Quick Answer
The Club at Lac La Belle in Oconomowoc is one of our picks for the most fun golf experiences in Wisconsin. The championship course has wide fairways, open approaches and heavily contoured greens. There is also a nine-hole par-3 course at Uncle Henry’s Backyard, the 15-hole Flatstick putting course, and plenty to check out around the clubhouse.
Why Go
Lac La Belle is worth spending a full day at. The championship course is the main reason to come, especially if you like interesting greens and options around them. Add Uncle Henry’s Backyard, putting at Flatstick and a meal at Rivalry Pub, and you can spend the day here without leaving the property.
The club also has a history worth knowing. It was incorporated in October 1896 after moving from an earlier course on the Shufeldt family property. Alex Smith, Robert Simpson and Willie Anderson were among its early golf professionals.
In 1900, the club hosted the Oconomowoc Open. Its $200 winner’s prize exceeded the preceding U.S. Open’s first prize. The clubhouse’s history displays cover this period and the players connected to the club.
The Morse family acquired the property in 2018. The course you play today reflects Craig Haltom’s redesign, rather than the original nineteenth-century layout.
The Golf
The Championship Course
The fourth at Lac La Belle has one of the most remarkable greens you’ll ever see on a par 3. It is roughly 50 yards deep, with big slopes dividing the putting surface and a bowl tucked into the back corner. The size and shape are a big part of why this hole stands out.
The par-5 16th is another highlight. A split fairway leads to a green with two bowls, with the front section sitting higher than the back. It is a very different look from the fourth, but just as distinctive.
Then there is the finish. The 18th has a long, half-pipe-shaped green that runs uphill right into Flatstick, the putting course. It is a really cool way to finish, with the championship course and putting area physically connected.
These are the kinds of holes that make Lac La Belle one of our favorite picks for a fun Wisconsin golf day. Craig Haltom gave the course bold, unusual greens, and the fourth, 16th and 18th are three you should know about before you arrive.
Uncle Henry’s Backyard
New for 2026, Uncle Henry’s Backyard is a nine-hole par-3 short course. Each hole has multiple teeing options, so you can change the distance and angle of the shot.
It is a good addition after the championship round if your group wants more golf without playing another full-length 18. It also gives newer golfers a shorter option on the property.
The name comes from Henry Shufeldt, a Chicago distiller who built a backyard course in Oconomowoc in 1895. His nephews, Chandler and Walter Egan, were introduced to golf there. The short course’s clubhouse was designed as a replica of the original 1896 clubhouse.
Our guide to short courses on a golf trip covers why they are worth including alongside championship golf.
Flatstick Putting Course
Flatstick is a separate 15-hole putting course. You only need a putter, and the slopes and breaks give you plenty to work out.
Keep the distinction clear when planning: Uncle Henry’s Backyard is the par-3 short course; Flatstick is putting. Flatstick is an easy option for a group that wants a little more competition after the round.
The Clubhouse, Pro Shop and Papa’s Porch
Give yourself time to look around the clubhouse. There is a small golf museum with displays about the club’s early professionals and tournament history, including the Oconomowoc Open. If you are interested in golf history, this is worth seeing while you are here.
The pro shop is worth a stop before or after the round, too. Allow time to browse instead of arriving with just enough time to check in and get to the tee.
Papa’s Porch is out by the range. It is a good meeting point while your group warms up before playing. Between the clubhouse displays, shop and practice area, there is enough here to justify arriving early.
Rivalry Pub
Rivalry Pub is the on-property option for lunch or dinner. It makes sense for a meal after the championship round or between rounds if you are also playing Uncle Henry’s Backyard.
Check the dining hours for your date and leave enough time to eat if you have another tee time booked.
Best Time to Go
Late spring through early fall gives you the most options for a golf visit. Summer’s longer daylight hours are useful if you want to play both courses in one day. In fall, account for the earlier sunset when adding golf after your main round.
See our Wisconsin golf season guide for more on weather and daylight through the season.
Planning Your Time at the Club
Start with the championship round, then decide whether to add Uncle Henry’s Backyard or putting at Flatstick. Confirm availability and what is included for each; do not assume your championship tee time covers the other golf.
Allow time before the round for the clubhouse and range, and afterward for food. You do not need to play everything in one visit, but it is worth knowing the options before you arrive.
FAQ
Is The Club at Lac La Belle open to the public?
Yes. The club is open to public play, subject to tee-time availability.
How old is Lac La Belle?
The club was incorporated in 1896. Its roots go back to a backyard course created in 1895.
Who designed the current championship course?
Craig Haltom led the redesign following the Morse family’s acquisition of the property in 2018.
Is Uncle Henry’s Backyard a putting course?
No. It is a nine-hole par-3 short course. Flatstick is the separate 15-hole putting course.
What else is there to do on the property?
Visit the golf-history displays in the clubhouse, browse the pro shop, spend time at Papa’s Porch by the range, or have a meal at Rivalry Pub.
Plan Your Lac La Belle Visit with JEL
Send us your dates, group size and the courses you want to play. We can help arrange your visit. Plan your Lac La Belle golf trip.
