The following is a Q&A with Rick Callies, PGA Pro, at Kettle Moraine Golf Club.
Why is Kettle Moraine Golf Club a "must play" golf course in metro Milwaukee? Kettle Moraine is away from everything. It is hard to find a course in the area that isn't surrounded by houses, roads, city etc. It is a great place to come to get away.
What is the signature hole on course and why? Everybody talks about #7, a 160-180 yard par-3 with a very tricky green. It features a big bunker that sits at least 10 feet below the green and the right side is protected by a giant oak. If you miss left you may not keep your second shot on.
Personally, I like our stretch of holes 11,12, and 13. This is our amen corner. We recently re-ranked our handicap holes based on players scores and they came in as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd hardest. Hole 11 is a long par 4. From the elevated tee the hole looks tough that doglegs right to an elevated green. Hole 12 is a long par 5, hazards equipped through the entire hole. And 13 is a longer par three which could be stretched to 230.
That stretch of holes might be the hadest 3 hole stretch in the area. What is your advice on playing these holes?
Hole 11 - Basic advice but do not lose a ball and force a re-tee. The hole is long enough and there is some room to miss right. Ideally hit at the pond on the left off the tee. If the trees on the right are in your line for your second shot be cautious it takes a much higher shot to clear these than most people think. We tell everybody after the hole a birdie is an eagle a par is a birdie and a bogey is a par.
Hole 12 - SAFETY off the tee, again another long hole that you do not want to force a retee. I have seen many people play 3 woods off the tee to keep the first shot safe. The second shot should be placed right side of the fairway with some room to miss right into the rough. The water down the left side is closer than it appears and has swallowed a lot of balls. The green is two tiered with the back tier being quite small. Be aggressive when the pin is in the front of middle but be cautious while it is in back. Many balls have hit the back edge of the green and jumped into the water or woods.
Hole 13 - Long par three with steeper sides that protect the green. Missing left can become a disaster. If you are concerned about missing right of left play the cautious club and lay up slightly short of the green. Unless you hit a great first shot most people will be relying on a up and down for par. In our foursome scrambles this hole has awarded skins for a birdie multiple times.
What is your favorite hole on the course My favorite hole is my least favorite hole, number 4. Par 5 measures about 500 yards. Out of bounds lines the whole right side, water comes into play down the left side for your drive and a fairway bunker is on the right. A good tee shot allows you to go for it in two, which is no easy task. A pond surrounds the left of the green and a bunker the right and of course the out of bounds down the right and behind the green. If you are able to get on in two, your eagle or birdie was well deserved, which you will probably need going into hole 5.
