Published February 5, 2026
Featured Golf Trip: The Golf Courses of Lawsonia
At less than $150 for tee times, Lawsonia Links and Woodlands may offer the best value in golf-rich Wisconsin.
Wisconsin is spoiled. We’ve covered that by now. No other state has as many top 100 public golf courses. Places like Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run and Erin Hills and Sand Valley get the most acclaim, of course, but those who talk about Lawsonia do so with a certain knowing wink. It holds its own while carrying a much lower price tag.
The top of the crop at The Golf Courses of Lawsonia, which sits about two hours from Milwaukee, is Lawsonia: Links. Fried Egg has called it “one of the best public courses in America and in the argument for the best course—public, private, or resort—in Wisconsin.” Architected by William Langford and Theodore Moreau in 1925, the Links course is a testament to minimalist design, a straightforward but strategic test that weaves around tall grasses and requires precision into greens.
Its sister course, Woodlands, is guarded by trees and elevation change, making it feel secluded until it presents big views of Green Lake. It was added in the 1980s and passes the test as a worthy companion to the standout Links track.
With Lawsonia as your quite affordable home base—12-capacity houses go for around $1,000 a night—you’re free to tack on a couple others Wisconsin has to offer. SentryWorld (75th on the composite top 100) and Erin Hills (16th) each sit just an hour and a half away, albeit in different directions. There are many ways to do a Wisconsin golf trip. Don’t sleep on the town of Lawsonia. Sleep in it.
Pricing details
Overall range (golf + lodging): $900 – $1,275
• Assumes three days, three nights
Golf: $655 – $775
• Peak greens fees at Links and Woodlands appear to sit around $140.
• SentryWorld greens fees = $375 (includes food and drink)
• Erin Hills greens fees = $495 during peak months
Lodging: $250 – $500
• A few on-site houses for stay-and-play that come with discounts on golf.
Travel considerations
• Lawsonia is 50 minutes from Appleton’s airport and two hours from Milwaukee’s.
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