Wisconsin is a paradise for golfers who love variety, challenge, and scenic beauty. The state boasts some of the country’s finest public and private golf courses, designed by legendary architects like Pete Dye, Seth Raynor, and Mike Keiser.
Whether you are looking for a links-style layout along Lake Michigan, a rolling parkland course in the countryside, or a rugged sand valley in the heart of the state, you will find it in Wisconsin.
Top 25 Wisconsin Golf Courses
Here are 25 of the best golf courses in Wisconsin that you should play at least once in your life.
Straits Course (Whistling Straits)
This is the crown jewel of Wisconsin golf, a stunning replica of Irish links that hosted three PGA Championships and the 2021 Ryder Cup. The course features over 1,000 bunkers, dramatic elevation changes, and breathtaking views of Lake Michigan from every hole. The wind is a constant factor, making this course a true test of skill and strategy.
Erin Hills
This is another masterpiece of links golf, carved out of the glacial terrain of Wisconsin’s Kettle Moraine. Erin Hills was the first public course to host the U.S. Open in 2017, where Brooks Koepka won with a record-breaking score of 16-under par. The course is known for its wide fairways, fescue rough, and undulating greens that require precision and patience.
Milwaukee Country Club
This is one of Wisconsin’s oldest and most prestigious private clubs, founded in 1894. The course was designed by Charles Alison, a protégé of Harry Colt, and features classic elements like strategic bunkering, subtle green contours, and tree-lined fairways. The course also has a beautiful setting along the Milwaukee River, which comes into play on several holes.
Sand Valley Course (Sand Valley Golf Resort)
This is the first of two courses at Sand Valley Golf Resort, a destination that has put Wisconsin on the map as a world-class golf destination. The course was designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, who used the natural features of the sandy soil, rolling hills, and native vegetation to create a minimalist masterpiece. The course has a links-like feel, with firm, fast fairways, sprawling bunkers, and exposed greens.
The Links (Lawsonia)
This is one of Wisconsin’s most historic and revered public courses, dating back to 1930. The course was designed by William Langford and Theodore Moreau, who built some of America’s most dramatic green complexes. The course has a classic look and feel, with wide fairways, deep bunkers, and elevated greens that demand accuracy and creativity.
Mammoth Dunes Course (Sand Valley Golf Resort)
This is the second course at Sand Valley Golf Resort, designed by David McLay Kidd, who also created Bandon Dunes in Oregon. The course lives up to its name, with massive fairways, greens, and towering sand dunes creating a stunning landscape. The course is fun and forgiving for all levels of players but also challenging and rewarding for those who take risks.
Blue Mound Golf & Country Club
This is another gem from the golden age of golf architecture, designed by Seth Raynor in 1926. The course features Raynor’s signature template holes, such as the Redan (4th), Biarritz (8th), Alps (11th), and Punchbowl (16th). The course also has some of the best-conditioned greens in Wisconsin, thanks to a recent restoration by Ron Forse.
River Course (Blackwolf Run)
This is one of four courses at Destination Kohler, a resort offering some of Wisconsin’s best golf. The River Course was designed by Pete Dye in 1988 and hosted the U.S. Women’s Open in 1998 and 2012. The course follows the meandering Sheboygan River, which adds beauty and challenge to every hole. The course also has some of Dye’s trademark features, such as railroad ties, pot bunkers, and island greens.
Irish Course (Whistling Straits)
This is the sister course to the Straits Course at Whistling Straits, and it offers a different but equally thrilling experience. The Irish Course is more inland than its sibling but still has plenty of water hazards and sand traps to contend with. The course has more elevation changes and blind shots than the Straits Course, making it more unpredictable and adventurous.
SentryWorld
This is one of Wisconsin’s original destination golf courses, opened in 1982 as part of Sentry Insurance’s headquarters complex in Stevens Point. Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed the course, and it features a parkland setting with mature trees, lakes, and streams. The course is best known for its signature 16th hole, a par 3 with a flower-filled island green, one of the state’s most beautiful and challenging holes.
Gary Player Course (Geneva National Resort & Club)
This is one of three courses at Geneva National Resort & Club, a premier golf destination in Lake Geneva. The Black Knight designed the Gary Player Course, showcasing his philosophy of blending golf with nature. The course has a variety of holes, from tight and wooded to open and wetland, and it requires finesse and power to score well.
Lee Trevino Course (Geneva National Resort & Club)
The Lee Trevino course is a fun, playable layout emphasising shot placement and strategy over length and power.
As a signature course designed by the legendary golfer Lee Trevino, it promises a challenging yet enjoyable golfing experience.
The course is known for its scenic beauty, with picturesque views of Lake Como and surrounding landscapes, making it a favorite destination for golfers and nature enthusiasts alike.
The Bog
This public course offers a private club feel in Saukville, about 25 miles north of Milwaukee. Arnold Palmer designed the course, and it features a challenging layout that winds through wetlands, woodlands, and meadows. The course has five sets of tees, ranging from 5,110 to 7,221 yards, making it playable for all skill levels.
The Bull at Pinehurst Farms
This public course ranks among the best in Wisconsin, located in Sheboygan Falls, near Kohler. Jack Nicklaus designed the course, and it features his signature design elements, such as risk-reward options, strategic bunkering, and demanding greens. The course is carved out of a former dairy farm, offering scenic countryside views.
University Ridge Golf Course
This is the home course of the University of Wisconsin-Madison golf teams and is also open to the public. Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed the course, and it features two distinct nines. The front nine is more open and links-style, while the back nine is more wooded and hilly. The course is well-maintained and challenging, and it hosts the American Family Insurance Championship on the PGA Tour Champions.
Wild Rock Golf Club
This is one of the best courses in Wisconsin Dells, a popular tourist destination known for its water parks and attractions. The course was designed by Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry, who also designed Erin Hills. The course is set on a former quarry site, and it features dramatic elevation changes, rock formations, and panoramic views. The course is part of the Wilderness Resort, which offers lodging and entertainment options for golfers and families.
Troy Burne Golf Club
This semi-private club welcomes public play, located in Hudson, near the border with Minnesota. The course was designed by Tom Lehman, along with Hurdzan and Fry, and it features a links-style layout with wide fairways, rolling hills, and fescue grasses. The course is challenging but fair, and it offers scenic views of the St. Croix River Valley.
North Shore Golf Club
This private club dates back to 1921, when Leonard Macomber, a prominent golf architect in Wisconsin, founded it. The course has a classic design that blends with the natural terrain of Lake Winnebago and the Niagara Escarpment. The course has hosted several state championships and is known for its fast, undulating greens.
Pine Hills Country Club
This private club has a rich history and a superb golf course. The club was established in 1928, and Harry Snead, the brother of golf legend Sam Snead, designed the course. The parkland-style course features tree-lined fairways, strategic bunkers, and water hazards. The course has been renovated several times over the years, most recently by Bob Lohmann in 2014.
Lac La Belle Golf Club
This is one of the oldest golf courses in Wisconsin, originally opened in 1896 as Oconomowoc Golf Club. The course was redesigned in 2019 by Craig Haltom, who also worked on Sand Valley and Mammoth Dunes. The new design features wider fairways, larger greens, and more natural features that enhance the beauty and playability of the course.
Washington County Golf Course
This is one of the best municipal courses in Wisconsin, located in Hartford, near Erin Hills. Arthur Hills designed the course,
and it features a links-style layout that blends with the rolling terrain of the Kettle Moraine. The course has four sets of tees,
ranging from 5,279 to 7,048 yards, making it accessible for all skill levels.
Trappers Turn Golf Club
Two-time U.S. Open champion Andy North and Roger Packard designed this excellent course in Wisconsin Dells. The course has 27 holes, divided into three nines: Canyon, Lake, and Arbor. Each nine has its own character and challenge.
Hawk’s Landing Golf Club
The golf course at Hawks Landing is skillfully integrated into the natural, rolling landscape of the Hawks Landing residential development. Designed by John Harbottle III, the 18-hole championship course features bent grass tees, greens, and fairways.
It presents a challenge to all players, with 65 bunkers, water features on 9 holes, and native grass areas throughout. Golfers of all abilities can enjoy the course, as it offers five sets of tees. The signature maroon tees, stretching 7,243 yards, provide a true test for seasoned golfers.
Hawks Landing Golf Club boasts a top-notch practice facility, among the best in the state. The 395-yard all-grass range features nine elevated target greens accessible from both ends, catering to general practice and instructional needs. The chipping and pitching green and the 18,000 square foot putting green mirror the course conditions, ensuring productive and enjoyable practice sessions.
The Oaks Golf Course
The course, crafted by Greg Martin, spans 6,736 yards and boasts a unique par-3 emphasis. It features six diverse par 3s, complemented by five par 5s and seven par 4s, resulting in a par 71 layout. With bent grass fairways, tees, and greens, the course exudes a country club ambiance. The thick rough, and perfectly rolling putting surfaces further enhance the overall experience.
The Brute Golf Course (Grand Geneva Golf Resort)
Renowned as one of the most demanding layouts in the Midwest, The Brute stands tall as one of Wisconsin’s finest golf courses. Crafted by Robert Bruce Harris, the course boasts 68 strategically placed bunkers and generously sized, undulating greens averaging over 8,000 square feet. As a par-72 Lake Geneva gem, this golf course exhibits meticulous grooming and impeccable upkeep.
Conclusion: Top 25 Wisconsin Golf Courses
Wisconsin is a paradise for golf lovers with its vast selection of high-quality golf courses that cater to all skill levels.
From stunning courses surrounded by breathtaking landscapes to challenging layouts designed by renowned architects, every golfing destination in Wisconsin offers a distinctive and unforgettable experience.
So, if you’re planning a golfing trip, make sure to include Wisconsin on your itinerary for a fantastic and diverse golfing experience.