As they like to say, “Those birdies don’t putt themselves.” The same can be said about a 4½ star golf course… it doesn’t just happen. Smart decisions and plenty of rolling up your sleeves every day when you get out of bed adds up over time. Clifton Highlands Golf Course has the canvas to paint a majestic picture and that is exactly what it does. As PGA Golf Professional Ken Bramhall is fond of saying, “We keep making incremental changes that make big improvements.” Truer words were never spoken.

It’s common knowledge along the Vikings/Packers border that Clifton Highlands is always on point. The fairways remain practically divot free, the greens roll true and those tee boxes are typically spotless. Clifton Highland’s grounds crew, led by course superintendent Todd Hauschildt – with more than 30 years of dedicated service, takes great pride in preparing the course to near perfect conditions.

The course is designed around the base of one of those western Wisconsin plateaus that dot the countryside. It was designed by Dr. Gordon Emerson who left his mark on a dozen or so courses across the Midwest and most notably in western Wisconsin. A signature element in his design work is the ability to make tee shots and approach shots appear easier (i.e. safer) than they are. This tends to trigger several reactions, but the desired effect is to create a thinking person’s round. To try and not succumb to the guerrilla style golf that these looks present. Reaching the green in two is not always the wisest choice, sure it can be done, but how often? Maybe the wide spot in the fairway is best, maybe laying up at 100 yards is better than stretching for the 50 yard spot. Some corners should not be attempted. You get the idea. Mr. Emerson has crawled into your head and is messing with you. Fun stuff!

The fun starts on the front nine with a series of par 4’s that play tight. They seem very comfortable from the tee box but get sideways a little bit and things begin to unravel. The longish par 4 fifth is a perfect example. At 407 yards from the whites it’s challenging, now throw a tough, tilted green on top of that and a bogey isn’t looking too bad. The next hole appears to be of the big swing variety but again with water on your right (at the right spot) and OB on your left you still need to use some control. At 512 yards from the whites you can roll one up to the front but the bunkering surrounding the heavily undulated green should probably keep you at a 3-shot approach sequence. The front does finish with a par 5 birdie opportunity. It’s a good time to put two long shots together and go for it because there isn’t an abundance of those opportunities to be had.

The back nine starts off out front and then double backs to circle the base of the bluff behind the clubhouse. The scenery on that finishing set of holes is classic, rural Wisconsin and it’s stunning. There is a sense of calm that echoes through these holes even as you are trying to stay out of trouble. Take the short par 4 fourteenth for example. At 302 yards it begs the question should I try to squeeze every yard out of the driver or lay back and trust my 100 yard wedge? Easy answer, stay with the 100 yard wedge. The long par 5 fifteenth makes for a great back-to-back pairing with #14. A safe drive leads into a narrowed down second and third shot. After you proudly pick-up that par putt on the green look towards the east across the fields and try not to smile. It can’t be done. The back finishes with a sweeping right hand arc that reads 539 yards on the card from the whites but can play shorter with properly placed corner shots.

Rolling back to the clubhouse it’s time to enjoy some appetizers and a craft beverage from the well-stocked selection. There is an intangible clubhouse vibe that works its magic after a round. There’s nothing more satisfying than sitting around sipping a cold one while recapping the day’s highlights with friends. The Highlands Grill offers just the right touch of atmosphere for your post-game wrap-up, and the sandwiches and finger foods will not disappoint.

Ken and his staff are proud of the reputation and accolades that The Highlands has secured over the years. They have diligently aligned operations to the ‘new normal’ and things are going smoothly. They keep putting energy into the golf operations and the course keep’s exceeding customer expectations.

As the bald eagles circle above the bluff know that Clifton Highlands is firmly planted in the reality that hard work pays off. It’s a short drive from the Twin Cities to enjoy the labors of that work with a 4.5 star golf experience awaiting your arrival.