The Wilds

The title “The Wilds Golf Club” is a nod to the refreshing wilderness of Midwestern Minnesota, however it is not too long into the round before things get a little wild in an entirely different sense. Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish have never been shy about taking their designs in more heroic directions, and the heart will begin racing at the second tee.

The 517-yard par five will be reachable for some brave (and skilled) souls, but Mystic Lake, which lines the hole for the entire length of its left side, will make most of us think otherwise. No. 3 is a par three with a similar approach, and No. 4 is where Weiskopf and Morrish insert a drivable par four (the duo guarantees at least one such hole at each layout they design). Players can go over a marsh, straight at the green from the tee, but the bailout area right will be just as tempting (especially if you’ve already lost a few balls on the past few waterlogged holes).

Players will face fewer do-or-die holes on the back nine, at least until they reach No. 18, where Weiskopf and Morrish will require two more white-knuckle shots.