Autumn Ridge is located about an hour and thirty minutes north of Milwaukee, and around 30 minutes from Sheboygan. The course is undoubtedly unique, with the course moving over and around massive elevation changes rarely seen in this part of the state. It’s a course I believe everyone should visit at least once. Read below for my thoughts in more detail. Hope you enjoy!

Atmosphere

Well away from an city, and amongst rolling farmland Autumn Ridge has a fantastic atmosphere. While you do drive through a subdivision to get into the parking lot, the course weaves in and out of woods and over multiple ravine like features with 99% of it void of houses. The lower parking lot also gives you a taste for what is to come, as the 18th green sits high above you(pictured below) with a waterfall coming down the hill. I am not one to be impressed by accents like this, but what they have is very well done.

The only knock I can give them is about 3 years ago a house was added to the left of the first fairway where it could easily be hit. Considering the first features a pond and woods tight on the right it really is a poor location.

Conditions

Generally one of the better parts about Autumn Ridge. For as extreme as the land is, the course is usually kept up quite well. They do have a habit of laying down a lot of water, as many early morning rounds I have played seem exceptionally wet on and around greens. With the severe slopes and length of the course, only 6000 and a par 70, it’s not a problem that the course plays softer.

Also to note is that the fairways and greens are bent grass and the course features double row irrigation. Both of which certainly contribute to the above average conditions.

Design

Target golf is the name of the game at Autumn Ridge. You need to be able to hit shots to certain spots on about every hole, and you are punished severely(lost balls) if you don’t. This style of golf can wear on you. It is not a course that I would want to play every week, but it is exhilarating to hit the heroic shots that the course asks of you. I would just be prepared to have a double or 2 on the card.

Facilities

Another highlight of Autumn Ridge. The course offers a excellent range, with nice targets and above average conditions at the grass tees. The 2 story clubhouse is also of note, as the bottom level has a nicely appointed bar and grill as well as a golf shop that overlooks the large putting green.

The amenities are appropriate for say a day trip from Milwaukee where you could come early and stay after your round.

Value

For the amount of “wow” factor and above average conditions that Autumn Ridge provides there is quite a bit of value. Weekday rates will run you $40 normally, and weekends $50 in peak season. However on Tuesdays they run a special for $29, and there is a special that they’ve had for years where at least on weekdays 18 a cart and lunch is around $35.

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Holes to Note

4th Hole – Par 4

A risky but fun driving hole, the 4th is a sharp dogleg right. Big hitters can aim almost at the green, however the player will need to carry a pond as well as some large trees. Shots pulled left have a good chance of running through the fairway into the woods as the fairway is domed slightly. The approach is played to a wide, but shallow green fronted by a bunker.

7th Hole – Par 3

A very picturesque, albeit difficult hole greets you on the 7th. About 160 yards all carry over a ravine. The hole used to have a thin pine right in the middle of the ravine as well to work around, but that was cut or fell about 5ish years ago. The green is insanely sloped to the point of it being unfair. Anything above the hole chipping or putting on the 7th likely will be off the front of the green.

I would love for the front of the green to be reshaped as the surface does ruin the hole. Pulling off this difficult shot and to be rewarded with a 3 or 4 putt is not right.

8th Hole – Par 5

The first of back to back par 5’s to end the front 9 the 8th looks great, but plays a bit unusual. The tee shot is over a ravine to a plateaued fairway that swings left. From the tee it looks as if you are to cut the corner however the fairway falls off on both sides into woods. Anything over 230 is very risky as the landing area beyond that plays very small because of the domed nature of the fairway. The play is to hit something 200-220 and play the hole as a 3 shot hole.

After the tee shot the fairway features big rolling hills,(seen in pictures below) and the best layup is to leave yourself about 100 yards in for the flattest lie. The green is on the smaller side and is very long front to back.

9th Hole – Par 5

One of the wildest holes at Autumn Ridge, the 9th is a long par 5 with a daunting tee shot. There are a couple of different angles for your tee shot, but all require a significant carry. The hole actually features a optional championship tee that requires around a 240 yard carry to even reach grass. Most players will be teeing off from the position pictured below however. The rest of the hole winds up a hill, with a large tree on the left hand side that will block out any layups that aren’t far enough right. The green does provide a bit of a respite as it is large and is only protected by a bunker on the left.

11th Hole – Par 3

Another dramatic par 3. The 11th is steeply downhill, and quite long with most players hitting something longer then a 6 iron. The green features bunkers on both sides and is quite long front to back.

12th Hole – Par 4

Regrettably I don’t have a picture of the tee shot on 12, but the tee is elevated with the fairway running at a 90 degree angle. There is a 180 yard carry to the landing area, however that is where the hole goes wrong. The hole is 420 yards from the white tees and the only flat landing area sits at about 200-220 yards from the tee. Many times leaving you with a longer 2nd then you hit for your tee shot. The problem with the landing area farther up the fairway is that there is a large hump that will deflect balls into the marsh if you try to cut more off. If you attempt to bail out to the right you are most likely in more marsh or at least thick trees. It’s a great looking tee shot it just does not play correctly.

Your approach is then played to a green with a small opening up front that slopes heavily left to right.

17th Hole – Par 3

The final par 3 in a collection that overall is one of the best around. A drop off into lost ball territory greets you if you miss left, and a almost impossible up and down if you miss right. The green is 2 tiered and slopes significantly to the left. A back right pin position is very difficult on this green.

Final Thoughts & Grade

I found Autumn Ridge tough to grade. When I look at each component of the grading criteria I think that they do each above average if not well above. However, when playing it in the past I’ve felt empty walking off the course. I contribute it to one thing in particular and that’s trying to play stroke play. There are just to many places to lose balls. Your score will balloon quickly if you are not playing well. Even if you are a good player a blow up or 2 is bound to happen. My best advice, play some sort of match play game. Four-ball, a 6 point scotch or anything else really. If you hit 3 into the woods it won’t matter just move onto the next crazy looking hole, and enjoy the beautiful property that is Autumn Ridge.

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