The Glen Golf Park | Madison, WI | Par 32/33

Overhauled in 2022, the nine-hole Glen Golf Park, formerly known as Glenway Golf Course, has raised its game significantly. Michael Keiser, a driving force behind the Sand Valley Resort, used the renovation of the old Glenway as a way to give back to the Madison community, and you can see glimpses of Sand Valley as you walk through the Glen. The first thing you’ll notice is the large greens and shaved areas around them. The size and slope of the new greens will bring out the imagination of the player as they look for the best way to tackle them. Bunkers lined with fescue grass is also a nod to Sand Valley, and adds to the overall eye appeal. The Glen is a short course – just four par-4s and no par-5s – that caters to a more novice player when it comes to length, but still offers challenge for a more experienced player. From the back tees, the last three par-4s are quite challenging, and the first par-3 measures nearly 180 yards. There are four sets of tees, so all skill levels can enjoy the course, which was the primary theme to the renovation.

Glen Golf Park’s renovation can only be seen as a major success, as the beauty and quality of the course is outstanding. The large, sloped greens rolled very nicely, though they seemed slower than the practice area green (though that could be simply because the slopes there are more extreme than on the course itself). Shaved areas around the greens and the fairways were solid, but still noticeably young in some spots. The first cut of rough was very playable, but there were areas of longer fescue that will cause you a good amount of trouble. Large patches of tall fescue grass and wildflowers are prominent throughout the course, and they add to the overall aesthetics. With the amount of moisture the area has seen this year, these areas appear to be vegetation on steroids, which is great to look at, but don’t bother looking for your ball in them. The condition of the course definitely gives that high-end feel you wouldn’t associate with a muni course.

Rarely has a practice area been such a highlight. Glen Golf Park offers a massive short-game green that has tons of slope and undulation, making the shots you can try seemingly endless. I joked with my playing partner that I could have stayed there for hours, trying to hit just the right shot on any number of very difficult ones I could imagine. There is a putting course available, which adds to the family vibe the Glen offers. If you can get good on this green, you will be ready for anything! Now, there is no range, and normally I would lower the Practice Area rating more for that, but the short-game area is so good, it makes up for it.

The clubhouse is basically all pro shop, but it’s still pretty small. That said, I believe it is brand new and has a good feel inside. It has what you need, including clean bathrooms. There are food and drink essentials, including hot dogs, if you’re looking for a bigger snack. There’s a little drive-thru window at the side, so you don’t even need to go in if you’re just getting a drink or food. Finally, there’s a very nice patio section that overlooks the 9th green and the practice area. This area was made for enjoying a drink after a round or having a practice session on the green. The clubhouse isn’t big, but it’s nice and packs a nice punch.

I thought the Glen was a walking-only course, but it does offer motorized carts for rental. They are your standard, basic carts, but they’ll get you around the course just fine. No GPS or anything like that, but that’s not as big of a deal on a shorter course. The Glen also rents push carts for players that want to walk.

I am not sure what the staff situation is exactly at Glen Golf Park. I only encountered one person – the lady that worked the pro shop counter and checked me in. She was friendly and efficient, so that was a good impression. I am guessing there is never a beverage cart, as I was there on a Saturday afternoon and we never saw one. If you need a drink or snack, make sure you stop by the pro shop before heading out.

The Glen Golf Park is a beautiful, well-conditioned course that definitely has some higher-end vibes. The greens alone are worth it. It’s also a shorter course that has no par-5s, so that might be a bit of a turn-off. It’s not for me, but I can understand a player not wanting to spend the equivalent of $70 for 18 with a cart on a course that doesn’t have par-5s.

The Glen was designed to be a course that all skill levels could play and enjoy, encouraging family golf and beginners, as well as experienced players. You can see all those elements as you play. For instance, the first hole is a very short par-4 that most players wouldn’t have trouble reaching in regulation, and long hitters could even drive the green. The fairway is wide, and the green is large, but the approach shot, whether it be from 100 yards or 20 yards, is a tricky one. You have to navigate the contours of the green to leave yourself in a good place, and poor shots will be punished. Playing from the back tees will still offer some challenge for experienced players, especially the final three par-4s.

The shorter design and the large, undulated greens make for an exciting and enjoyable round. Players that want to be aggressive have some good risk/reward opportunities, while those that want to be a little more conservative will still have chances to score. The course itself is beautiful and perfect place for a quick nine-hole walk.

The 8th hole at the Glen is a short, downhill par-3 that brings a little bit of drama. A wedge or short iron is all you’ll need from about any tee, and the massive green gives a large target. There are several beautiful holes at the Glen, but this one stuck out in my memory as the best.

The par-4 5th is easily the longest hole on the course, measuring over 440 yards from the back tees. That alone is going to make it pretty challenging for most players. Add in large trees on both side of the fairway near the green, creating a through-the-uprights shot for the approach, and it can be especially tough. Any kind of wayward approach shot could lead to a ball that ricochets just about anywhere. The green is large, as most at the Glen are, and there is some serious bend to it. It’s one of those greens that produce putts that just break more than they appear they will. A par here is well-earned.

The par-4 4th is really the only hole that I would consider for worst hole, and it has to do only with the tee shot from the back (Sumac) tees. Large trees overhang and squeeze the airspace about 50 yards ahead of the tee box, making the window to hit through very tight. Going over the trees could be an option, but this is one of the two legitimately long par-4s on the course, and hitting an iron that is lofted enough to get up and over the limbs would prevent most players from even a chance at reaching the green in two. I had one complaint after playing the Glen, and that tee shot was it.

I had wanted to play the renovated Glen Golf Park for awhile, and finally played it two years after its re-opening. I was extremely impressed with just about everything, and loved the large chipping/putting green that was available. That seems like a great place to just hang out, hit some balls and have drinks with friends, or get the kids involved in the game. I saw some of both during my visit. I will definitely be playing the Glen again.