Buddies Bucketlist Golf Trip- Kohler, WI: Black Wolf Run River Course

May 11, 2020 Off By BBF

“Black Wolf Run” Golf Course opened in 1988 (which was named for the Chief of the Winnebago Indians) quickly won acclaim. In fact it was awarded “ Best New Public Golf Course” by Golf Digest . Shortly afterward additional routing was added and the new 36 hole complex gained The River and The Meadow Valleys course. However, the original championship routing can sometimes be played during certain times of the year. Check with the facility. Black Wolf Run is part of a larger complex that is managed by Destination Kohler that also owns nearby Whistling Straights as well as the American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin.

I want to tell you that Black Wolf Run River golf course is a sleeper, and you will enjoy it more than Whistling Straits. In reality I don’t think it is, but it’s very close. This Pete Dye designed golf course is a wonderful walk in the woods by a river. The golf holes are truly mind numbingly beautiful and nimbly carved out of the lush wisconsin greenery. “Made in Heaven” has a teebox monikered “Heaven’s Gate”, an elevated tee box in the woods where you hit over the river, an unforgettable hole. Be sure not to shank one and hit a fly fisherman going for the local trout. “Hells gate” is a crazy par 5 with an even more elevated tee box that has a very intimidating tee shot. There are a series of risk reward golf holes that meander by the river. The whole journey winds up on 18 which has a double green that it shares with the 18th of the meadows course.

*Black Wolf Run Clubhouse behind the double green for the 18th holes of both golf courses*

The greens are the fastest of the courses at Kohler, and will take some time to calibrate your putting stroke. My advice is take a cart, a caddy, and a lot of golf balls. The course has a snack shack situation in the middle of it that you will cross multiple times. Be sure to drop by and say “hi” to Alexa, yes her name is Alexa. This course is no slouch and is sure to put a dent in your ball bag. For best results consider going in September or October when the leaves are changing and the salmon are running. It’s a truly magical experience.

Rankings

Bucket list rank (from 1to 5 buckets): 4 buckets
Caddies: 8
Location: 8
Spectacle/ visual: 8
History: 6
New/ancient: Modern
Playability : 8
Memorability : 7
Service/etc: 8
Value: 7
Shopping: 8
Warm up facilities/Range:8
Food & Drink: 8

CategoryFour Buckets United States: Wisconsin

About The Author

BBF

BBF or “Big Ball First” comes from a golf saying for hitting a shot fat. Or hitting the “big ball first” in that you hit the ground (the big ball) before hitting the golf ball. In the BBF blog, it’s a metaphor for traveling the planet, soaking in exclusive experiences, and pointing people to the Awesome, the Great, the Good, and the not so good out there. We’re hitting the big ball running with tales from international golf courses, with fine wine, fine food, did I mention golf…well, especially the ‘buddies bucket list golf trips’. The hope is that like minded people will enjoy the stories, and hopefully use it as a reference point. If this blog helps people prioritize the experiences they want to have on our planet then we will have succeeded on our mission. We only have so many go’s at “bucket list” travel experiences. Especially the bucket list buddies golf experiences. My hope is you can refine your experience based upon my learning, and take your “big ball first” experiences to the next level.