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Wisconsin’s Top 25 Private Golf Courses

As far as I have seen, nobody in the state of Wisconsin has published a legitimate list of the state’s top private golf clubs. I don’t mind being the first.

I should state first and foremost that I have not played them all. In fact, to this point I have only played 30 of Wisconsin’s 56 private clubs. I have been adding to that number regularly, and this list is intended to be dynamic as my quest to find the very best private golf clubs in Wisconsin plays out.

I expect this list to be controversial, and that’s alright. People are passionate about their private clubs, and that’s wonderful. If your course doesn’t break in to the top 15, remember that there are some unbelievably good private courses in Wisconsin – I haven’t played any dogs yet. I expect this to be a fun endeavor, and I hope you enjoy the ride as each new private club I play has the ability to shake things up entirely.

My rankings revolve around the golf experience, which includes the course and its layout, conditions and the overall aesthetics, feel and playability.

Still on my list of well-renowned Wisconsin private clubs to play include, but are not limited to:

Think your private club should be considered? Please feel free to reach out to me at paul@wiscogolfaddict.com and let’s see if we can get a round of golf on the books!

My Top Ten Private Golf / Country Clubs in Wisconsin:

Last updated: March 17, 2024

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-153/76.5, Navy-148/74.5, White-144/72.1

Arguably the newest, hottest golf course in the country, The Lido debuted on Golf Digest’s 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 a marvel of modern construction and development.

The Lido at Sand Valley website

2. Pine Hills Country Club (Sheboygan)

Designer: Harry B. Smead (1928)
Yardage: Blue-6481, White-6151, Silver-5817, Gold-5302, Red-5076
Slope/Rating: Blue-132/72.3, White-128/70.7, Silver-125/69.3, Gold-121/66.9, Red-124/70.4

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. Milwaukee Country Club (River Hills)

Designers: CH Alison and HS Colt (1929)
Yardage: Black-7094, Middle-6444, Forward-5856
Slope/Rating: Back-136/74.6, Middle-130/71.9, Forward-125/69.5

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

4. Blue Mound Golf & Country Club (Wauwatosa)

Designer: Seth Raynor (1926)
Yardage: Black-6667, Blue-6313, White-5632
Slope/Rating: Black-131/72.1, Blue-127/70.6, White-124/72.5

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

5. Stevens Point Country Club (Stevens Point)

Designer: Unknown (1927), Larry Packard (1968), Craig Haltom (2018)
Yardage: Black-6901, Blue-6567, White-6167
Slope/Rating: Black-133/73.4, Blue-129/72.0, White-125/69.9

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

6. Minocqua Country Club (Minocqua)

Designer: Ron Garl (2001); originally opened in 1917 as 9-hole course
Yardage: Bear-6794, Wolf-6478, Musky-6093
Slope/Rating: Bear-136/72.7, Wolf-132/71.7, Musky-129/69.6

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.

Minocqua Country Club website

7. Kenosha Country Club (Kenosha)

Designer: Donald Ross (1921)
Yardage: Blue-6530, White-6277, Gold-5680, Red-5107
Slope/Rating: Blue-130/71.9, White-127/70.8, Gold-122/67.9, Red-121/69.4

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.

Kenosha Country Club website

8. West Bend Country Club (West Bend)

Designer: William Langford
Yardage: Black-6785, Blue-6516, White-5639, Red-5372
Slope/Rating: Black-135/72.5, Blue-132/71.5, White-124/67, Red-125/71.2Par: 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

9. Green Bay Country Club (Green Bay)

Designer: Dick Nugent (1995)
Yardage: Black-7097, Blue-6697, Gold-6272
Slope/Rating: Black-141/74.2, Blue-135/71.9, Gold-131/70.3

My favorite 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.

With a fantastic variety of hole layouts and scenery that never stops impressing, a round at GBCC is one that’s coveted, to say the least.

Green Bay Country Club website

10. The Club at Strawberry Creek (Kenosha)

Designers: Rick Jacobson (2006)
Yardage: Black-7113, Gold-6658, Blue-6157, White-5648, Green-5098
Slope/Rating: Black-136/74.8, Gold-131/72.8, Blue-126/70.5, White-122/68.2, Green-121/70.1

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. North Shore Golf Club (Menasha)

Designer: Leonard Macomber
Yardage: Black-6530, Combo-6201, White-5794
Slope/Rating: Black-132/71.2, Combo-129/69.7, White-125/67.9

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.

North Shore Golf Club website

12. Ozaukee Country Club (Thiensville)

Designer: William Langford & Theodore Moreau (1922)
Yardage: Blue-6765, White-6381, Gold-5806
Slope/Rating: Blue-130/72.9, White-125/71.0, Gold-121/68.5

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.

Ozaukee Country Club website

13. 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, Red-5428
Slope/Rating: Blue-132/72.2, White-129/70.7, Red-126/72.4

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

14. Horseshoe Bay Golf Club (Egg Harbor)

Designer: Rick Robbins (2000)
Yardage: Black-7101, Blue-6601, White-6117
Slope/Rating: Black-139/74.5, Blue-134/72.1, White-130/70.0

Horseshoe Bay Golf Club website

15. North Hills Country Club (Menomonee Falls)

Designer: John Barr (1929)
Yardage: Black-6,715, Blue-6,424, White-6,208
Slope/Rating: Black-133/73.2, Blue-130/71.9, White-127/70.7

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.

North Hills Country Club website

16. Oconomowoc Golf Club (Oconomowoc) – played but not reviewed

Course Designer: Donald Ross (1916)
Yardage: White-6423, Gold-5946, Red-5607
Slope/Rating: White-129/71.4, Gold-126/70.3, Red-129/73.4 (women)

One of two Donald Ross-designed private clubs in Wisconsin, Oconomowoc uses its hilly terrain optimally with quintessential Ross architectural elements sprinkled throughout.

Oconomowoc Golf Club website

17. Westmoor Country Club (Brookfield)

Designer: William Langford & Theodore Moreau ()
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 best overall golf courses.

Westmoor Country Club website

18. Racine Country Club (Racine)

Course Designer: Tom Bendelow (1909), Larry & Roger Packard, Joseph Roseman (1977)
Yardage: Black-6656, White-6332, Gold-5735
Slope/Rating: Black-133/73.2, White-130/71.7, Gold-125/68.8
Par: 72

A wonderful classic golf experience, RCC is one of the state’s oldest clubs and one of the tops in Southeast Wisconsin.

Racine Country Club website

19. Nakoma Golf Club (Madison)

Course Designer: Tom Bendelow (1925)
Yardage: Gold-6469, White-6033, Green-5376
Slope/Rating: Gold-128/71.5, White-125/70.0, Green-124/72.0
Par: 70

Home course of WiscoGolfAddict.com Contributing Writer Brian Murphy, Nakoma is an ideal everyday golf club with impeccable conditioning.

Nakoma Golf Club website

20. 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

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.

Tuckaway Country Club website

21. Bishops Bay Country Club (Middleton)

Designer: Bob Lohmann (1995)
Yardage: Championship-7160, Regular-6740, Forward-6163
Slope/Rating: Championship-130/74.6, Regular-127/72.5, Forward-121/69.4
Par: 72

Featuring one of the most iconic views of any 18th hole in Wisconsin, Bishops Bay is one of the best overall golf courses in the greater Madison area.

Bishops Bay Country Club website

22. 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

Maybe the best conditioned golf course in the state of Wisconsin, Hawk’s Landing features modern design and tremendous challenge next door to University Ridge.

Hawks Landing Golf Club website

23. TPC Wisconsin (Madison)

Course Designer: David Gill (1962), Steve Stricker and Steve Wenzloff (2023)
Yardage: I-7226, II-6770, III-6142
Slope/Rating: I-140/75.5, II-135/73.5, III-128/70.5
Par: 71

Formerly Cherokee Country Club, Steve Wenzloff and Steve Stricker’s redesign at TPC Wisconsin is poised to take on the AmFam Championship beginning in 2025.

TPC Wisconsin website

24. Hidden Glen at Bentdale Farms (Cedarburg)

Designer: PB Dye (2001)
Yardage: Tournament-7017, Championship-6607, Member-6068
Slope/Rating: Tournament-140/74.3, Championship-136/72.5, Member-130/69.8
Par: 72

A “player’s course,” 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 it will grow on you each round.

Hidden Glen at Bentdale Farms website

25. The University Club of Milwaukee (Milwaukee)

Designer: Tom Bendelow (1921), Andy Staples (2020)
Yardage: Black-6588, Blue-6269, White-6010
Slope/Rating: Black-130/72.4, Blue-127/70.7, White-124/69.6

A terrific renovation led by Andy Staples helped hoist the University Club into my top 25 private clubs in Wisconsin rankings.

The University Club of Milwaukee website

A Full Listing of Wisconsin’s Private Golf Clubs (A -> Z)

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!

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