Getting Closer to Golf in Wisconsin

[DarkPrince]

I actually only pay $300 for my college pass which is unlimited golf any day of the week, and $75 for unlimited range balls as well. Once I graduate though it will be more like $500'sh for the membership. I played from early march through november last year, so its an extreme over exaggeration to say we only get 4 months :P But I'm also ballsier than a lot of people I know and will play in really cold weather as I walk and generate more warmth...and dress for the weather than the guys who are wearing winter jackets and leather gloves while driving (and I have an under armor cold gear long sleve and a polo...and thats it) :P

[treebound]

I haven't made it out on a course yet, just driving ranges so far. A co-worker played Brown Deer a few weeks ago and she said the greens were still filling in.

I'm thinking of trying Hawthorne Hills in two weekends as an early AM solo walk-on once some other stuff is taken care of. Should be good even though I've never played there before.

[clearwaterms]

I live in Chicago, and it is generally about 5-10 degree's warmer in Chicago than it is in Northern Wisconsin.

I played my first round in late february this year, and we are generally playing regularly from mid april until Mid November. before that and after that it gets sketchy.

Golf in Chicago does tend to be more expensive than in other parts of the country. I believe that has more to do with the large population and it isn't as expensive as NY, but it is cheaper than several other cities I have visited. I believe it is just because of the demand and not because of the weather.

[GaijinGolfer]

how can you guys live way up there? you only get to play golf for like 4 months. two months is a long texas winter. how do the courses turn a profit short of charging exorbitant fees?

You learn to play when the weather isnt exactly ideal. The golf season lasts from April-November as long as you dont mind playing in temps that are a little chilly. Ive played many times when the temps were in the low 40s.

[Shanker]

Yes I agree...I played til the last weekend before Thanksgiving @ The Bull last year for $27 including cart...its a steal...

This year my first outing was in March and been playing quite a few rounds...dress properly and you'll be fine! lol...

[Boyder]

Yep ... I played into December last season ... in fact the day after my last round we got 20 inches of snow. I get by thru the winter hitting at an indoor range and into my own net set-up.
That's not to say i wouldn't love to live someplace I could play all year long, but for now, I'm here. Come retirement - I'm figuring to take over my mom's place in TN ....

[DarkPrince]

As an update, I still have the offer of playing the Irish course at a discounted rate on the table. I may have 1 playing partner so far if I end up going through with it.

[GaijinGolfer]

Yep ... I played into December last season ... in fact the day after my last round we got 20 inches of snow.

Playing into December where youre at is a feat. My parents live in St Germain and Im usually taking my first snowmobile ride of the year by the middle of December, not playing golf.

That's not to say i wouldn't love to live someplace I could play all year long, but for now, I'm here. Come retirement - I'm figuring to take over my mom's place in TN ....

I hear ya. I love Wisconsin but if my girlfriend got a different job that neccecitated moving to a warmer place, Id be OK with it. Id miss snowmobiling, playing outdoor hockey and going to the Badger hockey games; but being able to play golf year round would be nice.

[Boyder]

Playing into December where youre at is a feat. My parents live in St Germain and Im usually taking my first snowmobile ride of the year by the middle of December, not playing golf.

It was an unusually warm fall this past year ... but it made up for it eventually.