Weird; overwhelming; OMG; strange; and the overarching question – Why? This sentence has nothing to do with the golf course but I will reveal the reason for this reaction later in the review.
Andy North and Roger Packard designed the 9-hole course which is referred to as the “North Nine”. I love when the first hole is wide open and you can still land your wild tee shot on the short grass. Just avoid the bunker fronting the green and you (not me) can secure a par to open the round. Enjoy the ride through the woods to Hole #2. You don’t get completely out as you have to thread your drive through the last grouping of trees (see picture above). If you succeed, there are more trees right and bunkers left on this dogleg right par 4.
Hole #3 is a 133 yard (white) par 3 with a pond to carry. The only access to the green is a tree-lined wooden bridge the forges the pond. Enjoy the serenity of this hole as you will soon be challenged.
Straight; long; narrow; #1 handicap; bogey. That about sums up Hole #4. To be successful at Hole #5, do just the opposite of my journey through this hole. I placed my drive on the right side of the fairway, so I now have a big ass tree blocking my path to the green. With this obstacle I tried to flight my second shot under the tree only to have my ball settle in one of the greenside bunkers. After I bladed my bunker shot over the green, I successfully three putted for a triple bogey. Just hit your tee shot left!
Hole #6 is a very tight 350 yard par 4 – I mean very, very tight. I received a generous roll down the cart path on the left that helped this short-hitting hacker. Make sure your parking brake is working properly on this hole.
“I can’t move my ball right to left…I can’t move my ball right to left.” This was my “positive” swing thought as I stood over my ball on the Hole #7 tee box. Somehow I was able to hit a straight tee shot on this dogleg left par 4 and secure my par. If you slice your tee shot, just keep hitting until you find the fairway because any slice will end up in no man’s land.
Very sneaky Mr. North – or was this Mr. Packard’s idea? Hole #8 – 164 yard par 3. I expertly hit my tee shot to the right so it caromed off the hill and filtered nicely down toward the hole (how many of you actually believe this sentence?). The problem is that Mr. North has hidden a bunker (which you cannot see from the tee box) right in the path of my ball and of course it was now sitting in the middle of the sand. A big dogleg right awaits you at the par 5 finishing hole. The fairway is wide and easy to find but make sure you have the correct club in your hand (or play from the correct tee box) as you need to reach the bend in the fairway.
The second shot narrows considerably and your ball may have difficulty finding the pin if it is located behind the bunker as it was today.
Ace: The North Course is the best choice if you have time constraints or is an excellent addition if you have already played the 18-hole Springs Course. The fairways, greens and staff were excellent. The 9-hole North Course would be the choice if you are going to pair it with a visit to The House on the Rock. Remember the opening sentence – weird; overwhelming; OMG; strange; and the overarching question – Why? That was Karen’s response to our visit to this attraction.
Their brochure states, an experience that will entertain, astound, and amaze. You have to see it for yourself, no words can adequately describe the collections that are housed here. It is an adventure everyone should experience. We stayed at the House on the Rock Inn but there is also lodging at the House on the Rock Resort.
If you are a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright take time to visit his estate at Taliesin. The grounds overlook the Wisconsin River and it is described by some as “the greatest single building in America”. The North Course, The House on the Rock, and Taliesin make for a very fun, educational and interesting day.
400 Springs Drive, Spring Green, WI 53588; 608-588-7000; www.houseontherock.com
Spring Green, WI 53588
