Links at Lawsonia Golf Course

I had played both courses multiple times (15 years ago) before all the attention and marketing drove the golf trophy hunters to Green Lake. I brought a group of good California golfers to the courses I loved and wanted them to experience these two distinct tracks on one property. We did play in cold/windy weather 49 at tee-off). However, that's not the issue. The LINKS were our first round and the first hole revealed the general deterioration of the course conditions. The first 5 holes were being renovated so no sand in the bunkers. Understandable that this late in the season these issues were being dealt with. However, from there on I noticed that the fairways had more bare patches that detracted from the general beauty of the course I knew. The dirt cart paths resulted in plumes of dust thrown into the wind making one feel the whole course was a construction site. The point is these muni conditions at this point in the season shanked the ranking this course has somehow received in the last five years. On the greens, conditions were extremely firm and the pin positions in severely sloped placements as one finds late in the season on a muni. The design is the defense of this course, To make putting an even greater challenge due to sloped pins removed the thrill of a GIR when we had one. Overall, I agree with other reviewers. The LINKS is worn out this late in the 2023 season and thus the greens fees should compensate for that. The LINKS in perfect condition is amazing and a good value. However, in this condition...disappointing. One birdie from the group.

The WOODLANDS was in spectacular condition and virtually empty of players. This course is every bit as challenging as I recalled from 10 years ago with a few new changes that I consider an improvement. No crazy pin positions, good condition tee boxes and firm fairways and greens. A brilliant experience. The residential development around the course was a surprise given that this had been a spartan environment due to the former owners/management of the property. It's clear that Lawsonia has become a destination and is preparing for a monied clientele. The WOODLANDS redeemed the visit to Lawsonia. Six birdies from the group during the round. The WOODLANDS was the stand-out and a solid value in every respect.

The clubhouse, restaurant and proshop at Lawsonia are unchanged in 30 years. Not that this means a charming vintage vibe unless you like late 70's driving range mojo. The staff was truly hospitable Wisconsin locals seemingly somewhat worn out by what must have been a crazy 2023 season of play. Do not expect a country club experience like Wisconsin's more pricey proximate destinations. This is both good and bad news.The carts have no GPS. Somewhat amazing at these prices. If Lawsonia is to live up to the hype, the LINKS course is the first priority. We might have caught them exhausted after a marathon season, but the LINKS had better get its renovations in place or other reviewers will remark on the same issues. Lawsonia, keep the local feel to the place. However, visitors need to understand that whistling straight to the hills might make the sand in the valley a bogey not a day on the Lido.

We played the Links on Aug 8, the course is burnt out, very brown, ball rolls out a long way. I get that we do have a drought but maybe try to use the sprinklers? Stay away for a month. Woodlands was in great condition, as was Mascoutin, highly recommend if you havent played it, great course, great condition.

I'm a huge L&M fan and have been fortunate to play many other courses designed and built by them. For example - Spring Valley and Kankakee Elks are staples for me that I play a few times every season. I always have a smile on my face making the 3 hour drive to Green Lake and Lawsonia.

Links is just so much old school fun it's a 5 star plus. And I rarely if ever hand out 5 stars on Golf Advisor.

Punched up greens with incredibly deep traps and drop offs - if you play conservatively/hit to middle of greens/don't short side/chip and putt decently you'll score well. You do have to play Links more than once - just to understand where to play to and club correctly. You can hit many different types of approach shots Bubba Watson shot creativity is often rewarded by Bill & Ted. Course was in great shape playing hard and fast as it should be. A first timer was with me very good with a short stick - had shock and awe at just how sneaky the Wyld Stallyns greens are. You'll absolutely hit some putts where you say - it breaks that way??

Several Links rounds under my belt - I find each play is always an excellent adventure. If I lived anywhere close to this place I'd definitely make this my home course. Wonderful that it still exists and fantastic the track was brought back to original as built glory. Highly recommended - a course any proficient golfer should absolutely visit and savor.

The Links Course at Lawsonia is one of my favorite courses I've played. It truly gets better every single time I play it. I last reviewed the Links in 2019, and I wanted to post an update with current thoughts.

The conditions at Lawsonia Links are the best I've ever seen. The course is playing fast and firm, and the greens are rolling really true.

The greens are incredibly interesting with so many possible pin placements. On the day we played they had an event on the course, so we were challenged with some very difficult pins. But this only made the course more fun!

I can't recommend Lawsonia Links highly enough. It's a great value, especially the All-Day rate. I will continue to go back as often as I can!

So much love out there for Lawsonia hate being (slightly) critical. Don't get me wrong it's a extremely fun course, the staff was great, the quirks are worth the visit and the value is second to none. But I would call it more Links "style" as the fairways while somewhat firm do not roll like a true links. Greens and tee boxes were pretty beat up, but again for the price, I'm not complaining. Driving range was closed as the picker was short parts they couldn't get, but who really cares it's all about the golf. Box car # 7 is super fun, as are so many approach shots. Do wish they'd cut the rough down was impossible to see a ball unless you're on top of it, and the whites @ ~6500 yards with the large greens made it play much more than 6500. In the afternoon for our second 18 we made it to # 12 and there were 4 groups on the hole at the same time, and thus cut our round short.

Lawsonia Links has incredible scale and visual deception is everywhere. It's amazing how well it holds up to the modern game. Despite being manufactured, it fits very well with the land and tests you around every corner. The conditions were a little soft and the pace of play was a little slower than I'd like, but I still had a blast and would definitely return. It's a pretty special golf course.

I was really looking forward to playing Lawsonia, but after playing it, I left wondering what I missed? I found myself bored by the layout and pace of play was terrible. I’d rather play Whistling Straits/Blackwolf Run or Sand Valley any day.

Second time I played here, great reputation, great service, good price, course conditions were very good, speedy round. Be aware before you play here, most of the holes have elevated greens, up 10-20 feet above fairway height, with very steep heavily grassed banks. So if you cannot make a high shot with soft landing you will be asked to make difficult pitch shots to the green on most of the holes. The greens are hard, fast and true; they do not hold anything but a perfect approach shot. I'm a 14 handicap with pretty good pitch shot skills, and it was very hard to get shots to hold the green.

The course was in great condition and beautiful. It is fair and fun to play. The greens are challenging. The staff is friendly and helpful. This is a must play for anybody.

Course was scenic and in excellent condition
cart paths were a little rough
Several tees allowed flexibility for different levels and weather conditions
Greens were definitely the signature feature with varied undulations and crowning
Elevation changes added variety
No water hazards, but fescue and moderate rough
Well worth a trip and two different courses to add options

Just absolutely love this course, very challenging but fair. Every time I’m near Lawsonia I try to golf this course, You won’t be disappointed

A must play in South Central Wisconsin. The length is very manageable...stay out of the long grass. Made a snaking 50 footer...which makes sense because you see a lot of those. Greens were in good shape. Massive. The front 9 has several old barns that really give you the links feel. The back has wonderful views of the country and course.

Classic Langford & Moreau course with a wonderful restoration by Ron Forse. The greens defy description. The boxcar 7th green has to be seen in person. I am a huge fan of Bill Langford courses and this is his best.

Playing the Links at Lawsonia can ellicit all sorts of reactions. For some, it can be a spiritual golf awakening. For others, it can feel like a tricked up plot of prairie land. For me, it was just exceptional golf at an exceptional value.

The theme of Lawsonia is the bunkering and accompanied raised greens. And much like a Star Wars film you either love it and want more (and get more) of it or you don't. Unlike the sci-fi movies, it may take you a few holes to decide which side of the deep, oblong sand trap and steep-sided greens your opinion falls.

The "Boxcar" hole is many golfers' favorite, the par-3 7th with the steepest bank I've ever climbed up to a green. My other favorites were the roley-poley par-5 13th and the beautifully sculpted par-4 17th. I wasn't a huge fan of the blind tee shots right off the bat on #1 and #2, but it's a minor critique to an otherwise awesome layout. There's a great variety of holes and shots to play and the course will keep you entertained round after round.

I played the course as part of a 16-player group and the staff handled our event with friendliness and professionalism. They even extended us an invitation to play as much as we could in the waning light of the evening in a 10-player super-scramble. It was perhaps the highlight of our entire 4-day trip to Wisconsin!

For those looking for a unique golf experience but not wanting to break the bank, look no further than Lawsonia. It will not disappoint!