The Back Nine: Get away and play

Naturally, there was not enough room in The Front Nine in today's edition of the Beacon News to get to all the good stuff at Grand Geneva Resort, Trappers Turn and Erin Hills...
so here's what you need!

Grand Geneva
This is a golfers dream simply because you have two very different golf courses to choose from right on site.
The Brute is just that. It's huge. Some of the greens are bigger than my house. It's hard to play this course if you struggle off the tee, but the fairways are wide enough to catch most of us.

Three putts can happen, especially if you really miss a pin position. But the good part about the greens is that if you aim for a flag and miss, chances are you'll land on part of the putting surface anyway.

The Highlands is my favorite of the two. It's a much different feel - narrow, smaller greens (and quicker). It's a completely different course, which is nice if you plan on playing two rounds during your stay.

The resort as a whole is nice because even though you drove a little over an hour to get there, you can park the car for good during your stay. All the food, activity and golf you want is all on site.

Click here for directions to Grand Geneva Resort and Spa...

Trappers Turn Golf Club & Kalahari Resort
Seriously, who doesn't love the Dells?
It's a great getaway for us down here and this combination of golf and resort fun is definitely different than Grand Geneva.

Resort wise, nothing tops Kalahari. You've got to go to the water park to see for yourself. And the good news here is that even if you plan a fall get away, the indoor water facilitly is enormous - so you can have a wet n' wild time even in early October!

As for golf, Trappers Turn has made a giant turn for the better in the last few years. The golf course is in great shape, and will host a Wisconsin PGA event this year.

The three nines are all terrific, so I suggest booking an early tee time, playing 18 - and then spend the afternoon in the brand new Mystic restaurant in the totally revamped clubhouse.

It's gorgeous - and you can play pool or cards while watching any number of flat screens. Then head out and play another 18, this time using a different combination of 9s.

And here's a bonus - they've got the bev. carts out there bright and early!!

Click here for directions to the Kalahari Resort....

Erin Hills
I can't lie - I've got a soft spot for the still brand new and highly acclaimed layout in Hartford. It's marvelous. It's hard, but very playable if you pick the right tee boxes. It's still maturing, but it's absolutely breathtaking.

and I highly recommend going now, so in 10 years after its hosted a US Open and you might not be able to afford it, you can say you played where Tiger once did..

Anyway, I've written about the course several times over the last year (as well as countless pieces in countless magazines and newspapers)- and it truly is a gem (brought about by NIU alumnus Bob Lang)...but what you may not know about is the clubhouse rooms you can stay in.

You can stay in the nearby Delafield Hotel, but you've got to stay on site in the clubhouse. Click here to see some of the rooms and the rates.

Trust me - if you're going to make the trip up there, do it right by going on true golf getaway. No over the top frills - just a bed, great TV, great golf and great food downstairs when you're going to bed or waking up.

Book early though - the course has nearly had a player from all 50 states come by and play, and those rooms are popular.

Click here for directions to Erin Hills...

Golf is a game, and is meant to be enjoyed in a stress free environment. Too often outside thoughts creep into our head, taking away from our rounds and time with friends on the course.

Times are hard - but these are some options you have to get away from the stress and play some really great golf and stay at some fantastic places.