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Rating Index Rating
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4.8
410 Reviews (410)
5 Stars
333
4 Stars
57
3 Stars
14
2 Stars
5
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.5
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.8
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.7
95.6%
Recommend this course
393 out of 410 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.9
9 Reviews (9)
5 Stars
8
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.9
Value
4.9
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
5.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
9 out of 9 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.9
30 Reviews (30)
5 Stars
27
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.9
Value
4.6
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
4.9
100.0%
Recommend this course
30 out of 30 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
The Brute delivers an immaculate, water-laden layout with fast greens that consistently reward precise shot-making from tee to green. Exceptional amenities, friendly staff, and outstanding value make this resort course a compelling destination between Milwaukee and Chicago.

About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Par 72
Length 7085 yards
Slope 136
Rating 73.8

Grand Geneva Resort & Spa was ranked in the top 10 northern U.S. golf resorts by Conde Nast Traveler. The resort boasts two championship courses, the Brute and the Highlands. The formidable Brute Course stretches to over 7,000 yards. It is considered one of the toughest golf courses in the Midwest. The layout wanders across rolling terrain, incorporating a variety of elevation changes that range from subtle to dramatic. There are 68 bunkers strategically placed along the massive, undulating greens. The course is aptly named since it will relentlessly test your skills. It is more challenging than the Highlands, which is a links course designed by Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye. In addition to the two courses, Grand Geneva Resort & Spa also has a practice facility complete with a driving range and putting and chipping greens.

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The Brute at Grand Geneva Resort
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Course Details

Year Built 1968
Fairways Bent Grass
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season Open: 4/01 Closed: 11/01
Architect Robert B. Harris (1968)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
GPS Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Fivesomes Allowed No
Walking Allowed No
Dress code Appropriate golf attire.

Available Facilities

Meeting Facilities, Banquet Facilities, Spa

Available Sports

Tennis

Accolades

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
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$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
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12 rounds of waived fees
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Reviews

4.8
410 Reviews (410)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 9
Patio Dining 8
19th Hole Scenic Views 7
Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 15
Bunkers 12
Plays Long 11
This course/club is great for:
A Weekend Splurge 11
Group Getaways 9
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 9
This Course's Location is:
At a Resort 12
Worth the Drive 11

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Country club experience

This course gave me the feeling of playing at a private course . The driving range was terrific at no extra cost.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

ouch

I thought I was ready for the brute second shots are key I'll be back

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fantastic

Course was in great shape. Staff was exceptional and the day was perfect. Couldn't ask for anything more.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Great condition but.....

5:15 hr. round. Waited on every shot. Very frustrating.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

The Brute

Great facilities and frindly staff. We had a great time and the last 4 holes are a real challenge. The only negative was that their was a shotgun outing in the morning so the pace of play was a little slow but I would strongly recommend this course.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Poor weather
Used cart

Banker

Bunker is toodifficutl becuase of soft. It needs more stiff in fairway bunkers.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Lipstick on a pig

Too many elevated greens. Bunkers ridiculously large. Stupid layout of some holes. Blind shots on fairways and to elevated greens. It all adds up to just a painful experience. Well maintained but not a course I would not play again

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 378
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Brute is challening, but fair and enjoyable

They say this is the toughest golf course in the Midwest, and that might be true from the tips, but play the proper tees and it's most playable. It's also beautiful, excellently conditioned and most interesting with no two holes alike. Plenty of elevation change, water hazards and big bunkers add to experience. Finishing stretch of 16, 17 and 18 are particularly strong, and don't forget to check out the sculpture off the 16th green.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The Brute is always Brutal!

The course was very scenic and in great shape, the greens have been aerated, which is to be expected this time of year. Always a pleasure to play at Grand Geneva!

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great course, one of the best in the area!

This is a beautiful course with stunning views and was in great condition. The one exception would be the greens since they were recently aerated, but that is understandable. The course was also very challenging, with well placed hazards. Keep your tee shots in the fairway or it could be a long day.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 28
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

What a beautiful course!

First time golfing this course. What a beautiful course. Although the greens had been aerated, it was still a great experience golfing this course and what a great price!

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great Price. Great views

While the price was right and the views were very nice the greens seemed bumpy and the speeds were different from one green to the next. It was very challenging. The sand traps are huge.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Challenging, yet fun.

Course was in excellent condition. Definitely challenging. Lots of sand and a lot of water for a midwest course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The Brute never disappoints

I love playing here and love using Golfnow to play there, I'm too cheap otherwise. It's a great course, the greens were slow but were in great shape, and tee to green the course is amazing. A must play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

One of the top courses in the State

It had been a number of years since we played here, and the return was maked by nostalgia and admiration that not much has changed. It is a beautiful and hilly layout with all the challenges of a championship course. Given the size of the greens, hitting them in regulation is only half the battle.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Undulating, pastoral, picturesque, and well maintained.

If you like a combination of elevated tees and greens set back in a rural setting, the Brute is a must. The greens are quite large and played soft. Very well maintained course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 22
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

the course and staff were top shelf, A-1

The course and staff were great, HOWEVER, the pace of play left us with a bitter taste about course management. We waited on EVERY hole for 4 clowns who had NO golf etiquette, and even when we informed the ranger, he said," well it's a tough course, and they are trying". But they still did not let us play through. I've played many other courses and the rate of play is usually 4:15 minutes, not over 5 hrs. Sorry, just being honest.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Greens need work

I've golfed here before and I was alarmed at the quality of the greens. They had varying speeds as well as weed and foreign grass growth issues. For what the normal charge is for this course, $150+, its not worth it. Some of the par 3 tee boxes were also in terrible shape.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

This course will challenge you. Shot placements are tough but fair.

Our group had a last minute change of plans and we decided to try this course. Boy, are glad we did. Still talking about it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

5 hour rounds can be trying

the course was in excellant shape and everything we could have expectd.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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Golf Packages

Destination Kohler - Champions' Trail Golf Package

FROM $617 (USD)
KOHLER, WI | Enjoy 2 nights’ accommodations at The American Club or the Inn at Woodlake and 3 rounds of golf at Blackwolf Run (River or Meadow Valleys Course) and Whistling Straits (Straits or Irish Course)

Destination Kohler - To Dye Four Golf Package

FROM $557 (USD)
KOHLER, WI | Enjoy 3 nights’ accommodations at The American Club or the Inn on Woodlake and 4 rounds of golf at Blackwolf Run (River & Meadow Valley Courses) and Whistling Straits (Straits & Irish Courses).

Shanty Creek Stay & Play Package

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BELLAIRE | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Shanty Creek's Lakeview Hotel or Lodge of Cedar River and golf at Shanty Creek - Cedar River, Hawk's Eye, Legend, Schuss, or Summit Courses.
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