Fire Ridge Golf Club – Grafton, WI

Course Details

Architect(s): Kerry Mattingly & Gregg Kuehn (1994)
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,016
Rating: 74.5
Slope: 136

Course Accolades

Zagat: Best Golf Courses in America (2012)

Course Score

Course Conditions: 6
Green Complexes: 8
Amenities: 6
Practice Facilities: 6
Service: 6
Course Design: 7
Value: 7

Total Score: 6.61

Course Review

The Good: Fire Ridge is a very nice, upscale public facility just off of I-43, about 30-minutes north of Milwaukee and 30-minutes south of Kohler country. Designed by relatively unknown architects Kerry Mattingly & Gregg Kuehn, this modern parkland track has enough space & depth for the weekend hacker, but very challenging, fun green complexes for the low handicapper. Nice variety in Par 4’s & Par-5’s, as well as several tough Par-3’s. Although ravaged by flooding, course was in pretty decent shape. Greens ran extremely fast & rolled beautifully. Clubhouse and off-course amenities including practice area looked very nice, although given Covid-19 situation I didn’t partake. Staff was very cordial and accommodating. At under $70 during peak season with cart, very reasonable for the greater MKE area.

The Bad: The greens, while they were in great shape, didn’t hold well at all. The course is not set up too well for lots of rain. Several areas had to be rerouted due to flooding. A few too many blind shots, particularly hidden hazards on the Par-5’s, for my liking. Some won’t like the uphill forced carries around mahy of the greens.

The Verdict: Fire Ridge is another solid public option in the greater MKE area, just behind The Bog, WCGC and Morningstar in terms of design & overall experience. Hope to get back when weather and conditioning is better.

Best Hole: The short, uphill Par-4 5th is the standout hole of many on Fire Ridge. A drive must avoid a huge sand trap left and pond to the right, then an approach to an infinity looking green hidden from view.