Owned and operated by Milwaukee County, Oakwood was designed by E. Lawrence Packard and opened in 1971. I remember when it first opened the course resembled a large field with some scraggly trees, some flagsticks poked into the ground here and there, and a 20x20 foot shack for a clubhouse. After 40 years the course has matured quite nicely.
From the tips, Oakwood plays at just a shade over 7000 yards, making it one of the longer public courses in the area. It seems quite typical of a Packard layout (he designed a number of other public courses in the area) in that the fairways are quite generous, but if you venture too far off the fairway, you'll be in some trouble (trees, OB, etc.) On the front nine you'll be challenged by the recently lengthened 2nd hole, which now can play as long as 610 yards thanks to a new tee box. The 7th hole is a 420 yard par 4 with water left, and a narrow green guarded by sand and trees. The par three 8th requires a carry over water. On the back nine Oakwood has its own version of "Amen Corner." The 12th hole is a dogleg-right par 4 with trees and sand guarding the right side of the fairway. You'll then face an uphill second shot to a well-protected green. The 13th is a par 3, 230 yards uphill. I've seen single-digit handicappers use driver on this hole. The 14th is a 440-yard par four. Depending on conditions I've used everything from a 3-wood to a 9-iron on my second shot here. The 18th hole is a good finishing hole. While relatively short at 400 yards, 18 features a narrow, uphill, tree-lined fairway, and a slightly elevated green, guarded by a large bunker in front and trees left and in back.
As for course conditions, Oakwood is not exactly the plushest course you'll ever play, but it's not terrible, either. The rough can be a little gnarly, the fairways could be taken care of a bit better, and the greens can get shaggy and bumpy. On a 1-10 scale (ten being Augusta National, 1 being goat ranch) I'd give Oakwood somewhere around a 6 or 7.
If you're any kind of experienced player you'll need to use just about every club in your bag when you play Oakwood.
Prices are more than reasonable, too; weekend greens fees top out at a shade under $40 for walkers (add another $15 if you want to ride) and during the week discount card holders can play for as little as $26 for 18 holes. All in all, I'd say that you'd be hard-pressed to find a better value for your golfing dollar than Oakwood Park.

Customer Service

As a municipally owned public course, Oakwood isn't where you'll find a lot of fancy amenities. But the clubhouse has been upgraded over the past few years, the pro shop is well stocked, and the practice areas are adequate. Staff is helpful and friendly for the most part.

Similar Products Used:

New Berlin Hills; Currie Park; Willow Run