Idlewild Golf Club Review

Happy Fall Y’all! We are enjoying the beautiful fall weather in Door County, Wisconsin. Door County’s fall weather is characterized by mild days and cool nights, with temperatures ranging from the 50s to 60s Fahrenheit during the day and dipping into the 30s and 40s at night.  The season is renowned for its stunning autumn foliage, peaking around mid to late October, making it an ideal time to experience the peninsula’s natural beauty with fewer summer crowds and a relaxed atmosphere….

as well as PERFECT golf weather! 

And golf is what we did this past week. Right near our RV park is Idlewild Golf Club. Idlewild Golf Club is located in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, just minutes from Door County’s natural beauty, deep history, and vibrant food culture. Door County seems to have it all – and did I mention there is golf?!

Driving up to Idlewild Golf Club, Kathy and I were ready to play. It looked like we were going to be the first to tee off for the day. We were excited because that meant we could play at our pace, and enjoy the day.

Terri greeted us with a bright smile and shared some important information about the course to make sure we enjoyed our round. She also included the clubhouse end-of-season specials.

We knew we were going to do a little shopping before we left for the day!

It was one of those perfect fall days at Idlewild Golf Club, the kind that makes a golfer feel alive – a brisk sixty-two degrees with a sky so blue it felt painted on. Forget the dog days of August; this is when the true beauty of any course shows its colors – and Idlewild did not disappoint.

The crisp air made for tight lies and maximum roll-out.

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We started on an easy par-4 to get the blood moving. The woods lined both sides of the fairway, the trees were starting their change to reds and golds, a view that’s worth the green fee alone. My drive, thanks to the cool air, carried a touch further than normal, landing perfectly.

A smooth nine-iron finds the putting surface. Par. Easy enough.

​After that, we found Idlewild had grabbed us and never let go.

Holes two and three were a wake-up call, demanding accuracy through corridors of fiery foliage. The course quickly became as demanding as it is beautiful. By the third hole, we were fully invested. The greens were immaculate, running true and fast, a testament to the club’s late-season dedication. 

​However, it was the back nine where the Door County terrain truly shined. The course weaved around a picturesque lake, the water a deep, clear blue, all of which was an integral part of many of the remaining holes….giving pause and consideration to many of the shots ahead of us.

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By the eighteenth, Idlewild has provided us with beautiful weeping willows, perfect fairways, smooth rolling greens, and to top it all off, a good score. All I had to do was crush one last drive, miss the final bunker, make the green in two, and roll in a great putt.

A spectacular finish to a stunning fall round. 

Based on our scorecard, there is no doubt in our mind that Idlewild Golf Club is a Birdie golf course.

I even made two birdies, and Kathy made one while we played. Door County is a beautiful place to visit. While you are here, Idlewild Golf Club is a must-play. 

Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting

Written By:  Marc Festa

COURSE REVIEW SCORECARD

Course:  Idle Wild Golf Club

Type: Public

Date Played: 29 September 2025

HOLE	PAR	SCORE	COMMENTS
1 – Tee Time Availability	4	4	We were able to get the tee time we requested.
2 – Cost of Green Fees	4	4	In an area that is not known for valued-based pricing, the green fees were a very solid value.
3 – Condition of Tee Boxes	4	4	The tee boxes are beautifully manicured and maintained.
4 – Condition of Fairways	5	4	Well-groomed bent grass fairways, that are not on top of each other.
5 – Condition of Greens	4	4	Good condition bent grass greens. A few island-like greens, that made it a memorable experience.
6 – Length of Course	5	5	Black: 6,876 yds; Blue: 6,509 yds; Blue/Gold: 6,052 yds; Gold: 5,921 yds; Red: 5,254 yds.
7 – Hazards	4	4	There are lots of water hazards and penalty areas that led to a few lost balls for Kathy. The hazarads required accurate shots and strategic course management. The bunkers were clean and smooth.
8 – Starter/Marshal	3	3	Terri was our starter, and she was located in the Pro-shop.
9 – High Handicap Friendly	3	2	Three tee box choices for higher handicap players.
OUT	36	34
10 – Practice Area	5	4	Everything you need to work on your game or get ready for your round. There’s a range not far from the clubhouse or parking lot. On the far right side of the range, there’s an area to practice bunker shots, including a small green. On the other side of the clubhouse is a large practice green that has a couple ridges in it to challenge you as you chip and putt. The practice green has some shaved fringe area, as well as some rough, and is big enough to hit some longer pitches, not just chips. It’s a very nice area to work on your short game.
11 – Locker Rooms	3	3	Bathrooms available.
12 – Pro Shop	4	3	Lots of clubs, golf balls, and basically anything else you need. They had a bin of drivers you could demo. The pro shop also has a wide range of snacks and bottled drinks to grab before your round or at the turn.
13 – Location	4	4	Easy to find and close to Sturgeon Bay and Door County.
14 – Rental Equipment	4	4	Carts are basic, run-of-the-mill golf carts. No frills like GPS, but they get the job done. Golf clubs and pull carts are available.
15 – Food Cart	4	4	There was no food cart the day we played, but Terri did tell us they do have a food cart during the busier part of the season.
16 – Restaurant/Club House	4	4	We did not order any food from the restaurant.
17 – Parking	3	3	Plenty of parking available.
18 – Customer Service	5	4	The staff at Idlewild were friendly and courteous.
IN	36	33
TOTAL	72	67	PLAYER: Marc F.  ATTESTED BY: Kathy F.