Hayward Golf Club, Hayward, WI

The Hayward Golf Club in Northern Wisconsin has received many awards, including being named "One of the Top 100 Good Value Golf Courses in America" by Golf Digest. We couldn't agree more.

This picturesque public golf course opened in 1924 and was redesigned in 1998, an overhaul that transformed the course into a challenging test surrounded by gorgeous gardens. Since the course is located in the Wisconsin Northwoods, mature pines are found on every hole.

The course offers five tees with the longest playing 6,685 yards at par-72. Most of the holes are fairly open and the fairways are wide so golfers of all abilities can be in good position on their second shot. Miss the fairways and you could have trouble. In addition to the pines located along the fairways, the challenges include 10 doglegs, four water hazards and 52 grass or sand bunkers. All aspects of the course are well manicured, from the tees to the fairways to the greens.

The top handicap hole is the 441-yard, par-4 sixth hole. The driving range is located to the left of the hole, so an errant tee shot too far to that side will result in an out-of-bounds penalty. The hole doglegs to the left and right where the fairway bends sits two very deep bunkers. Long hitters can carry the bunkers, but the rest of us will want to position our tee shots wisely.

Trees run all along the right side of the fairway and two bunkers flank the front of the green. A shot too far over the green could end up in the pond behind the hole. No. 6 certainly earns its distinction as the course's toughest hole.

The course has four par-5 holes, all over 500 yards, to test your power. The longest hole is the 531-yard ninth hole. Four par-3s help balance out the distance.

The amenities at Hayward Golf Club are also quite nice. The driving range is very well maintained and the pro shot is fully stocked. A teaching pro and his staff are on site to offer lessons at a reasonable rate.

The spacious clubhouse features a bar and grill that serves breakfast and lunch. Try the fresh-made, stone-fired pizzas after your round.

A single annual membership costs around $800, a great value considering the condition and design of the course. The course is open to the public so daily rates are also available. Play 18 holes with a cart in the summer for around $60. Watch for special twilight rates, senior discounts and spring/fall rates and you can play 18 holes with a cart for around $40.

Hayward Golf Club is as nice as any country club you could play, so the greens fees are an excellent value.

Good course in good condition. It was the type of golfers and staff that I did not appreciate or like. Nothing wrong with the course itself, everything wrong with the people I encountered.