Geneva National Resort & Club: Palmer Course
Geneva National Resort & Club: Palmer Course
1221 Geneva National Ave S
Lake Geneva, WI 53147-4904
United States
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Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
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Character
Challenge
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Aesthetics
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Reviews
Review
“The Palmer Course at Geneva National is an enjoyable golf course. Palmer starts by offering holes that are scorable and will allow you to ease into the round. Towards the middle and end, the challenge increases and presents a more stern test. Throughout the round, the player is given the choice of choosing the appropriate club from the tee. You can smash the driver or navigate the course with a more conservative approach. Palmer leaves the option to the player. The greater challenge is into the green where bunkers, water hazards, and fall off areas make scoring harder. Palmer's design is balanced for challenge but also layout variety with good mix of short, medium, and long length holes moving in all directions. He also incorporated several doglegs which allows for a straight shot from the tee and then move into the green, or vice versa. There are also a number of blind shots that keep the player on their toes. That diversity of design was enjoyable. As Geneva National has grown, there are more homes on the course. Their presence does infringe on the aesthetics though it is still a beautiful course and setting. Conditioning was solid. Fairways were in fine shape, the rough was dense, and greens rolled well. While golf is an element of Geneva National, it is not the primary purpose. Instead, the character is best described as a community with golf as one of the primary activities in driving camaraderie. Having not played the Palmer course in about 20 years, this course is a testament to Palmer's solid design. The course remains as enjoyable and challenging now as it was then."
Read More2025
Review
“This is a great course that is a must play. Very tight course that is in great condition. Large greens with a lot of movement. This is a must play if you can. Great clubhouse with a fantastic range and 27 hole lighted putting green."
Read More2025
Review
“I have played it multiple times since it opened in the early 1990’s. It has appeared on our list from time to time and it is back on after a recent restoration/renovation. Brandon Johnson who worked with Palmer when the course was designed modified four greens that were severe when the green speeds were fast. The 1st, 2nd, 6th and 14th. He also modified the green complexes on these holes as well. All done very well and provided a fairer test. Still tough greens with their slopes but fair. I also liked how the course as it plays hardwoods (a little Northern Michigan feel), and it has some open holes as well. It ends with the final holes with views of Lake Como and the par 5 17th plays alongside it at 568 yards. The terrain makes this course fun to play and challenging and provides shot options. When putting you have to look at the surrounds to determine the break and if you are going up or downhill. Sometimes its difficult to tell. The best stretch for me is the approach to the par 4 11th at 422 yards that is slightly uphill. The slight dog leg left 12th at 387 yards that the fairway sits above the tee box and then the approach is basically all carry to a green slightly below the fairway. The 13th is a downhill 175 yards par 3 with water to the right of the green."
Read More2024
Review
“Enjoyable course with good shot options, some greens slope front to back, hole 3 is a difficult par 3"
Read More2023
Review
“The Palmer course is probably the most enjoyable of the three Geneva National courses. Not as difficult at Player course, but just as interesting and a great use of the terrain. Palmer challenges you to take a risk and the reward is often worth it but for the higher handicapper it is often better to be prudent. The holes on the Palmer course are very well framed and the hole challenge is easy to see. He made better use of the woods than the other two courses and while water is in play, it is not as penal as the Player course. Lake Como on the closing holes adds to the character of the course. Play it smart and you'll score well."
Read More2022
