Quick Answer
The Club at Lac La Belle has become one of America’s most enjoyable public golf experiences by combining bold, strategic architecture with a relaxed atmosphere and more than 125 years of history. The addition of Uncle Henry’s Backyard in 2026 gives golfers another reason to make Oconomowoc a true golf-trip stop.
Why It Matters
Lac La Belle is not trying to be the longest or most punishing course in Wisconsin. Its appeal comes from variety, creativity, and the feeling that every hole gives golfers a chance to try something memorable.
The championship course moves across rolling ground with wide playing corridors, dramatic bunkering, short-grass recovery areas, reachable par 4s, and greens that reward the right angle. Better players can think their way around it, while average golfers still have room to play. That balance helped earn Lac La Belle recognition from Golf Digest as the sixth-most-fun course in the United States.
The experience also feels different from many polished resort courses. Lac La Belle is historic without feeling formal. It is public, walkable, visually interesting, and designed to encourage another round rather than simply survive the first one.
That makes Lac La Belle an easy addition to a Wisconsin golf trip alongside larger destinations such as Kohler and Sand Valley.
Key Takeaways
- Lac La Belle was founded in 1896 and is one of Wisconsin’s oldest golf clubs.
- The course was revived after the Morse family acquired the property in 2018.
- Its modern design emphasizes width, angles, movement, and creative recovery shots.
- The club is open to the public and works well for both serious and casual golfers.
- Uncle Henry’s Backyard adds a fast, social nine-hole par-3 experience.
- The property now offers enough variety to anchor a full day of golf.
Examples Worth Knowing
- The Championship Course — An 18-hole, par-71 layout built around rolling terrain, strategic width, bold bunkers, and multiple ways to play each hole.
- Uncle Henry’s Backyard — A nine-hole par-3 course with several teeing options that change the angles, distances, and decisions on every hole.
- Uncle Henry’s Clubhouse — A replica inspired by the original 1896 clubhouse, connecting the new short course to the property’s beginnings.
- Flatstick Putting Course — A 15-hole putting layout that gives groups another casual competition before or after a round.
- Rivalry Pub — An on-site place to keep the group together for food and drinks after golf.
What It Means for Your Trip
Lac La Belle works especially well as part of a two- or three-day Wisconsin itinerary. It is located in Oconomowoc, west of Milwaukee, making it accessible without requiring a remote resort stay.
A group can play the championship course in the morning, have lunch at the club, and finish with Uncle Henry’s Backyard or the putting course. That creates the kind of full-day experience travelers increasingly want: serious golf first, followed by something quicker and more social.
The short course also makes Lac La Belle easier to include on arrival or departure day. Instead of forcing another full round around travel times, groups can add nine holes and still enjoy a meaningful part of the property.
Planning Tips
- Reserve the championship course and Uncle Henry’s Backyard in advance.
- Leave time after the main round rather than rushing directly to the next destination.
- Play a team match or closest-to-the-pin game on the short course.
- Stay in Oconomowoc or the western Milwaukee suburbs for easier access.
- Combine Lac La Belle with another Wisconsin golf destination.
- Treat it as a full-day stop, not just another tee time between resorts.
FAQ
How old is Lac La Belle?
The original course was organized in 1895 and the club was incorporated at its current site in 1896. It later became one of the earliest Wisconsin clubs affiliated with the USGA.
What happened to the original course?
The Morse family acquired the property in 2018 and began a major revival. The redesigned course reopened as a modern public layout that still honors the club’s early history.
Who was Uncle Henry?
Henry Shufeldt built an early golf course behind his Oconomowoc home in 1895. His nephews Chandler and Walter Egan later became leading amateur golfers, and the new short course takes its name from that backyard beginning.
What is Uncle Henry’s Backyard?
It is a nine-hole par-3 course introduced for 2026. Multiple teeing areas allow the holes to play from different distances and angles, making it suitable for beginners, juniors, and experienced golfers.
Is Lac La Belle open to the public?
Yes. The championship course, Uncle Henry’s Backyard, dining, and other club amenities are available to public guests.
Final CTA
Lac La Belle shows how a historic course can honor its past without feeling stuck in it. Plan a custom Wisconsin golf trip with JEL Golf Travel, and we will help pair it with the right courses, lodging, and route for your group.
