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Ryan Hillenbrand

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Kohler Visit
« on: May 05, 2014, 06:38:12 PM »
I'm making my first trip in July and playing 3 rounds. The Straits and River are planned for sure. Should the 3rd round be Irish or Meadows Valley?

Thanks for the input

John Kavanaugh

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Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #1 on: May 05, 2014, 06:42:28 PM »
I have never been. I'm curious why with all the other great options available, why are you?

Nigel Islam

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Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2014, 07:11:17 PM »
I skipped both and played Lawsonia and Erin Hills. Neither disappointed. I'd like to get back to Wisconsin and see Milwaukee and Blue Mound. I think I would take a pass on Irish right or wrong.

Nigel Islam

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Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #3 on: May 05, 2014, 07:15:12 PM »
John, Straits is a very nice course. It's worth the drive.

Bart Bradley

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Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #4 on: May 05, 2014, 07:23:20 PM »
I'm making my first trip in July and playing 3 rounds. The Straits and River are planned for sure. Should the 3rd round be Irish or Meadows Valley?

Thanks for the input

Either is decent.  Agreed that Lawsonia links is much better and architecturally an education.

Bart

Jim Tang

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Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #5 on: May 05, 2014, 07:43:33 PM »
Ryan -

Meadow Valleys has some of the best holes to be found on any of the Kohler properties.  I would go with MV.

Rees Milikin

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Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #6 on: May 05, 2014, 07:51:31 PM »
I skipped both and played Lawsonia and Erin Hills. Neither disappointed. I'd like to get back to Wisconsin and see Milwaukee and Blue Mound. I think I would take a pass on Irish right or wrong.

I am going to be doing exactly what Nigel did during the first week of July and if you are in town, let's meet up for a round.

Nigel, Blue Mound and Milwaukee CC would be a nice couple of rounds.

Chris DeToro

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #7 on: May 05, 2014, 09:14:43 PM »
If you want to stay on property, I would definitely go for the MV course--the couple Women's Opens at Blackwolf Run have been on a composite course of the River and MV and there are some great holes out there

But if you want to venture out, Erin Hills is really good

Ryan Hillenbrand

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #8 on: May 05, 2014, 09:41:32 PM »
I'm going to try my best to squeeze in Erin Hills. Its a father son trip and my dad isnt quite as eager as I.

I hope to visit Lawsonia on a return trip to see Sand Valley one day

John Kavanaugh

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Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #9 on: May 05, 2014, 10:10:30 PM »
If Dad is paying go to Kohler. Lawsonia is for chumps on a budget. I'll go to Kohler the minute it is free.

Ian Mackenzie

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Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #10 on: May 05, 2014, 10:17:57 PM »
The Straits course is worth playing twice.
If wanting to play a different course, then I suggest the MV over the Irish for sure.

Then again, For me,  at that price point, I would go to Pinehurst or Pebble.

Matt Bielawa

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Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #11 on: May 05, 2014, 10:19:06 PM »
The back nine at MV is very solid.  The front nine....meh.  The back nine makes the MV worth playing though, and I wouldn't say there's anything as strong on the Irish, so MV would get my vote.

Nigel Islam

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Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #12 on: May 05, 2014, 11:07:38 PM »
If Dad is paying go to Kohler. Lawsonia is for chumps on a budget. I'll go to Kohler the minute it is free.

+1

Chris DeToro

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #13 on: May 06, 2014, 07:58:03 AM »
I'm going to try my best to squeeze in Erin Hills. Its a father son trip and my dad isnt quite as eager as I.

I hope to visit Lawsonia on a return trip to see Sand Valley one day

My dad and I made the same trip over Father's Day a few years ago.  We were quite eager and played both the Straits course and the composite BR course in the same day so we could make it back home.  While it was an exhausting day getting beat up both physically and mentally, I wouldn't change a thing

You guys will have a great time

Jud_T

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #14 on: May 06, 2014, 08:47:13 AM »
Meadow easily over the Irish.  Lawsonia over either.
Golf is a game. We play it. Somewhere along the way we took the fun out of it and charged a premium to be punished.- - Ron Sirak

Jason Thurman

  • Karma: +1/-0
Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #15 on: May 06, 2014, 09:24:23 AM »
Play a morning round at Meadow-Valleys after a dinner heavy on beer, cheese, and sausage the night before. By the time you start feeling human again, you'll be standing on the 10th green and ready for one of the best stretches of golf you'll ever see.

I'll second other recommendations for other courses, but it's tough to choose when you're in Wisconsin. The four Kohler courses, Lawsonia, and Erin Hills are all really very good. It would be hard for me to choose how to split 10 rounds between those six, aside from skipping the Irish (despite the fact that I actually like it quite a bit). There is an argument to talk your father into Lawsonia though. It's easy to get Dye'd out in Kohler, especially for someone who isn't an architecture nut and just wants to play golf. Lawsonia is just plain fun. I lived in Wisconsin for several years, and Lawsonia is by far the most popular "destination course" in the state among avid golfers who have no idea what a redan is. Part of that is probably related to its price and accessibility, but you shouldn't feel like it's a course that your father would tolerate while you pulled your architectural beard. It's just a really fun golf course.

Though John makes a good point. If your father is footing the bill, stay in Kohler and keep trying to talk him into that round at Erin Hills. Save Lawsonia for a time when you're paying on your own.
"There will always be haters. That’s just the way it is. Hating dudes marry hating women and have hating ass kids." - Evan Turner

Some of y'all have never been called out in bold green font and it really shows.

Matt Glore

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #16 on: May 06, 2014, 09:34:55 AM »
Meadow Valley


Andy Troeger

Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #17 on: May 06, 2014, 09:52:47 AM »
Pretty much stating the same thing the rest have said...

Meadow Valley over the Irish, because the last seven holes are as good as anything at the resort. The River Course is my favorite in Wisconsin over Milwaukee, Lawsonia, and the Straits. All four of those are excellent though! Haven't played Erin Hills.

Lawsonia is well worth the side trip and is definitely ahead of Meadow Valley or Irish IMO.

Terry Lavin

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #18 on: May 06, 2014, 10:14:17 AM »
Erin Hills.
Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people.  H.L. Mencken

Ryan Hillenbrand

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #19 on: May 06, 2014, 10:21:10 AM »
Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like I should re-arrange the trip a bit to squeeze in Lawsonia. And we'll do Meadow Valley over Irish.

John K- we're going halfsies on this one. He picked up the tab at Pebble last year. Next year its Scotland, hopefully followed by Pinehurst. He's 71 and these are all first time places for him. I'm forcing him to expand his horizons beyond Florida and St. Louis, and spend some quality time together while we have the chance.

RJ_Daley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #20 on: May 06, 2014, 10:26:08 AM »
Another key factor nobody mentioned but considering his age, is walking in heat/humidity of July.  You can takea cart at MV or Lawsonia.  The straits will possibly wear him out.  EH may be walking only and a strenuous hike. 
No actual golf rounds were ruined or delayed, nor golf rules broken, in the taking of any photographs that may be displayed by the above forum user.

Jud_T

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #21 on: May 06, 2014, 10:26:56 AM »
Ryan,

Good on ya.  I did a trip to Pebble with my dad while he was still able and it was a great time and even better memories.  You will not be disappointed by Lawsonia, regardless of what JK says.  Personally, I'd take it over any of the Kohler courses.  As Steve Salmen once said "If this course was on Long Island, an exclusive pivate and in tip top shape, guys would be wetting themselves over it" (paraphrasing).  Once you factor in price it's a no-brainer.  Erin Hills is very good, although not very good value.  Erin Hills is walking only and is a very long, tough walk as well.
« Last Edit: May 06, 2014, 12:39:51 PM by Jud_T »
Golf is a game. We play it. Somewhere along the way we took the fun out of it and charged a premium to be punished.- - Ron Sirak

Ken Fry

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #22 on: May 06, 2014, 10:28:41 AM »
Just got back from Kohler.  Only course I haven't played is Meadow Valley.  I agree with Andy the River Course is wonderful.  Irish has too many strange holes or duds for me to play again.  Straits was great to play and experience but not a place I'll rush back to.  Straits needs multiple plays to appreciate and unfortunately that's not something I'll be doing.

If there's time, head to Lawsonia.  Lawsonia still ranks as one off the most enjoyable courses I've been on.

Erin Hills I could take or leave.  I played the course about 4 renovations ago so I'm sure there will be a lot of new things to see.

I'll be crucified on here but if you're in Kohler and looking for an alternative to The American Club, look at The Bull at Pinehurst Farms.  The first few holes are open and won't blow your socks off but the rest of the course is wonderful.

Ken

John Kavanaugh

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Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #23 on: May 06, 2014, 10:34:11 AM »
Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like I should re-arrange the trip a bit to squeeze in Lawsonia. And we'll do Meadow Valley over Irish.

John K- we're going halfsies on this one. He picked up the tab at Pebble last year. Next year its Scotland, hopefully followed by Pinehurst. He's 71 and these are all first time places for him. I'm forcing him to expand his horizons beyond Florida and St. Louis, and spend some quality time together while we have the chance.

That really sounds great.  At 71 he is too old for Lawsonia.  It is a dump and he sounds like he enjoys the finer things in life besides architecture.  Reminds me of the time I took my parents to my favorite Mexican restaurant in Waukegan, Illinois.  When a large gentleman walked in with a knife strapped to his boot they lost their appetite.  Sometimes it's not about the food.  Hell, I'm only 54 and wouldn't go back.

Honestly, he would love Erin Hills.  The geological history and accoutrements are enough to stimulate the most traveled of golfers.  Personally I doubt that I will ever return given the changes from its first opening.  The removal of the Dell hole is a monument to everything that is wrong with the magazine mentality that strives for all courses to look the same.

Jud_T

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kohler Visit
« Reply #24 on: May 06, 2014, 10:39:20 AM »
If Lawsonia is a dump, then I'm a 20 year old flat belly who carries the ball 310.  Hell, they even serve beer now...Your dad would have to be one of the fittest 71 year olds I've ever met to enjoy walking Erin Hills, even if the pro shop, bar and lodging meets some's standards.
« Last Edit: May 06, 2014, 10:44:08 AM by Jud_T »
Golf is a game. We play it. Somewhere along the way we took the fun out of it and charged a premium to be punished.- - Ron Sirak