Madison, Wisconsin, is more than just the state’s capital—it’s a vibrant community known for its natural beauty, thriving culture, and excellent quality of life. For golf lovers, the area is also home to some of the best golf courses in the Midwest. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a weekend warrior, Madison offers a variety of courses that combine scenic landscapes with challenging layouts. From public gems to private sanctuaries, here’s a detailed look at the best golf courses in Madison, WI.
1. University Ridge Golf Course
Location: Verona, WI
Type: Public
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Highlights: University Ridge is one of the premier public courses in the Madison area. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the course offers a perfect blend of natural terrain and strategic play. It's also the official home of the University of Wisconsin golf teams and has hosted the PGA Tour Champions' American Family Insurance Championship.
With rolling hills, pristine fairways, and scenic vistas, University Ridge is a favorite among local golfers and visitors alike. The back nine, which winds through a forested ridge, is especially memorable.
Type: Public
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Highlights: University Ridge is one of the premier public courses in the Madison area. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the course offers a perfect blend of natural terrain and strategic play. It's also the official home of the University of Wisconsin golf teams and has hosted the PGA Tour Champions' American Family Insurance Championship.
With rolling hills, pristine fairways, and scenic vistas, University Ridge is a favorite among local golfers and visitors alike. The back nine, which winds through a forested ridge, is especially memorable.
2. Nakoma Golf Club
Location: Madison, WI
Type: Private
Highlights: Established in 1925, Nakoma Golf Club offers an elite golfing experience with a course that seamlessly blends tradition with modern upgrades. This private club is known for its tree-lined fairways, well-maintained greens, and strategic bunkering.
Nakoma provides a full-service golf experience, including a top-tier pro shop, practice facilities, and a strong sense of community among members. If you're looking for a classic Madison golf experience, Nakoma stands out.
Type: Private
Highlights: Established in 1925, Nakoma Golf Club offers an elite golfing experience with a course that seamlessly blends tradition with modern upgrades. This private club is known for its tree-lined fairways, well-maintained greens, and strategic bunkering.
Nakoma provides a full-service golf experience, including a top-tier pro shop, practice facilities, and a strong sense of community among members. If you're looking for a classic Madison golf experience, Nakoma stands out.
3. The Oaks Golf Course
Location: Cottage Grove, WI
Type: Public
Highlights: Just a short drive east of Madison, The Oaks Golf Course is a public 18-hole facility that combines a championship layout with eco-friendly practices. The course is known for its well-kept conditions and thoughtful design, featuring wetlands, native grasses, and oak trees.
The Oaks also offers a state-of-the-art practice facility and excellent dining at their on-site restaurant. It’s a great spot for both serious golfers and casual players seeking a relaxed, scenic round.
Type: Public
Highlights: Just a short drive east of Madison, The Oaks Golf Course is a public 18-hole facility that combines a championship layout with eco-friendly practices. The course is known for its well-kept conditions and thoughtful design, featuring wetlands, native grasses, and oak trees.
The Oaks also offers a state-of-the-art practice facility and excellent dining at their on-site restaurant. It’s a great spot for both serious golfers and casual players seeking a relaxed, scenic round.
4. Bergamont Golf Club
Location: Oregon, WI
Type: Private
Designer: Andy North
Highlights: Designed by two-time U.S. Open Champion Andy North, Bergamont Golf Club is a hidden gem located just south of Madison. This private club features wide fairways, dramatic elevation changes, and championship-level difficulty.
What makes Bergamont unique is its blend of resort-style ambiance with the rigor of a tournament-ready course. The club also offers luxurious amenities, including a pool, tennis courts, and fine dining.
Type: Private
Designer: Andy North
Highlights: Designed by two-time U.S. Open Champion Andy North, Bergamont Golf Club is a hidden gem located just south of Madison. This private club features wide fairways, dramatic elevation changes, and championship-level difficulty.
What makes Bergamont unique is its blend of resort-style ambiance with the rigor of a tournament-ready course. The club also offers luxurious amenities, including a pool, tennis courts, and fine dining.
5. Pleasant View Golf Course
Location: Middleton, WI
Type: Public
Highlights: Pleasant View Golf Course is one of the most popular public courses in the greater Madison area. With panoramic views of the Capitol skyline and the surrounding countryside, it offers 27 holes divided into three distinct nine-hole courses: The Prairie, The Woods, and The Lake.
Perfect for golfers of all skill levels, Pleasant View is known for its affordable rates, excellent practice facilities, and welcoming atmosphere.
Type: Public
Highlights: Pleasant View Golf Course is one of the most popular public courses in the greater Madison area. With panoramic views of the Capitol skyline and the surrounding countryside, it offers 27 holes divided into three distinct nine-hole courses: The Prairie, The Woods, and The Lake.
Perfect for golfers of all skill levels, Pleasant View is known for its affordable rates, excellent practice facilities, and welcoming atmosphere.
6. Blackhawk Country Club
Location: Madison, WI
Type: Private
Highlights: Blackhawk Country Club is an exclusive, member-only course that features breathtaking views of Lake Mendota. The course layout emphasizes natural beauty, with rolling fairways, mature trees, and immaculate greens.
Membership at Blackhawk also includes access to tennis courts, swimming pools, and a fine dining clubhouse, making it a full-service social club as well as a top-tier golf destination.
Type: Private
Highlights: Blackhawk Country Club is an exclusive, member-only course that features breathtaking views of Lake Mendota. The course layout emphasizes natural beauty, with rolling fairways, mature trees, and immaculate greens.
Membership at Blackhawk also includes access to tennis courts, swimming pools, and a fine dining clubhouse, making it a full-service social club as well as a top-tier golf destination.
7. Yahara Hills Golf Course
Location: Madison, WI
Type: Public
Highlights: Yahara Hills is one of Madison's largest public golf facilities, offering two 18-hole courses: East and West. Managed by the City of Madison, it provides an affordable and accessible golfing option for residents and visitors alike.
While not as upscale as some of the private clubs, Yahara Hills is valued for its playability, availability, and commitment to improving course conditions. It’s ideal for casual play and larger group outings.
Type: Public
Highlights: Yahara Hills is one of Madison's largest public golf facilities, offering two 18-hole courses: East and West. Managed by the City of Madison, it provides an affordable and accessible golfing option for residents and visitors alike.
While not as upscale as some of the private clubs, Yahara Hills is valued for its playability, availability, and commitment to improving course conditions. It’s ideal for casual play and larger group outings.
8. Hawks Landing Golf Club
Location: Verona, WI
Type: Semi-Private
Highlights: Hawks Landing offers a luxurious golf experience with a course that’s as challenging as it is beautiful. Designed with natural water features, undulating fairways, and pristine greens, the course accommodates all skill levels with multiple tee options.
This semi-private club also boasts a well-equipped clubhouse, practice areas, and a strong junior golf program, making it popular with families and serious golfers alike.
Type: Semi-Private
Highlights: Hawks Landing offers a luxurious golf experience with a course that’s as challenging as it is beautiful. Designed with natural water features, undulating fairways, and pristine greens, the course accommodates all skill levels with multiple tee options.
This semi-private club also boasts a well-equipped clubhouse, practice areas, and a strong junior golf program, making it popular with families and serious golfers alike.
9. Odana Hills Golf Course
Location: Madison, WI
Type: Public
Highlights: Another popular municipal course, Odana Hills offers a solid layout that appeals to a broad range of players. It's centrally located, easy to walk, and features mature trees and wide fairways that provide a classic parkland feel.
Odana Hills is an excellent choice for a quick after-work round or a relaxed weekend game, and it often hosts local leagues and city tournaments.
Type: Public
Highlights: Another popular municipal course, Odana Hills offers a solid layout that appeals to a broad range of players. It's centrally located, easy to walk, and features mature trees and wide fairways that provide a classic parkland feel.
Odana Hills is an excellent choice for a quick after-work round or a relaxed weekend game, and it often hosts local leagues and city tournaments.
Why Golfers Love Madison, WI
Beyond the quality of its courses, Madison’s golfing scene is bolstered by its supportive community, accessible public options, and beautiful natural surroundings. The mix of private and public venues means there’s something for every type of golfer—from exclusive club experiences to laid-back weekend rounds.
The golfing season in Madison typically runs from late April through October, and the area’s seasonal changes add a unique charm to each round. Fall foliage, in particular, transforms the fairways into a kaleidoscope of color, offering unforgettable golf experiences.
The golfing season in Madison typically runs from late April through October, and the area’s seasonal changes add a unique charm to each round. Fall foliage, in particular, transforms the fairways into a kaleidoscope of color, offering unforgettable golf experiences.
Ready to Make Madison Your Home Base for Golf?
If you dream of living near one of these amazing courses—or want to explore neighborhoods that offer easy access to top-tier golfing—MHB Real Estate is here to help.
As Dane County’s top real estate experts, the team at MHB Real Estate specializes in helping clients find homes that align with their lifestyles. Whether you're searching for a golf course community, a lakefront property, or a cozy downtown condo, MHB’s experienced agents are committed to guiding you every step of the way.
With deep roots in the Madison area and a reputation for client-focused service, MHB Real Estate is your trusted partner in navigating the local real estate market.
Contact MHB Real Estate today to start your journey toward a lifestyle that blends luxury living with premier golf. From the first showing to closing day, MHB will ensure your real estate experience is as seamless as a well-executed tee shot.
As Dane County’s top real estate experts, the team at MHB Real Estate specializes in helping clients find homes that align with their lifestyles. Whether you're searching for a golf course community, a lakefront property, or a cozy downtown condo, MHB’s experienced agents are committed to guiding you every step of the way.
With deep roots in the Madison area and a reputation for client-focused service, MHB Real Estate is your trusted partner in navigating the local real estate market.
Contact MHB Real Estate today to start your journey toward a lifestyle that blends luxury living with premier golf. From the first showing to closing day, MHB will ensure your real estate experience is as seamless as a well-executed tee shot.
