Brown Deer Park Golf Course Review

I have come to believe that some places are not merely golf courses, but rather, they are living museums, each blade of bentgrass a silent witness to history. The Brown Deer Golf Course in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is one such place.

It is a municipal track, sure, but a magnificent one, with a lineage that far surpasses its humble public status. It is a story of a course that has seen it all, from the grand old days of the PGA Tour to the quiet rounds of a weekend warrior trying to break 90.

And today, Kathy and I got a chance to play this piece of history.

We were paired with locals Matt and Russ. Both were proud of the course, its history, and the challenge we were about to undertake.

​The tale of Brown Deer begins in 1929. It was designed by George Hansen. It is carved out of the rolling landscape, its fairways flowing with the natural contours of the land, where people like us could play the same holes as the pros. Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Lee Trevino, – they all walked these fairways.

The history of the course is etched into the trees that line the fairways and the sand-filled bunkers that guard the greens.

And in 1996, a 20-year-old phenom, made his professional debut here.

His name was Tiger Woods.

We got to play where Tiger made his start.

I didn’t play as well or make a hole-in-one on the par-3, 14th hole like Tiger did back in 1996, but I did have a great time! With input and guidance from our new local friends, Kathy and I were able to navigate Brown Deer Golf Course with the confidence needed to tackle this legend. 

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Brown Deer Golf Course is a testament to the idea that great golf does not require private membership or an exorbitant fee. It is a place where players can walk in the footsteps of giants. The course’s bentgrass fairways, the subtle undulations, and the strategic hazards demand thoughtful play, a quality that is often lost in today’s modern, manufactured courses. Here, the challenge is organic, born from the land itself.

It’s a place where every golfer, regardless of their skill level, can feel the ghosts of the past, and for 18 holes, become a part of the enduring story of the game.

Based on our golf scorecard – Brown Deer Golf Course is defiantly a birdie course.

From the friendly greeting Dave provided in the clubhouse to being announced on the tee-box, Brown Deer Golf Course is an awesome course to play a round of golf. The only thing that I could have an issue with, and I am being picky, was the cart girl. She seemed to drive around the course without understanding golf etiquette. She drove in front of my tee-box twice as I was set up to the ball. But honestly, that did not take away from the pure joy this course offered.

If you are in the Milwaukee area, Brown Deer Park Golf Course is a must play.  

Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting

Written By:  Marc Festa

COURSE REVIEW SCORECARD

Course:  Brown Deer Golf Course

Type: Public

Date Played: 22 September 2025

HOLE	PAR	SCORE	COMMENTS
1 – Tee Time Availability	4	4	We were able to get the tee time we wanted without any issues.
2 – Cost of Green Fees	4	4	Pretty standard for what we usually pay. However, the green fees are a very good value for a cardholder, especially with the Milwaukee County Parks unlimited pass.
3 – Condition of Tee Boxes	4	3	Well marked with hole layout and distance.
4 – Condition of Fairways	5	4	Very good condition of blue grass, with many narrow and tree-lined.
5 – Condition of Greens	4	3	Well maintained bent grass. Although undulating, they did roll smooth and true.
6 – Length of Course	5	5	Four tee boxes. Blacks – 6759; Blue – 6306; White – 5893; Gold – 4996. An enjoyable, classic layout.
7 – Hazards	4	4	The front nine is long and open with strategically situated hazards. The back nine is tight and very challenging, with numerous water hazards.
8 – Starter/Marshal	3	2	Dave was very pleasant and shared his insight on what to look out for when playing.
9 – High Handicap Friendly	3	3	Some holes are challenging, but they are balanced out by holes where a high handicap player can easily score low.
OUT	36	32
10 – Practice Area	5	5	Accessible driving range
11 – Locker Rooms	3	3	Restrooms available.
12 – Pro Shop	4	4	The pro shop had everything you would need for a round of golf.
13 – Location	4	4	Easy to find.
14 – Rental Equipment	4	4	The carts were clean. They have rental clubs and pull-carts available.
15 – Food Cart	4	5	The beverage cart person wasn’t too aware of her surroundings while moving around the track.
16 – Restaurant/Club House	4	4	Restaurant available.
17 – Parking	3	3	Plenty of parking space.
18 – Customer Service	5	5	Dave was friendly and helpful.
IN	36	37
TOTAL	72	69	PLAYER: Marc F.  ATTESTED BY: Kathy F.