madison, wi courses

[tomas216]

im heading out to madison, wi to visit a buddy in june. any recommendations. we'll probably play two days. ive already heard good things about the university course. any others. looking to play one 4-5 star course, and another more affordable course.
thanks

[Chilli Dipper]

A lot about this question is dependent on how far from Madison you are willing to travel. The Dells, Lake Geneva, and the western outskirts of Milwaukee are all around an hour's drive from the city and have plenty of courses that fit either of the criteria you mention.

[GaijinGolfer]

University Ridge is really nice, but Id agree that theres so many quality courses in the area that its really difficult to name a handful.

[Eeryck]

Erin Hills:

http://www.erinhills.com/

Site of the 2011 U.S. Amature, they are doing some renovations for it this spring but should be open by June. I think greens fees are in the $185 range.

Trappers Turn:

http://www.trappersturn.com/

Course in the Dell's should be about 45 minutes from Madison. Has three 9-hole courses, about $85 for 18 with cart. Only bad thing is they typically don't allow walking.

Kohler (Whistling Straits, The Irish, Blackwolf Run (River or Meadow Valleys)):

http://www.destinationkohler.com/golf/golf_index.html

Bit of a longer drive, but any of these courses are well worth it. In June, you may be able to get a tee time still at the Straits or the River course if you are coming early in the month. Otherwise they get booked up by hotel guests by late June through August. Price tag is high. ~$500 with caddy and tip for Straits, ~$185ish for River, ~$135ish for Irish or Meadow Valleys.

[cnixon83]

Erin Hills:

Erin Hills doesn't open until July 1st this year. Kohler is great, Whistling Straits runs $340 (caddie included) + tax. the Irish course is $160. Blackwolf Run is great too if you like tight target golf, they're running a composite course there this year to get ready for the Womens US Open next year and i think that runs $165 a round... you play 1-9 on the Meadows Valley course and 5-13 on the River course.

Def. try to get to Whistling Straits, either course is great, if you can. i make it up there a few time a year and it is amazing every time. :)

[umpiremark]

Beurgomont in Oregon WI (11 miles south of the Beltline) is an Andy North designed Executive Course. it's 2-3 years new but still a good course. Save your gas and green fees and golf on the City of Madison Municipal courses, either Yahara Hills (36 holes) or Odana Hills (18 holes). For city run municipal courses, they are in surprisingly good shape and a bit of a challenge. University Ridge is definately nice; if you can get on Hawk's Landing (semi-private), that's pretty good too (super fast greens). Lake Windsor north of Madison has 27 holes, but I've never played it. Except for Beurgomont (sorry, I think I spelled that wrong), Hawk's and University Ridge, the other courses I've listed are good plays at cheaper rates. In my humble opinion ...

[Eeryck]

Kohler is great, Whistling Straits runs $340 (caddie included) + tax.

I always thought the $60 caddie fee, and the $35 recommended (required) tip was in addition to the $340 greens fee.

I have not played there, last summer I tried to make a reservation but it was mid season, that is when I found out you pretty much needed to be staying there to play in peak season. I will most likely play there this October. Regards, -E