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4.8
120 Reviews (120)
5 Stars
86
4 Stars
25
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.5
Layout
4.9
Friendliness
4.8
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.7
94.5%
Recommend this course
111 out of 120 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
5.0
1 Reviews (1)
5 Stars
1
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
5.0
Value
5.0
Layout
5.0
Pace
5.0
Amenities
5.0
StaffFriendliness
5.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
1 out of 1 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
4.8
Value
4.6
Layout
5.0
Pace
4.6
Amenities
4.9
StaffFriendliness
4.9
96.7%
Recommend this course
29 out of 30 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private/Resort
Par 72
Length 7171 yards
Slope 140
Rating 74.7

The Palmer Course is just one of three championship courses at Geneva National Golf Club. The other two boast well known designers as well: Gary Player and Lee Trevino. All of the courses were carved from the lush countryside along the banks of Lake Como, the sprawling club is the second largest golf facility in Wisconsin. The Palmer Course is the most challenging of the three but the Player Course comes in at a close second. There is less water one this course but it still has a prominent presence throughout. The golf course begins with a tricky water hole, a par 3 that is crossed two by a meandering stream. The 17th is also memorable since it plays right along the lake. There are a few homes lining some of the fairways but they do not distract from the stunning scenery throughout the golf course.

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Geneva National Golf - Palmer Course
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Course Details

Year Built 1991
Fairways Bluegrass
Greens Bent Grass
Architect Arnold Palmer (1991) Ed Seay (1991)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
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
Dress code Proper golf attire

Food & Beverage

Bar, Grill, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Lounge, Banquet Facilities

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in Wisconsin (2023 #17)
  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 Off-course amenities in the U.S. (2023 #1)
  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 Courses for Layout in the U.S. (2023 #7) (2021 #4)

Reviews

4.8
120 Reviews (120)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Excellent layout with tough greens

This course has a good variety of golf holes. The undulating fairways with excellent bunkering gives the course a very nice look. I would like to see a few more greenside bunkers, but that is a minor issue on an otherwise beautiful course. The condition was not perfect, but certainly understandable for the time of year. Overall a great experience with a great price from Golfnow.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 25
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Previously Played

What happened? This course needs a makeover!

Let's just say $10 was a great price but for those of you that paid more you should be looking for a rain check. I can only hope the aeration fixes some of the greens and fairways....You would have thought 1000 people had just played ahead of me. When the sand traps have tractor tires going through the middle of them and tee boxes are torn up beyond repair it's time to either close the course or lower the prices. Thus, $10 was just about right but requiring a collared shirt was a bit much....I'm thinking a white tank top would have compared to the condition. Not to mention the number of geese that have now made #8 their home for the winter. I agree with the others on 12-14 couldn't have been designed by anyone...they just don't fit with the rest of the course. There are a number of great hole but I don't understand the higher price for playing this course...Arnie must just get a bigger cut. Note: Play from the Golds if you want a challenge. Now let's talk about the ladies tee's..Arnie must not have had their tee boxes mapped on the course as they placed them on the other sides of fairways 85 yard up ahead. My wife actually had no shot off of 2-5 as they had trees in front of the tee boxes....I'd never seen anything like it..as my wife hits the ball 210-240 off the tee and she found herself 80 yds away on just about every second shot...this needs to change as it was almost laughable with some of her advantages. This must keep the members happy as they really don't tolerate slow play here. Well I'm rambling on now so I'll just tell you to play Trevino or Player before venturing out on this course. If you want perfect fairways check out Hawksview....they still have greenskeepers working instead just winterizing.

Conditions Poor
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 30
Handicap 25+
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Very nice course

My brother and I played on a day where we knew it was going to be a bit cold. We started off and the wind wasn't too bad and there was a little sun. But as we went on, the sun disappeared and the wind really picked up...so weather wise, it wasn't the greatest (what do you expect for late October). But for $20.00 a piece, we couldn't pass up the chance to play the course...even if it was a bit cold. Staff was very friendly. I would definitely play this course again...IF I could get a similar deal.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great Course Loved it

We booked this on GolfNow for $32.00 PP which apparently is a great deal. After golfing the course I feel it was. The course was challenging and in great condition. The only drawback we found was no GPS in the carts. Other than that it was a great time and I WILL definetly come back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 24
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

It was a disappointing experience on a great gof course.

This is a great golf course. Two circumstances made it a dissappointing round. #1: The starter informed us that the greens were recently aeriated and that we probably wouldn't notice. We noticed. The practice green was probably at an 11 or 12. The actual greens were probably at a 2, with a ski hill mogul feel to them. #2: Pace of play. It was the longest round of the year. With a 1:48 tee time we played the 18th in the dark.
I understand greens need to be maintained and with the GolfNow hot deal I believe we paid an appropriate price for the condition of the greens. The pace of a play is a different issue, one that I wish could have been addressed properly by the more than ample staff which made its presence known. I'm glad I had the opportunity to play this course for the price we did. I cannot afford the regular rates.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

After traveling a good distance to play what I thought would be a course I would remember I'm very disappointed.

We had used our gps to find the course only to arrive at a gate that can't be used to access the golf courses. After receiving a map to the right gate from the security officer we arrived entering another gate and pulled up to a massive clubhouse. The pro shop is nothing special and small but the attendants outside were helpful and friendly. With the security entrance and clubhouse I was expecting the course to be something special but 12-14 different holes were simply like playing a subdivision course designed by a nobody not Arnold Palmer. The course was in terrible shape and I recently learned that another course of theirs was in way better shape yet the Palmer course is suppose to be the most prestigious. The tee boxes on multiple holes were beat up to were you couldn't find a decent spot to tee off and the fairways weren't much better. Minus a few nice holes to finish the round on the lake the course is well below what I would have expected and not worth the $50 I paid let along the well over $100 which is the normal fee. I think Arnie could have done a lot better and this is just a sad excuse for a feature course in an upscale setting.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 29
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

very pretty challenging , very fair , great advantage for ladys

beautiful course great shape fast greens very playable when you play apropriate tees, lots of elavation changes must play course, my top ten list for wisconsin

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Very fast & Difficult greens

Some Great Holes & enjoyed course Problem was very slow play 5hrs. The problem is always the same people with minimum skill for difficult course should be playing front tees or easy courses. That said they have as much right as I do to be there. I just think it slows down the course & play. Very Nice course & GRATEFUL to Golf Now for Hugh Discount Thank you.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course to play

Slow pace of play didn't allow completion before sundown

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Wondeful layout and perfect conditions...

Wonderful layout and perfect conditions...greens were unpredictable as a first time player on this course but after a couple of "re-dos" they were easier to read..also, very fast with the grain and moderate speed against the green..Fun course!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

i was going to say no onlt because the course hadn't been mowed in a couple days

only complaint's were condition, and 4 groups on one hole a number of times

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Good Experience.

Very nice, fair golf course. Greens are a bit tricky. If you've never played the course, I would recommend purchasing a yardage book. The book provides good tips on where to aim the ball on the green. There are a few homes along side some of the holes. So much so, I would consider this more of a residential golf course. I don't particularly care for residential courses, but it's not intrusive and didn't effect the experience.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great and challenging course.

Not for the beginner. The variety of shots required to play this course made for a challenge. Would go back, but a hundred bucks for the regular price is steep. We paid 45 and feel like it was a good deal.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
5.0
First Time Playing

Treat yourself

I played while on vacation so I decided to spend more than I usually would. It was awesome! Challenging holes, great condition, and the greens had more levels than Super Mario. I will absolutely play here again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Bring your A game to play this course!

I've played 2 out of three of these courses. They are quite impressive. Beautiful! Not for a novice golfer however. Every shot on every hole makes you think. Challenging from any tee box. Truly these are resort courses. The facility is first rate.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great warm up area, beautiful facility

The greens were PGA fast. WOW! Lucky we had a little rain to slow them down. Two of our four players struggled with the speed of the greens but I actually like them fast. Downhill putts were rolling right off the green but they were true if you could read them right. Great Day of Golf.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Great late season value!

The courses and staff at Geneva National are exceptionally good. The value at this time of year was great. Normally, I think this course is too overpriced for any golf course. The course was still in great shape for this late in the year (Nov 10).

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Great Golf Experience

One of the best golf locations in Wisconsin for all level of Golfers

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Moderately challenging though not long.

The course is interesting and moderately challenging - the least challenging of the 3 courses at Geneva national.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 30
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

The course was in great Nov. shape.

All 4 players in my group loved the course and would all come back again. This was the bargain of the year!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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