Getting To Know: High Cliff Public Golf Course

Whether you have played a course 20+ times a year or looking to play the course for the first time, insights from an insider can help enhance your golf experience. Below is an interview with Joe Nagan who shares some valuable tidbits about the course, memorable holes and must eats and treats at the 19th.

Give Our Readers An Overview of the Golf Course/Property
Our challenging 18-hole Sherwood golf course layout was designed in 1968 by Homer Fieldhouse. Built along the picturesque Niagara escarpment, High Cliff Public Golf Course overlooks the majestic Lake Winnebago and High Cliff State Park. This location is ideal to host any corporate, charity, or group outing. Also enjoy an afternoon of High Cliff golf with family and friends.

If Someone Was Looking To Golf In The Area, Why Should They Play Your Course?
We have a very picturesque course that runs along the cliffs of High Cliff State Park on the front 9 and a long winding back 9 that runs through the beautiful neighborhoods of Sherwood. High Cliff is a great place for golfers of all skill levels, from the scratch player to the 14 handicap. It is great for corporate and family events, and will leave a lasting impression on you.

What Tips or Local Knowledge Would You Provide To Help Them Score Better At Your Course?
Number three is a bit tricky if you are teeing off from the blue or white tees because there is a slight dog leg to the right about 120 yards from the tee. You will need to have a slight fade on your tee shot if you are using a driver, otherwise I would suggest using a wood or hybrid if you aren't that skilled to make sure you don't land your drive in the fairway of number two.

The same goes with hole number five. I tend to use a 3 wood from the tee and have a slight fade to the right. If you get a good enough path your ball should roll with the fairway and will help you gain a few more yards off the tee. Don't underestimate hole number 7 either; while it may look like a straight shot, the elevated tees tend to trick people on picking the right club in order to make it over the pond to the green. The green itself is a challenge as well. It has a hard slope facing the tee, so don't over shoot the green or you will be making your chip shot blind leading to a severe downhill roll. It is better to land just short of the green than to try and crush the ball off the tee.

Following number 7 you don't get a break either. It is a 510 yard hole which has a dog leg to the left at about 400 yards. Your best bet is to get a good tee shot and hit your second shot with a higher numbered iron to land on the corner of the bend. From there you can hit about a 7 or 8 depending on your skill to land on the green.

The back nine may be a little more forgiving for the novice player, but that doesn't mean that it is easy. While there may not be any sand traps on the back nine, there are plenty of water hazards and trees to get in your way.

Number 11 for example is a long 511 yard winding hole that will eat your ball if you are not careful off the tee. I would advise to place the ball on the left side of the fairway so to make your second shot easier. From there it cuts back left towards some houses. Depending on where your drive ends up, I would suggest using a hybrid or a fairway to get you the rest of the way to the green. Don't fly this one though or you'll end up with a lost ball and an angry homeowner. Number 13 is another long hole with a bend to the left at about 300 yards. Hit your drive straight and you'll be ok, if not you'll spend lots of time looking in the fields for your ball. Once you've hit your drive I suggest using a mid range iron to get to the corner. For more experienced golfers, you can use a fairway or hybrid to get over the corner of trees and onto the green.

Number 15 you have two different options, you can either try and drive the pond to the green if you are a long hitter, or you can play it safe and lay up to the left of the pond. From there you can make an easy approach shot to the green.

Number 17 is a very narrow hole with thick trees on both sides so this may be the most important tee shot on the whole course. Anything other than straight and you'll be grabbing another ball out of your bag. Number 18 is a sigh of relief being straight, although it is our longest hole at 535 yards. Watch out for the pond on the right and a few trees blocking any high approach shot close to the green. Other than that, number 18 should leave you feeling good even after a not so good round.

Recent Awards or What You Are Most Proud About The Course?
We were fortunate enough to be one of the finalists as the best golf course in the valley in 2012 by Post Crescent readers. Also, our superintendent, John "Rocky" Vandenboogard, has done an excellent job with the course this season. This is the best that this golf course has looked in years hands down thanks to him and his crew. I encourage anyone who has strayed away from this course to give it a second chance and come see how the "NEW" High Cliff Golf Course looks.

What Is The Signature, Most Talked About, or Most Photographed Hole?
As you tee off from number 7, you will have an amazing view overlooking one of our biggest ponds and the state park. The tees are staggered one slightly above the other along side of the cliffs. The blue tee is hidden up in the trees and there is a nice little path to get you there. Hole 7 is a very scenic hole and a great par 3 to try and get that "sacred" hole in one. It is also a great spot to take pictures for an outing or a family get together.

What Is Your Favorite Hole? Any Tips to Play It?
My favorite hole is number 9, not only because that usually means a little snack from the restaurant at the turn, but also because of it's challenging green. As you approach the green you'll need to chose wisely on what club to use so as not to overshoot the green. If you do fly the green, you'll have to face an uphill shot which also means you'll be chipping onto a green that is sloping downhill from you. The approach shot is very critical when playing number nine. You'll also need to hit your tee shot well because nine does have a dog leg to the left right off the bat. A shot hit straight will end up in the range so you'll need to pull it left a little, but be careful not to pull too far left or you will end up in the road. I usually try and ride the tree line so my ball ends up in the fairway after the dog leg. A good finish on this hole usually means a well deserved drink or snack at the turn.

Must Have Dish or Drink after the round at the 19th Hole?
Probably the best sandwich to get from our neighbors at High Cliff Restaurant is their pulled pork sandwich. It may be the best sandwich I've ever had. If you're an Old Fashion or Bloody Mary kind of person then you have to check them out. All of their food is phenomenal, you can't go wrong with anything from High Cliff.

Who Holds Course Record and What Was Their Score?
Our current course record is a 61 held by Pete Benson. That's a 10 under round on our course. It has been standing for about 5 years now.

Back Tee Stats
Par: 71
Yardage: 6188
Slope: 119
Rating: 70

More Information
High Cliff Public Golf Course
W5055 Golf Course Road
Sherwood, WI, 54169
(920) 989-1045
www.highcliffgolf.com