Monona Golf Course

Monona Golf Course is a municipal facility located on Madison's east side, occupying land along the shores of Lake Monona. Designed by Art Johnson and opened in the mid-twentieth century, the course serves as one of several public golf options in Wisconsin's capital city. Johnson, a regional architect active primarily in the Upper Midwest during the post-war era, created layouts that typically emphasized playability for everyday golfers while working within the natural terrain available on municipal budgets. The course sits on relatively flat to gently rolling terrain characteristic of the glaciated landscape surrounding Madison's isthmus. Its proximity to Lake Monona influences both the setting and playing conditions, with breezes off the water often a factor. The routing makes use of the available property with straightforward hole corridors and modest bunkering. As a municipal course in a university city, Monona serves a diverse population of golfers, from students and university staff to local residents seeking accessible public golf. The facility operates as part of Madison's public golf system, offering affordable rates and maintaining the practical, no-frills character common to municipal courses of its generation. The layout provides a functional test of golf without severe hazards or dramatic elevation changes, reflecting its design intent as a community amenity rather than a championship venue. For Madison-area golfers, Monona represents a straightforward option for regular play in a lakeside setting.