Courtesy of the club/All in the Timing
Courtesy of the club/All in the Timing
Courtesy of the club/All in the Timing
Courtesy of the club/All in the Timing
University Ridge Golf Course
University Ridge Golf Course
9002 County Road Pd
Verona, WI 53593-9564
United States
Telephone
Overview
University Ridge is the home course of the University of Wisconsin men’s and women’s golf teams, as well as the annual host of the PGA Tour Champions’ American Family Insurance Championship. The front nine at this Robert Trent Jones Jr. design plays through a prairie and marshland before transitioning to wooded holes on the back. The last couple of holes open again to the prairie, including at the par-4 18th, which plays sharply uphill to the highest point on the property.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Best in State: Top 5 in state, 1993-'97, 2001 & 2005; Top 10, 1999. Ranked 14th, 2023-'24. Ranked 15th, 2021-'22. Ranked 17th, 2025-'26.
Previous ranking: 14th.
2025-'26 ranking: 17th.
America's Greatest College Courses: 9th (2023).
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
“One of the best University golf courses in the country. Well worth a visit on the way to or from Sand Valley."
Read More2025
Review
“One of best campus courses in America!"
Read More2025
Review
“Challenging layout that really rewards good, well placed shots. Large enough fairways and greens that mostly funnel toward inward from the edges. There are several false fronts and runoff areas to be aware of. A really good variety of lengths and uphill and downhill shots to really test not only your shot making, but your creativity as well."
Read More2023
Review
“A very solid college golf course from RTJ II in a golf mad state - likely top 5-10. Set in the rolling hills above Madison was a very pleasant experience despite the stifling Midwest heat the day we played. A stern test from the tips at 7,286 but still playable for golfers of other skill sets as witnessed in my foursome. The bentgrass fairways and greens were hemmed in by native areas and think bluegrass rough. Favorite holes were long par 3 over the native marsh on 3 followed by very long uphill par 4 4th. Great variety on the front 9 with 3 of everything. The back 9 was much different terrain as the holes were carved out of the woodlands and played much more difficult than the front. Conditioning was very good, greens were a little bit soft and on the slower side but to be expected with the week long heat wave of temps in the upper 90s. I would enjoy playing this course again at some point and for the residents and students in the area, this is a great place to be able to play regularly."
Read More2022
Review
“The home of the University of Wisconsin Badgers! This course is both challenging and fun with 2 completely different 9's. Front nine more links style and open, back nine is carved out of a forest."
Read More2022
Review
“University Ridge is an excellent public course in the heart of Madison. You can see the practical way it can serve as a teaching ground for the university team with so many different types of holes and shots required. Some very standout holes both in terms of elevation and layout."
Read More2021
Review
“Fun and challenging course, great condition in the rolling hills of Wisconsin. You'll have a great time playing here, home of the University of Wisconsin team, great range and practice facility."
Read More2019
Review
“I was really looking forward to playing this course having heard it was home to the University of Wisconsin men's and women's golf teams and the site for the Champions Tour American Family Insurance event - it did not disappoint! It's one of those courses that when you walk off the 18th green, you're thinking to yourself " I just played a really, really good golf course and would love to play it again". Robert Trent Jones Jr. who designed this course which opened in 1991 must have been smiling when he first saw this property which provided a perfect combination of rolling hills, valleys, and woodlands. While you better bring your "A" driving game to this course, make sure your thinking cap is in working order and not encumbered by having too much fun the night before. I arrived at each tee box with the anticipation of "What's next", and how am I going to handle the next move in this chess game with University Ridge. As you map your strategy for each hole you are constantly distracted by the beautiful scenery which is smiling at you, just waiting to steal any errant shot. One of the few courses I've played where I was impressed with every hole, and how they complimented the landscape. While I am not a Green Bay Packer fan, it's impossible not to be impressed with the number of great golf courses in Wisconsin!"
Read More2018
