Wild Rock Golf Club is one of Wisconsin’s best kept secrets. The golf course will challenge all skills delivering amazing views and course conditions. In this Wild Rock golf course review, I will cover why golfers should make the trek to the center of the state.
Course Background
I was today years old when I learned Wild Rock Golf Club and Erin Hills shared the same golf course architects. The team of Hurdzan and Fry opened Wild Rock Golf Club in 2008. After researching for this blog, I found the course architect team have several other top names in their portfolio.
Wild Rock is a perennial host to WSGA tournaments due to its course design, conditioning and challenge. The golf course is often overlooked by out-of-state visitors due to its location. Wild Rock is about 50 miles north of Madison, WI and 120 miles from downtown Milwaukee, WI.
Golf Course Playability
Wild Rock blends a challenging course with playability for all skill levels. Golfers will find minimal forced carries and limited water on the golf course. The majority of the greens can be missed short without penalty.
The greens are one of the standout features of Wild Rock. While accessible, the greens’ undulation with false fronts and run off areas will challenge all golfers. In some cases, the greens will have shaved areas with tight lies. Golfers will need to bring their chipping game.
The golf course stretches out to over 7,400 yards with a course rating of 76.1! Golfers can find the right challenge with five sets of tees.
Wild Rock is set up to be a riding cart only golf course. Holes spread throughout the grounds with significant distance between. I wish the property was a bit more condensed to promote walking.
Wild Rock Experience
Wild Rock Golf Club is part of The WIlderness Resort located in Wisconsin Dells. The Wilderness Resort is one of America’s largest waterparks. It offers various lodging such as hotels, cabins and villas. A great family experience.
The Wild Rock golf course staff are accommodating and customer-focused. They carry on resort vibes. Every person from the pro shop, bartenders, and starter crew were top notch. When arriving, golfers drop off their clubs off at the front of the pro shop. The bag service bring your clubs down below to the driving range or on a cart.
The driving range is behind the clubhouse and included as part of the fees. Several targets to shoot towards on the driving range. The putting green location is 100 yards towards the first tee and is underwhelming. The practice green is flat and does not prepare the golfer for the golf course greens. Wild Rock has an opportunity to invest in a complimentary green complex. This investment will round out the practice area.
The drive to the first tee is memorable. The path weaves golfers through a wooded area with views of the 9-hole Woods course and the 18th green. The starter will be on the first tee to ensure you get started on time. They will also provide your group with an overview of the course conditions for the day.
After the round, there is a bar menu at Whispering Pines grill but on a couple occasions it has been closed in the early evening. Not to worry. A quick search will find plenty of options in the Wisconsin Dells area.
Memorable Golf Holes
Wild Rock delivers on several memorable shots. Golfers will remember the elevated tee boxes, rock quarry-lined fairways and incredible greens. For this blog, I narrowed my list to three golf holes.
Hole 6 – 525 Yards Par 5
Standing on this tee box is the moment every golfer realizes why they came to Wild Rock. Views of up to 30 miles in the distance are stunning. This downhill par 5 requires skill and precision to make par or better. Avoid the right side and the well-placed fairway bunkers. Before you hit your tee shot I recommend standing back to admire the beauty of Wisconsin.
Hole 12 – 403 Yards Par 4
Another elevated tee box. The 12th hole is a par 4 measuring over 400 yards, but, do not trust your instinct to pull driver. Bunkers on the left and the fairway running out on the right requires precise shot-making. A 3-wood and long to mid-iron is likely the play. A shot too far right blocks the green by a rock quarry wall. The green tucks against this quarry wall and has many tricky undulations. Par is a great score.
Hole 15 – 134 Yards Par 3
This all carry par 3 is as good as it gets. Five tee box options await stretching this hole to over 180 yards. Pick enough club to reach the green or you will find yourself in the 80 foot deep quarry pit. Once on the green, golfers will have a good chance at birdie. All putts move towards the quarry pit.
Final Thoughts on Wild Rock
Wild Rock is often an afterthought but should become a center-piece to a golfer’s itinerary. Golfers will enjoy amazing views, terrific course conditions and amazing hole designs. All these features nestled in the scenic Wisconsin Dells area
Wild Rock can fit into several different golf trip itineraries. Slip away for an afternoon while the family is enjoying a water park in Wisconsin Dells. Spend two days in town to pair it with Andy North’s Trappers Turn. Or my favorite, play it on your way back to Madison after spending a few days at Sand Valley.
However you plan to play Wild Rock, you will not regret it. Check out more Wisconsin golf blogs at GolfWisely.com or follow me on Instagram.
