The Golf Courses of Lawsonia - The Links

Step onto The Links at Lawsonia and you're transported to golf's golden age, despite being planted in the heart of Wisconsin farmland. Designed by the visionary team of William Langford and Theodore Moreau in 1930, this is one of the greatest preserved examples of early American architecture still open to the public. The course spans 6,764 yards of wide-open fairways, geometric bunkers cut with 1920s steam shovels, and massive elevated greens that demand strategy and creativity. There's an audacious boldness to the design—the par-3 seventh sits perched atop a railroad boxcar buried beneath the green—that makes every hole feel like a test of both nerve and finesse.

The Links rewards golfers who think, not just those who muscle the ball. Strategic bunkering positioned 20-60 yards short of greens encourages layup options; fairways are generously wide off the tee; and the greens themselves are among the most interesting and challenging you'll find anywhere. The back nine is particularly stunning, crossing completely exposed glacial landforms with a windswept, links-like character that feels both foreign and authentic on Wisconsin terrain.

What makes Lawsonia special for groups is the package deal—36 holes of championship golf on the same property, three on-site lodge homes perfect for group stays, and Langford's Pub serving Wisconsin's best fish fry right on the grounds. You can base your entire trip here: play both courses, stay steps from the first tee, and never leave the property. The course plays firm and fast in peak season, the greens are excellent, and the entire experience feels like time travel to when golf was about playability, strategy, and architectural boldness rather than length and equipment.