Hawks Landing Golf Club

I've read the negative input that other people put from along time ago. I've played this course twice this summer once over the Labor Day Weekend. The couse I thought was in PERFECT condition. The staff was very friendly and I will definately drive the 190 miles to play it again. I would highly recommend that people replay it from 10 years ago!!!

Long story short, go play University Ridge instead of Hawk's Landing. On a quick, first time visit to Madison, I played University one day, and Hawk's then next. I wish I had played University both days. Now, in defense of Hawk's, I called at 830 am on a Saturday, was told that the Men's Invitational was going on and the earliest I could get on would be 1120 am. I asked what was a typical time for a round was and I was told 4, 4 1/2 hours. Fair enough. Upon my arrival, I was pretty much treated like a member. Mind you, I'm 33 yrs old, have longer hair than most, I wear a goatee, but have been around the game for about 28 years even though I have never looked the part. My step father is a club pro and my first job was in a pro shop. Normally, in a "club" setting, I am accustomed to being shunned, mostly based on appearance. The folks at Hawk's were friendly and made it obvious that they were there to serve me. The members, on the other hand, were snobbish and wouldn't even acknowledge a hello. Screw them. They can keep their overrated course. Speaking of which, I was paired with two total hacks and one VERY nice member. The member lived on the course, as did the hacks. I'm guessing they play one or two times a year. They had never played this course. They were in over their head. Now, don't get me wrong. I personally think that everyone has a right to play any course they like, regardless of skill level. However, if you suck, and it's painfully obvious, don't take 7 practice swings, stand over it for a full minute, then top it for a total of 9 yards. And then do it all over again. Pick it up after your 15th swing. Get in the cart. You see those people behind us? Yeah, they're waiting on you. Now, as a semi-private club charging $75, you MUST have a ranger on the course for this reason. I NEVER saw a ranger during my 3 HOUR AND 20 MINUTE front nine. It's not my job, or my place, to tell these guys to pick it up. It's the management's job. Long story short, I put up with the first nine because the member was a pleasure to play with, but after he quit after nine, I had had enough after 2 more holes. I complained, which I NEVER do, to Ahna in the pro shop about being paired with a couple of hacks. She was very nice and apologetic and offered me a rain check for nine. When I told her that I was from out of town and that the offer to reconcile the issue was enough to make it right, she insisted that she refund me for the second nine. I was impressed and thankful. Now, quickly, the course: well designed, beautifully and thoughtfully laid out, well maintained and some holes were very challenging. However, I can't describe a course lined with over-sized, vinyl-sided homes and condos as scenic or pretty. But, that's my personal opinion. The greens are deceptively tough, pins were challenging but accessible, and all in all, in great shape. Bunkers were soft and maintained. The rough was thick and mean. Fairways were just OK. The majority were great, but there were lots of bad spots. Not sure how much rain they've had up here this spring, but there really seemed to be too many bad spots for this time of year. All in all, a pretty nice track, as long as you don't get paired with hack 1 and hack 2, or anyone like them. But, as mentioned, if you only have time for one course, hit up University Ridge.