Movement in top 10

[cox3]

I'd tend to side with the guy that has 650+ more courses played.

I played Wilderness last July and I think it's a 4.0. I didn't even think about it as a course in consideration for any type of "top courses I've played" list, which is basically all the ones I would give a 5.0 or 4.5. It's a pretty bland place. No cons really. Just no overwhelming pros either. Quality baskets, tee signs, and tee pads. Mostly all good holes but none that I recall really being a "signature" type. I'm not being negative. 4.0 is "excellent". I need a lot more special "feel" or some more really memorable holes for me to go above that.

 

[elmexdela]

One of which is his own.

damm didnt see until now shuie has his course climb into the top 25 in wi

very nice

 

[wellsbranch250]

I played Wilderness two years ago and can still envision on how the course looked and felt. Perhaps the supposed tree thinning took some of the luster out, i don't know. easy 4.5 in my books when I played it. It reminded me closest to that of IDGC Jackson, IDGC Warner, Lake Claiborne and Inverness down here.

 

[notapro]

I played Wilderness two years ago and can still envision on how the course looked and felt. Perhaps the supposed tree thinning took some of the luster out, i don't know. easy 4.5 in my books when I played it. It reminded me closest to that of IDGC Jackson, IDGC Warner, Lake Claiborne and Inverness down here.

I'm in this boat. Wilderness was great!

I played Wilderness last July and I think it's a 4.0. I didn't even think about it as a course in consideration for any type of "top courses I've played" list, which is basically all the ones I would give a 5.0 or 4.5. It's a pretty bland place.

I'm surprised to hear that; there were a few holes that stuck out to me. Top notch elevation changes in the woods where I was licking my chops to throw a driver. It was kind of one-note throughout, I'll agree with that, but with my kind of note.

I agree it is on the easier side as far as some Gold Level layouts go (ie Iron Hill or Idlewild), but the fun factor is top notch.

 

[Darkgreen]

4.5 at a max, no water in play.

Some of us would say that no water in play is a good thing.

 

[cox3]

I played Wilderness two years ago and can still envision on how the course looked and felt. Perhaps the supposed tree thinning took some of the luster out, i don't know. easy 4.5 in my books when I played it. It reminded me closest to that of IDGC Jackson, IDGC Warner, Lake Claiborne and Inverness down here.

The tree thinning seems to be the biggest issue. When I was there, there were piles of logs in a lot of spots, logging roads with large tracks in some spots, and it just generally didn't really feel "in the woods" even though all the trees that made the fairways seemed to still be there. I do remember the holes on the very back of the property being really pretty and tranquil. I could see where, if the entire 18 holes were in that type of setting, it could be a 4.5. I would still need more to go higher though. I agree with your comps though. None of those are 5.0 for me however. All of those are 4.0-4.5 for me. W.R. Jackson is close to 5, maybe even there but on the back end.

 

[Jukeshoe]

damm didnt see until now shuie has his course climb into the top 25 in wi

very nice

WHO?! :| :| :|


:thmbup:

Well deserved!

 

[wellsbranch250]

The tree thinning seems to be the biggest issue. When I was there, there were piles of logs in a lot of spots, logging roads with large tracks in some spots, and it just generally didn't really feel "in the woods" even though all the trees that made the fairways seemed to still be there. I do remember the holes on the very back of the property being really pretty and tranquil. I could see where, if the entire 18 holes were in that type of setting, it could be a 4.5. I would still need more to go higher though. I agree with your comps though. None of those are 5.0 for me however. All of those are 4.0-4.5 for me. W.R. Jackson is close to 5, maybe even there but on the back end.

It was just about all woods when I played it. Just a couple small spots of open areas. zero logs along the side and zero logging roads. The logging must have happened soon after my play. As for the courses I noted, (Jackson, Warner, LC Whitetail, LC Dogwood, Inverness), I have all of these noted courses at either a 4.0 or 4.5. Jackson of which, is my closest to the 5.0 threshold. All this stated, what I think is a 5 or 4.5 is different than other reviewers. I don't have any issue with another reviewer giving Wilderness a 5.0 as long as they give a similar course a similar score. A Reviewer's review consistency is what's helpful to me as a course explorer/bagger.

i want to say this was hole 10. July 2019

 

[Jukeshoe]

The tree thinning seems to be the biggest issue. When I was there, there were piles of logs in a lot of spots, logging roads with large tracks in some spots, and it just generally didn't really feel "in the woods" even though all the trees that made the fairways seemed to still be there.

None of this was apparent during our round.

Sure there were the indications here and there of a key tree missing by way of a newish stump, but nothing that made the course obviously all that less difficult.

Seems they cleared everything really nicely and cleaned up well, so kudos to them for course maintenance. It's tough to mark a course down for what are clearly ongoing "maintenance issues" when the other option is just let it all lie there and ruin the course.

 

[rhatton1]

Looks nice, I'm confused by hole 5 and what line is meant to be taken though.

 

[cox3]

None of this was apparent during our round.

Sure there were the indications here and there of a key tree missing by way of a newish stump, but nothing that made the course obviously all that less difficult.

Seems they cleared everything really nicely and cleaned up well, so kudos to them for course maintenance. It's tough to mark a course down for what are clearly ongoing "maintenance issues" when the other option is just let it all lie there and ruin the course.

I don't know. I only played it 1 time on 1 day ever. I can't go by anything else. I wasn't trying to be negative. Like I said, I thought it was a solid 4.0/excellent course. I was just pointing out what kept it from a higher rating from my point of view.

 

[Jukeshoe]

I don't know. I only played it 1 time on 1 day ever. I can't go by anything else. I wasn't trying to be negative. Like I said, I thought it was a solid 4.0/excellent course. I was just pointing out what kept it from a higher rating from my point of view.

Same here, just spitballing...

 

[Stardoggy]

Wilderness L-L is pretty damn wonderful. If you haven't played that layout, you're kinda missing out on the appeal, IMO. The middle layouts are quite fun, as well. S-S is just an ace run course...albeit a wooded one.

Looking forward to throwing it with brentjacobs next week!

 

[wellsbranch250]

Ill be Wisconsin next month. I'm still fielding course 500 recommendations, although it needs to be within a 90 minute drive of Fond du Lac. (Winter Park, Silver Fox, Grey Fox, Silver Creek, Stoney Creek, Brown Deer and Heistand is what I'm pondering as options thus far.)

Here is the TR top ten (min 5 TR reviews.) Lake Marshall's Lions Layout is rocking a 5.0 with 3 TR reviews.

 

[Stardoggy]

Ill be Wisconsin next month. I'm still fielding course 500 recommendations, although it needs to be within a 90 minute drive of Fond du Lac. (Winter Park, Silver Fox, Grey Fox, Silver Creek, Stoney Creek, Brown Deer and Heistand is what I'm pondering as options thus far.)

Here is the TR top ten (min 5 TR reviews.) Lake Marshall's Lions Layout is rocking a 5.0 with 3 TR reviews.

Scrap Winter Park (I've heard it's in bad shape), Brown Deer (3 of the better holes are off limits due to road construction).

Of that list...man. I'll try to rank IMO.

1. Silver Fox
2. Stoney Creek
3. Grey Fox
4. Silver Creek
5. Heistand

Stoney Creek is apparently getting new baskets/signage soon. Silver/Grey Fox is a super fun day, but can be quite busy after about 10am...especially Grey. Silver Creek is a 36 hole run, with a couple sections that are pretty meh....but it's right on Lake Michigan and also has some highly redeeming qualities. Heistand is always busy. ALWAYS. Heistand and Elver have a similar feel...but again, always busy, as they're right in Madison.

Zobel Park, Wilderness, Rollin' Ridge, Sandy Knoll are all solid options as well.

 

[wellsbranch250]

Of that list...man. I'll try to rank IMO.

1. Silver Fox
2. Stoney Creek
3. Grey Fox
4. Silver Creek
5. Heistand

Zobel Park, Wilderness, Rollin' Ridge, Sandy Knoll are all solid options as well.

Thank you sir. already hit zobel, wilderness and rollin. all of which would have been perfect milestone courses. ill take a look at some Sandy Knoll reviews later today. the name sounds familiar. ive probably looked it up once before.

My original first thought for 500 was to replay Planmann Apple. My first course. but then i quickly realized i would still be at 499 :doh:

 

[whitefedora]

Wilderness L-L is pretty damn wonderful. If you haven't played that layout, you're kinda missing out on the appeal, IMO. The middle layouts are quite fun, as well. S-S is just an ace run course...albeit a wooded one.

Looking forward to throwing it with brentjacobs next week!

I've always wondered what chopped liver felt like. And these aren't tears. Just slicing onions.

 

[Stardoggy]

Thank you sir. already hit zobel, wilderness and rollin. all of which would have been perfect milestone courses. ill take a look at some Sandy Knoll reviews later today. the name sounds familiar. ive probably looked it up once before.

My original first thought for 500 was to replay Planmann Apple. My first course. but then i quickly realized i would still be at 499 :doh:

Sandy Knoll is a damn fine course. Not a ton of elevation, but super fun golf. Disregard recent reviews...it's a solid 4+ course now.

I've always wondered what chopped liver felt like. And these aren't tears. Just slicing onions.

I didn't see you post, good sir. I look forward to some Hilltop Motel action.

 

[nothinbuttree]

Haven't had time to review yet, but we played Silver Fox last week on a last minute Chicagoland day trip (were at Toboggan with 30mph winds and decided we wanted to keep our plastic for another day--which we did, played 3 times later that week).

Anyway, the course play itself is a solid 4.25. Some navigational quirks--we NEVER knew how far away the pin was, or sometimes in what direction, but good shot shape and distance variety, several nice woods holes, some more open (no grip and rip though, you need more specific lines). VERY scenic park. It was 63 and blue skies when we played too, added to our enjoyment. If you are near it, would strongly recommend, plus there are a couple others nearby as well.

 

[Shuie]

Ill be Wisconsin next month. I'm still fielding course 500 recommendations, although it needs to be within a 90 minute drive of Fond du Lac. (Winter Park, Silver Fox, Grey Fox, Silver Creek, Stoney Creek, Brown Deer and Heistand is what I'm pondering as options thus far.)

Here is the TR top ten (min 5 TR reviews.) Lake Marshall's Lions Layout is rocking a 5.0 with 3 TR reviews.

Shu Pond is about 90 minutes from Fond du Lac!! Although, Sandy Knolls or Stoney Creek are a smudge better than my place and much closer.