Odana Hills to close front nine October 26 as Madison begins major redesign

Madison's public Odana Hills Golf Course is entering a major renovation. In an October 13, 2026 notice, the city said Sunday, October 25 is scheduled to be the final day all 18 holes are playable before work begins. From Monday, October 26, the front nine (holes 1–9) will close for construction. The back nine (holes 10–18) and driving range are expected to remain open through the end of the 2026 season. Preparatory work is subject to permits, and golfers should confirm the latest operating status before visiting.

More than routine turf maintenance. Odana Hills is an 18-hole, par-72 municipal course at 4635 Odana Road, Madison, Wisconsin. The redesign focuses on tees, greens and their surroundings, better playability and the long-term condition of the course. The scheme changed during the planning process: the existing routing of holes 1 and 9 is to be retained, changes to other holes scaled back, and the overall par kept at 72. Plans anticipate an improved driving range and new putting and short-game areas, although final scope depends on funding and detailed design.

Why the layout was revised. The Parks Division wants to limit tree removal and preserve much of the winter cross-country ski route where possible. It is also exploring drainage and ecological improvements and stronger connections for pedestrians and cyclists along Odana Road. The goal is to improve a public resource rather than replace it with a private, members-only facility.

Who is backing the project? Private donations coordinated through the Madison Parks Foundation, led by Michael and Jocelyn Keiser, are intended to fund improvements to the golf course itself. That follows the philanthropic model used at The Glen Golf Park. The proposed clubhouse replacement, parking, park facilities and road or bike-path work form related but separate city projects with their own design, funding and approval processes. They should not be confused with completed golf-course work.

Approvals and the longer timetable. On October 14, the city's Board of Park Commissioners approved the final revised master plan, according to a Parks Division update dated October 15. Mobilisation was expected in the second half of October. Current planning anticipates a substantial interruption through the 2027 golf season and into early 2028, with a broader reopening target in 2028. That remains a planning horizon rather than a guaranteed opening date.

What golfers should know. Players wanting an 18-hole round have October 25 as the scheduled last opportunity before the front-nine closure. After October 26, nine-hole play on the back side and practice at the range are intended to remain available until the season ends, weather and operational restrictions permitting. Consult Madison Parks Golf before making the journey.

Official sources: City council update, October 13, 2026; Parks project page, October 15 update; separate clubhouse project.

Illustration: archival golf-course landscape photographed in Madison, Wisconsin. This image does not depict Odana Hills or its renovation. Yinan Chen, public domain. Image source.