Erin Hills – Played May 2019
- Rankings: Golf Digest Public #10, Golf Magazine #96, Golf Magazine Public #29
- Location: 7169 County Road O, Erin, Wisconsin
- Year: 2006
- Architects: Michael Hurzdan, Dana Fry, & Ron Whitten
- Course Access: Public
- Walking Rules: Walking Only, Caddies Available
Score Card Information:
- Black: 7,735 yards, Par 72, 77.9 Rating/145 Slope
- Blue: 7,148 yards, Par 72, 75.0 Rating/139 Slope
- Green: 6,739 yards, Par 72, 73.2 Rating/135 Slope
- Green/White: 6,462 yards, Par 72, 72.0 Rating/132 Slope
- White: 6,230 yards, Par 72, 70.5 Rating/129 Slope (Men’s), 75.5 Rating/131 Slope (Women’s)
- White/Gold: 5,578 yards, Par 72, 67.6 Rating/123 Slope (Men’s), 71.9 Rating/124 Slope (Women’s)
- Gold: 5,082 yards, Par 72, 69.2 Rating/118 Slope
A while back I wrote about the non-golf portions of our trip to Wisconsin. You can check that out here. This trip around Erin Hills shifts us to the golf stuff! Erin Hills was my first course of seven on our weeklong trip. I couldn’t think of a better place to start.
I was lucky to be paired with John Morrissett, who is the Director of Competitions at the club. He has tons of knowledge about the course and provided great anecdotes throughout the round. Additionally, he has an encyclopedic knowledge of the Rules of Golf (a fact he didn’t mention, but many others have). Also joining us was Doug, a banker from Nebraska who I would end up randomly playing two more rounds with on the trip.
Erin Hills has a links feel even though it is far from any coastline. The scale of the property is massive as it sits on over 650 acres. You can feel that scale when you are walking and carrying your bag as the walk isn’t the easiest in the world. The property was shaped by ancient glacial movement and rivers giving it plenty of undulation.
The facility is sprawling. There is ample practice space as well as a massive new putting course that will open in August 2019. There is also a lodge with the clubhouse and other amenities. You can find all you want on the website here. Below are some photos of the facility.
Finally, before we get into the course, it’s worth mentioning the tournament history and future. The USGA has deemed the course worthy by selecting it as host of the 2008 US Women’s Amateur Public Links. 2011 US Amateur, 2017 US Open, 2022 US Mid-Amateur, and 2025 US Women’s Open. While the course took some heat for the 2017 US Open, I believe it unfair since the wind didn’t blow. I’ll watch to see how it plays for the LPGA in 2025!
All right, let’s do this thing. We played the Green/White tees for reference on the distances.
Hole 1 – 512 yards – Par 5
The first plays beside a wetland all the way to the green. The slope is right to left the entirety of the hole. The green supports rolling shots, great for getting home in two.
Hole 2 – 316 yards – Par 4
Plenty of strategy goes into the tee shot here. Do you take on the blind left side or play safe to the right where you can’t see the green? To me, the biggest challenge is hitting a less than full wedge to a tabletop green.
Hole 3 – 401 yards – Par 4
The tee shot here is demanding, best played just inside the right bunker. Approach shots will need solid strikes to the uphill green set in the hillside.
The centerline bunker can play visual tricks on you. It is about 10 yards short of the putting surface.
Hole 4 – 385 yards – Par 4
I loved the look of this hole with the centerline bunkers framing the approach shot. The second shots into the green must be precise to avoid the sand short and wetlands long.
The green is very shallow with ample undulation.
Hole 5 – 406 yards – Par 4
The main feature of this hole is the greenside bunker. It will send you to a bogey in a hurry.
Closely mown surrounds allow for plenty of short game options.
Hole 6 – 188 yards – Par 3
This exposed hole asks for a precise shot to carry the false front and stay on the green. Wind can wreak havoc here.
Below is a look at the false front.
Hole 7 – 487 yards – Par 5
A good drive from this elevated tee can set you up to get home in two. This is no easy hole to be sure with the raised green defended by bunkers and steep runoffs.
The bell below was for the old Dell hole. It was a blind par three in the spirit of Lahinch. Sadly it is no longer.
The photos below illustrate the myriad challenges on the approach.
Hole 8 – 361 yards – Par 4
This hole of opposites favors players who can hit a draw. The hole bends right to left while the ground slopes left to right. The green is extra elevated and favors a high approach.
Below you can see the backstop behind the green.
Hole 9 – 143 yards – Par 3
John took a caddy, named Doug, who is a local teacher. On this tee, he told us this is the shortest par five in Wisconsin. When I made three he congratulated me on my Wisconsin Eagle!
You have to negotiate the downhill and land your ball on a sloped green surrounded by nasty bunkers. Add in whipping wind and I understand Doug’s proclamation.
The next two photos provide evidence on what happens when you miss the green.
Hole 10 – 421 yards – Par 4
The landing area is blind but ample. Swing away with the driver here. If you stay away from the greenside bunkers par is attainable.
Hole 11 – 315 yards – Par 4
The tee shot isn’t too challenging here. You must be careful on the approach to the raised, sloping green.
We were all fortunate to hit the green.
Hole 12 – 388 yards – Par 4
This is my favorite hole on the course, no doubt. The tee shot isn’t stunning but the remainder of the hole has wild topography. You’ll see what I mean in the photos.
As you walk along the hole the green comes into view.
The view back up the hole showcases the slope of the entire fairway.
Hole 13 – 170 yards – Par 3
For a mid-length par three, this hole possesses plenty of challenge. Shots short and right will be repelled by the slope leaving tight chip shots.
Hole 14 – 507 yards – Par 5
You can go for broke here with your second shot because the lay-up leaves an awkward third. The hole is best played up the left.
You can see below that everything slopes sharply to the right. Favor the left side of the green.
Hole 15 – 346 yards – Par 4
This short hole is best approached from further back in my opinion. Bunkers in the landing area and around the green are best avoided.
The green is no picnic with plenty of internal contours.
Hole 16 – 140 yards – Par 3
This hole can play semi-blind with left pin positions due to the hills. A caddie can really help you hit this narrow, sloping green.
Hole 17 – 434 yards – Par 4
While this hole is longer, it is more benign than others. Two solid shots set up a likely par.
Hole 18 – 542 yards – Par 5
The final hole at Erin Hills is a long one with plenty of sand. After a good drive, the smart play is down the right side of the hole.
The two photos below show the marker and view where Justin Thomas hit three wood to cap his 63 in the third round of the 2017 US Open.
Below you can see why the right is the smart play. Deep bunkers fortify the left.
Check out the flag below, the wind was picking up!
I mentioned the Holy Hill Basilica in the earlier trip summary I linked to above. The photo below showcases the spires on the horizon.
Erin Hills was a spectacular course to experience. The walk is a tough one but the holes are easy to love. The large scale makes you feel secluded as you play. Birdies are available but bogeys lurk. It is a great challenge all the way around.
It was a privilege to play with John and hear his knowledge throughout the round. Afterwards, our group got to have a nice lunch. We just beat a rainstorm with the wind so hard it blew in the covers on the porch! I highly recommend getting something to eat in the cozy grill. I hope you’ve enjoyed the tour and I look forward to showing you the rest of the Wisconsin golf I experienced.
