Things to Do in Forest Lake

Amid the lake-speckled country of northwestern Wisconsin and draped over the terrain’s volatile elevation changes rest the bentgrass fairways and greens of Siren National Golf Course. Sculpted into the land in 2001, the course forces players to corral golf balls over terrestrial ripples with peak-to-peak amplitudes of more than 100 feet, but it offers five sets of tees and generous landing areas as a friendly gesture to less experienced players. After starting out with a moderate-length par 5 to warm up, golfers must hit a long uphill shot—206 yards from the back tees—to reach the par 3 third hole’s green, which is fronted by an intimidating rock wall. The designers saved the hardest hole for last, however, as players must make a decision on the 18th tee to use the driver, lay up for a full wedge shot into the small green, or chip onto the back of a carrier pigeon.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course
• Total length of 6,737 yards from the back tees
• Course rating of 73.1 from the back tees
• Course slope of 132 from the back tees
• Five sets of tees per hole

Decked out in neon orange, up to 50 Wings North members tromp through 12 rugged hunting areas populated with wild animals. Guests can also aim at explosive clay pigeons under the tutelage of a National Sporting Clays Association instructor at the sporting-clay course. After honing their skills or calling ducks collect, guests can put their feet up in front of the stone fireplace at the Backwoods Bar & Grill while enjoying a hamburger, basket of fries, or surf 'n' turf entree.