THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME’S NEW SHELL is shown off by Mistwood Professional Dan Phillips (L) and Master Fitter Eric Russell (R). Russell is a national finalist for Fitter of the Year in 2020. The MGD is located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook call (630)-739-7600 to get your hitting bay tee time scheduled. Lessons and Club fittings are now available.      _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS-Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or friend him on Facebook. Connect on LinkedIn or Instagram. In the clubhouse at Trappers Turn in the Wisconsin Dells.

YOU HAVE HEARD about all the great golf destinations in Wisconsin. Or have you ?

So you know about Erin Hills, Kohler, Sand Valley, the Lake Geneva Area. Yes they are good.

But there is another place to put on your bucket list if your heading north into Wisconsin to play golf.

The Wisconsin Dells.

Located just north of Madison, and a easy commute from the Chicago area. In fact less than three hours.

So you have heard about all the water parks and slides in the Dells. Yes there are some of them, and one really massive rollercoaster that will make your head spin. But there is also some really great golf in the Dells, giving you a place to make your wedges spin golf balls on the greens.

The new Trappers Turn massive putting green, should open in June of 2021. It will have lights for night putting.

Trappers Turn was designed by 2-time U.S. Open Champion Andy North, who is back at work again on the property.

Not only is North over-seeing the one-acre putting green that will have lights for night putting, but he is creating a new 12 hole par 3 course as well.

The new par-3 course called “North 12” is because there is 12 holes. North is working on the design with Craig Haltom, from Oliphant-Haltom Golf. So if your wondering about the land used for the course, Haltom is good at finding top notch land for golf holes. In fact Haltom is so good, he helped create one of the best golf resorts in America. Haltom found Sand Valley in Wisconsin when it belonged to a lumber company. He called Mike Keiser and the rest is history.

But the new history in the Wisconsin Dells, begins next June, or at least that’s the plan if winter isn’t too harsh. A new king-sized putting green with lights, a new short course with 12 par-3 holes (that should have lights).

One of the new Par-3 holes, on 12 North at Trappers Turn. Opening June of 2021.

More improvements off the golf course are in place or are coming.

A vineyard has been growing on property since late 2018. But sorry no home-brewed wine is coming at the turn. So do you like brandy ?

If so, that might be an option before too long. But for those of you who do enjoy wine, the 1,000 bottle wine room is already open-enjoy.

Trappers Turn has 27 holes, three great nines, the Lake, the Canyon, and the Arbor. There are 83 bunkers on the golf course, and you will find water on 13 of the holes.

The par 3-7th hole on the Canyon Nine is one of the most photographed holes on the golf course.

If you have a score of 64 for 18 holes in your bag, you can challenge Ryder Cup Team USA Captain Steve Stricker’s course record from the Wisconsin State Open some 30 years ago.

Ownership of the golf course, are the same people who own the nearby Kalahari Resort.

The resort has a water slide, and indoor pool. There are plenty of good rooms at the resort, but maybe even better are the log cabin villa’s at Lake  Delton, just a couple of miles from the main resort.

There are plans that have been delayed for a lodge with at least 28 rooms on property at the golf course. Once the threat from Covid-19 passes, those plans are expected to move forward.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR the interview with Trappers Turn GM and Director of Golf Patrick Steffes.

For more information on everything happening at Trappers Turn, please call (608)-253-7000 or visit TrappersTurn.com.

This story is Part 1 of 2, from our fall trip to the Wisconsin Dells. Part 2 features Wild Rock Golf Club, and the Chula Vista Resort. Chula Vista is home to the Cold Water Canyon Golf Course, one of the oldest clubs in the State of Wisconsin.