How to Master the Shots You'll Need to Conquer Trappers Turn GC

Have you ever gone to bed the night before a round dreaming of the shots you'll need to execute the next day? Instead of counting sheep I call it counting birdies. (Aren't we all a bit delusional in our dreams?) This usually only happens for me when two factors are present. First, I must have already played the course before to secure the proper mental picture and second, and most importantly, I must love the course I'm about to play. Really, what's the point of dreaming about a 7-iron to an easy hole location on a flat, characterless par-4 at your local muni?

If you've ever gone to bed the night before playing Trappers Turn in Wisconsin Dells, you may have already been guilty of going into dreamland. That's because three distinctive nines at Trappers Turn combine to form one of Wisconsin's most memorable golf experiences, whether you're awake or still dreaming. The Roger Packard/Andy North designed Lakes and Canyon Nines were opened to the public in 1991, with the Arbor Nine debuting ten years later. All three nines offer a different set of hazards to be navigated, yet all elicit a similar amount of excitement and playability.

I asked Patrick Steffes, Trappers Turn's Director of Golf since 2005 to go into his dream mode and come up with the top three shots on the property- one for each nine hole tract. And since these are the shots you'll desperately want to pull off when it counts, I've convinced Patrick to give a pro tip on how to execute each shot properly. We call it the golf version of Trap Shooting and we hope it leads to a better score the next time you tee it up at Trappers Turn.

Trap Shooting on The Canyon Nine
"One of my personal all-time favorite shots on the golf course is the second at Canyon #9. The 9th on The Canyon course is a par-5 measuring up to 549 yards. The hole is very challenging and the second shot gives you many options to choose from. Depending on your tee shot, you will have the option to lay up or go for the elevated green. The view is amazing and I believe it's one of the best finishing holes anywhere. My suggestion when playing your second shot is to be realistic with your abilities. If you cannot get to the green without a miraculous shot, why try? There is nothing wrong with laying up with a club that ensures you keep it play. Eagles are fun, but a score over par certainly isn't."

Trap Shooting on The Arbor Nine

"The 6th hole on The Arbor Nine provides an elevated tee shot on a long par-4 measuring up to 441 yards. With a great view, you will have choices off the tee. The fairway narrows with bunkers and a marsh running up the left side through the middle of the fairway. A choice must be made whether to hit the driver or lay up with your club of choice. My tip on this tee shot is to watch your distance on this hole as it narrows the farther up the fairway you get. Do not be afraid to hit 3-wood off the tee to avoid the hazard on both sides of the fairway. "

Trap Shooting on The Lake Nine
"The 9th hole on The Lake Nine features another outstanding par-5 finishing hole. The tee shot gives you the option to get greedy and cut some distance over Trappers Turn's Mystic Lake or play out to the left side of the fairway to take the water out of play. The hole is reachable, but provides much risk and reward. With a small green to approach the risk may outweigh the reward. Your tee-shot will need to determine this. Guests will enjoy this challenging hole with tremendous views of the clubhouse. The tee shot on this hole will determine your success. Depending how I am playing will determine my how aggressive I get. If I am playing well I will try and cut the corner to give myself options on the second shot. If I am struggling with my driver, I will find a way to take water out of play and also any score above par."

Once you tee it up at Trappers Turn it will become evident that Patrick's picks were challenging based upon the fact there are so many remarkable vistas to choose from. If Patrick could have expanded his list to four, he would have chosen co-designer Andy North's favorite hole at Trapper's Turn, the par-3 7th on The Canyon Nine. "The 7th is a short par-3 measuring up to 157 yards from the back tee and includes a green built into the Wisconsin Dells' famed canyons. An elevated tee shot features a 100 ft drop into the green. The hole is absolutely beautiful and in 2010 will include the opening of several new tee-boxes to improve the playing surfaces," explained Steffes.

Speaking of "playing" surfaces, the ones on the course weren't the only ones that were improved as of late. In 2008 Trappers Turn completed a bold clubhouse renovation that is a fitting centerpiece and the perfect place to kick back after your round. "The building is absolutely gorgeous and has given us the opportunity to provide a relaxing atmosphere for all of our guests to enjoy. We have been able to accommodate certain functions including larger golf groups, weddings, holiday parties, Friday fish fry's, and a Sunday brunch to name a few. The new building includes seating for up to 250 people inside, a bar and lounge area facing beautiful golf course views, a veranda with outside dining options, a pool and poker room, state of the art golf pro shop and award winning culinary facilities," stated Steffes.

In the golf industry there are changes that the general public sees on a daily basis and those that just blend into the overall experience. Improvements to Trappers Turn in the second that all-important category include adding drainage throughout the golf course to get rid of the dreaded cart path only days. Also, since Trappers Turn is affiliated with the ultra-successful Kalahari Resort they go through pain-staking reevaluations to make sure everyone's guest experience is top notch. As Patrick Steffes puts it, this commitment to excellence "will never stop."

Special thanks to Patrick Steffes for offering his insights and describing the phenomenal shot values present at Trappers Turn. For more information on Trappers Turn or to book a Stay and Play Package, please visit www.TrappersTurn.com or www.KalahariResort.com. Their Stay and Play rates start at only $99 per person based upon double occupancy.

If I'm a friend of Wisconsin native and 2-time U.S. Open winner Andy North, I'm hoping my phone rings with an invitation to the 2nd annual Andy North and Friends event at Trappers Turn. Why might you ask? Well Andy invited long-time friend Tom Watson to the gala last year and just look what it did for his golf game. Watson nearly took home The Claret Jug and just won the first Champions Tour Event in 2010.

The two day event will be held June 6th-7th with all proceeds once gain going to the University of Wisconsin Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Care Center. "The inaugural Andy North and Friends event was an incredible success, having raised $293,000 to benefit the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center," stated Patrick Steffes. "Special guests included PGA Hall of Fame golf legend Tom Watson and Green Bay Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and of course, our host Andy North. We are thrilled to host this event for a second year."

If you can't make it to the entire event you can join the star-studded cast for dinner on Sunday evening, June 6 at "An Evening with Andy North and Friends." Please visit www.AndyNorthandFriends.com for more information and updates.