Bridges Golf Course
About
Bridges Golf Course is a municipal, 18-hole course that sits on the northeastern side of Madison, just south of the airport. It’s popular with locals since it’s both affordable and challenging. The layout starts out on low-lying wetlands and then on the back nine it climbs up a ridge along Anderson Avenue. For a championship golf course it’s not particularly long at 6,900 yards from the back tees, but golfers will still face several tricky holes. Players of all skill levels will enjoy Bridges Golf Course for its variety of risk-reward opportunities. It’s not terribly punishing though so beginners can approach it with confidence. In addition to the golf course, Bridges offers a practice facility that includes a driving range and two separate practice greens for chipping and putting.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | 72 | 6867 yards | 72.4 | 128 |
| Blue/White | 72 | 6422 yards | 70.3 | 124 |
| White | 72 | 6093 yards | 68.9 | 120 |
| White (W) | 72 | 6093 yards | 74.2 | 128 |
| Gold | 72 | 5302 yards | 65.3 | 113 |
| Gold (W) | 72 | 5302 yards | 69.9 | 119 |
| Red (W) | 72 | 4806 yards | 67.1 | 113 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue M: 72.4/128 | 354 | 556 | 198 | 357 | 363 | 419 | 373 | 193 | 587 | 3400 | 409 | 534 | 188 | 419 | 428 | 564 | 176 | 353 | 396 | 3467 | 6867 |
| Blue/White M: 70.3/124 | 354 | 510 | 148 | 357 | 363 | 382 | 373 | 138 | 547 | 3172 | 409 | 534 | 159 | 350 | 380 | 564 | 176 | 353 | 325 | 3250 | 6422 |
| White M: 68.9/120 W: 74.2/128 | 331 | 510 | 148 | 325 | 308 | 382 | 344 | 138 | 547 | 3033 | 360 | 493 | 159 | 350 | 380 | 536 | 134 | 323 | 325 | 3060 | 6093 |
| Yellow M: 65.3/113 W: 69.9/119 | 273 | 480 | 126 | 264 | 261 | 349 | 296 | 113 | 452 | 2614 | 340 | 454 | 131 | 286 | 308 | 512 | 105 | 276 | 276 | 2688 | 5302 |
| Red W: 67.1/113 | 235 | 454 | 103 | 237 | 229 | 325 | 266 | 93 | 408 | 2350 | 329 | 427 | 110 | 260 | 276 | 466 | 84 | 252 | 252 | 2456 | 4806 |
| Handicap | 9 | 1 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 5 | 7 | 17 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 16 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 18 | 12 | 14 | |||
| Par | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Bar, RestaurantAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse, Banquet FacilitiesAccolades
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Golf Advisor: Top 25 Most Improved U.S. Golf Courses (2018 #12)
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
Some thought we were crazy
Our first time out this year in Wisconsin. It was cold and windy to start the day (30o) but the Staff when we arrived made us feel warm and welcome. We can not wait to come back and play when the grass is growing. Great pro shop and bar area.
Great fall rate
Played here on a great golfnow hot deal. Greens had not been aerated but they were quite soft with dense grass.. Course conditions were not as good as I remembered from prior rounds here. The holes are interesting enough but the amount of marsh grass bordering holes makes a wayward shot a guaranteed lost ball. It is entertaining (but loud) when the F-16's take off from the adjacent airport. This corse is popular but play moves along and they have a nice bar and grill.
NEVER AGAIN!
Nice open course sitting in a marsh...... it stunk in areas and at one point we were 4-5 deep waiting on the front 9. Back 9 opened up but the overall just was not a good experience....
Travesty
Everytime ilI play this course I have a feeling of remorse that a course with such interesting scenery, exciting layout, and rewarding challenge cam be in such remarkably poor condition. I get the general feeling that there is little to no basic maintenance to this course. The greens were burnt out and featured large areas of the skirt and green that were completely void of grass. Multiple holes had large areas of the fairway and rough that were roped off from damage. I like this course but really wish that there was even just the most basic of upkeep so that this course could realize its full potential. Really dissapointing.
RKT review of Bridges
Generally in fine shape, a few grass problems on some greens (#5). Teeing area could have been put in drier locations (#12) on tee box by maintenance crew...otherwise well kept and true greens. Nice staff and courteous crew. Electric carts are quiet and quick. The large driving range is too close to #10 fairway.
Not a bombers course from the white tees...very tight in most fairways and approach shots. A premium on keeping shots straight and in play. Lots of fun! All in all, a great value for the golf experience.
Good course, affordable, great hospitality and service. If your an average golfer trying to figure your game out...this is a good course to work on your game on.
A fun course to play
Bridges Golf Course is one of several in the Madison area. I have played it often and enjoy it every time. It is a mildly challenging course with some relatively easy par 3s and some long par 4s and 5s. Each hole is interesting and there is lots of woods, water, and sand.
There is also a well-stocked pro shop and an excellent restaurant in the clubhouse.
Bring lots of balls
Hardly anyone there when I played on a Wednesday AM. Very nice course in very nice condition. Lots of water. The course meanders through wetlands, so be sure to keep it in the fairway.
Good course when the deal is right
We'll golf The Bridges when the right deal comes along. There are enough "character" holes for you to reflect on. Many holes require an accurate tee shot or, in a couple cases, a layup. I hit more 5-woods on this course than any other.
This course is good for control golfers. If you are a grip-it-and-rip-it driver that finds himself on other fairways frequently, you'll lose a bunch of golf balls and hate your score here. There are a couple holes where you can let the big dog eat without too much fear of losing your ball.
Course condition can vary depending on how the weather has been. If you're golfing after a rainy few days, you'll find a couple of the holes get pretty sloppy. Some of the greens can get a little beat up (I wish people were nicer to greens and tidied up after themselves!)
Overall, this course has a nice layout and will challenge you to make accurate shots when you might not want to. Play smart and you'll enjoy your round here more.
Challenging but fair test
Bridges is a relatively flat course, making it walker-friendly. There is unrecoverable trouble lining both side of most holes, but there is nothing gimmicky or unfair about it. If you hit the ball in or near the fairway it is fine. If you stray beyond normal rough, the ball is likely lost. The white tees were appropriate for my group of 60-year old plus, mid-handicap golfers. The greens were excellent. Very consistent from hole to hole, and with few ball marks or scuff marks. Learn the appropriate speed early and you can putt well all round. Some local knowledge is helpful, as there are a few places where water crosses or cuts into the fairway. I look forward to my next round there.
Crummy course conditions
Pro shop was very nice when we arrived. It had rained a lot before we arrived. Cart path only. The course needs a lot of work. Crab grass and weeds galore. Greens were pretty good. I would not hurry back.
The layout was awesome
This course had every facet of ups and downs, difficulties and easy shots to help with the whole enjoyable experience with just enough hair pulling and cursing to make you want to come back And better your game lol
Don't spray it
Terrific layout, have to keep it in play. Have been playing this for years. Early and late season conditions can be rough. Easy to lose balls if you don't hit straight. High risk reward value.
The Bridges
Only problem was a 7:20am tee time into the sun on first hole. Did good by hitting 14 fairways, didn't lose a ball and only needed one tee for all 18 holes.
Bridges
Bad shape a lot of water damage. Little concerns about the shape!