What was the first really nice course you ever played? You know, the one that opened your eyes to the world of high-end golf with lush, tightly cut fairways, perfectly tended sand traps and blazing fast greens. My first upscale golf adventure arrived when I was about nine years old at a junior golf camp hosted by University Ridge Golf Course in Madison, Wisconsin, just a few miles from my home.

After hours spent at the immaculate practice facility learning the fundamentals of the game, our final test was to play an actual hole on the golf course.

I naively thought, “I got this,” as we marched to the tee. After all, what’s so hard about hitting a little white ball several hundred yards down a fairway and sinking a putt for a low score?

But when I stood up to that perfectly-cut, elevated tee box, the jitters hit hard.

The fairway looked miles away, with sand traps and trees closely lining the edges, mocking my inexperience. It was painfully clear in that moment – I wasn’t at the local muni anymore.

I proceeded to dribble one off the tee, and watched my ball disappear into the thickest rough I had ever seen.

I couldn’t even see my ball.

Many hacks later, I tapped in for a 16 (yes, a 16!), and in that moment of humility I learned a great lesson about the game – golf is hard.

Yes, this is a relentlessly challenging game, and that’s especially true at a modern championship layout. University Ridge was designed to challenge the game’s best players, and on that day it ate me for lunch.

But you know what? I still loved everything about it, from the perfect course conditions to the beautiful scenery to even the smell of the place.

Over the years, University Ridge would become one of my go-to courses in the area. With a layout ranked among the best in the state, offering at the time an insane $ 20 greens fee for juniors and UW-Madison students, I played it every chance I got without having to empty the wallet.

University Ridge was the first truly high-end public facility in the Dane County area at its inception in the early 1990’s. Until then, unless you had access to one of the area’s private clubs, great conditions and a challenging layout were simply hard to find around Madison.

The property was also a massive upgrade for the University of Wisconsin’s golf program, coming at a time when UW athletics was at the cusp of a renaissance in its own right. This was the age of Barry Alvarez, hired as football head coach in 1990 where he would go on to rescue the program from the wilderness, all while the athletic program overall gained serious momentum to the delight of a hungry fanbase.

It only makes sense, then, that around the same time, Robert Trent Jones, Jr. took a gifted property on the far west side and delivered one of the nation’s best campus courses.

Less than a decade removed from his acclaimed work at SentryWorld, Jones applied many of the same design principles at University Ridge to make it a legitimate championship venue. Big, bold bunkering, wide rolling fairways, challenging mounding and elevated greens with slopes, tiers and swales define the layout, packing more than enough trouble and length to challenge elite amateurs and pros.

With a wide range of tee options, though, University Ridge is quite playable for golfers of all calibers. In a recent loop this spring, my friends and I played from the green tees at a manageable 6,245 yards, which was particularly important with wet conditions that day.

While newer upscale layouts have since arrived in the Madison area, University Ridge remains my #1 local place to play.

Set across a varied landscape of hills, ravines, forest and meadow with dramatic views of the surrounding topography, this property is a gateway of sorts to Wisconsin’s driftless region, placed in an ideal location for dramatic golf course architecture.

The front nine sprawls over mostly open meadow, exposed to the wind and filled with dramatic elevation changes. With three par 5’s and three 3’s, there is tremendous variety and great scoring opportunity on this side.

The back nine cuts through densely forested land, a stark departure from the open setting of the front side. Concluding with a series of fun, memorable holes, University Ridge is best-known for its fantastic closing stretch.

The dual setting of the property sets it apart from most of its peers, making wonderful use of two distinct, yet equally compelling landscapes. I especially value variety in a golf course, and University Ridge has it in spades, presenting both environments extremely well while maintaining cohesion in the overall design.

In terms of scenery, challenge and conditioning, University Ridge is up there with any public property in Wisconsin, and it continues to be a mainstay in best-in-state rankings. It’s a majestic journey across a remarkable piece of land, one that all Wisconsin golf enthusiasts should experience.

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University Ridge would go on to host the AmFam Championship from 2016 to 2024, with the world’s best senior golfers arriving each June to take on the beautiful property. It’s one of the more dramatic venues I’ve seen on the senior circuit, and we’ve witnessed several memorable Sundays featuring tight finishes down the stretch.

The tournament is moving on to TPC Wisconsin this year, which has its work cut out to clear a very high bar set by its predecessor.

I vividly recall volunteering at the event in 2017 and following the final groups up 18 to watch Fred Couples close out the victory.

Course Summary

University Ridge Golf Course

Verona, WI

Architect: Robert Trent Jones, Jr. (1991)

Par 72; 7286/6718/6245/5752 Yards

Course/Slope Rating: Black – 75.8/142; Blue – 73.4/139; Green – 70.4/134; White – 68.6/129

Notable Acclaim: Golf Digest Best in State #14, Golfweek.com Best Public in State #11, WiscoGolfAddict Best Public in State #11 and Best in State #24, Brian’s Top 50 #38

Hole-by-Hole Rundown

#1 – Par 4, 396/376/370/350 Yards

The first may seem like a gentle handshake, a short downhill par four with a generously wide landing zone off the tee. The green site, though, is one of the toughest on property, with extreme back-to-front sloping and a deep bunker on the right that narrows its entrance point. Even so, this is an opportunity to bomb one into wedge range and earn a birdie opportunity to kick off the round.

#2 – Par 5, 555/546/515/461 Yards

The second makes wonderful use of natural topography, throwing golfers into the wild terrain they’ll come to expect for the duration of the round.

There’s a lot going on here. Elevation change, a creek, imposing bunkering, trees, ravines, fescue – the second has everything you’ll want in a par five. The more risk you take, the more trouble you’ll have to contend with.

If you’re feeling good about the driver, rip one over the right-side bunker, where a slope is positioned to propel a ball within iron range of the green. But beware the woods to the right and make sure you have enough carry (~230 yards) to clear the sand.

The safer option to the left only requires a 200 yard carry over the creek, which makes this a definitive three-shot hole.

The approach heads downhill over a gulley with a centerline tree blocking the direct path to the green. If you’re giving this one a go in two, keep in mind that a fairway runup zone lies just left of the putting surface.

#3 – Par 3, 242/195/174/170 Yards

Depending on the tees selected, the downhill third presents a mid-to-long iron shot to a wide plateau green. A pair of bunkers guarding the front-left side are reasonable places to miss, while anything long will tumble off a slope towards marsh.

With a narrow, unreceptive green, it’s advisable to play to the yardage and attack the pin. The green is separated by spines into three distinct sections, and you’re best off avoiding a long putt over the ridges which would bring a three-putt very much into play.

#4 – Par 4, 467/398/365/332 Yards

One of the most intimidating holes on site, the fourth will vary greatly from the tips to the middle tees. The back tee demands a long fade over the marsh past a grove of trees up the left side, while from the next tees up it’s a straightaway shot that might only require a long iron.

The green sits atop a hill with imposing bunkers bordering the front and right sides, making this one of the most daunting approaches on property. Two expert shots are essential to survive this challenge.

#5 – Par 3, 198/172/169/140 Yards

All three par 3’s on the front nine require carries over ravines, but at the fifth, the abyss is mostly for show with only 75 yards necessary to find grass. The real trouble on this mid-length hole comes in the form of sand encircling the putting surface. There isn’t much opportunity to split the frontside bunkers with low trajectory, so hit a lofted shot and hope for the best.

#6 – Par 5, 623/608/570/534 Yards

If you love length, the sixth will be right up your alley. Stretching to nearly 600 yards from the middle tees, you’ll need three excellent shots to tame this beast. The tee shot is generous for moderate hitters, with a wide landing zone that narrows about 280 yards out.

The approach shot is the most difficult proposition at the sixth, with a punishingly deep Dye-like bunker skirting the front-left side. Speaking of Pete Dye, I can definitely see where Jones, Jr. drew some influence here – this spot on the property has Meadow Valleys feels from start to finish, a challenging corridor where sound execution will yield a look at birdie while loose play from tee to green will bring a high number into play.

#7 – Par 4, 429/379/345/325 Yards

The seventh is one of those rare, yet blissful spots where a golf course blends seamlessly into its natural terrain. It seems like a golf hole was destined to lie in this land, with the glacial retreat at the end of the Ice Age serving as nature’s architect to mold a terrific short par four.

Playing into a stark glacial ridge, longer hitters may opt for an iron off the tee as the fairway narrows considerably at driver distance. A short-to-mid iron awaits from there, playing semi-blind over the crest of a hill.

#8 – Par 3, 207/162/151/144 Yards

The eighth is a dramatically downhill one-shotter contending with a creek just short of the green. The elevation change alone will create about a two club difference from stock yardage, but the wind will dictate optimal club selection.

With the green sloping heavily from back-to-front, it might be best to err slightly long as a lofted shot will land softly on the surface after the journey downhill.

#9 – Par 5, 587/554/475/442 Yards

The par fives at University Ridge will lull players into a sense of security with inviting-looking shots, and in some cases a glimmer of hope to reach the promised land in two. Serious trouble lurks on the margins, though, putting big numbers in play if you’re careless.

The ninth is no exception, starting with a tricky tee shot emerging from the woods into open prairie. The orientation of the fairway and traps positioned on the right side will encourage a bold play up the left, which sets up well for those with a high draw in their bag.

With the approach playing significantly uphill to a perched green, it’ll be tough to get home in two and laying up to wedge range is a sound play.

#10 – Par 4, 483/456/424/375 Yards

The long par four 10th dives downhill into the forest, a stark departure from the open front nine and fitting introduction to the wooded back side. A high-pressure tee shot must thread the needle between towering trees on each side, but a slight miss to the right is preferable as anything missed left will tumble down a steep slope where you’ll likely be blocked out by trees.

Featuring an undulating green that is about 40 yards deep with distinct sections, the approach must carefully consider the pin position to minimize the very real possibility of a three-putt.

#11 – Par 5, 569/537/504/462 Yards

Doglegging to the right around a pair of fairway traps, the 11th dares the bold to rip one up the right side to set up a look at the green. While an errant drive can derail any realistic shot at birdie, prowess with the driver will be rewarded with a clean, slightly uphill channel to a green that’s unprotected on the front side.

I’ve found it’s easy to overestimate the uphill elevation on approach, especially to the back section which runs front-to-back into a chipping area.

#12 – Par 3, 200/174/159/124 Yards

The short 12th descends dramatically into a valley, offering a magnificent view of glacially-sculpted woodland beyond. Club selection is tricky here, with the elevation change accounting for a one-to-two club difference. It’s best to favor the short side, though, as the middle-to-back portion of the green is closely flanked by bunkers that have proven difficult to recover from.

#13 – Par 4, 336/330/316/294 Yards

While shorter in length, the dramatically uphill 13th will play longer than the posted yardage. The drive, while heading straight uphill, is wide and inviting. With fairway contours that will create awkward lies, though, this is one of the trickiest approach shots on site. A deep bunker closely borders the front center, placing a premium on crisp short iron execution.

#14 – Par 4, 398/377/358/322 Yards

The 14th plays straightaway, with the tee shot cresting a hill that obscures a fairway running into a gulley at driver distance for some. Finding the short grass is paramount, though, as the narrow, well-bunkered green complex will be tricky to navigate coming from the rough.

The depth and series of contours on the green create a multitude of potential pin positions, but anything placed in the center will be well-situated.

#15 – Par 4, 352/321/312/280 Yards

This lovely downhill risk/reward short par four bends heavily to the right around a towering tree, and while very short in yardage, players will want to carefully consider options off the tee. A high, booming fade can challenge the green, but the front-right side of the green complex runs steeply downhill and will propel a slight miss to a precarious spot.

Favoring the left side carries strategic advantage, with a left-to-right sloping fairway that will funnel balls into short pitch range. This is the route I’ve taken the past two times, and as a shorter hitter my stock fade has yielded excellent position.

This green slopes heavily from back-to-front, so it’s wise to stay below the hole at all costs.

#16 – Par 5, 554/533/514/471 Yards

One of my favorite par fives in the state, the 16th features a multitude of options that even a modest ball striker can handle with sound execution. Off the tee, three alternatives are present – play conservatively to the left of a large cluster of trees, attack the fairway to the right by carrying the trees and a ravine, or aim at a narrow sliver of fairway placed on a shoulder up the left side.

Regardless of the route chosen, the second and third shots will need to contend with a massive collection of bunkers fronting an elevated green. Even if you manage to carry the sand, holding the green with a hybrid or long iron is a daunting proposition.

The 16th encompasses all of University Ridge’s character, playing through both forest and prairie and maximizing the surrounding terrain.

#17 – Par 3, 250/192/164/155 Yards

At the 17th, tee selection becomes especially crucial with the tips stretching to 250 yards and water from tee to green. This dramatic spot was a fan favorite at the AmFam Championship, with hundreds of fans gathering in a stadium-like setting, boisterously cheering on balls approaching over the pond.

Misses to the short-right or long will be manageable, so take enough club to carry the water but avoid the left side which will set up a brutal angle for a pitch.

#18 – Par 4, 440/408/371/366 Yards

The closer is a beast if played conservatively up the right side, but distance can be cut off on this uphill dogleg by challenging the fairway traps to the left. Indeed, I’d rather be in the left rough than fairway to the right which requires a ~200 yard approach from a sidehill lie.

With sweeping views of the golf course and Madison’s west side, this elevated green presents a fitting conclusion to an excellent loop.

Closing Thoughts

If you’re in Madison and only have time for one round, my advice has always been the same – get yourself out to University Ridge. The property’s strikingly dramatic natural setting, outstanding course conditions, strategic design and impeccable service/amenities combine to make this Madison’s best golf experience by a decent margin.

Sure, some other excellent layouts exist in the area, mostly of the private club variety (Nakoma, Bishops Bay, Maple Bluff and Hawks Landing to name a few), but University Ridge occupies the best golf site in Dane County and Robert Trent Jones, Jr.’s routing maximizes the hills, valleys, ridges, forest and prairie to yield an unforgettable golf experience.

While the rate for juniors and UW students has doubled to $ 40 since my youth, it’s still an incredible deal and a great asset for young golfers to get a taste of high-end golf. A peak greens fee of $ 145 is still an excellent value for the rest of us, though, considering the number of courses charging north of $ 200 these days.

For more on University Ridge, be sure to check out Jon Holzbauer’s article on the simulated vs. real-life experience on this standout property.

University Ridge Website

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