You’re driving down Highway 65, just south of River Falls, and if you blink, you might miss the turn for 458th Avenue. That’s the thing about Clifton Hollow Golf Club. It’s not trying to scream for your attention with flashy neon signs or a massive corporate entryway. It just sits there, tucked into the rolling St. Croix Valley countryside, waiting for people who actually care about the game—and maybe a few people who just want a really good burger after losing three balls in the woods.
Golf in Wisconsin is a weird beast. We have these world-class, five-hundred-dollar-a-round resort courses that make you feel like you need a tuxedo just to step on the first tee. Then we have Clifton Hollow. It’s different. It’s accessible. Honestly, it feels like the kind of place where the starter knows your name by the third time you show up, but the course itself will still absolutely wreck your scorecard if you get too cocky with your driver.
What Actually Makes Clifton Hollow Golf Club Worth the Drive?
Most people think a "public course" means flat fairways and greens that look like a shag carpet. Not here. The terrain at Clifton Hollow is basically a geological rollercoaster. You’re dealing with elevation changes that make club selection a total nightmare. One minute you’re looking down a massive drop toward a green that looks the size of a postage stamp, and the next, you’re trying to figure out how much extra muscle you need to clear a ridge on an uphill par 4.
The course was designed by a guy named Dr. Emerson S. Ward. He wasn't some flashy modern architect trying to move a million tons of dirt to make it look like Scotland. He used what Wisconsin gave him. That means heavy woods. It means natural ravines. If you can’t hit it straight, you’re going to spend a lot of time communing with nature in the brush.
The layout is a par 70. Now, some golfers look at a par 70 and think, "Oh, easy day." Those people are usually wrong. At about 5,800 yards from the back tees, it isn't "long" by modern PGA standards, but it's tight. Very tight. You’ve got to be precise. It's a shot-maker's course. You can't just bomb and gouge your way through eighteen holes here without paying a steep price in lost Titleists.
The Famous—or Infamous—Back Nine
If the front nine is the handshake, the back nine is the wrestling match.
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There’s a stretch on the back that people around River Falls and Prescott talk about with a mix of respect and genuine frustration. Holes 12 through 15 are where rounds go to die. You’re weaving through dense hardwood forests. The fairways narrow. If the wind picks up off the surrounding farmland, you’re basically playing darts with a hurricane.
One of the standout features is the condition of the greens. For a daily-fee course that sees a lot of traffic, the greens at Clifton Hollow stay remarkably fast. They aren't flat, either. There are subtle breaks that you won't see until your ball is six inches past the hole. It's frustrating. It's fun. It's golf.
The Vibe: No Snobs Allowed
Let's be real about the "country club" experience. Sometimes it sucks. You spend half your time worrying if your shirt is tucked in or if you’re walking too fast. At Clifton Hollow, the atmosphere is about as Wisconsin as it gets. You’ll see guys in full professional gear playing right behind a group of local farmers in cargo shorts. Nobody cares.
The clubhouse isn't a palace, and that’s a good thing. It’s functional. It’s comfortable. The bar—The Hollow—is where the real magic happens. They do a Friday Night Fish Fry that is legitimately legendary in the River Falls area. If you’re playing a late afternoon round, the smell of frying cod starts wafting over the 18th green around 4:30 PM, and it’s the best motivation you’ll ever have to finish your round.
- Public Access: Yes, anyone can play.
- Pro Shop: Fully stocked with the basics, no fluff.
- Practice Facilities: They have a driving range and a putting green that actually mimics the speed of the course.
- Events: It's a huge hub for local charity scrambles and corporate outings.
Why Local Golfers Keep Coming Back
It's the value. Plain and simple.
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In a world where greens fees are skyrocketing, Clifton Hollow manages to stay reasonable. You can usually snag a tee time for a price that leaves you enough money for a beer and a burger afterward. They also have some of the most flexible membership options in the St. Croix Valley. They have "Loyalty Cards" and weekday specials that make it way too easy to justify "working from home" on a Tuesday afternoon.
But it's also the community. You see the same faces. The staff is local. They know which parts of the course are playing slow and which bunkers are currently under repair. They’ll tell you straight up if the mosquitoes are biting or if the greens were just aerated. That kind of transparency is rare.
Real Talk: The Challenges
Is it perfect? No. No golf course is.
If you’re looking for a pristine, manicured experience where every blade of grass is hand-trimmed with scissors, go to Whistling Straits. Clifton Hollow is a rugged course. Because it’s carved out of the woods, you’re going to deal with leaves in the fall. You’re going to deal with some damp spots if it rained the night before.
The parking lot gets packed. Like, really packed. If there’s a league going on, you might find yourself walking a bit from your car. Also, because of the elevation changes, I highly recommend a cart. Unless you’re a marathon runner or just really hate your knees, walking Clifton Hollow is a legitimate workout. Some of those hills are no joke.
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How to Play Your Best Round at Clifton Hollow
If you want to actually beat your friends instead of just drinking beer and losing balls, here is the insider strategy.
First, leave the driver in the bag on several of the par 4s. I know, everyone wants to hit the big dog. Don't. A 200-yard shot into the center of the fairway is infinitely better than a 280-yard shot into a ravine. Trust me.
Second, pay attention to the grain on the greens. Everything tends to pull toward the valley. It’s subtle, but it’s there. If a putt looks flat but you’re facing toward the lower elevations of the property, it’s probably faster than you think.
Third, pack bug spray. You’re in the woods of Wisconsin. The gnats and mosquitoes here are the size of small birds and they have no mercy.
Getting There and Booking
Clifton Hollow is located at W12166 458th Ave, River Falls, WI 54022. It’s about a 35-minute drive from the Twin Cities, which makes it a prime spot for people coming over from St. Paul or Woodbury.
You can book tee times online through their website, and they use a dynamic pricing model sometimes, so if you’re looking for a deal, check the mid-week afternoon slots. They also have a pretty active Facebook page where they post about course conditions and any last-minute closures due to weather.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
- Book Early: Weekend mornings fill up days in advance, especially during the peak of summer.
- Check the League Schedule: Call the pro shop to make sure you aren't trying to squeeze in 18 holes right before a 40-person league takes over the course.
- Arrive 20 Minutes Early: Give yourself time to hit a few balls on the range to get used to the turf.
- Bring a Rangefinder: Because of the elevation changes, your eyes will lie to you about the distance. A laser rangefinder with slope adjustment is your best friend here.
- Stay for the Food: Seriously. Don't just pack up and leave. The burger at The Hollow is one of the best in Pierce County.
The reality is that Clifton Hollow isn't trying to be the most famous course in the world. It’s trying to be a great place to play golf. It’s challenging, it’s scenic, and it feels like home to a lot of people in Western Wisconsin. Whether you’re a scratch golfer or someone who considers a 105 a "good day," you’re going to find something to love about this place. Just remember to aim for the center of the fairway and maybe bring an extra sleeve of balls for the back nine. You'll probably need them.