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4.2
74 Reviews (74)
5 Stars
33
4 Stars
25
3 Stars
13
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
1
Conditions
3.8
Value
4.5
Layout
4.3
Friendliness
4.3
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.0
87.8%
Recommend this course
65 out of 74 reviews
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Value
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Layout
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Friendliness
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Pace
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Amenities
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About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 6696 yards
Slope 125
Rating 72.5

The Golf Course at Branch River, located just west of Manitowoc, is an extension of the former Lakeside Country Club that was established in 1909. Branch River is an 18-hole course that sprawls across rolling, wooded hills. The fairways are lined with mature trees and the gently undulating terrain guarantees a few uneven lies. Strategically placed sand traps and water hazards will further test your accuracy. The vigorous golf course is a good test but it is not so formidable that beginners should be intimidated. The par-4 second hole offers one of the most interesting risk-reward situations on the course. Golfers who are feeling confident with their driver can try to hit it past the big tree hanging over the right side of the fairway, but those who are less confident can play to the 100-yard marker and use a short iron from there.

Course Details

Year Built 1956
Fairways Bent Grass
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season Open: 4/01 Closed: 10/31
Architect William Diddel (1956) Bob Lohmann

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Golf School Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse

Available Activities

Swimming, Shooting, Billiards

Available Sports

Tennis

Reviews

4.2
74 Reviews (74)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 7
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 9
Elevation Changes 7
Water Hazards 6
This course/club is great for:
Locals 13
Advanced Golfers 8
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 7
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 9

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Enjoyed our round

Great day, Sunny but windy. The wind was good as it kept the annoying black gnats at bay. Overall great course and great value. I will definitely play it again.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 119
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Annoying Gnats

This would be a nice course if it wasn't for the gnats flying around our heads at all times. I've been here in spring, summer and fall, and the gnats always seem to be there.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good value, but a little rough around the edges

I’ve played at branch river a few times now and I haven’t come away disappointed yet. It’s not perfect, the grass is long throughout the course; so keep it on the fairway or keep a close eye on where your ball ends up because the rough hides them well. Gnats were a bit annoying, even on a breezy day, and I’d assume mosquitoes are plentiful at certain times of year. Staff is friendly, laid back. Layout keeps it interesting, a good mix of straightforward holes (with a little character) and holes that require some shot planning and club choices. Carts were older but I enjoyed the menu-style course guide that was attached, the pro tips can be helpful when your not familiar with the course.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays Twice a year
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Wonderful Wisconsin... ( Get out and Golf )

Was a private country club opened to the public to generate revenue... This is such a wonderful layout and now everyone can enjoy this beautiful golf course!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
First Time Playing

Not Very Good, Won’t Play Again

I won’t be playing this course again. The course conditions are the primary reason. The staff was friendly and kind, just not a great course at all.

Throughout the course, the tee boxes, greens, fairways, and rough had dead spots with exposed dirt and no grass. The tee boxes were uneven and plenty of un-repaired ball marks. The layout was decent and long, I had to use every club in my bag.

This early in the season, I did not expect a course to be torn up like this.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 45
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

This Course Has Potential

I liked the course layout and the scenery around but the course was not in good condition. This course has potential to be absolutely amazing if they actually put some work into it. Lots of dead spots in the fairways, chunked up greens and grass looked like it hadn't been watered or cut in a while. Overall I like the course just needs some work.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 45
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing

Chased off the course by gnats

I’m hesitate to give bad reviews based on this because I’m not sure if this is the fault of the course or if it’s even something other people experienced but the gnats were so terrible I spent half my afternoon driving my cart in circles trying to lose the 100+ gnats that we’re swarming my head as I was trying to shoot. It’s a good thing no one else was out there because I would literally have to drive up to my shot (if i could find it in the uncut rough), pull my club out, and then right before I shot i had to drive as fast as in could in a 30 yard circle, stop back at my ball, hop of and quickly shoot before the swarm found me again. It was the worst experience of my mostly relaxing life. That being said I enjoyed the course for the most part. Some fun holes. Not the greatest conditions but I only paid $25 so I can’t complain.... but the gnats. The gnats were something I may never forget.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

(Good) Course is outstanding. Every green and fairway perfect. Entire course, beautiful. (Bad) At the turn, no sandwiches (Hot dogs, etc.) Girl gave me a menu, like we had time to sit down for meal, They are loosing a lot of money by not offering to go food. (Bad) The bugs were terrible.Bought spray, didn't do nothing.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Bugs

We always Enjoy this course, We've played it many times, BUT......the bugs today were so bad that we can’t recommend...had problems before with this, but not like today.....too bad, love the course, well kept...oh well

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Buggy but nice!

Small annoying little black bugs! Bring bug spray or head net!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 21
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Buggy but nice

Really buggy course. The nats ended up being quite distracting. It is fairly well maintained, nice greens and a decent layout. Not that challenging but a fun track. The pace of play was great when we went and the staff was friendly. If you are in the area, it's worth the cost.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Fairly Easy
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