387, Navy-7027, White-6535
Slope/Rating: Black-153/77.0, Navy-149/75.2, White-144/72.5
Par: 72
Arguably the newest, hottest golf course in the country, The Lido debuted on Golf Digest’s 2025 list of the Top 100 Courses in the World at #68. A marvel of modern construction and development, The Lido is incredibly grand in scale, gobsmackingly beautiful, extraordinarily challenging and is absolutely unforgettable.
The Lido at Sand Valley website
2. Pine Hills Country Club (Sheboygan)
Designer: Harry B. Smead (1928)
Yardage: Blue-6495, White-6166, Silver-5762
Slope/Rating: Blue-132/72.3, White-128/70.7, Silver-125/69.4
Par: 71
Pine Hills Country Club is one of the most beautiful, fun golf courses in the entire state. As one of my readers described it: “Pine Hills is like a roller coaster” – I could not agree more. From the severe elevation changes to their heavily contoured greens, a round at Pine Hills is as enjoyable as any of the Sheboygan area courses.
When originally targeted by Kohler to be his golf course for visitors to the American Club, the membership refused to sell, leading the plumbing fixtures magnate to meet with Pete Dye, fall in love with golf and course design, and eventually create his Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run empire as it is today.
Pine Hills Country Club website
3. Blue Mound Golf & Country Club (Wauwatosa)
Designer: Seth Raynor (1926)
Yardage: Black-6858, Blue-6390, White-5933
Slope/Rating: Black-133/72.9, Blue-128/70.8, White-124/68.8
Par: 70
Wisconsin’s only Seth Raynor design, Blue Mound has the state’s best greens, hands down.
Recent restorations have thinned their encroaching tree lines, putting the emphasis on what makes Blue Mound truly elite: Strategic shot value and unbelievable green complexes.
Blue Mound Golf & Country Club website
4. Milwaukee Country Club (River Hills)
Designers: CH Alison and HS Colt (1929)
Yardage: Black-7117, Blue-6880, White-6357
Slope/Rating: Back-132/74.0, Middle-130/72.9, Forward-125/70.6
Par: 72
The number 70-ranked overall golf course in the entire country (Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Greatest for 2021-2022), the Milwaukee Country Club is the most exclusive private club in the state of Wisconsin.
A Colt and Alison design originally built in 1929, the course has had recent rework performed by Tom Doak to remove some trees to open up views of the river from more interior holes. The back nine is especially a phenomenal test of golf, with many holes going over and along the river. The prestige and mystique of MCC is unrivaled in the state.
Milwaukee Country Club website
5. Minocqua Country Club (Minocqua)
Designer: Ron Garl (2001); originally opened in 1917 as 9-hole course
Yardage: Bear-6800, Wolf-6470, Musky-6093
Slope/Rating: Bear-145/73.5, Wolf-140/72.2, Musky-133/70.0
Par: 72
One of the state’s best private clubs is in one of its most beautifully remote locations: the Northwoods. As unique a golf experience as you’ll find in Wisconsin, MCC is a must-play for any serious golf enthusiast.
6. Kenosha Country Club (Kenosha)
Designer: Donald Ross (1921)
Yardage: Blue-6750, White-6365, Gold-5615
Slope/Rating: Blue-132/72.8, White-129/71.1, Gold-126/69.5
Par: 70
One of the state’s two Donald Ross designs, Kenosha CC’s recent renovation/restoration project has shone a wonderful light on this Southeast Wisconsin gem with tiny, captivating greens and character in spades.
7. Oneida Golf & Country Club (Green Bay)
Designer: Stanley Pelcher (1928)
Yardage: Back-6686, Middle-6425, Club-5696
Slope/Rating: Back-134/72.4, Middle-132/71.1, Club-129/69.2
Par: 72
One of the most charming classic clubs in the entire state, Oneida’s got several of Wisconsin’s best stretches of golf holes.
Oneida Golf & Country Club website
8. Stevens Point Country Club (Stevens Point)
Designer: Unknown (1927), Larry Packard (1968), Craig Haltom (2018)
Yardage: Red-6901, Gold-6567, Green-6167
Slope/Rating: Red-139/73.8, Gold-132/72.0, Green-127/71.4
Par: 72
Recently redesigned by Craig Haltom, Stevens Point Country Club has one of the most rugged yet refined golf courses in Wisconsin, and features multiple signature holes including the all-world par three 17th, pictured here.
SPCC emanates the feel of great golf in the Northwoods while now exposing and taking full advantage of its incredible sand basin via oversized bunkering and waste areas, wild but fun green complexes and a terrific strategic design.
Stevens Point Country Club website
9. West Bend Country Club (West Bend)
Designer: William Langford (1930)
Yardage: Black-6887, Blue-6578, Gold-6207
Slope/Rating: Black-135/72.9, Blue-132/71.6, Gold-129/69.9
Par: 72
West Bend has done a great job of matching up the style and feel of its Langford/Moreau front nine with its “new” back nine, but – to the chagrin of Midwesterners like myself – time has shown that no one could design a golf course like that pair. From the first hole’s elevated green complex to the wild par four seventh and tricky [and incredibly ingenious] short par three eighth (shown below), West Bend CC’s front nine is a Master’s class in golf course design… And it’s back nine is a ton of fun.
West Bend Country Club website
10. The Club at Strawberry Creek (Kenosha)
Designers: Rick Jacobson (2006)
Yardage: Black-7172, Gold-6674, Blue-6173
Slope/Rating: Black-136/74.8, Gold-130/72.5, Blue-125/70.2
Par: 72
The newest country club in the state of Wisconsin, The Club at Strawberry Creek was designed by Rick Jacobsen and initially opened for play in 2006.
Having played host to the 2012 Wisconsin State Amateur event, this links-style course has quickly gained a reputation as one of the state’s finest private golf clubs, less than ten miles from the Wisconsin/Illinois border.
The Club at Strawberry Creek website
11. Green Bay Country Club (Green Bay)
Designer: Dick Nugent (1995)
Yardage: Championship-7097, Member-6697, Blue-6440
Slope/Rating: Championship-140/74.5, Member-136/72.7, Blue-133/71.6
Par: 72
One of my favorites of the modern private clubs in the state, Green Bay has perhaps the most dramatic and unique golf landscape in all of Wisconsin. The ups and downs are never-ending, leading to shots that are constantly unique.
Green Bay Country Club website
12. Big Foot Country Club (Fontana-on-Geneva-Lake)
Designer: Tom Bendelow (1924)
Yardage: Blue-6777, White-6410, Green-5629
Slope/Rating: Blue-136/73.3, White-132/71.6, 124/68.1
Par: 73
One of the most challenging private clubs to get on in Wisconsin, Big Foot is filled with wonderful quirks and interesting history along with great, wild terrain. The course is currently undergoing a renovation by Dave Zinkand.
13. North Shore Golf Club (Menasha)
Designer: Leonard Macomber
Yardage: Black-6514, White-5794, Green-5246
Slope/Rating: Black-132/71.2, White-125/67.9, Green-118/65.4
Par: 70
Site of the 2016 Wisconsin State Amateur, North Shore is a terrific overall golf course with nice, wide fairways, large greens and great use of elevation. Their par threes are especially memorable.
14. Ozaukee Country Club (Thiensville)
Designer: William Langford & Theodore Moreau (1922)
Yardage: Blue-6785, White-6551, Gold-5610
Slope/Rating: Blue-132/73.0, White-128/71.2, Gold-122/67.6
Par: 70
A Langford & Moreau gem that keeps getting better, Ozaukee has one of the best designed and well-conditioned golf courses in the Milwaukee area, and is heads above everything else in the Mequon area.
15. Horseshoe Bay Golf Club (Egg Harbor)
Designer: Rick Robbins (2000)
Yardage: Black-7101, Blue-6601, White-6117
Slope/Rating: Black-138/74.3, Blue-133/72.0, White-129/69.8
Par: 72
A modern beauty above Green Bay in Door County, Wisconsin, Egg Harbor has an incredible collection of par fives in a wonderful setting.
Horseshoe Bay Golf Club website
16. Oconomowoc Golf Club (Oconomowoc)
Course Designer: Donald Ross (1916)
Yardage: Black-6625, White-6423, Gold-5945
Slope/Rating: Black-131/72.6, White-129/71.8, Gold-125/69.6
Par: 70
One of two Donald Ross-designed private clubs in Wisconsin, Oconomowoc uses its hilly terrain optimally with quintessential Ross architectural elements sprinkled throughout.
17. North Hills Country Club (Menomonee Falls)
Designer: John Barr (1929)
Yardage: Black-6718, Blue-6426, White-6200
Slope/Rating: Black-134/73.7, Blue-131/72.4, White-129/71.2
Par: 71
My home course, North Hills is one of the most well manicured tracks I’ve ever played, and is consistently interesting. I could play NHCC 100,000 times and never get tired of it or even find a hole I don’t like. The course will begin an exciting renovation project with Sam Beckman of Emergency 9 Golf starting in the fall of 2026.
North Hills Country Club website
18. Westmoor Country Club (Brookfield)
Designer: William Langford & Theodore Moreau (1931), others
Yardage: Black-7011, Copper-6555, Silver-6008
Slope/Rating: Black-135/74.1, Copper-130/72.0, Silver-126/69.5
Par: 71
Through thoughtful, ongoing renovations Westmoor is getting better and better, and is emerging as one of the Milwaukee area’s top private golf clubs in the area’s most prized location.
19. Maple Bluff Country Club (Madison)
Designer: Herbert J Tweedie (1899), George Ferry (1916), Dick Nugent & Ken Killian (1973), Arthur Hills (2001)
Yardage: Blue-6425, White-6073, Green-5573
Slope/Rating: Blue-132/72.2, White-129/70.7, Green-125/68.5
Par: 71
One of the Madison area’s best overall courses, Maple Bluff provides a refined parkland golf experience with some of the area’s best views.
Maple Bluff Country Club website
20. Hidden Glen at Bentdale Farms (Cedarburg)
Designer: PB Dye (2001)
Yardage: Tournament-7017, Championship-6621, Member-6255
Slope/Rating: Tournament-140/74.3, Championship-136/72.5, Member-132/70.9
Par: 72
A “player’s course” to the extreme, PB Dye’s Hidden Glen is one of the most challenging, quirky golf courses I’ve ever played. With small but multi-tiered, lightning-fast greens, blind shots and a links-style layout, this is a golf experience you need to play more than once – and trust me it will grow on you each round.
Hidden Glen at Bentdale Farms website
21. The Wisconsin Club Country Club (Milwaukee)
Designer: Harry Smead (1928), William Diddel (1954), Bob Lohmann (1990s), Bruce Hepner (2014)
Yardage: Black-6802, Blue-6421, White-5817
Slope/Rating: Black-135/72.8, Blue-132/71.0, White-126/68.4
Par: 72
To me, the Wisconsin Club is one of the most underrated golf experiences in all of Wisconsin. Originally designed by Harry Smead (architect of Pine Hills Country Club), the course had been nipped and tucked at for decades before Renaissance Golf’s Bruce Hepner completed a fantastic renovation of it in 2014.
The Wisconsin Country Club website
22. Nakoma Golf Club (Madison)
Course Designer: Tom Bendelow (1925)
Yardage: Gold-6501, White-6104, Green-5317
Slope/Rating: Gold-130/71.9, White-125/70.0, Green-119/66.7
Par: 70
Home course of WiscoGolfAddict.com Contributing Writer Brian Murphy, Nakoma is an ideal everyday golf club with impeccable conditioning.
23. Hawks Landing Golf Club (Verona)
Designer: John Harbottle (2001)
Yardage: Maroon-7243, Black-6788, Gold-6340
Slope/Rating: Maroon-136/75.1, Black-131/73.1, Gold-127/71.1
Par: 72
One of the best conditioned golf courses in the entire state of Wisconsin, Hawk’s Landing features modern design and tremendous challenge next door to University Ridge.
Hawks Landing Golf Club website
24. The Legend at Merrill Hills (Waukesha)
Designer: CH Hardy (1929)
Yardage: Black-6841, Blue-6476, White-5982
Slope/Rating: Black-135/73.3, Blue-131/71.7, White-126/69.3
Par: 72
My favorite of the three fully private Legend Clubs, Merrill Hills has wonderful golden age design and terrific conditions with a great back patio and F&B experience.
The Legend at Merrill Hills website
25. Tuckaway Country Club (Franklin)
Designer: Ken Killian & Dick Nugent (1967), Jeffrey Brauer (2019)
Yardage: V-7218, IV-6699, III-6398
Slope/Rating: V-137/74.7, IV-131/72.2, III-127/70.3
Par:
South Milwaukee’s private golf club of choice, Tuckaway is the former host of the Greater Milwaukee Open (GMO) and boasts one of the area’s top memberships.
A Full Listing of Wisconsin’s Private Golf Clubs (A -> Z)
- Beloit Club (Beloit)
- Big Foot Country Club (Fontana-On-Geneva Lake)
- Bishops Bay Country Club (Middleton)
- Blackhawk Country Club (Madison)
- Blue Mound Golf & Country Club (Wauwatosa)
- Butte des Morts Country Club (Appleton)
- Cedar Creek (Onalaska)
- Chenequa Country Club (Hartland)
- Dairymen’s Country Club (Boulder Junction)
- Eau Claire Golf & Country Club (Altoona)
- Fox Valley Golf Club (Kaukauna)
- Goldeneye Golf Club (Lake Geneva)
- Green Bay Country Club (Green Bay)
- Greenwood Hills Country Club (Wausau)
- Hawks Landing Golf Club (Verona)
- Hidden Glen at Bentdale Farms (Cedarburg)
- Horseshoe Bay Golf Club (Egg Harbor)
- Janesville Country Club (Janesville)
- Kenosha Country Club (Kenosha)
- La Crosse Country Club (Onalaska)
- Lake Geneva Country Club (Lake Geneva)
- Lake Ripley Country Club (Cambridge)
- Legend at Brandybrook (Wales)
- Legend at Bristlecone (Hartland)
- Legend at Merrill Hills (Waukesha)
- Maple Bluff Country Club (Madison)
- Meadowbrook Country Club (Racine)
- Milwaukee Country Club (River Hills)
- Minocqua Country Club (Minocqua)
- Nakoma Golf Club (Madison)
- North Hills Country Club (Menomonee Falls)
- North Shore Country Club (Mequon)
- North Shore Golf Club (Menasha)
- Oconomowoc Golf Club (Oconomowoc)
- Oneida Golf & Country Club (Green Bay)
- Ozaukee Country Club (Mequon)
- Pine Hills Country Club (Sheboygan)
- Racine Country Club (Racine)
- Rhinelander Country Club (Rhinelander)
- Ridgeway Golf & Country Club (Neenah)
- River Club of Mequon (Mequon)
- South Hills Golf & Country Club (Fond du Lac)
- Stevens Point Country Club (Stevens Point)
- Stoughton Country Club (Stoughton)
- Strawberry Creek (Kenosha)
- The Lido (Nekoosa)
- TPC Wisconsin (Madison)
- Tuckaway Country Club (Franklin)
- University Club of Milwaukee (Milwaukee)
- Watertown Country Club (Watertown)
- Waupaca Country Club (Waupaca)
- Wausau Country Club (Schofield)
- West Bend Country Club (West Bend)
- Westmoor Country Club (Brookfield)
- Wisconsin Club (Milwaukee)
If you have updates on any of the clubs that I’ve yet to visit – for example, if any are now public, please let me hear it in the comments!