Milwaukee Area's 18 Toughest Holes

AS ANY GOLFER worth his or her Pro V1 knows that the toughest holes aren't necessarily the longest, even though every course handicaps its longest holes as the toughest. Tough holes come in all shapes, sizes, and lengths.

Our list of 18 of the toughest holes within a travel time of about 45 minutes from Milwaukee tries to take all those factors into account. Obviously there will be disagreement, but that's what makes this exercise interesting. All distances are from the back tees. For specifics about each course and directions, visit www.golfwisconsin.com.

#1, Brown Deer, 461 yards, par 4: A dogleg right with trees lining the entire right side and part of the left side. The drive has to be at least 250 yards center or left of center to provide a decent shot at the green. Anything right of center or short and you might as well play this as a par 5.

#18, Hartford, 416 yards, par 4: A fairly straight hole, but the drive must be positioned center or right of center; otherwise, trees along the left side will make it difficult to get a clear shot at the green. Bunkers guard the green's right side.

#13, Nagawaukee, 229 yards, par 3: An uphill hole to a huge green that has the twists and turns of a roller coaster. Trees line both sides leading up to the green. If you don't carry the green you won't make it because of a steep incline just in front of the putting surface.

#7, Washington County, 545 yards, par 5: A dogleg left that has water along the entire left side and a fairway that slopes left. Drive should be center or right of center, although there is a large trap about 280 yards out. Second shot is important to position a third shot over a small creek in front of a raised green that is long, but shallow. This hole alone is worth the price of admission.

#17, Deertrak,171 yards, par 3: A visually intimidating hole that requires a narrow line over two ponds. This hole has ruined many a good score.

#10, Muskego Lakes, 445 yards, par 4: Either lay up in front of a creek about 225 yards from the tee and face an uphill shot to a long, narrow raised green that sits on an angle and is guarded by a gaping bunker on the left and trees on the right, or try and carry the creek (250 yard carry) and still be left with a difficult, though shorter, shot.

#7, Ironwood - The Callow 9, 500 yards, par 5: Golfers love to hate this hole. It's a narrow (through trees on both sides), uphill hole that doglegs right about 240 yards from the tee. You not only have to hit a long drive to make the turn, but you also have to keep it center or left of center to have a decent second shot. The hole narrows slightly after the turn so accuracy and placement are important on the second shot. The third shot must carry a bunker in front of a shallow green and avoid tall trees on the green's right side.

#12, The Bog, 348 yards, par 4: Don't let its length fool you, this hole is a nail biter. A dogleg right that requires a tee shot over a couple of right side bunkers. Do that successfully and you're still faced with a short shot over a creek that runs in front of a long, but very shallow green.

#16, Morningstar, 463 yards, par 4: A drive favoring the left side of the fairway needs to reach the top of the hill about 250 yards out. Don't go too far left because a bunker sits on the left at the top of the hill. After this it's all downhill to a long green that sits at an uncomfortable angle particularly if you're hitting from a downhill lie.

#6, The Golf Club at Camelot, 324 yards, par 4: A downhill dogleg right that requires a tee shot in the fairway. The second shot is over water to a relatively small green that slopes from back to front. Go too far over the green and the recovery shot could be distressing - short and you're all wet.

#12, Bristlecone Pines, 230 yards, par 3: Water along the right, trees and thick rough along the left, a raised green with a back shelf protected by a deep, front bunker. Enough said.

#15, Brighton Dale - Blue Spruce, 604 yards, par 5: A long drive favoring the right side of the fairway is needed so that you'll have an easier second shot - blind and uphill - over a pond. Accomplish these two things and you'll still have an uphill shot to a large, long, but relatively flat green.

#14, Broadlands, 447 yards, par 4: Two long and straight shots are required. Hit the tee shot right and you could end up in a trap or long fescue. Hit it left and it could be out of bounds or lost. Favor the fairway's left side because a huge oak tree guards the right side of the green.

#7, Kettle Moraine, 178 yards, par 3: Green is raised and very undulating, generally sloping from back to front. Shots that are too short easily roll off the green. A bunker and a stand of trees protect the right side so if the pin is located on that side you'll have to fade your tee shot.

#9, Fire Ridge, 440 yards, par 4: Drive must be long and straight because a stand of trees lining the fairway's left side and a huge tree blocking the right side. In addition, there's a right side bunker about 280 yards out. After the tee shot, it's downhill to a tricky green guarded on the left and right front by bunkers.

#14, Kettle Hills - Ponds/Woods, 537 yards, par 5: A straight, but narrow hole that is lined on both sides with trees. Visually, it's daunting because the tee shot's landing area can't be seen from the tee. And all along the left side (train tracks) is out of bounds. The fairway slopes to the right for the entire length of the hole. While the green looks relatively flat, it too slopes from left to right.

#4, Evergreen - South Course, 328 yards, par 4: A dogleg right that requires a straight drive of at least 220 yards to carry a bunker so that you'll be able to see the hole on your second shot. Take the bunker out of play by favoring the left side of the fairway, but don't go too far left because the fairway slopes that way into a small, almost hidden, creek. Go right and you're looking at bogey or worse.

#17, Fairways of Woodside, 456 yards, par 4: A fairway that slopes to the right makes it essential to hit a straight tee shot on this slight dogleg right. You can favor the left side of the fairway somewhat, but the more you do the longer this already long hole becomes. Water lines the entire right side of the fairway and a large bunker protects the front right of a long and relatively narrow green.

Good luck. You'll need it!