Overview
University Ridge is the University of Wisconsin's public golf course, set on the rolling countryside just west of Madison near Verona. It is the official home course of the Wisconsin Badgers men's and women's golf teams, which is where its slogan "Play where the Badgers play" comes from. Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed the course, and it opened in 1991.
The name comes from the land itself. The course sits on the terminal moraine where the last Wisconsin glacier stopped, a ridge that splits the ground into rolling hills and valleys with views back over the city. The designers let that ridge guide the routing rather than moving earth around it.
Five sets of tees run from 5,005 to 7,289 yards, so it works for most abilities. The front nine is open and rolls through preserved prairie and marsh, while the first six holes of the back nine are cut through thick Wisconsin woodland. The par-5 6th stretches to 623 yards, the 554-yard 16th is the signature hole with three fairways and twelve bunkers, and the 443-yard par-4 18th climbs 182 feet from the woods up to the prairie to finish.
Practice facilities cover 33 acres, with two 9,000-square-foot hitting areas, bent grass tees and greens, colored flags for distances and a short-game area with a bunker used by the college teams. The W Grill serves Wisconsin clubhouse food with views over the course, and the award-winning golf shop stocks Badgers-branded apparel.
The course is part of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, and a stretch of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail runs through the property. Rates use dynamic pricing: in 2026 an 18-hole riding round costs between $75 and $145 depending on the day, time and demand.
Green fees & prices
- 18 holes with cart (public rate)Includes range balls for 45 minutes before your tee time$75 – $145
- Practice range, first hour (May 1 – October 4, grass)Each extra half hour $7.50 + tax$25 per guest
- Practice range, 1 hour (early and late season, artificial turf)$15.00 + tax
- Range pass book (20 one-hour passes)$400.00 + tax
Prices checked 23 October 2026 on the official website. Prices may change; confirm with the course before you book.
Facilities
Good to know
Book online with a credit card to hold the time; you pay at the course. Public tee times for two or more golfers open for the whole season in early February, singles can book seven days ahead, and cancellations are free more than 24 hours before the tee time. Official page ↗
Collared shirts are expected; denim, gym shorts and cutoffs are not allowed.
Groups are capped at four, so singles and twosomes can expect to be paired. Non-golfers cannot ride or walk along, each golfer needs their own bag and clubs, and outside food and alcohol are not allowed (water is fine).
The course opens around mid-April and closes around early November. The golf shop opens half an hour before the first tee time and closes half an hour before sunset.
History & highlights
University Ridge has collected awards every year since 1992. In 2025 GolfPass golfers ranked it third among college courses and 19th among public courses in the United States, and Golfweek placed it 11th among Wisconsin's best public-access courses.
It has hosted plenty of big events: the PGA Tour Champions' American Family Insurance Championship, the 1998 NCAA Division I Women's Championship, Big Ten championships, the 2015 Wisconsin State Open, the 2018 NCAA Cross Country National Championship and the WIAA boys' and girls' state tournaments every year since 1994.
The routing follows a terminal moraine, mixing open prairie on the front nine with woodland on the back.
The 18th is a 443-yard par 4 that climbs 182 feet to the green.
Home course of the Wisconsin Badgers and a regular host of NCAA and Big Ten events.
- American Family Insurance Championship (PGA Tour Champions): winners here include Jerry Kelly (2021), Thongchai Jaidee (2022), Steve Stricker (2023) and Ernie Els (2024)
- NCAA Division I Women's Championship: 1998
- Wisconsin State Open: 2015
Tips for first-timers
- Check prices for several tee times: with dynamic pricing, quieter slots can be much cheaper.
- Your green fee includes range balls up to 45 minutes before your tee time, so arrive early.
- Wear a collared shirt and leave the denim at home.
- Cancel more than 24 hours ahead to avoid any charge.
- The practice range closes on some tournament days, so check the calendar if you plan a long range session.
Map & location
The course is at 9002 County Road PD, Madison, WI 53593, on the southwest edge of the city near Verona. Hawks Landing Golf Club is about 1.4 km away, Verona Meadows about 2 km and Pioneer Pointe about 4.5 km.
FAQ
How much does it cost to play University Ridge?
The course uses dynamic pricing. In 2026 an 18-hole round with a cart ranges from $75 to $145, depending on the date, time and demand, and includes warm-up range balls.
Is University Ridge open to the public?
Yes. It is a public course owned by the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the home course of the Badgers golf teams.
Who designed University Ridge?
Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed the course, which opened in 1991.
How long is the course?
Five sets of tees range from 5,005 to 7,289 yards.
Is there a dress code?
Yes. Collared shirts are requested, and denim, gym shorts and cutoffs are not allowed.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours ahead at no charge. Inside 24 hours you are charged but get a rain check; inside 2 hours there is no rain check or refund.
Sources
- Official website
- History
- Rates (dynamic pricing)
- Practice facility
- Awards
- Tee time FAQ
- Location: OpenStreetMap
Facts checked 23 October 2026. We only list details we could confirm on the sources above; anything else is left out.