If you’ve spent any time driving through the rolling drumlin fields of Dodge County, Wisconsin, you know the vibe. It’s quiet. It’s rural. It's mostly corn and cows until you hit the outskirts of Beaver Dam and stumble upon a stretch of green that feels like it belongs in a different zip code. That’s Old Hickory Golf Club. It isn’t some flashy, billion-dollar "destination" resort with a celebrity architect’s name plastered on the gate. Honestly? That’s exactly why people keep coming back.
The place has been around since 1920. Think about that for a second. When this course opened, people were still getting used to the idea of the radio. It started as a modest nine-hole track and eventually matured into the 18-hole championship layout that exists today. It’s one of those rare spots that manages to be both a local neighborhood hang and a legitimate challenge for low-handicap players who think they can just show up and overpower it. They usually can't.
What Makes Old Hickory Golf Club Beaver Dam Different
Most modern courses are built with a "bigger is better" mentality. You’ve got massive fairways that look like landing strips and greens the size of parking lots. Old Hickory goes the other way. It’s intimate. It’s tight. The course sits on about 160 acres of some of the best natural terrain in the Midwest. Because it was built nearly a century ago, the architects—originally a group of local enthusiasts and later refined by P.B. Dye’s influence on certain aspects—didn't have the heavy machinery to move mountains of earth.
They had to work with the land.
That means you get natural elevation changes that make club selection a total nightmare if the wind is whipping off the nearby fields. The mature hardwoods are the real defenders of the course. These aren't those spindly little saplings you see at new developments; these are massive, ball-swallowing oaks and maples that have been standing guard since the Harding administration. If you miss the fairway here, you aren't just in the rough. You’re punching out. Probably sideways.
The layout plays to a par 72 and stretches out to roughly 6,500 yards from the back tees. On paper, that sounds short. In reality, with a slope rating around 131, it bites. The greens are notoriously fast and often described by regulars as "pure." If you’re used to bumpy, municipal-style turf, the putting surfaces at Old Hickory will be a wake-up call. They’re slick. They reward a soft touch and punish anyone who gets greedy with a downhill birdie putt.
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The Front vs. The Back: A Tale of Two Nines
The front nine has a bit more of that classic, open feel, but don't let the lack of claustrophobia fool you. Holes like the par-5 4th require a strategic approach rather than just grip-it-and-rip-it bravado. But the back nine? That’s where things get interesting.
The back nine at Old Hickory Golf Club Beaver Dam is widely considered one of the most scenic stretches of golf in the region. It’s more wooded, more secluded, and requires much more precision. You’ll find yourself hitting over valleys and navigating doglegs that demand you actually shape the ball. It’s "shot-maker's golf." If you can’t hit a draw or a fade on command, you’re going to have to get very comfortable with your scramble game.
The P.B. Dye Connection and Why It Matters
You can't talk about this place without mentioning the Dye influence. For those who aren't gearheads or architecture nerds, the Dye family is royalty in golf design. Pete Dye was the mad scientist behind TPC Sawgrass (home of the famous island green). His son, P.B. Dye, brought some of that signature flair to Beaver Dam when the course underwent renovations.
What does that mean for you?
- Mounding: You’ll see those characteristic grass mounds that can give you a funky stance even if you’re technically in the "short grass."
- Pot Bunkers: They aren't everywhere, but when you find one, you'll know. They’re deep and unforgiving.
- Risk-Reward Par 5s: These are the holes that make or break a scorecard. Do you go for the green in two over the water, or do you lay up and play for the wedge? Most people go for it. Most people regret it.
It’s this marriage of 1920s traditionalism and 1990s Dye-style "trickery" that gives the course its soul. It doesn't feel manufactured. It feels like a puzzle you have to solve.
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Beyond the Fairway: The "Club" Side of Old Hickory
There’s this weird misconception that "Golf Club" in the name means you need a secret handshake or a trust fund to get through the door. While Old Hickory does have a robust membership, it is open to the public. You can jump on their website, book a tee time, and show up in a polo shirt just like anyone else.
The clubhouse is actually a massive draw even for people who don't know a 7-iron from a toaster. It’s a popular spot for weddings and corporate events, mostly because the patio overlooks the 18th green. There is something fundamentally "Wisconsin" about sitting on that deck with a cold drink, watching a group of frustrated golfers try to navigate the final approach while the sun sets over the trees.
The restaurant—often referred to as the Hickory Stick—is legit. We aren't just talking about lukewarm hot dogs at the turn. They do a Friday Night Fish Fry that rivals anything you’ll find in downtown Milwaukee or Madison. It’s the kind of place where the bartenders know the members' names but won't give you a hard time if you're a first-timer asking for directions to the locker room.
Real Talk: The Challenges You’ll Face
Let’s be honest for a second. Old Hickory isn't a "perfect" resort experience where someone scrubs your clubs every three holes. It’s a local gem.
- The Pace of Play: On a Saturday morning in July? It’s going to be slow. It’s a popular course, and because it’s challenging, people spend a lot of time looking for balls in the leaves. Plan for a 4.5 to 5-hour round if you’re playing during peak times.
- Conditioning: For the price point, the conditioning is usually spectacular. However, it’s Wisconsin. If there’s been a week of heavy rain, the lower areas of the course can stay soft. On the flip side, in a drought, those fairways get fast and bouncy.
- The "Local" Knowledge: There are a few holes where the "correct" play isn't obvious. The first time you play here, you might hit what you think is a perfect drive, only to find it rolled into a hidden creek or blocked by a tree you didn't see from the tee.
How to Play Your Best Round at Old Hickory
If you're heading out to Beaver Dam, leave the ego in the parking lot. This isn't the place to try and drive every par 4.
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The key is the par 3s. They are the heart of the course. Some are long, some are short, but almost all of them require an extra club because of the elevation or the wind. If you can play the par 3s in even par, you’re going to have a great day.
Also, pay attention to the grain on the greens. Even though it’s not Bermuda grass, the slope of the land toward the lower elevations near the water features can pull your ball more than you expect. Ask the pro shop guys what the "speed of the day" is. They’ll usually give you an honest answer—"fast" or "ridiculously fast."
Getting There and Logistics
Beaver Dam is about 40 minutes northeast of Madison and about an hour and fifteen minutes from Milwaukee. It makes for a perfect day trip.
If you're coming from the Chicago area, it’s a bit of a haul (about 2.5 hours), but it’s worth it if you pair it with a stop at some of the other nearby tracks like the Links of Lawsonia or even Erin Hills if you're feeling spendy. But honestly, Old Hickory offers a similar level of "pure golf" for a fraction of the price of those big-name spots.
- Address: W7596 WI-33, Beaver Dam, WI 53916
- Peak Season: May through September.
- Pro Tip: Look for "twilight" rates. Playing this course at 5:00 PM on a Tuesday is basically therapy. The shadows get long, the wind usually dies down, and you can practically have the back nine to yourself.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Visit
To get the most out of a trip to Old Hickory Golf Club Beaver Dam, don't just wing it. Follow these specific steps to ensure you actually enjoy the round instead of spending four hours in the woods:
- Download a GPS App: Because of the blind shots and doglegs, a simple yardage book might not be enough. Use an app like 18Birdies or Hole19 to see the layout of the holes you can't see from the tee.
- Book 7-10 Days Out: If you want a weekend morning, you need to be on the reservation system early. The locals fill up the tee sheet fast.
- Check the Event Calendar: Since they are a big wedding venue, the clubhouse can get packed on Saturday evenings. If you’re planning on dinner after your round, call ahead to make sure the dining room isn't closed for a private party.
- Warm Up on the Range: It’s a full-service facility. Don't make the mistake of hitting your first ball of the day on the 1st tee. The opening hole is a par 5 that looks easy but has out-of-bounds right that will ruin your mood immediately.
- Prioritize Accuracy Over Distance: Leave the driver in the bag on at least four or five of the par 4s. A 200-yard shot into the middle of the fairway is infinitely better than a 280-yard shot into the heavy timber.
The reality of Old Hickory is that it represents what Wisconsin golf used to be before it became a global "golf destination." It’s rugged, it’s friendly, and it’s meticulously maintained without being pretentious. It’s a course that rewards the thinker and punishes the reckless, which is exactly how the game was meant to be played.