Lawsonia - I Don't Get the Love

[IrishGolfer14]

For those of you saying that the Links course isn’t at the level of Sand Valley or Erin Hills, I’m curious what you’re actually referring to? It of course doesn’t have the fancy amenities, and the condition is a step down (and bunkers are of course way worse), but in terms of the actual golf course I feel like it’s right up there with them. I hear some people referring to it as boring, and while there are certainly some criticisms to make, I don’t see how someone can think it’s boring. Plus, the features such as wide fairways and lack of trees that some people say make it too easy are also features at SV and EH. 
 

I’m obviously a big fan of the course, so I would really like to hear a little more in depth what other people don’t like about it. 

[games]

I think it’s a good course.  I just don’t get the worship over it.  I really want to try the Scooby snacks they’re eating at Golf Magazine…

[Chilidog]

My buddies and I do a golf trip to WI once a year to hit Whistling/Blackwolf/Erin/SV/MD. We usually play a starter course to get our trip kicked off. Several years ago, one of the guys said let’s play Lawsonia after normally starting with The Bull. We played it once and won’t pick it over the Bull again. 

[Ryan3773]

9 hours ago, Chilidog said:

My buddies and I do a golf trip to WI once a year to hit Whistling/Blackwolf/Erin/SV/MD. We usually play a starter course to get our trip kicked off. Several years ago, one of the guys said let’s play Lawsonia after normally starting with The Bull. We played it once and won’t pick it over the Bull again. 

What did you like about the bull more than lawsonia?

[Chilidog]

The course was way more interesting. After the first 3 holes, the course becomes very strategic. You can’t just bomb and gouge it out on the green. 

[ode1]

28 minutes ago, Chilidog said:

The course was way more interesting. After the first 3 holes, the course becomes very strategic. You can’t just bomb and gouge it out on the green. 

I really like The Bull, with my favorite holes being #5 and 16.  Gorgeous holes.  Only happened a few times, but if I can par the above two holes plus 9 and 18, I feel like I've accomplished something!

[klebs01]

On 10/4/2021 at 9:43 AM, Chilidog said:

My buddies and I do a golf trip to WI once a year to hit Whistling/Blackwolf/Erin/SV/MD. We usually play a starter course to get our trip kicked off. Several years ago, one of the guys said let’s play Lawsonia after normally starting with The Bull. We played it once and won’t pick it over the Bull again. 

 

17 hours ago, Chilidog said:

The course was way more interesting. After the first 3 holes, the course becomes very strategic. You can’t just bomb and gouge it out on the green. 

It’s funny. I’m the exact opposite. 1.5 times around the bull was more than enough for me. I don’t find it strategic at all. It’s just paint by numbers. Lawsonia offers much better options and more ways to play. The bull is back and white. Lawsonia is shades of gray. 

[TBone0576]

Playing the Links for $65 and the Woodlands for $70 same day May 1st so looking forward to it.   Been playing golf in Wisconsin for over 30 years and never been on the property before. 

Course will likely be a little rough around the edges but should still be fun as long as the weather is decent.  Should be a fun day early in the season. 

Edited April 22, 2022 by TBone0576

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I am headed up there to play Erin Hills on at Sat and Links Lawsonia early Sunday morning mid May. Cant wait.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

On 5/4/2021 at 4:36 PM, zer0 said:

Well we all know where I stand on this issue.   I think it's the most perfect golf course in the USA.   If I could play there every day for the rest of my life I would consider myself very lucky and I would never get bored.

 

 

For me, this is the best way to judge a golf course.

[TBone0576]

Headed up to play both courses next Sunday, just keeping fingers crossed for a halfway decent day and mostly dry.   Will be first time there for myself and a golf buddy of mine. 

[TBone0576]

Buddy and I took the 2 hour drive up from Kenosha to play yesterday.   Temps in low 50s, a little wind and some occasional light rain.  We had an 8am and 1pm tee time.  Got up there by 7 and the clubhouse wasn't even open so we drove around and looked at some of the other holes and homes being built near the course.    Clubhouse very underwhelming but certainly functional.  The guys told us to go ahead at 7:30.   We asked a couple foursomes from Minnesota if they minded us going ahead and they let us go.  Just the two of us on an open course.  We finished the Links by 10, stopped in for a bite and then teed off the Woodlands just before 11, finishing by 2.  We played through an 8-some and a two some.   $115 for 36 with a cart was a pretty darn good deal.   I enjoyed the Links and the architecture of it.  We managed to avoid any real trouble in the deep bunkers.  The greens weren't cut and quite a bit slower than I expected with some moisture added in there.   The green complexes were definitely interesting.  It was a fun track to play although not overtly difficult.   The Woodlands was interesting in it's own way but not nearly as much character and a couple of holes out there that I just didn't care for including 18.  I hit a perfect drive but no way to go for the green in two which I found frustrating.   The designers of that course also did Pine Meadow in Mundelein, IL and I could see some similarities.   Overall it was a great experience and being able to play at a quick pace for a fair price made it that much better.  I'd be tempted to come back in the fall and go again but would be ok if I skipped the Woodlands. 

Edited May 2, 2022 by TBone0576

[TheBear95]

27 minutes ago, TBone0576 said:

Buddy and I took the 2 hour drive up from Kenosha to play yesterday.   Temps in low 50s, a little wind and some occasional light rain.  We had an 8am and 1pm tee time.  Got up there by 7 and the clubhouse wasn't even open so we drove around and looked at some of the other holes and homes being built near the course.    Clubhouse very underwhelming but certainly functional.  The guys told us to go ahead at 7:30.   We asked a couple foursomes from Minnesota if they minded us going ahead and they let us go.  Just the two of us on an open course.  We finished the Links by 10, stopped in for a bite and then teed off the Woodlands just before 11, finishing by 2.  We played through an 8-some and a two some.   $115 for 36 with a cart was a pretty darn good deal.   I enjoyed the Links and the architecture of it.  We managed to avoid any real trouble in the deep bunkers.  The greens weren't cut and quite a bit slower than I expected with some moisture added in there.   The green complexes were definitely interesting.  It was a fun track to play although not overtly difficult.   The Links was interesting in it's own way but not nearly as much character and a couple of holes out there that I just didn't care for including 18.  I hit a perfect drive but no way to go for the green in two which I found frustrating.   The designers of that course also did Pine Meadow in Mundelein, IL and I could see some similarities.   Overall it was a great experience and being able to play at a quick pace for a fair price made it that much better.  I'd be tempted to come back in the fall and go again but would be ok if I skipped the Woodlands. 

 

Good recap. I have played The Links twice. Once in late May and the other time in mid June. When I played in May, the greens were just punched. My visit to the Links in June was in the afternoon, after it poured all morning. Suffice to say, the greens were quite slow for both rounds. While no fault of the course, the lack of speed on the greens definitely hurt the experience. Those greens need to running at a good pace to really bring out all the features.

 

That's cool you had the chance to be first group out on The Links. Quite envious. My first trip there, we got jammed in-between an outing. It was as terrible as it sounds. If I go back, my preference would definitely be early fall. 

Edited May 2, 2022 by TheBear95

[Sean1772]

On 4/25/2021 at 11:09 AM, games said:

I'm a 'Sconnie native, and I think the golf in my home state is the best in the country.  Not just at the high-end courses, but also the Munis and small public courses.  But, there is one course I just never understood the love for:  Lawsonia Links.

 

It's not a goat track.  I've played it three or four times, and it's good.  Nice layout, nicely conditioned.  And, yes, I know the President of the USGA said it has the best green complexes in the country.  But, I really don't understand the overt love for it.  For the price, I'd much rather play Washington County, the Oaks, Castle Rock at Northern Bay (one of the more underrated courses in Wisco), or several northwoods courses like Northwoods (Rhinelander), Timber Ridge (Minocqua), St. Germain, or Eagle River.  Or go up the UP to play Timber Stone or Graywalls or the casino courses.

 

What am I missing? (Flame suit on...)

For one thing, for many, many years this course was only known to golfers.  The average guy don’t know it existed.  Also, I have played there every fall for 25 years, and when we started we cold play all days limited for $65 mid October, and often be just about the only guys out there.  It was located on a baptist retreat and there was 0 development anywhere near the courses. This was heaven 

 

Inpast 5 years they have put a lot of money into it, market it to be played by golf tourist driving from sand valley to Koehler, raised greens fees quite a bit (it was way undervalued) and the property was sold maybe 10-15 years ago, at which time they started plans to put houses all over it.  The atmosphere has changed quite a bit.  Not nearly the Wisconsin getaway it once was.  But still beautiful spot and the Links is as good as just about any track in Wisconsin

On 4/25/2021 at 11:09 AM, games said:

I'm a 'Sconnie native, and I think the golf in my home state is the best in the country.  Not just at the high-end courses, but also the Munis and small public courses.  But, there is one course I just never understood the love for:  Lawsonia Links.

 

It's not a goat track.  I've played it three or four times, and it's good.  Nice layout, nicely conditioned.  And, yes, I know the President of the USGA said it has the best green complexes in the country.  But, I really don't understand the overt love for it.  For the price, I'd much rather play Washington County, the Oaks, Castle Rock at Northern Bay (one of the more underrated courses in Wisco), or several northwoods courses like Northwoods (Rhinelander), Timber Ridge (Minocqua), St. Germain, or Eagle River.  Or go up the UP to play Timber Stone or Graywalls or the casino courses.

 

What am I missing? (Flame suit on...)