Erin Hills Golf Course (host of last year’s U.S. Open) is a beautiful, but extremely challenging, course that is a gem deserving of the buzz its receiving in the golf world. Situated 35 miles northwest of Milwaukee, the 7,812-yard, par-72 track lies in the small town of Erin, Wisconsin.  The course’s dramatic landscape takes advantage of the natural slops of the land, which makes for exciting but tricky lies and stances.  It boasts a course rating of 77.9 and a slope of 145. During the 117th U.S. Open, the course played 7,693 yards.  The course was easily among the most challenging courses I have ever played.

Course Info

• Location:  Erin, Wisconsin
• Number of Holes:  18
• Designer:  Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry, and Ron Whitten
• Cost:  $295 + $55 Caddie Fee

Par and Rating

Our Thoughts

I have a love/hate view on Erin Hills.  The course is spectacular in layout, conditions, and visual beauty. The course also offers exceptional course architecture.  The location for Erin Hills is a challenge to convey.  I have visited Milwaukee a lot and still had a difficult time visualizing how such a beautiful course could be located where it is.  Golfers that are interested in playing the best and most challenging courses simply must experience it for themselves.

The only negative (if it can even be labeled a negative) is that the course played almost too difficult in the windy conditions that I played in.  Erin Hills is worth a visit on its own, but is an absolute no-brainer given the proximity to Whistling Straits.  With the resume builder of hosting the 2017 U.S. Open, it instantly becomes bucket list golf.

From the course you can see the Holy Hill National Shrine of Mary Cathedral, which is absolutely stunning.  It adds to the beauty of the back drop for this fantastic course.  If you decide to golf Erin Hills, we would strongly recommend taking a tour of the cathedral.  The views from Holy Hill are amazing.

Signature Hole – Hole 9

9th Hole – 165 Yard Par 3 – Hole nine is a shorter par three that offers a fast and challenging green which slope left to right. The green is also surrounded by bunkers and fescue that forces players to be accurate. The elevated tee and downhill layout creates an additional challenge for players with the infamous wind pushing tee shots off mark. With the putting surface sloping in multiple directions, hitting your tee shot to the middle of the green is the smart play no matter where the flag is.

Photo Gallery

Here are some of the other photos we took of this gorgeous golf course.  We hope this inspires you when planning your next great golf getaway!