Bull at Pinehurst Farms

Took a day trip from Chicago to play the Bull with some friends. Well worth the trip. Bought the top 100 special online before, which is the way to go.

Course really challenges you in a variety of ways, but its fair, and makes you think before judging the risk/reward of the shot. Lots of elevation changes and scenic views along the way. Rained all day before we teed off but course dried quickly and was in great shape.

I made it a point to wedge in a late afternoon trip to The Bull on my Wisconsin excursion because I had heard so many good things about this course that often contends with the shadow of its’ more-famous neighbor down the street in Kohler.

So glad I did.

From grassy, tree-lined rolling meadows to holes carved from hardwoods, lakes, ravines, wetlands and the Onion River factor in on 16 holes.

The first two holes are pretty benign, and I was encouraged to be patient with my expectations. Sure enough from the fourth hole on, The Bull offers a variety of holes that offer a variety of strategy.

Risk/reward par 5s and a good mixture of long and short par 3 holes stand out. For me, however, it was the ability to use multiple clubs off of tee boxes. I pulled 4 and 5 irons a lot today to contend with narrow fairways on short par 4s. Likewise, properly placed drivers yielded significant advantages on several holes. A great example was the seventh hole.

No. 8 is one of the most interesting holes i’ve ever played. A par 5, with two fairways split by the Onion River offers choices. Likewise, the par-4 11th does the same with alternate fairways.

The Bull has a great finishing stretch of holes (Nos. 15-18). Fifteen is a short par 3 that is guarded by a pond. Sixteen is an old-school hole that offers a Pine Valley-esque approach shot to a small green guarded by large hardwoods and a ravine. Seventeen is a bomber’s delight par 5 and eighteen is a long par four that plays uphill and requires taking on the marsh if you are going to challenge the pin.

The fairways were lush and greens rolled very good. And you cannot beat a Top 100-rated Public Course in America that offers a $45 twilight rate.

In summary, this is an ultra-playable layout in great condition. No trip to Blackwolf Run or Whistling Straits should not include a quick diversion to The Bull.

My friends and I have been going to the Bull annually to take advantage of their Steak N Play special for 5 years now and it's always one of my favorite golf days of the year.

Jack Nicklaus' only Wisconsin design never disappoints. The greens always roll beautifully but getting to them is always the most difficult part of playing the Bull. Every green is protected with a combination of elevation, bunkering, or water hazard. Your ball striking has to be on in order to play well here. Any miss and it could end up being a big number.

That being said, it's still great to embrace the challenge. Holes 5,6,7 are about as good as they get in the state, and for some reason, the Bull makes you feel good after dominating you all day.

It's right up there with the Kohler courses in regards to aesthics and facilities and with their 50/50 program, you never have to pay full price to experience high end golf.

Incredible venue. A manager named Pat came up to us on the course and asked if we where enjoying ourselves.

How cool and professional was that!

The rest of the staff A+++++

I would highly recommend playing here.

An absolute destinations!!!!

Their practice area 2nd to NONE!!!!

I'm a 50/50 member at The Bull, which is one of the best golf deals you can get in the area. This course is a top-notch facility that is on par with the nearby Kohler courses.

The course features some outstanding stretches of holes, particularly Nos. 5-8 and Nos. 16-18.

Included in your greens fees are use of the practice facilities (range, chip/putting greens) and a cart with GPS.

The Bull at Pinehurst Farms is a classic Jack Nicklaus design. Plan to encounter many strategic par 4s that will require correct club selection and accuracy off the tee. The course routing is very enjoyable, with both nines starting you comfortably in the open before heading into the tree lines area, which is where the teeth of the course can be found. Conditions, even in April, were fantastic all things considered. This was a very tough track, but one that left you rewarded when you executed good shots. Highly Recommend this course, truly a must play.

Perennially ranked in top 10-15 public courses in WI, The Bull at Pinehurst Farms is the only Nicklaus Signature design in the state. The course really comes to life at the 5th hole, at which point it turns into the dense woods and away from houses. The routing is pretty -- through woods, and back and forth over a winding stream -- but quirky at times. Hole 8, for example, is wacky, with a split and bifurcated fairway. I asked some regulars how they liked the course, and they admitted that "You have to play it a lot to know where to hit it and where to avoid." Very true. Typical Nicklaus target golf: there are distinct landing areas, with better and worse sides, often dependent on where pin is (which you often can't see from tee). Big hitters will enjoy taking a rip at the drivable par-4 11th. Definitely worth the price and lost balls, though. Great location near Kohler, pristine conditions, great staff, and a challenge for golfers of all levels.

The course was very nice but a 5 hour forty minute round is unacceptable. We booked not knowing an outing was taking place and would have played elsewhere.

This course is well worth the 1hr drive north from Milwaukee. And if you are playing the kohler resort course, it is an excellent afternoon round option especially for the $50-70 price point. Nice elevation changes, and the way the course winds in and out of the woods and meanders near the stream. It's a great course that is hidden among some great courses in the Sheboygan, Wisconsin area.

The bull will definitely challenge all skill levels. The course was in great conditions and played very fair. The staff was very accommodating and polite. Overall a very good value.

The course presented a very technical golf experience with beautiful pin settings. I would highly recommend this course to friends and family. It is by far the best course I have played with a relaxing environment. The staff made my round fun and relaxing. The course layout was spectacular. The fairway and green were in exceptional condition! I really enjoyed the whole experience!

The Bull gets far less fanfare than the nearby courses up in Kohler, but this Nicklaus design is a great golf course. But bring some extra balls with you because you'll probably need them. First four holes are fairly unspectacular "warmup" holes, then you get in the woods and the course shows its teeth. But it's fair and forces you to think and hit good shots. Course condition was great (esp for early May) and it's a great facility for practicing too. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the SE Wisconsin area.

Made the 2 hr drive from Lake Geneva to play here. The course is absolutely amazing! 5 stars in my book. great deal on GN and the staff was very friendly. Great course conditions, and they had the pin placements in the toughest spots on the greens. Very Very challenging course, but so beautiful and picturesque. Played from the blue tees since the blacks were not out. Very nice course, my new favorite to play. Will be back!

I play the course a couple times a week. Every time i play the bull the staff goes above and beyond expectations. The course is always in great shape. The bull is very difficult ,but you still have a chance to score on a few holes. The greens are firm and fast plus the practice facility is impressive. You get the top notch experience at half the price, Play it you will not be disappointed.

The Bull is a challenge. Very fun course. Was paired up with two other players. That was also nice they were fun people.

The Bull never disappoints. Outstanding course. Score on the holes that you can because others will eat you up. Worth the trip from Milw/Chicago. Great deal on GolfNow!

Played this course for the 1st time and sometimes you build up a course to be better and than you play it and your kinda bumbed out. I kinda built up this course to be really good and after playing it , it was even better than that, its not only in perfect shape challenging and electric carts with GPS units were great as well, not only were the views great this course can challenge you maybe more than what you could handle as well. but well worth it but do yourself a favor play it more than once to figure this course out and the landing spots

There are a few courses that come to mind as must plays within an hour or so of Milwaukee. If The Bull is not on your list it should be. Wisconsin's only Nicklaus Signature Course is every bit as good as any of the courses in the Kohler area and with online special rates you can play this gem for a fraction of the price. Go play The Bull, you will thank me when you're done.

Jack did an extraordinary job of carving a masterpiece and retaining the intense natural beauty of the property. Taking notes from the pro tips that accompanied the course tour on the website was extremely valuable. It would have been nice if they were included on the GPS or scorecard. It is one of those amazing golf experiences my son and I will talk about for years.

If you have never played a Nickolas Signature course, you should and this is a very good one. The course is carved out of rolling hills and woods, with streams and ponds, that make it one beautiful course. Bring some extra balls along, as there are plenty of places to leave them. Two things you can be sure of, this course is difficult, but hit the fairway and the conditions will allow for excellent ball contact. Bring a camera, as you will find many scenes that you will want to take with you. One of my all time favorites!