The Bull at Pinehurst Farms – Played May 2019
- Rankings: Golf Digest Public #77
- Location: 1 Long Drive, Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin
- Year: 2003
- Architect: Jack Nicklaus
- Course Access: Public
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Bull: 7,354 yards, Par 72, 76.3 Rating/147 Slope
- Blue: 6,867 yards, Par 72, 73.8 Rating/144 Slope
- Green: 6,424 yards, Par 72, 71.7 Rating/138 Slope (Men’s), 78.0 Rating/146 Slope
- White: 6,027 yards, Par 72, 70.1 Rating/135 Slope (Men’s), 76.2 Rating/140 Slope
- Red: 5,087 yards, Par 72, 70.4 Rating/130 Slope
After a day off following my round at Erin Hills. I ventured up to The Bull at Pinehurst Farms, north of Milwaukee. It’s not that far from the Kohler resort.
While the name can be a mouthful, it comes from the property’s history. Pinehurst Farms was the site of award-winning cattle breeding. Going back over 150 years, two families built the farm up to be a large dairy and cattle operation. Due to a fire in 1993, the farm moved from the location to a new spot. That paved the way for the golf course to take over. If you want some more of the farm’s history, you can check it out on the course website here.
As you come to the property, the sign below greets you and signals that you’re in the right place.
Below is a look at the backside of the clubhouse with photos of the driving range and short-game area following.
The morning was one of the colder ones I experienced on the trip. It’s nice to escape the heat of South Carolina but May mornings in Wisconsin can be chilly! It was nothing some hand warmers and mittens couldn’t fix.
The head pro, Scott Evans, met me in the parking lot as he was going through some of his morning duties. After a nice conversation, I was on my way to the first tee with a wide-open course ahead. I played the green tees and all yardages are from those markers.
Hole 1 – 365 yards – Par 4
The first hole plays to a wide landing area. The bunkers are dangerous but the more subtle challenge lies in the shallow green bisected by a ridge.
I liked the mix of the short grass collection area and longer rough around the green.
Hole 2 – 378 yards – Par 4
Slicers must use caution here but the fairway is plenty wide. Challenge also awaits on the approach shot to the well-bunkered green.
Putts and chips can be tricky on the figure-eight style green that features multiple ridges.
Hole 3 – 184 yards – Par 3
Water on the right is countered with a generous bailout area on the left. The green is quite small making a bunker shot a distinct possibility.
Hole 4 – 481 yards – Par 5
What looks unassuming from the tee becomes a treacherous landscape of bunkers the closer you get to the green. It’s best to play up the left side of this hole.
Oh don’t worry, there’s a bunker behind the green too!
Hole 5 – 388 yards – Par 4
I liked the fear this tee shot put into me. You absolutely cannot go left from the tee or short on the approach. Nothing but solid shots will do here.
Hole 6 – 173 yards – Par 3
This hole features another daunting visual. In reality, there is more room in front than it appears. The large green has multiple tiers but the real defense is the deep bunker on the left.
The photos below illustrate the additional room for misses you may not see from the tee.
Hole 7 – 281 yards – Par 4
This is a curious hole. I think it’s going for a driveable par four but the mound and bunker in front negate that a bit. Most players will lay up to the awkwardly shaped fairway.
The green sits in a pretty spot with the creek running to the side.
Hole 8 – 500 yards – Par 5
One of the prettier holes on the course due to the creek meandering throughout. The beauty also provides the challenge as you must encounter the water for your approach shot.
Looking back at the hole from behind gives a cool view of the creek and the layout.
Hole 9 – 407 yards – Par 4
This is a brutally tough hole to finish the front nine. It’s all the way uphill but the small green adds to the difficulty.
Hole 10 – 371 yards – Par 4
Consult your yardage book here because there is a reachable water hazard hidden behind the trees on the right. A sensible tee shot to the left side sets you up for a great chance at birdie.
Hole 11 – 320 yards – Par 4
I’m sure long hitters can give this green a go. The ample fairway provides everyone else the opportunity to lay up to a preferred distance.
Take note of the pin position since a big ridge runs through the green.
Hole 12 – 210 yards – Par 3
As you finish 11, you drive through trees to the tee at 12. The vista opens up to reveal this long, difficult par three. It’s a cool spot on the property.
The green is interesting with plenty of undulation throughout.
Hole 13 – 523 yards – Par 5
I caught some great light for this hole. Bunkers are present from tee to a green hidden behind a mound.
Hole 14 – 396 yards – Par 4
You’ve got to choose how much to cut off on this dogleg right. Holes like these are where I wish I had a range finder!
Hole 15 – 145 yards – Par 3
This hole gets more difficult the further back you play. From my tees, the water left was less worrisome. You do need to be aware of the trees behind the green.
Hole 16 – 345 yards – Par 4
This hole starts a nice finishing stretch. The bunker on the left can be carried but accuracy is more important to have a shot to the tree-lined green.
Hole 17 – 525 yards – Par 5
The landing area here is blind but there is plenty of space. It sets up to bomb two shots onto the green.
Be aware of how shallow the green is when going for it in two.
Hole 18 – 432 yards – Par 4
This hole is hard enough in benign conditions. I got to play it directly into the wind. I hit a driver and a three wood and still wasn’t there.
The green is closely bordered by a hazard that may not seem as close to the green from the fairway.
I didn’t have a set level of expectations going into play The Bull at Pinehurst Farms. I typically don’t love Nicklaus courses but I would attribute that to my inability to hit a cut. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the course. There were cool views and interesting approach shots to play. On a cold, wet day I was more than happy to tee it up here!