Milwaukee Country Club
River Hills, WI • Private
Evan Schiller/Courtesy of the club
Evan Schiller/Courtesy of the club
Evan Schiller/Courtesy of the club
Evan Schiller/Courtesy of the club
Courtesy of the club
Courtesy of Paul Hundley
Overview
With much of the course hard against the Milwaukee River and several holes subject to flooding (the green of the 12th and the entire 13th are located across the river), one might think Milwaukee Country Club is a flat layout. But many of its holes are surprisingly hilly. Its classic design is still tree-lined, but one of the crucial improvements recently made by consulting architect Tom Doak and his associate Don Placek was to remove many trees to open up views of the river from upland holes.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked 1966-'68, 1989-2024.
2023-'24 Ranking: 86th.
Previous ranking: 70th.
Highest Ranking: 40th, 2003-'04.
Best in State: Ranked Top 5 in Wisconsin since 1989.
2023-'24 ranking: 3rd.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“"I was really excited to see this place and really underwhelmed by the course. It's presented really well and really uniquely in the way the fairways run directly into the bunkers and the way fairways wrap around the giant bunkers. The bunkers themselves are incredibly striking and they almost feel like waves the way they rise up from the ground. They're very cool - however the course itself feels a little bland. Perhaps it's how massive the features are, or perhaps I was expecting more ""over-the-top"" bunkering and the layout of the course just isn't as flashy as how the bunkers look. I do think the greens were great and would be a blast to play from day to day, just came away underwhelmed - the first tee is a great one, just steps out of the pro shop - the first couple holes, while solid, do leave that little bit of underwhelming taste - the course picks up steam at the 8th, 8 thru 14 are all incredible and even though they never play tight to the river, use the river really interestingly well - the 11th especially is great as is the 13th - 16, 17 and 18 are all kind of ball-busters, so the course kind of runs out of sizzle which helps accentuate the underwhelming taste - writing the review, it sounds like a negative experience, but it's an incredible place, not negative in the slightest. It just in the terms of a historical stalwart in the top 100 of golf, it doesn't have the same pizzaz as others I've played such as Seminole, Fishers Island or Shoreacres - the clubhouse and locker room are one of the best in golf""
Read More2024
Review
“Fantastic walk... tree removal and opening up views of river holes and river views is fantastic! One of the coolest locker rooms!"
Read More2024
Review
“Excellent course just north of Milwaukee. A treat to play along with the several other great designs Wisconsin has to offer."
Read More2024
Review
“If you have access to Milwaukee Country Club it is a worthwhile stop and an enjoyable, challenging course to play. Despite being tree lined the wide fairways provide golfers with a variety of shots options off the tee and into the greens. The course is challenging for low handicap golfers yet not excessively penal to high handicappers. The routing makes for a good course to walk, elevation changes provide a mix of uphill and downhill shots and there are a variety of hazards including the Milwaukee River for players to negotiate. Course is very well conditioned with many memorable holes."
Read More2024
Review
“Really good long challenging golf course! Classic very well conditioned championship golf course. Best golf in the area!"
Read More2023
Review
“Like a beautiful lady who never tires of being so as she ages. Bunkers are visually stimulating, especially as they surround some of he greens and corners of dog legs. Only 2 sets of tees."
Read More2023
Review
“Milwaukee has always been in the top 100 old golf courses in America. They have had challenges with their bunkers and lately they’re greens . New billy bunkers will be put in during September and they are working hard to get the greens under control. It is a class act club and a treat to play. It has a great caddy program and is a wonderful walking course"
Read More2023
Review
“Some of the best bunkers you will find anywhere. Great routing and beautiful scenery A must play"
Read More2022
Review
“Bunkering is very challenging, unique, and provides great character to this Colt/Allison design. Large and diverse green complexes. Beautiful views of the Milwaukee River throughout the back 9. Locker room takes you back in time and is one of the best in golf. #9 although one of the shortest par 4's on the course will demand a very precise wedge into most pin positions due to the false front, bunkering, and overall back to front slope of the green complex. Some dramatic elevation changes on the first 10 holes which was surprising for the overall area of Milwaukee."
Read More2022
