The Golf Courses of Lawsonia: Woodlands
Green Lake, WI•Public
Panelists Score
The Golf Courses of Lawsonia: Woodlands
W2615 S Valley View Dr
Green Lake, WI 54941
United States
Telephone
Overview
Compared to its sibling Links course—a member of our 100 Greatest Public list—the Woodlands is a parkland layout with dramatic elevation changes and beautiful views of Green Lake. In 2021, the course underwent an extensive renovation which included bunker redesigns, rebuilding of green surrounds on all 18 holes and tree clearing and trimming throughout the course. Still, many holes are narrow and tree-lined, placing a premium on accuracy.
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Golf Digest 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
“Shot Options The Woodlands is appropriately named, as just about every hole is surrounded by trees. Combined with the elevation changes and varying hole directions, this requires players to hit a variety of shots. A stock shot won’t always work here. You need to be able to move the ball through the trees and, when you find trouble, adjust your trajectory to get out of it. There are a few risk-reward holes where you can take on more aggressive lines, whether with driver off the tee or by attempting to reach a par 5 in two. But the conservative route is also available, and you aren’t punished for laying back. I found the course entirely fair and open to a variety of approaches. Challenge The biggest hurdle is navigating the trees. Spray the ball, and you’re in for a long day. The course also isn’t short. Several par 4s were long enough to require a long iron, hybrid, or fairway wood to reach the green in regulation, putting a premium on ball striking and accuracy with those clubs. Bunkers positioned close to the greens and pins added another layer of difficulty. Some greens also had substantial movement, making putting challenging. From the wrong side of a ridge or too far from the hole, saving par was far from guaranteed. Layout Variety The Woodlands scores well in layout variety. None of the holes are flat; each plays uphill, downhill, or offers some combination of the two. I appreciated that diversity. The course does show a slight preference for holes that move left or play straight, however. Only two holes offered a combination of directions, while just three moved to the right. Aesthetics Carved out of a forest, the Woodlands is beautiful. Each hole feels secluded from the others, surrounded by dense forest. With its towering pines, it has the feel of a course you might find in the Sandhills of the Carolinas. The strategic placement of bunkers and varying topography only add to the experience. Conditions The Woodlands was in good shape. Drives received some rollout, though not a tremendous amount. The fairways, greens, and rough were beautiful, with only a few spotty patches. More importantly, the greens rolled well and were true to line. Character Lawsonia as a whole is all about golf. The property is a testament to the Golden Era of golf architecture and has a historic feel that keeps the focus squarely on the game. Fun Despite the challenge of so many long approaches, the Woodlands is a fun round. Scoring can be difficult, but it’s enjoyable to play architecture from another era and see how my game stacks up against it."
Read More2026
Review
“Fun course if you know the lines to take off the tee. Elevated tee boxes make for some dramatic par 3 and par 4 holes. Very receptive greens that rolled true."
Read More2026
Review
“Challenge off the tee moderate, but more difficult on holes that run through the woods. Green were fair and receptive. Wind was down, but prevailing wind would make for some long irons into a few par 4s."
Read More2026
Review
“Drastic difference from its big brother, the Links which abuts the Woodlands. Significant elevation changes routed through mature woods. The little downhill par 3, #3 is perhaps the highlight of the round. Redesigned 18th, a shortened par 5, has allowed for a 19th hole playing to the original 18th green, to settle any outstanding wagers, on your buddy's trip."
Read More2023
Review
“A second course on this property which was much more friendly in both challenge and scoring."
Read More2023
Review
“Much better after the renovation. If you are straight off the tee you can score here regardless of length."
Read More2023
