Curling, cycling, and golfing gains
From Wagyu steaks to barrel-aged beer
Face masques, mazes, and Martha Stewart
Tasty tidbits to get the conversation rolling. Did you know . . .
In June 2000, Tiger Woods led the U.S. Open from start to finish-becoming only the fifth player in history to achieve the feat. A month later, at the of age 24, he became the youngest player to win all four majors after picking up the Open Championship in St Andrews, Scotland. When you look at it that way, a quarter of a century seems to have whistled by. It was in December of that year that we launched Kohler Waters Spa, and in this, the second issue of The Birdie, we reminisce on our journey to becoming a pioneering global spa brand (page 6)-a journey not without its ups and downs. The year 2000 was also when Forbes first declared Martha Stewart a billionaire. By this point, she was arguably the most influential woman in America, if not the world. So in anticipation of her headlining appearance at Kohler Food & Wine Festival, we reflect on her extraordinary career (page 8). On page 18, one of the world’s leading group fitness instructors, Akin Akman, shares his tips for building your “strongest, most resilient, most optimistic self,” and on page 21, award-winning golf journalist Shaun Tolson offers ways to improve your game during the off-season. In addition, we have much to share about the plentiful events taking place over the festive season.
Whether you’re indulging in a spa day with friends, creating holiday memories with family, enjoying our world-class cuisine, or exploring the winter charm of Kohler at Frozen Fairways, we wish you a wonderful visit and hope to welcome you back soon.
Imp-ressive inspiration
Between 1918 and 1926, an average of 32,000 games of bowling were played each year at The American Club. The men’s teams included the Hamptons, the Wilshires and the Gramercys-all named after Kohler plumbing fixtures.
IT’S FAIR TO SAY that our very own winter wonderland, Frozen Fairways, has (in typical Kohler fashion) snowballed somewhat. What started as a few mulled ciders and a bit of skating has turned into one of the highlights of the year here, with programming running from December through to February.
“When we started Frozen Fairways in 2020, the idea was for it to feel magical, something that captures the enchanting spirit of a holiday movie,” says Justin Gephart, Kohler Hospitality’s Vice President-Sales & Marketing, whose team designs and operates the annual event. “It has grown into an experience that is more refined and sophisticated, and includes additional activities, without losing its small-town charm.”
Skiing, or in fact cross-country skiing, is one of a number of winter sports that visitors can enjoy throughout the duration of Frozen Fairways, as well as ice-skating, curling, snowshoeing, and fattire biking. But, Justin explains, there’s just as much enjoyment to be found once you come in from the cold. “The idea is to give guests a slice of the outdoors, while never being too far from a nice roaring fire,”
he says with a grin. “I love the fact that you can be cozying up enjoying a board game, then two seconds later you could be outside playing Hammerschlagen.”
For those with a more adventurous spirit-“the hardy types not to be put off by a little cold weather,” as Justin puts it-this year will see the introduction of the Frozen Feet 5k (December 13), a race along the trails of River Wildlife. The things people will do for a mulled cider…
In the run-up to Christmas, there will be live music on Friday and Saturday nights-building towards a Country Music Weekend (January 23 and 24 2026). There’ll also be a full program of familyfriendly entertainment, including carriage rides, magic shows, face painting, balloon twisting, and a special New Year’s Eve party with fireworks at 10pm. Meanwhile, we’ll be hosting bridge and mahjong 101 classes throughout the winter months-two games that you can happily spend hours playing, especially when it’s chilly outside (and great food and beverages are only steps away).
Possibly the biggest news, however, is the introduction of the Kohler Curling League. “Curling has become one of the more popular activities over
“The idea is to give guests a slice of the outdoors while never being too far from a nice roaring fire.”
the past few years,” says Justin, who has become rather adept himself. “There’s been so much demand from the local community that we’ve decided to start a league, which is fun and nostalgic. It reminds me of the days when there was a ten-pin bowling league at The American Club®
“Kohler has a long legacy of recreational sports within the local community, from the early horseshoe leagues through to sponsoring local baseball and basketball teams. The new league plays into that idea nicely-and will give the more competitive types something to think about while the golf is on hold.”
Yet for all the talk of friendly competition, Justin says that this year he’s also excited about the prospect of an over-the-top hot chocolate. “We take something already delicious and amplify it with homemade marshmallows and extra toppings, served in a new annual mug,” he explains. “Every year, a local artist designs the artwork on the signature mugs, then they are handcrafted and fired in our pottery plant right here in Kohler, Wisconsin.”
IN THE 32 YEARS since a British labyrinthologist, Adrian Fisher, created the world’s first corn maze in a field in Pennsylvania, much has changed in the maze-making world. It’s safe to say that folks are no longer pulling maize out of the ground by hand to create the trails. These days, all of the heavy lifting is done by tractor, using GPS mapping systems and sophisticated crop-cutting technologywhich has allowed for increasingly enormous and intricate designs. Missouri-based Precision Mazes is behind some of the most ambitious to date (its colossal portrait of Salvador Dalí is as elaborate an example as we’ve seen), which is why it was the obvious choice when it came to creating Kohler’s inaugural corn maze.
Located at Flora Fields and measuring nine acres-equivalent to almost seven football fields-our first attempt at a corn maze opened in September 2025. The 3½ miles of trails took approximately seven hours to cut. Don’t worry: we’re confident that you’ll walk it much faster, unless you stop for every photo op.
“Corn mazes are a little piece of Midwest Americana,” says Christopher Zugel, DirectorAgronomy & Landscape at Kohler, who has overseen the project. “Around here, we have a strong farming community and a lot of our kids have grown up visiting corn mazes every fall. It’s almost as much of a tradition as pumpkin picking or homecoming. And the fact that these mazes are so ephemeral only adds to the magic.”
AS KOHLER WATERS SPA CELEBRATES ITS 25TH BIRTHDAY, WE LOOK AT THE SECRETS OF ITS SUCCESS INNOVATIVE TREATMENTS AND A HOLISTIC APPROACH
ONCE UPON A TIME, a visit to the Kohler spa wasn’t the luxurious, relaxing experience that it is today. Before the official opening of Kohler Waters Spa in 2000, “spa goers” were invited down to the basement of the fitness facility, where there was no running water and the treatment tables were raised and lowered using wooden blocks.
“I’ll never forget” says Nikki Miller, Director of Kohler Waters Spa. “We used to do a honey, almond, and oatmeal body scrub, and after the treatment, guests would have to walk back down the hallway, still covered in the scrub, trailing crumbs as they went, before inevitably
blocking the drains in the locker-room showers. It was a disaster.”
The new spa was revolutionary. “At the time, it was unheard of to have Vichy showers,” Nikki recalls. “Unless you had visited one of a few niche spas in Europe, you probably wouldn’t have known they existed. The pioneering success of our Vichy experience is due largely to Kohler’s plumbing team-they managed to create something truly special, and they have continued to elevate it ever since.”
Over the past quarter of a century, we’ve seen treatments and experiences come and go (Nikki has fond memories of the copper Renaissance Bath’s positive vibrations) and others that have become stalwarts. “The Kohler signature facial hasn’t changed in 25 years,” says Nikki, whose complexion is testament to the effectiveness of the treatment. “If we ever changed anything, our guests would be upset. It’s our most popular
“Ultimately you are what you eat, what you breathe, and what you believe in.”
facial, yet I’ve never been able to put my finger on what makes it so special. Perhaps it’s the smell of hollyhock.”
Over the course of the last 25 years, Kohler Waters Spa has grown into a global brand. There are now outposts at Burr Ridge and Lincoln Park in Chicago, LODGE KOHLER® in Green Bay, and the Kohler Waters Spa at the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews was named Scotland’s best spa in 2024. And that was before it was renovated to include a state-ofthe-art hydrotherapy suite, the U.K.’s first Espuro Foam Experience steam room and an innovative snow and sauna cabin, designed to deliver the ultimate contrast therapy experience.
What does the future hold for Kohler Waters Spa? “Staying relevant in the spa industry requires a lot of effort,” Nikki says. “Ten years ago, few people had heard of CBD, and now it’s used in a wide variety of products. Similarly, until recently, there was minimal technology incorporated into spa treatments, but now we’re seeing robotic massages and various touchless services. Personally, I believe the industry is losing sight of what a spa is truly about, which is human connection. As long as I’m in this field, I will stay true to those principles.”
More than ever, Nikki believes, wellness is about being judicious, and Kohler Waters Spa will continue to be a bastion of good taste. “Ultimately you are what you eat, what you breathe, and what you believe in. I can take NAD+ [a trendy antiageing supplement] for the rest of my life, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to live until I’m 100.”
“I need to eat and sleep well, I need to meditate, I need to embrace the power of water, and I need to do all the self-care rituals that we’ve come to know and love and benefit from. And that is the message that Kohler Waters Spa will continue to spread.”
COOK, HOMEMAKER, ENTREPRENEUR, feminist, perfectionist, doyenne of domesticity, self-made billionaire, one of the most powerful women on the planet—throughout a career spanning more than half a century, Martha Stewart has been described as many things, not least “my favorite auntie,” by her newfound “bestie” and Potluck Dinner Party co-host, Snoop Dogg. Rather more effusively, on the cover of its May 1995 issue, New York Magazine declared Stewart to be “the definitive American woman of our time.”
That might have been 30 years ago but her popularity has shown little sign of waning— nor has her influence. Indeed, ever since Martha, the Netflix documentary directed by R. J. Cutler, which debuted in 2024, it has been generally accepted that Stewart is the original influencer.
Lest we forget, she has written 100 books, many of which were bestsellers. Her first, Entertaining, has sold more than one million copies since it first appeared in 1982, and was republished in 2025 after a spate of online bidding wars for copies of the original hardback—one shrink-wrapped copy was listed for $1,700.
At its peak, in 2002, Martha Stewart Living magazine had a circulation of more than two million copies. She has also won 18 Daytime Emmy Awards for her television productions, including Martha Stewart Living and The Martha Stewart Show, and received a James Beard Award for Martha Stewart’s Cooking School in 2014. It’s fair to say that she has plenty of clout.
In a recent New York Times article entitled “Was Martha Stewart Really the Original Influencer?” Madison Malone Kircher wrote, “Real influence for me is always about how much money you can compel people to spend. The ability to get swathes
of people to change the way they act, eat or dress. [Martha] did that and then some. I think she has earned the title of ‘original influencer.’ Though I don’t know that she’d like that title. Influencers are a dime a dozen—there’s only one Martha.”
Here at Kohler we share many of Martha’s great passions. Her vision has helped to shape what truly memorable hospitality means-especially in the Midwest-and to this day we live by many of her early philosophies, from the importance of spoiling your guests, to the power of sheer hard work.
Meanwhile, we recently appointed Martha as Kohler Cast Iron Ambassador, a first-of-its-kind role for the company. “Martha Stewart personifies quality, design, and what it means to live a gracious lifestyle—making her the perfect partner to help us celebrate the extraordinary character of KOHLER cast iron,” says David Kohler, Kohler Company Chair and CEO.
And Martha was just as generous when it came to dicussing the partnership, saying, “I have been a proponent of enameled cast iron for decades, all throughout the home, and look forward to sharing my passion for the material with the world, and helping others discover its beauty, strength, and lasting value—especially through the lens of the category leader, Kohler.”
In recent years, Martha has also become a repeat guest at the annual Kohler Food & Wine festival. Each year, we invite culinary icons to host events, talks, and demonstrations—and, regardless of how star-studded the roster, she always remains the biggest draw. This year, as she takes to the stage for the 24th edition, taking place October 16-19, we expect the cheers to be louder than ever. As for the intimate dinner she’ll be hosting at Kohler Stables (as part of the sold-out Martha Stewart Package), there’s no question that this is the hottest, tastiest ticket in town.
BREAKFAST CRUFFINS, ELK QUESADILLA, CHARRED OCTOPUS: HERE’S HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF A GASTRONOMIC WEEKEND WITH US
BREAKFAST
The Greenhouse
Start the weekend properly with a bracing coffee. Not any old Americano, though, but something befitting the antique solarium at The American Club®, transported from England by Herb Kohler himself. We’d suggest a French toast latte, a delicious cup of joe that comes with a squirt of maple syrup and a dusting of raw cinnamon. Add to that a delicious cruffin (a croissantmuffin hybrid), the handiwork of award-winning Executive Pastry Chef Nicolas Blouin, and you’ll be set up for the day-with a breakfast of champions, no less.
Wildlife LUNCH
Located in a wonderfully atmospheric rustic log cabin at the heart of Kohler’s 500-acre wilderness preserve, River Wildlife restaurant serves a seasonal selection of wild fare that suits its surroundings down to a tee. Think pheasant, duck, walleye, salmon, and elk, which is served in various guisesthe meatballs make a great starter, the tenderloin an epic main. For lunch, however, look no further than the quesadilla. Made with beautifully seasoned ground elk, barbecued grilled onions, and applewood-smoked cheddar, griddled in a large tortilla and served with artisan greens and cilantro lime sour cream, this is the wilds of Wisconsin on a plate.
DINNER
There is no shortage of memorable moments on The Immigrant Restaurant’s eight-course tasting menu-especially if you opt for the sommelier’s wine pairings and caviar service-yet one or two dishes manage to distinguish themselves still. One such standout is the Kagoshima Kuroge Wagyu beef with pickled mushrooms and egg. This is widely considered to be the best beef from Japan, renowned for its fine, tender texture, low-melting-point marbling, and delicate yet rich umami flavor. No surprise, then, that it’s a regular medalist at the prestigious National Competitive Exhibition of Wagyu, often referred to as the “Wagyu Olympics.”
NIGHTCAP
It’s Saturday and the night is but young. Time for one more tasty beverage? There’ll be live music in The Horse & Plow and there’s a strong chance they’ll be showing a football game as well. So pull up a barstool and order The Maverick, a cocktail inspired by the pioneering spirit of Herbert V. Kohler, Jr. Combining honey simple syrup, lemon juice, and a limited-edition J. Henry bourbon made especially for Kohler, this modern classic is topped with lemonade and served in a pint glass over ice. Cheers!
CHAMPAGNE SABRAGE
For predinner theatre and an aperitif rolled into one, head down to The Wisconsin Room at 3pm for a sabrage master class. One of our sommeliers will demonstrate how to remove the tops from bottles of Laurent-Perrier champagne with a sword fit for a dashing hussar, before inviting you to do the same. Accounts vary, but some swear Napoleon Bonaparte was the first person to saber champagne; others say it was his light cavalry, the hussars, or perhaps even Madame Clicquot, who certainly knew her way around a bottle of bubbly. Whatever the truth, it’s a surefire way to begin an evening in style.
The Wisconsin Room
The beauty of a buffet is, of course, that you get to try lots of delicious dishes, so we’re not going to recommend just one, but rather suggest a conflicting assortment. It’s always worth at least trying to be healthy, so start with a crushed berry açai bowl and a Citrus Bee, a revivifying blend of orange, grapefruit, lime, honey, and turmeric. Do remember, however, that you are on vacation, so don’t just admire the sticky toffee matcha pancakes. And an Espresso Spritz will certainly help to put a spring in your step.
After 18 holes, you’ll no doubt be gasping for a beer, so order a Snapping Turtle, a hazy IPAmade especially for us by our friends at Eagle Park Brewing Company-named after the surprisingly tricky par-3 17th on The River at Blackwolf Run. You’ll probably be ready for a bite as well, so the Wisconsin Cheese and Brat Board should help to fill a hole before supper. After all, charcuterie and ale is a match made in heaven.
DINNER
For a truly unforgettable experience, have dinner on the terrace overlooking the golf course and, in the distance, Lake Michigan. Rarely are the views better than at dusk. This is a meal to be savored, so don’t hold back. Try the escargot and be sure to order the charred octopus. Our chefs have made this perennial favorite their own, serving it with harissa, Marcona almonds, tostones, and a mango and chili glaze. And if you’d like it slightly more spicy, they can do that too.
DESSERT
What a weekend! Since it’s on the way home, stop at Taverne on Woodlake for one last drink and a moment to reminisce by the lake. Order a refreshing Basil Berry Blast Mocktail and start planning your next visit. And hey, if you find yourself unable to resist the tiramisu, then who can blame you?
WISCONSIN HAS BEEN FAMOUS for its beer since the 1830s, and there’s no finer (or more delicious) way to celebrate this illustrious tradition than by raising a glass of Enameled. This rich, complex stout was created for Kohler by craft beer mavens Eagle Park Brewing Company, based in nearby Muskego-and, to further enhance its flavor, was aged in bourbon barrels from J. Henry, a local whiskey distillery.
Inspired by our manufacturing heritage-the label sports a vintage photograph of a worker gazing proudly at the bathtub he has just madeEnameled is a collaboration truly made at Kohler, Wisconsin. Established by two musicloving brothers, Max and Jack Borgardt, Eagle Park Brewing has created several beers for us, from Cliff Hanger, a malty, spicy amber ale, to Dyeabolical, a hazy double IPA named for Pete Dye, the designer of Whistling Straits.
J. Henry, meanwhile, uses heirloom corn grown on the family farm to produce limitededition five-barrel bourbon batches with labels depicting different holes at Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run. You can sample the delicious results in our signature cocktail, The Maverick.
But enough of the background-what about the beer? Enameled is a smooth but robust stout with notes of cocoa, charred oak and vanilla, amplified by bourbon. The local connection means that Eagle Park Brewing gets barrels from J. Henry as soon as they are emptied and, crucially, before they have dried out. The leftover whiskey contributes to a delectable stout that’s full-bodied and full of flavor.
Enameled is due to be unveiled in October at Kohler Food & Wine, where you can catch up with the teams behind the collaboration. The label for this unique, limited-edition stout offers a toast, “Here’s to the makers, past and present, who turn the everyday into the extraordinary.” Eagle Park Brewing and J. Henry certainly deserve that billing.
ASHLEY KOHLER, DIRECTOR OF WELLNESS AT KOHLER, WISCONSIN, DISCUSSES OUR AMBITIOUS PLANS, FROM THE YOGA STUDIO TO PICKLEBALL COURTS
What prompted Kohler to really invest in wellness?
In 2024 Kohler hosted the Global Wellness Summit at the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews, Scotland. It was a huge success, and I think it really put us on the map as a serious wellness brand. But even before that, we’d been doing a lot of research into what other wellness resorts around the world are doing, and what’s trending, and we’d noticed a bigger focus on “health span”-living better for longeras opposed to just lifespan. I think this struck a chord.
How is Kohler hoping to tap into that?
To be honest, Kohler is already pretty established in this space. Golf has long been associated with wellness, longevity, mindfulness, and getting into the outdoors and slowing down. Our Forbes five-star-rated spa has just undergone a
major renovation and we feel there’s still room for growth there. We’ve brought internationally renowned instructors to teach at our state-ofthe-art yoga studio, which, again, we plan to expand next year. We’re building dedicated pickleball courts at the Sports Core Health & Racquet Club, and all the while we’re constantly looking to open up new wellness opportunities. It suddenly feels like the sky’s the limit. We could have everything that a major metropolitan city has here in the village.
And, as is always the case with Kohler, the community aspect is very important to us. We’re offering teacher training at our yoga studios and we’ve recently started bringing our mindfulness practice, meditation, and breathwork classes to schools in six districts across Wisconsin. Whatever we do, we’re always trying to inspire the next generation.
Why do you think this is happening now?
I think it’s all part of this broader movement. We’re seeing people really changing their daily habits. They’re more aware, they want to take care of themselves, and they want to incorporate wellness in all aspects of their life. There’s a new demographic of wellness travellers seeking places where they can go and have these
amazing restorative experiences and spend time with their family, spouse, or loved ones, then come away feeling rejuvenated and rebooted. We hope that when they go home, having had this illuminating experience, they can continue putting some of those things into practice.
Is wellness here to stay?
We’re seeing a lot of younger people jumping on the trend. They come here hoping to feel calm and grounded and supported, and that’s exactly what happens. We’re expecting to see the wellness travel trend continue to move the needle, and in doing so, help people live better, healthier lives, no matter what age they are. And I do think it goes back to Kohler’s mission statement: to help people live gracious, healthy, sustainable lives. That goes for our associates, our guests, and the people that we interact with every day. It’s incredibly important.
Three of our most popular wellness experiences
Yoga on the Lake Breathtaking lake views meet expert instruction in a range of classes from Vinyasa Flow to the popular Soul Sculpt.
Bold Cycle
High-energy, beat-driven indoor cycle classes that fuel your fire and leave you glowing!
Sports Core
Premium amenities and diverse group fitness classes, all nestled within a private club setting.
AKIN AKMAN IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST IN-DEMAND FITNESS INSTRUCTORS. HE RECENTLY BROUGHT HIS UNIQUE ENERGY TO KOHLER FOR A BOOTCAMP LIKE NO OTHER
FROM THE AGE OF SEVEN, Akin Akman played tennis for eight hours a day, every day. A prodigious talent, he trained alongside Maria Sharapova at the IMG Academy in Miami, under the great Nick Bollettieri. The young Turk practised religiously for ten years before herniating two discs, abruptly putting an end to any hopes of becoming a professional. Despite a period of feeling that he’d lost his identity, Akin decided to take advantage of the skills he had developed and started coaching, first tennis and subsequently spin classes (indoor cycling).
In 2009 he was recruited by SoulCycle, at the time the world’s leading spin brand, and quickly became one of its most in-demand master instructors, with a starstudded client list that included David and Victoria Beckham, Karlie Kloss, Nina Agdal, Bradley Cooper, and Jake Gyllenhaal. In group fitness classes, Akin had found his calling.
“There is undeniable power in the team mentality,” he explains. “When you train alone, you rely on your own internal drive. When you train with a group, you tap into something bigger. You feel the shared energy, the shared struggle, and the shared momentum. In a room full of people pushing their limits, you can feel it. You draw strength from each other. You’re not alone and it creates an emotional charge that can carry you through the toughest moments.”
“The key is practice. Your mind, like your body, responds to repetition.”
In 2019 Akin left SoulCycle to cofound AARMY alongside inspirational speaker and fellow former SoulCycle instructor Angela Manuel-Davis, a favorite of Oprah Winfrey and Beyoncé. With them, Akin and Manuel-Davis brought a legion of devotees. In an article at the time that described AARMY as the next great group fitness cult, GQ Magazine wrote of Akin, “He’s a trainer, sure, but to many people, he is also a spiritual leader and a guru and a guiding light.”
Indeed, the manifesto at AARMY is about building your strongest, most resilient, most optimistic self“Change your body. Change your mind.” Akin, we’re told, will make these changes a reality. Alas, if only it was that simple. “The key is practice,” says Akin. “Your mind, like your body, responds to repetition. The thoughts you feed it every day create patterns, and, over time, those patterns shape your reality. Mental training is not about eliminating negative thoughts, it’s about choosing where to place your attention and building the discipline to respond with intention, especially in the moments that test you. It is a lifelong practice.”
In August 2025 Akin brought the AARMY Method to Kohler for an exclusive bootcamp and cycling weekend, blending the transformative energy of AARMY with the restorative soul of Kohler Wellness. “Expect a reset,” he told us during the
buildup. “It is an immersive weekend designed to help you recondition your body and realign with your passion. It is about showing up fully, moving with intention, and rediscovering what drives you. The Kohler | AARMY Wellness Experience is not just about training. It is about stepping into an environment that challenges you to think differently, push harder, and leave stronger, both mentally and physically.”
The general consensus is that you don’t need to spend long in Akin’s midst to feel the benefits-a number of the weekend’s guests could attest to that. And, as he approaches two million followers on Instagram, we’re increasingly seeing this charismatic ball of positive energy touted as the world’s leading group fitness coach. What’s the secret? “AARMY’s success comes down to three core elements: mission, vision, and consistency,” Akin explains. “From day one, we had a clear belief that when you fully commit to the process, anything is possible. That belief shaped our mission: to build both physical and mental strength every single day.”
“Our vision is what keeps us focused. It guides every decision, every training, every playlist. When you have a mission that truly inspires and a vision that guides every decision, consistency goes on autopilot. That is when real transformation happens.”
THE END OF THE GOLF SEASON MAY BE A MELANCHOLIC MOMENT, BUT WINTER PRESENTS GOLF ENTHUSIASTS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO IRON OUT AND IMPROVE THEIR GAME, SAYS LEADING GOLF WRITER SHAUN TOLSON
IN COLD-WEATHER CLIMES, the end of the golfing season is a particularly somber time, but it doesn’t have to be. The fairways and greens may soon go dormant, but stronger golf swings (and better games overall) have the potential to bloom while the ground is frozen.
With that in mind, we sought advice from Ben Chapman, Kohler’s Director of Fitness, and David Bach, First Assistant Golf Professional at Whistling Straits® and a teaching instructor at Kohler Golf Academy. Their winter guidelines will set you on a journey to better shots and lower scores once spring arrives.
There’s a time for playing golf, and there’s a time for making pronounced changes to your swing. Crucially, those two times should never overlap. “The winter is the perfect time to focus on fundamental movements,” David explains, “there’s no fear of taking to the course a swing that’s being rebuilt.”
If you know your swing needs an overhaul, get excited that the offseason is here. If you’re unsure, now’s the time to book a full-swing assessment. Even if your swing is structurally sound, don’t assume that the winter is just about maintenance—you can still significantly improve your game.
Inside the Kohler Swing Studio, you’re bound to see enthusiastic golfers playing simulated rounds on famous courses all around the world. If you’re looking to scratch the golfing itch when there’s a foot of snow on the ground, this is the way to do it. If you’re looking to hone your skills for competition out on the course, however, 18 holes of simulated golf aren’t going to get it done.
Instead, aim to replicate a practice session on the driving range, especially since simulators can provide accurate measurements for every shot that you hit. “If you can accurately gauge the true carry distance for each club in your bag, and you understand the spacing and gapping between all of your clubs,” says David, “then that’s a huge advantage that you will be able to bring to the course during the summer months.”
Overall, you’ll want to focus on making consistent, ball-first contact. Fortunately, simulators equipped with Foresight and TrackMan launch monitors can easily measure the quality of your ball-striking through a metric called Smash Factor—the ratio of club speed to ball speed. “When it comes to measuring solid contact on each shot, it’s the best metric to use,” David explains. (See “Smashing Success” on the next page to better understand optimal Smash Factor numbers for each club.)
While swing corrections and refocused practice sessions during the offseason can lead to extraordinary gains, you can make significant strides toward better golf in the winter even without a club in your hand.
It starts in the gym, where two to three strength-training sessions per week will pay dividends, so long as you stay dedicated to that routine. “You’re not going to get much out of doing anything sporadically,” Ben says. “You must find a way to be consistent with your training.”
Full-body workouts across these weekly sessions is the obvious goal, but you may be surprised to learn that upper-body strength isn’t what produces distance gains out on the course. “Your legs are your foundation and the base of your golf swing,” says Ben, who encourages players to focus on squat variations as well as lunges and deadlifts. “There’s been a lot of research done on how increased lower-body strength can produce faster ball speeds.”
Don’t overlook working with a personal trainer, either—even if you have prior lifting experience. “Not only will you avoid injuries,” he explains, “you’ll get the most out of the work that you’re putting in.”
The same can be said for how golfers increase their range of motion and flexibility. Tight hips and restricted mobility in the thoracic area of the spine are what typically hinder golfers out on the course, but a weekly vinyasa yoga class can do wonders. “It’s a great thing to incorporate into your routine, if you have the time,” Ben says. Ultimately, it’s these commitments to training—not the purchase of the latest and greatest equipment—that are the foundation for better play. “Instead of spending $500 on a new driver, spend that money on a personal trainer,” Ben advises. “I guarantee you’re going to see a much bigger impact on your game.”
If you want to compare your ball-striking to that of the best golfers on tour, focus on Smash Factor, which analyzes club speed and ball speed to produce one simple quantification. Here, we list the average Smash Factor numbers on both the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour for every club in the bag.
A ROUND ON THE OLD COURSE IN ST ANDREWS IS THE ULTIMATE GOLF EXPERIENCE-AND OUR SISTER PROPERTY IN SCOTLAND OFFERS LUXURY PACKAGES WITH A COVETED TEE TIME
FOR MOST ENTHUSIASTS, St Andrews is nothing short of a golfing mecca, and no pilgrimage to the home of golf would be complete without a round at the “Grand Old Lady”-the world’s oldest and arguably most famous course. Indeed, after more than 600 years, it continues to be considered among the finest examples. Earlier this year, in a poll of the world’s 100 greatest courses, Golf Digest put the Old Course at number three, arguing, “It remains the world’s most influential and fascinating merger of nature and architecture.”
Naturally, such accolades can make getting a tee time a rather tricky proposition. And, in the run-up to the 155th Open Championship in 2027, which will be held at the Old Course, there will be even more demand. Still, there are various ways to go about playing the Old Course, from entering the daily ballot to applying to the St Andrews Links Trust (since 2024 it is no longer possible to queue at midnight for the singles list). Most of these depend heavily on good fortune. Fortunately, however, there is a more calculated approach.
“The demand to play this iconic links course is huge, and unfortunately this means that the ballot is heavily oversubscribed, leaving many golfers disappointed,” says Malcolm Wowk, Head of Golf Services at the Old Course
Hotel, our sister property in St Andrews.
“While the ballot is a unique tradition associated with the Old Course, it does involve a lot of risk and uncertainty. A more desirable option would be to have a guaranteed Old Course tee time, which guests can secure as part of our Suite Golf Package. This package provides luxury accommodation, transfers, rounds at multiple outstanding golf courses, and, most importantly, a tee time at the worldfamous Old Course.”
“From the moment you arrive on the first tee, you feel as if you have wound the clock back to the time when this great game was created,” adds Malcolm. “Host to Open Championships on 30 occasions, most recently the 150th Open in 2022, the Old Course is the ultimate bucket-list golf course.”
If the Suite Golf package is not available on your chosen dates, then the Golfer’s Paradise and St Andrews Heath packages are also excellent options offering rounds at Kingsbarns Golf Links, Dumbarnie Links, and Carnoustie, to name a few. Each of these courses will provide a different test, making them great additions to any golfing itinerary. “Having all these courses within a 30-minute drive of our hotel really does make this the perfect golf-trip destination,” says Malcolm.
And the Old Course Hotel is an unforgettable destination in its own right, with an array of celebrated restaurants that serve some of the region’s finest cuisine, a newly refurbished Kohler Waters Spa, and an extensive wellness offering. Golf is undoubtedly the main draw-this is St Andrews, after allbut as always, families and non-golfers will have plenty to get excited about.
Suite Golf Package at the Old Course Hotel
• F ive-night stay in a luxury suite.
• Full Scottish breakfast served daily.
• One dinner at the Road Hole Restaurant and another at The Jigger Inn or Hams Hame.
• Golfing rounds: one guaranteed round on the Old Course; one on the New, Jubilee, or Castle Course; one on Kingsbarns Golf Links; and one on Dumbarnie Links.
• A 50-minute spa treatment and access to the fitness centre, including gym, pool, hot tub, and sauna.
• Available from April to October, subject to availability. Four golfers minimum.
• For more information or to be added to the waitlist for 2027, please email reservations@oldcoursehotel.co.uk
RUTH DEYOUNG KOHLER II’S MISSION TO SHOWCASE ARTISTS FROM OUTSIDE THE MAINSTREAM IS NOW HONORED AT THE ARTS CENTER SHE DIRECTED FOR DECADES
THE JOHN MICHAEL KOHLER ARTS CENTER (JMKAC), with its mission to champion creative exchange between artists and the public, is the lasting legacy of Ruth DeYoung Kohler II, the granddaughter of the Kohler Co. founder, whose name graces the arts center where she served as director for decades.
Founded in 1967, JMKAC has garnered international acclaim for its approach to preserving, studying, and exhibiting the work of vernacular, self-taught, and contemporary artists. The facility in downtown Sheboygan has eight galleries, two performance spaces, and a drop-in studio, while its busy programming includes community arts projects; artist residencies; presentations of dance, film and music; a free weekly summer concert series;
a heaving calendar of classes and workshops; an arts-based preschool; and about a dozen original exhibitions per year.
“We can’t talk about JMKAC and its values without talking about Ruth DeYoung Kohler II, who dedicated her life to building this center for the arts,” adds Amy Horst, the center’s Executive Director. “For Ruth, as far as material culture and the visual world are concerned, there is no hierarchy. She turned the entire thing on its side, valuing ideas and wonder across every level of creative making. And she was doing this long before any other major museums were really attuned to artists whose work exists outside of academic training.”
Every year, JMKAC hosts a series of exhibitions under a single theme. This year’s
theme, This Is Where I’m Coming From (until March 2026), considers how place, whether a city, a home, a memory, or even a fantasy, can serve as a point of relationship building. Highlights include A Beautiful Experience: The Midwest Grotto Tradition, which marks the first public presentation of a 13-piece grotto by the late sculptor Madeline Buol; Heidelbergology: Is It Art Now?, a display of monumental sculptures transplanted from Tyree Guyton’s seminal Heidelberg Project in Detroit; and Ashwini Bhat: Reverberating Self, a material depiction of the artist’s journey since moving to California.
It’s a theme that aligns neatly with the idea of the artist-built environment, a relatively uncharted corner of the art world, and one that in large part inspired the founding of
“Ruth valued ideas and wonder across every level of creative making.”
the Art Preserve-now home to more than 25,000 artworks, including 30 such environments.
“Artist-built environments are spaces that have been significantly transformed to embody and express aspects of the artist’s life experience, their surrounding geography, or culture,” explains Jodi Throckmorton, Chief Curator at JMKAC. “In these spaces, you can’t separate the artist from the artwork in any real sense-they really are intertwined.”
An important example is the Wisconsin Concrete Park—an outdoor museum with 237 concrete and mixed-media sculptures, built between 1948 and 1964 by retired farmer Fred Smith—which honors Native American indigenous tribes and regional settlers, as well as local myths and legends. When Ruth
visited the park shortly after Fred died, she was compelled to protect it from being demolished, something that no other institution was prepared to do. Kohler Foundation acquired and preserved the park, securing it a listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005, and today the collection at JMKAC includes ten of Fred’s sculptures.
“I think the center has helped to define the idea of the artist-built environment on a global level,” says Jodi. “Ruth recognized that no one was collecting this kind of work. And now, nearly 60 years later, the scale at which JMKAC collects this type of art is honestly quite extraordinary.”
“Most museums simply aren’t willing, or indeed capable, and that’s a huge part of what makes this place so special.”
THE PASSIONATE TEAM AT KOHLER WASTELAB™ IS TURNING UNWANTED FACTORY BY-PRODUCTS INTO HIGHLY DESIRABLE TILES AND SINKS. IT'S A PIONEERING APPROACH THAT’S SUSTAINABLE AS WELL AS AESTHETICALLY PLEASING
“KOHLER WasteLAB products are made with up to 99% reclaimed material.”
YOU’D BE FORGIVEN for thinking that cast iron slag and foundry dust have no place in your dream decorative scheme, but the gorgeous glazed tiles of KOHLER WasteLAB prove beyond doubt that by-products can be beautiful.
Handcrafted by artisans in Kohler, Wisconsin, vibrant collections such as Crackle, Abstra® and Landshapes®, a collaboration with the globally renowned artist Daniel Arsham, are supremely stylish as well as sustainable. Though made with waste materials from Kohler factories, they would grace any kitchen or bathroomand WasteLAB has scooped a host of awards, including the Fast Company Innovation by Design, Business Intelligence Group’s Sustainability Product of the Year, and the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show’s Sustainable Standout prize, dating right back to the launch of the first tile in 2019.
“When you think about waste streams, you can’t think of them as waste,” explains Monty Stauffer, Lead Industrial Designer, Product and Process, at KOHLER WasteLAB. Instead, he regards by-products as a different set of raw materials with plenty of untapped promisewhen asked about his favorite product to date, Monty answers, “The next one.”
KOHLER WasteLAB was conceived in 2014, and its products are made with up to 99% reclaimed material. The aim is to work with as few virgin ingredients as possible, and between 2019 and 2024, WasteLAB has diverted more than 93,000 pounds of waste away from landfill.
The scope of the project has grown far beyond what the WasteLAB team could have dreamt of when they began experimenting with waste materials to examine their properties and potential, in many cases developing new
processes to make best use of them. “These by-products are mostly powdery ceramic waste,” Monty says, “waste that you can put though a kiln and it won’t burn up-material that you can fire.”
In addition to creating Landshapes® with Arsham, the team has worked with world-class designer Nada Debs on the Transcendence collection, influenced by the sweeping form of archways. And, Monty adds, tiles are only the start: “The really amazing thing is that we have only begun to explore the possibilities in transforming manufacturing by-product into new products.”
The WasteLAB range recently branched out from tiles with the WasteLAB Vox sink, comprised of more than 70% landfill-bound materials from Kohler manufacturing operations. It’s available in two finishes: Ashen, in an industrial smoky gray, and Eggshell, in a clean, contemporary white. The latter features Vikrell, a white composite material from Kohler’s bath and shower production.
New product concepts are in the pipeline, and next on the horizon could be planters. WasteLAB created samples for a recent Kohler hospitality project and, says Monty, “when people saw how cool they were, how beautiful, they asked, ‘How can we buy them?’”
While Monty revels in the creative side of Kohler WasteLAB-“I’m a designer, an artist, I love playing with material”-he is also keenly aware of the example that is being set for the wider business. WasteLAB projects are sparking interest beyond Kohler, Wisconsin, and there is potential and excitement for further global expansion.
OCTOBER 16–19, 2025
It’s another star-studded lineup for this year’s Kohler Food & Wine, with headliners Martha Stewart and Scott Conant setting the tone. The festival also welcomes acclaimed chefs Robert Irvine and Claudette Zepeda for the first time. The Midwest’s premier epicurean weekend kicks off on Thursday, October 16, during the peak of Wisconsin’s picturesque autumn season, and continues through the weekend with chef-led demos, unexpected tastings, and evening soirées. Throughout the festival, guests can look forward to unique opportunities to engage with top culinary talent in intimate and personal settings throughout the resort.
“Kohler Food & Wine exemplifies how exceeding guests’ expectations is at the heart of everything we do, from the thoughtfully curated festival programming and immersive event atmosphere to a lineup of top-flight culinary talent,” said Jenna Check, Associate Director of Special Events at Kohler. “Amid the growing popularity of food festivals nationwide, Kohler Food & Wine continues to stand out each year for its exceptional talent, presented in an intimate, thoughtfully scaled setting.”
The lineup also includes leading Wisconsin chefs Dan Jacobs, Dane Baldwin, Itaru Nagano, Andrew Kroeger, and Ryan Sherman. Additionally, The Bartolotta Restaurants returns to Kohler Food & Wine for a fifth year to host signature events throughout the weekend, as well as a full day on one of the main Culinary Stages, alongside some of the group’s top talent-including Matt Baier, Connor McNeil, Brent Davis, and Amanda Langler.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2026
For a sidesplitting good time, Kohler’s comedy nights are achingly funny. Recent editions have seen Justin Willman, Lachlan Patterson, Ryan Hamilton, Orny Adams, and Kira Soltanovich leaving audiences in stitches, and our next evening promises more of the same.
The folks in Green Bay certainly know how to celebrate Christmas. In Titletown, a stone’s throw from Lambeau Field, Hy-Vee Plaza is turned into a veritable winter wonderland featuring a half-mile ice-skating rink and a seriously fun snow-tubing experience on Ariens Hill. Get your kicks there before warming back up with a hot chocolate at Leaps & Bounds Café® at LODGE KOHLER®. Closer to home, Kohler’s Frozen Fairways is a one-stop shop for festive cheers, but there’s plenty going on elsewhere in the village to keep you in the spirit-you just need to know where to look. At The Shops at Woodlake, our annual tree-lighting ceremony marks the start of our yuletide celebrations, a highlight of which will be Breakfast with Santa at The American Club®. And from Black Friday until New Year’s Eve, bring your purchases from any of the storefronts at The Shops at Woodlake down to our pop-up wrapping boutique and we’ll wrap them for you, free of charge. That’s one more task ticked off your festive list.
It’s been a busy first year at Flora Fields, our flower-filled two-acre meadow, just north of the Village of Kohler. We kicked off in the spring with 275,000 Darwin tulips. In fall, we are transitioning to sunflowers, a nine-acre corn maze, and a 15-foot hay fort. Flora Fields will also house our trademark pumpkin house to see us through to Halloween-we’re hoping Martha Stewart will approve (again).
During the cooler months, it might take a little more resolve, but we’d argue that there’s nothing better than packing a picnic and heading out into the great outdoors. Well, unless someone packs it in a rucksack for you, having made a note of all your favorite light bites: charcuterie, sandwiches, pasta salads, maybe even a bottle of wine—that’s exactly what our in-room dining team will do.
OCTOBER 2025 TO SEPTEMBER 2026
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
Wellness Retreats
Embark on a two-night rejuvenating journey that blends revitalizing spa treatments, meditations, outdoor activities, and more. Expect a lasting sense of calm and serenity—just what the doctor ordered. For more information, please visit KohlerWisconsin.com
NOV 27–30, 2025
Thanksgiving
We invite you and your loved ones to a heartwarming Thanksgiving in the finest Midwest tradition. Join us in celebrating all weekend long, starting with our annual tree-lighting ceremony—at which we’ll be joined by Santa and his reindeer. There’ll also be Black Friday shopping, inspired dining, and a sackful of family-friendly activities.
DECEMBER 6–7, 2025
Breakfast with Santa
The American Club® invites your family to experience a delightful event that celebrates the spirit of the season. Enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet, live music, games-and a special visit from Saint Nick.
DECEMBER 25–JANUARY 2, 2025
Christmas week
From the start of December, we’ll be getting into the Christmas spirit, gradually building to a festive crescendo. Highlights include Frozen Fairways, The Wisconsin Room’s storied seafood buffet, champagne sabrage, whiskey flights, carriage rides, cookie baking, and ice sculpture making.
DECEMBER 31, 2025
New Year’s Eve
Ring in 2025 with a magical escape to Kohler, Wisconsin’s very own winter wonderland. Let Frozen Fairways set the scene for an New Year's Eve celebration to remember, with ice skating, fireworks, and champagne.
FEBRUARY 13–15, 2026
Valentine’s Day weekend
Treat your loved one to a day of unforgettable moments that include a couple’s spa experience at Kohler Waters Spa, ice-skating at Frozen Fairways, and some very special (romantic) menus designed for two.
MARCH 13–15, 2026
Winery Weekend
This event, part of the Kohler Presents Series, is for wine lovers. Join us for a weekend of tastings, hands-on demonstrations, pairings, and a special dinner in partnership with one of our favourite California wineries.
APRIL 3–5, 2026
Easter weekend
Create new traditions together over the holiday weekend. Our full schedule of family fun packs in an Eggstraordinary egg hunt and a kid-approved Bunny Brunch. And look out for the Easter Bunny hopping around the resort.
APRIL 10–12, 2026
Whiskies of the World
This event, part of the Kohler Presents Series, will spotlight some of the finest whiskies from around the world. There will be tastings and pairings, capped off with a whiskeyinspired dinner on Saturday evening.
MAY 1–3, 2026
Forest Feast
Part of the Kohler Presents Series, this event will feature a New York Times best-selling author taking guests on a journey through cooking classes, watercolor painting, and more.
MAY 8–10, 2026
Mother’s Day weekend
Is a day really enough to show your mother how much she means to you?
This year at Kohler, we’re making a weekend of it. There’ll be plenty of champagne, loads of activities to keep your children entertained, and the opportunity to have your portrait taken among the tulips at Flora Fields.
MAY 22–25, 2026
Memorial Day weekend
Celebrate the unofficial start of summer at Kohler, Wisconsin, with a weekend of exceptional experiences, from live music and curated tastings to guided hikes and exclusive pop-up events.
JUNE 19–21, 2026
Father’s Day weekend
Dad might tell you not to make a fuss, but he’ll love it when you do— especially if it means getting a few holes in. This year, we’re inviting the whole family to come and play at The Baths at Blackwolf Run®, our celebrated par-3 course, where there’ll be entertainment for all ages and maybe a few surprises.
JUNE 21, 2026
International Yoga Day
Join us on the lawn at The American Club for complimentary yoga, a farmers’ market pop-up, creative activities, henna, cotton candy, and a chance to connect with the local community. The morning on the lawn will include a special welcome from Ashley Kohler, Director of Wellness at Kohler, Wisconsin.
JULY 3–5, 2026
Independence Day weekend
Experience the magic of the Fourth of July in the beautiful Village of Kohler. Our historic resort offers the perfect blend of family-friendly fun and relaxation. Expect stars, stripes, and nostalgia by the boatload. And where better to raise a glass to our great nation than The American Club®?
SEPT 4–7, 2026
Labor Day weekend
Close out the season on a high with an unmissable end-of-summer celebration in Kohler. From sunflower strolls and stand-up paddleboarding to live music and outdoor experiences, Labor Day weekend brings together the best of the season in one village.
Barrel racing at the Kohler Ice Carnival, 1946
The fun doesn’t stop when the mercury drops
SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES have been a key part of life in the Village of Kohler for more than a century, and the fun doesn’t stop when the mercury drops, as seen in this image of children enjoying a barrel race on the ice in 1946. Long before the launch of our Frozen Fairways event, toboggan runs, skating, and hockey were staple activities for the winter season-and, between 1926 and 1949, the Ice Carnival attracted crowds of more than 1,000 people. Organized by the Kohler Woman’s Club, the village, and the school, it offered rousing music from the Kohler Band, warming refreshments, stunt skating under spotlights, costumed parades and, in some years, colorful floats pulled across the ice on sled bases. Then there were races and games, with winners receiving gift certificates, scarves, and even toboggans. During the years of conflict, these awards would have been particularly eagerly awaited, as war stamps were often the prizes.