How to plan an unforgettable Wisconsin golf trip at an affordable price

Wisconsin, a state many know for its cheese and beer, holds another treasure: excellent golf courses offering great value. The author, who moved to Wisconsin eight years ago, initially didn't realize the extent of the state's golf offerings. However, subsequent visits allowed him to discover many magnificent courses, and this summer, he decided to share his experience by organizing an annual buddies' trip to Milwaukee.

Day 1: Brown Deer Park – A Touch of History for $81

The first stop was the municipal golf club Brown Deer Park, located in the northern part of Milwaukee. This club is not just another city course. For 15 years, it hosted the Greater Milwaukee Open PGA Tour, and in 1996, it marked Tiger Woods' professional debut. The entrance to the clubhouse features a mural dedicated to the tournament's history, reminding visitors of the place's significance in golf. The opportunity to walk the same fairways as Tiger Woods for a modest fee is a rare offering.

Playing from the farthest tees, the author and his friends encountered unexpected challenges. Despite its suburban location, the course has significant elevation changes, and the greens are deceptively undulating. Narrow fairway corridors, lined with trees, demand accurate drives off the tee; otherwise, the day can turn into a series of long and difficult approaches to the green. Brown Deer Park offers excellent value: a well-maintained course with a rich history for under $100. This combination is not often found.

Day 2: Lac La Belle – A Hidden Gem Washed Out by the Storm

The second day of the trip was planned for a round at Lac La Belle, located in the Milwaukee suburbs. However, plans were disrupted by a severe rainstorm that hit the region for 24 hours, forcing a cancellation. Fortunately for the author, he had already played this course last summer after it hosted the U.S. Women’s Open. He enthusiastically recalls Lac La Belle, calling it one of the most enjoyable courses he has ever played, despite being neighbors with renowned clubs like Whistling Straits and Lawsonia Links.

The history of Lac La Belle runs deep in the game of golf, but even without delving into historical details, playing here is a lot of fun. The massive greens with incredible slopes allow for spectacular hero shots, and for those aiming for a good score, these slopes can be both helpful and a serious obstacle when choosing pin placements. This year, a nine-hole short course called Uncle Henry’s Backyard and a putting course reminiscent of Pinehurst's Thistle Du have opened on the property. The author was very disappointed by the rainout, but it only fuels his desire to return and make up for lost time.

Day 3: Erin Hills – A Championship Test for $495

The final stop of the buddies' trip was Erin Hills, located about 45 minutes west of Milwaukee in Hartford. This course has hosted two major championships and three USGA amateur events, with five more major championships scheduled over the next 13 years. The scale and grandeur of Erin Hills become apparent immediately upon arrival. The course not only presents a serious challenge for the world's best players but also has enough space to host any large-scale event.

The author had visited this course last summer during the U.S. Women’s Open and had an idea of its size. However, being on the fairways and hitting shots, he truly appreciated the course's difficulty. It seemed like every fairway had a "speed slot" that propelled the ball toward the green, but missing these spots resulted in long and challenging approaches. The greens, though large, don't always favor the player: GIR (Green in Regulation) stats might improve, but the likelihood of three-putts also increases.

Before playing, the author received advice to hire a caddie, and it turned out to be invaluable. Walking the course without a bag is a challenge in itself, but more importantly, the numerous blind tee shots that send the ball over massive hills into the unknown make a caddie's help priceless. The author shudders to think how many balls they might have lost in the fescue without the assistance of their looper. Erin Hills offers a taste of major-championship golf. The high green fee might deter some, but according to the unanimous verdict of the author's group, the experience was worth every penny spent.