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Rating Index Rating
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4.9
414 Reviews (414)
5 Stars
337
4 Stars
57
3 Stars
14
2 Stars
5
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.8
Value
4.6
Layout
4.9
Friendliness
4.8
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.7
96.9%
Recommend this course
397 out of 414 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.9
13 Reviews (13)
5 Stars
12
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.9
Value
4.8
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.6
Amenities
4.8
StaffFriendliness
5.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
13 out of 13 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.9
23 Reviews (23)
5 Stars
21
4 Stars
2
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
23 out of 23 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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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

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Reviews

4.9
414 Reviews (414)

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.

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

PLAY THIS COURSE, NOT THE HIGHLANDS! ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE A MID-HIGH HANDICAPPER!

This is the third time I’ve played this course, and the more I play it the more convinced I am that it’s usually the better of the two layouts. The name of the course, The Brute, makes it sound like a very difficult, intimidating course, but it’s definitely the more forgiving of the two. The Highlands course, which I played two days after playing this course, has many more forced carries, narrow fairways, sharp dog legs, and water carries. All in all, for the mid to the high handicapper like me, this is a much more enjoyable experience and much more fair and less penal If you hit a bad shot. Also, even though they describe this course as the highlands, it sits on low ground, and on humid days there’s a nary a breeze moving and becomes brutally hot even in late summer early fall when the temperature reaches 80° and humid. I can tell you from my experience playing these courses for several years, I will never play the Highlands again.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Very challenging layout

The course, like always, it's very well maintained. Enjoyed playing the Brute. My complement to the crew. Thanks

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Pace of play needs to be addressed

I’ve played this course many times and never have I not been able to finish a full 18. I went out and had to skip the first hole because of a wedding, which is fine but then was held up by a group of 3 in front of me. No ranger to be seen and was only able to get 11 hold of golf in in 3 and a half hours. Please fix this problem. I should be waiting almost 15 minutes a hole on the tee box to hit. Otherwise this course has always been good. I’m local to the area and will probably not play this course until next season or until I hear the problem is fixed.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 58
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart

Should have been 5 stars

If it wasn't for the snot-nosed, punk kids who work at this course this could have easily garnered a 5 Start rating from me. The only downsides to the course were the tees (some of which were too crowned or had you teeing off from a side hill lie) and a few of the greens. More care by golfers AND the course to fix ball marks would be nice. Having said that, the kids who work at this course (at check-in, with carts, etc...) are entitled brats who are smart alecks and aren't there to further your enjoyment of the round.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 190
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 11
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

A Tough Brute

Just played The Brute for the first time this season. The course was in great shape and our 2 foursomes had a great day. This is not your typical resort style course where wayward drives find the middle of the fairway and the greens are forgiving. You better be on your game, both driving and putting your golf ball. It is a tough test of golf. It is very hilly as well, with uphill and downhill sideway lies that will give your calves and hamstrings a good workout. Looking forward to our next visit and hope to putt better. Kudos to the maintenance team and Rebecca on the beverage cart.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Beautiful and Challenging

I lost so many balls to the water and the forest on this course. It was a lot of fun.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Resort course, resort guests

The Brute is definitely the more difficult course. I enjoy playing Grand Geneva's Highlands course, although I would never pay full price to play there (often over $100). Living nearby, I watch for deals and I can play GG for around $50. I saw the deal to play there on July 3rd and took it. Unfortunately it seemed like a lot more riff-raff on this high priced resort course than usual. Lots of players in t-shirts and hardly anyone raking the bunkers. Not one ranger to be seen the whole day. The pace of play was disappointing as there were backups at several tee boxes. On the 18th hole there were children from the resort playing football next to the fairway and occasionally they would have to chase the football onto the course (even through a bunker).

I realize this is not typical for this course as it was a holiday weekend, so my advice is to avoid playing there on holiday weekends.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
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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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