NEW GLARUS - Even with its name, Argue-Ment Golf Course reveals that it isn't just a traditional set of Midwest links.
The "beginner friendly" course is less intimidating than a traditional golf experience - and is tailored toward easing the fears of new players, while also challenging experienced players with its rustic terrain, unique tee system and setting.
The differences are everywhere. Argue-Ment, for example, doesn't even use men's and women's tees.
Instead, it offers five different, color-coded tee levels based on ability.
The orange tee level - 116- to 150-yards - is for children. Mark Renner, president of Argue-Ment Golf Course Inc., which designed and built it, said some adults who want to work on their short game also play the orange tees.
The red tees are about 150 to 200 yards between holes. The blue tees follow a standard length course, and the black tees offer a more challenging, advanced course.
"We were finding that people were playing tees and lengths beyond their abilities," Renner said. "The rationale behind it is so people can play at a level close to their skill."
The course encourages golfers to play from tees where they can shoot close to par. The course became certified "Beginner Friendly" in 2008, by the National Golf Course Owners of America.
Renner designed and built the nine-hole course that opened in 2000.
Now, Renner also maintains the course and has been keeping it watered it during the recent heat wave.
Argue-Ment's setup and pricing also encourages families to golf together, and provides young people with a way to get involved in the sport.
"Golf is often a solidarity activity for men," Renner said, adding that he's hoping to change that.
At Argue-Ment, students 13-21 with school ID's get a reduced daily rate, or a student season pass for only $50. Children 12 and under play free - with a paying adult. Kid sized clubs for children as young as three are available for use free of charge.
Tee times can be scheduled for one or two golfers.
Families can sign up for tee times together.
The golf course offers a special Wednesday family rate which allows the entire family to golf for only $20, including grandparents.
"The dads can bring their families and kids out and still play the tees they want," he said. "Families should golf together. The men and women shouldn't go out separately."
There are no two holes that are parallel and it follows the lay of the land including some Scottish like highlands.
The course also uses a European vision of irrigation that relies on natural waste areas. The course is typical of the hills and valley of the New Glarus area.
"Each one of the holes is kind of isolated from each other," Renner said. "If you are out there playing it almost seems like you are playing by yourself."
There also is a challenge for more experienced golfers with the black tees.
"Although the course is not designed for beginners to use the back tees, we encourage them to come out and play from tee lengths appropriate to their skill," Renner said. "With a USGA handicap rating of 71.6 and a slope of 123 from the back tees, there is plenty of challenge out there for them to learn the game."
Renner said it's not uncommon to see a deer, turkey, fox, coyote, gopher, ground hog or squirrel. He said he also has seen a blue heron.
He said tee times are spread out so that way no one feels pressured.
"Golf can be a frustrating sport as it is without another golfer bearing down on you," Renner said. "The whole point of the activity is to have fun. If you can't do that then why go."
The "beginner friendly" course is less intimidating than a traditional golf experience - and is tailored toward easing the fears of new players, while also challenging experienced players with its rustic terrain, unique tee system and setting.
The differences are everywhere. Argue-Ment, for example, doesn't even use men's and women's tees.
Instead, it offers five different, color-coded tee levels based on ability.
The orange tee level - 116- to 150-yards - is for children. Mark Renner, president of Argue-Ment Golf Course Inc., which designed and built it, said some adults who want to work on their short game also play the orange tees.
The red tees are about 150 to 200 yards between holes. The blue tees follow a standard length course, and the black tees offer a more challenging, advanced course.
"We were finding that people were playing tees and lengths beyond their abilities," Renner said. "The rationale behind it is so people can play at a level close to their skill."
The course encourages golfers to play from tees where they can shoot close to par. The course became certified "Beginner Friendly" in 2008, by the National Golf Course Owners of America.
Renner designed and built the nine-hole course that opened in 2000.
Now, Renner also maintains the course and has been keeping it watered it during the recent heat wave.
Argue-Ment's setup and pricing also encourages families to golf together, and provides young people with a way to get involved in the sport.
"Golf is often a solidarity activity for men," Renner said, adding that he's hoping to change that.
At Argue-Ment, students 13-21 with school ID's get a reduced daily rate, or a student season pass for only $50. Children 12 and under play free - with a paying adult. Kid sized clubs for children as young as three are available for use free of charge.
Tee times can be scheduled for one or two golfers.
Families can sign up for tee times together.
The golf course offers a special Wednesday family rate which allows the entire family to golf for only $20, including grandparents.
"The dads can bring their families and kids out and still play the tees they want," he said. "Families should golf together. The men and women shouldn't go out separately."
There are no two holes that are parallel and it follows the lay of the land including some Scottish like highlands.
The course also uses a European vision of irrigation that relies on natural waste areas. The course is typical of the hills and valley of the New Glarus area.
"Each one of the holes is kind of isolated from each other," Renner said. "If you are out there playing it almost seems like you are playing by yourself."
There also is a challenge for more experienced golfers with the black tees.
"Although the course is not designed for beginners to use the back tees, we encourage them to come out and play from tee lengths appropriate to their skill," Renner said. "With a USGA handicap rating of 71.6 and a slope of 123 from the back tees, there is plenty of challenge out there for them to learn the game."
Renner said it's not uncommon to see a deer, turkey, fox, coyote, gopher, ground hog or squirrel. He said he also has seen a blue heron.
He said tee times are spread out so that way no one feels pressured.
"Golf can be a frustrating sport as it is without another golfer bearing down on you," Renner said. "The whole point of the activity is to have fun. If you can't do that then why go."