Wisconsin's 10 Best Par 4 Holes

With few exceptions, par fours make up the majority of every golf course in the world. They are the "ordinary" holes that when well thought out can prove to be quite extraordinary.

Whether challenging or straight-forward, this article is dedicated to the state's best and most exciting par four holes. As is the case with the best par three and five blogs, it will be an ongoing examination of the best of the best, and will be dynamic in nature as better holes find their way to this list.

1. Blackwolf Run, Meadow Valleys #14 (423,409,384,376,293 yards):
Quite possibly the most beautiful golf hole I have ever played, the 14th at Meadow Valleys is deemed "Nature's Course." From the elevated tee boxes, the Pigeon River and on most days teems of fly-fishermen are seen down the hill and to the right. The tree lined fairway plays slightly to the left, and is not advisable to drive. Hit it straight and aim for the middle of the fairway, in hopes of receiving a charitable downhill run.

The hole slants to the right, and further downhill where the green is surrounded on three sides by the river, and a charming bridge made from an old flat-bed train car. The river runs hard to the right, and anything errant will fall dramatically from the playing surface.

2. The Bull at Pinehurst Farms #5 (436,404,388,361,308 yards):
Nicknamed "Follow On," the fifth hole at The Bull is one of the most intimidating par four tee shots in Wisconsin. Narrow and through heavy woods, a 40-foot deep ravine resides on the left side of the fairway. The club did a great job on the terracing added to the left side drop-off this season.

If you find the bend in the fairway, you will have a shot at the green in two, which is over the back-side of the ravine and directly left. Stay long, if anything, because short is dead. This is a phenomenal par four, with bite.

3. Lawsonia, Woodlands Course #2 (341,329,315,315 yards):
The second hole is one of my favorites at the Woodlands. 200 yards down the middle of the fairway lives a huge quarry that drops deep from the hitting surface. A bailout fairway lies to the right, while the more appropriate fairway to the left is narrow and sheltered by trees.

A large stone observation tower, known locally as Jutson Tower, looms above the fairway, and a huge oak tree is centered in front of the green, guarding the back-left green location. Playing early on a Sunday morning, chimes and church music provided fantastic ambience to the hole.

4. Whistling Straits, Irish Course #10 (398,387,378,361,340 yards):
The tenth hole on the Irish is one of the most awe-striking holes in Wisconsin. With Lake Michigan on the horizon, the wind is always a factor. The fairway runs significantly uphill and to the left, and missing it is catastrophic. The multitude of random bunkers built into the hills on the right side of the fairway are demonic, and will leave little to no chance of reaching this green in two.

5. Geneva National, Gary Player Course #5 (354,310,283,257,255 yards):
Hole five on the Player course is an instant classic! A true risk,reward hole, the fairway in front of the green is drivable, but requires at least 225 yards to carry the waste area and fingered sand traps. The bail-out fairway to the right is much more accessible, although it adds considerably to the hole's yardage.

The green's front-right bunker is deep, and woods to the left must also be considered if going for this green from the tee. At 310 yards from the gold boxes, this is one of the best short par fours I have ever seen or played.

6. University Ridge #4 (467,398,354,304 yards):
With a tee shot over water, a cut drive is necessary to give yourself a chance at the uphill approach to an elevated green that requires at least a club or two of extra distance to reach. The left side of the driving area is lined with trees, while the right side falls off into fescue and an unreachable pond.

7. Ironwood, Meath Course #3 (278,273,235 yards):
Another short par four, the third on the Meath is as fun of a hole as I have ever played. Playing downhill from elevated tee boxes, the green is reachable from the tee, but good luck at stopping the ball there!

The green is surrounded on three sides by water, and two large sand traps. There are approach areas on both the left and right side, but the right side plays much more difficult. The left side fairway will allow an unimpeded shot to the green, which slopes severely toward the water on the right side. This is a fantastic par four, and my favorite of Ironwood's 27 holes.

8. The Bog #12 (348,318,306,279,239 yards):
I love a short par four, and the twelfth at The Bog is one of the best I have played. From the tee boxes, the only goal is to find the fairway. The right side is lined with trees, and makes hitting driver almost irresponsible. The rough is littered with sand traps, and your second shot will play over a stream that runs laterally before the green area. With woods lining the approach, the green is very short from the front to back, and requires absolutely precision.

9. Brown Deer Park #1 (461,447):
Bown Deer Park starts with probably the hardest opening hole in the state: A 461-yard beast of a par four that doglegs right and is well guarded by trees, a large pond on the left side of the fairway, and deep sand traps all around the green. Score a par or bogey on this hole, and consider your round off to a great start.

10. Silver Spring Country Club, Falls Course #3 (290,270 yards):
The Falls course has five drivable par fours (under 300 yards), and hole number three is the best of the bunch. At 290 yards downhill, the third on the Falls course requires guts, or laying up. Highly elevated over the fairway, a large pond fronts the island-like green.