With a massive lineup of big names in the Wisconsin public golf lineup, the cheese state has certainly earned it’s moniker as the best state for public golf. However, the big boys aren’t the only option for golf in the cheese state. This WSGA internship is about the landscape of Wisconsin golf and a big part of that landscape are the public golf courses where real golfers play golf.
There are over 400 golf courses in Wisconsin and about 375 of those are officially off of the national golf radar.
Below you will find 10 of those 375 golf courses. The people that I encountered at these courses were some of the most pleasant that I have met on my travels. While their golf courses might not measure up to Whistling Straits, the locals take great pride in them and they mean a lot to the golfing fabric of Wisconsin.
Please enjoy my rundown of these 10 often neglected golf courses as I present them to you in no particular order.
Located in Richfield, WI, Kettle Hills offers 45 holes of golf goodness. You have the ponds, woods, valley and the rolling 9. With 18 hole rates set at $30, the value is off of the chain. Be sure to kiss the frog for good luck before your round.
I don’t know about you, but I am down with PDCCC, and judging by the massive turnout for the Monday evening men’s league, I am not the only one. The course is short, but high on the fun factor. At $20 to walk on weekdays it’s in rare air value territory.
Very few golf clubhouses in America have a bowling alley inside of them. At Coulee Golf & Bowl that is exactly what you get. Most importantly the tee markers are bowling pins. These 9 holes are a great way to start your day.
This little number holds the record for the lowest WSGA internship score of 68. It also holds the record for fastest 9 holes of golf at 34 minutes. With the hot ride that I rented to get around the course, it’s easy to see why I was so speedy.
I’d tee it up at this beauty just for the walk across that sexy little golf bridge. The good news is that it will only cost you $26 to make it happen. There are a number of really good golf holes out here at Edelweiss and I 3-putted the majority of them.
If you have $22 and are looking to play golf in Black River Falls, you simply need to follow the signs to Skyline. It is a tale of two nines at Skyline. The front nine winds back and forth through tree lined fairways and the back nine cuts through a thick pine forest.
We step it up a notch with the public golf at Wild Ridge in Eau Claire. This links style beauty will keep even the most discerning golfers occupied. Wild Ridge is indeed the premier golfing experience in the Chippewa Valley. For my round at Wild Ridge, Leeann Stapleton with WEAU 13 News came out to cover the action. She might not earn her LPGA Tour card, but Leeann obviously has a bright career ahead of her as a journalist. Catch the full story here.
New Richmond Golf Club - New Richmond, WI
There are 2 golf courses to enjoy at New Richmond Golf Club, the Old Course and the Links course. The Old Course is a classic test of golf with tree lined fairways. The Links course ups the variety with a reversible links experience. About every 2 weeks they turn the golf course around and you play the same greens backwards.
The good times and the golf roll hard at Voyager Village. In addition to the 27 holes of golf, there are numerous recreational activities available to take part in. The vibe in the village was filled with fun and good times.
The little par 3 course at Voyager Village features one of my favorite green sites that rests on a peninsula extending out into Birch Island Lake.
Since 1924, Hayward Golf Club has been welcoming golfers onto it’s forgiving fairways. in 2021, it extended that same warm welcome to the WSGA Intern, Patrick Koenig. After thoroughly exploring the golf course, I made my way into the Caddyshack grill and ordered the pizza. I highly recommend doing both of these activities.
