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From our Directory of the most recommended golf courses
Blackwolf Run Golf Course
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Blackwolf Run is part of the American Club owned by Kohler, and was the first set of two 18 hole courses here. The two courses, River and Meadows are located inland, as opposed to the Irish and Whistling Straits on Lake Michigan. Pete Dye designed both courses here pretty much with the existing lay of the land, terrain, and vegetation. The River Course is target type golf, with tree lined fairways, small landing areas, and a good amount of the characteristic Dye bunkering. It can play to 7000 yards, with a 151 slope, and is the toughest course of the lot. It's a classic risk/reward type course that provides you with alternatives to the hole, the more aggressive choice the greater potential for either a lower or higher score, depending on your execution. Meadow Valley is more of a resort type layout, there is some strength to the course layout, with a couple especially tough holes, but on par it's a much easier course than the River. From the back tees, it's just over 7100 yards with a 143 slope, but there are a total of five sets of tees. Both of these courses still command some high greens fees, like Whistling Straits and the Irish, but there are many other alternatives in the general area with quality layouts like these, at half the price.
Published by: Marco
Posted by: Seamus
Jun 7th, 2010
The course was in amazing shape, but it was a little pricey at $144. #1's tee shot is now my favorite opening shot of any course I've played, with the front side an excellent test, but the back nine however was a little more difficult even though I birdied 14. I ended up shooting 82. When we walked back into the clubhouse they asked if we wanted to replay it. We t-d off at 7:30 and were done at 11. So we asked if the Irish course over at Whistling Straits was open for the after, and there was nobody there, only saw 2 groups on the Straits. Was not as impressed with the Irish course. A couple nice holes but nothing to shout about. To many man made lakes for me on a "links" setup. The rates jump back up over $200 June 6 so if you wanna play, go now!!!
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Posted by: PhilD
Jul 1st, 2009
Just a heads up, they're planning on closing a number of the holes on the Meadow Valleys and River Courses here over the next couple of years to get the course ready for the 2012 US Women's Open. They will still have 18 holes available to play, just a combination of holes from each course.
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Posted by: dannyp
Jun 18th, 2009
The River course review by Dan Perry My first tip is to play the correct set of tees. Every time we’ve played the River course, we’ve seen fisherman in the river, and this time was no exception. As we teed off on the first hole (the only true “reachable” par 5), there was a fly fisherman in the river on the left. The first and second holes are pretty tame, but don’t be fooled; this is a Pete Dye design. The third hole is named “Gotcha”, and is the #1 handicap hole on the River course. The tee shot is fairly open, but the approach gets tighter and tighter to a small green surrounded by lots of trouble. In addition, there is a deep bunker that borders most of the right side of the fairway. Don’t be a hero on this hole; the River course is all about restraint. The 4th hole is called “Swan Lake”, but should be called “Gutshot”, especially if you play a draw, like me. All water on the right, and when I played, the pin was back right too. Of course, being the sucker I am, I went for it and just missed, taking a 5 on the hole. Taking a cart on this course comes in handy, because the distance between the 4th green and fifth tee is pretty long. Not a mile or anything, but definitely made for a cart. The fifth hole is easily one of my favorite holes. The best part is that as you approach in your cart, you can’t see the fairway until you get out, grab a club, and walk towards the tee Then almost surprisingly, the hole opens up, and it’s one of those experiences that is hard to explain to a non-golfer. The wide open fairway… the trouble spots… the beauty of the river itself, and the outstanding view. It all comes together to make you happy you’re a golfer.Making you’re way around the front 9, the eighth is another great par 5. Lots of room to the left, but if you hit it a little right, it may not be OB. You could be pleasantly surprised from the extreme slope of the right-hand side of the fairway. There is a split fairway for the second half of this par 5, so choose your path wisely. The green is small, and there is no room behind it; it drops off to the river. Making par here is something to be rewarded. The 9th is another pure Pete Dye hole, called Cathedral Spires. The smart play (trust me, I’ve tried both smart and dumb plays here), is to hit an iron or hybrid to the left. There is a very thin strip of fairway that borders the water, and honestly the green is potentially reachable (only 316 from the blues). Don’t succumb to Pete’s trickery! Par is good all day long on this course. Take them when you can.The 11th is another one of my favorite holes (I think I have 4 total) on the River Course at Blackwolf Run. It bends around the Sheboygan River, making it a definite three shot par 5. The tough choice is the second shot. If (and that’s a big IF) you hit the fairway on your tee shot, you’ll need to decide how much of the hole to cut off. Again… play it safe! A par here is like a birdie anywhere else. The par three 13th hole is called Tall Timber for good reason; there are huge trees on the left side. Add that to the fact that the prevailing wind blows left-to-right, and there’s water bordering the right side of the hole, and you have yourself one of the toughest par 3’s in Wisconsin. The 16th is another favorite. It reminds me a little of the 5th, where the hole just opens up, and slaps you in the face with its beauty, but be warned; it’s a vile temptress indeed. After the tee shot, the hole is downhill to a green that is perched about 20 feet above the river. The finishing hole is pure Pete Dye, and apply named “Dyehard”. Lots of sand on the left, complete with plenty of railroad ties, a signature of Pete that is seen on every golf course at Kohler. The green doubles as the 18th green for the Meadows Valley course as well, so when you see two flags sticking out of it, be sure to aim for the closer one. The clubhouse after the round is easily one of the most peaceful places on the course, and you get the added advantage of seeing folks hit their final approach shot on two different courses into the same green.
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