Activities : Bailey's Harbor

Maxwelton Braes
7670 Hwy 57
Baileys Harbor
920-839-2321

Maxwelton Braes is a golf resort with wonderful accommodations, a gorgeous pool, lounge and restaurant, banquet hall, and a terrific golf course, all on 200 acres. Since the resurgence of Maxwelton Braes which began in 2000, the 18-hole course has continually been upgraded and improved. With the new owners as of July 2002, even more improvements have been added, and the course is in very good shape now. You can see the difference immediately, and it is good!

Golfing it in Spring 2003, we noted the improved fairways, greens and overall pruning and trimming of the course. The fairways are now fairways, and the bent-grass greens are rolled and in good shape and have been brought back nicely.

Apparent on the very first hole was the mowed fairways, manicured and readily distinguishable from the rough. Number one was pretty straightforward. No tricks. 298 yards from the white tees with ample room both right and left from which to recover wayward drives. This we found to be mostly true for the remainder of our round. We reached the first green and clearly saw evidence that someone has taken charge and is working hard to resuscitate what had to have been a very sick patient in years past – this was so nice to see. Maxwelton Braes is back!

The first two holes, both short par fours, ease you into your round then you are hit with back-to-back straight and long 466 and 456 holes 3 and 4 to get in the groove. Hole 3 is a par 5, which by today’s par 5 standards, is also short at 466 yards. Your first real challenge is on the 456 yard par 4, 4th hole. Bogey or worse is likely unless you can really poke your drive out there and hit the green in two. The undulating greens will provide a challenge to par on most of the holes. Likewise, holes 13 and 14, a dog-leg left followed by a dog-leg right at 366 and 372 were also nice back-to-back holes.

You will not find water hazards on this course, but there are lots of bunkers, and sand traps to challenge you all the way. The 6,045 yard (from the white tees) Par 71 course offers an extremely tranquil environment, with birds chirping, trees swaying, and rolling links all around you.

In general, the fairways are generally a decent width, with a few being narrow. Some road hazards abound as well, since the course is spilt across Hwy 57, there are roads you might hit on about 8 holes. In addition, fences come into play (and are out of bounds) on a couple of holes, and deeper woods on a couple more as well. Again, the undulation in the greens creates some putting and positioning challenges for you. This is a very playable course, and should be a part of your Door County golfing mix! You can ride or walk. Power carts, pull carts and rental clubs are available on the premises. We enjoyed playing the Braes, and we think you will too! So when in Door County, golf Maxwelton Braes!

Check with Maxwelton Braes for special information on golf outings and packages that might be available. Resort, dining, golf – it’s all here at Maxwelton Braes! And please tell them you found them on DoorCountyNavigator.com!