Amazing Natural Contours at Hole 14

Erin Hills:

Truly a Site Worthy of the U.S. Open.

With the arrival of U.S. Open week, I was talking with some friends about the upcoming 4 day grind for the world's best  and relived a golf junket a buddy and I took a few summers back. We journeyed to Wisconsin to sample the vast array of outstanding golf found in the cheese state. A blistering, sweltering July day took us to this year's home to America's golf championship.

Only a few public access courses have had the privilege of being entrusted to host the U.S. Open. Erin Hills, located about an hour northwest of Milwaukee, is set to play host to the world’s best this week as the USGA brings the championship to Wisconsin for the first time.  Opened in 2006 by original visionary Bob Lang with the goal of bringing  the national championship to this 652 acres of windswept Wisconsin.  Under the direction and oversight of current owner Andy Zeigler, Lang's vision has come to fruition.

Designed by the team of Hurdzan, Fry and Whitten, great pride was taken in selecting a minimalist routing that best fit the rolling, glacially formed landscape. Built in a more traditional style presenting many blind tee shots combined with wispy, fescue lined fairways, raised green sites and very few flat lies, Erin Hills presents a test that demands the very best of your game, both along the ground and through the air. This pure golf experience is a welcome change to the massive earth moving endeavours that have created many of Erin Hills contemporaries.

Location:

Erin, Wisconsin

Editor's Shot Maker's Picks: Erin Hills

The second hole presents a true taste of the character of this magnificent layout. Only the far right edge of the dogleg right fairway is visible from the tee, framed by a series of bunkers. However, this is not the aiming point, unless you hit a massive right-to-left drive. The bold line off the tee forces you to trust the caddie and aim over the large mound left to open up a short iron to this well protected green, guarded by a pot bunker on the right and fronting swale. Hole 14 is an uphill, devilish Par 5 that has a wider landing area short of the collection of pot and cross bunkers. The second shot must account for the gentle left to right sway of the fairway as it rises toward the plateau green site. A well placed gulley short of the green and the false front repelling aggressive approaches will certainly confound the chance at par. 

Challenging Hole 15 Green

Number 15 is a short par 4 that can be played a hundred different ways. The tees are perched on a rise providing a clear view of the entire hole. A slight dogleg left, the fairway is home to 4 strategic bunkers of varying size that test your accuracy. The green complex is raised and has significant slope running to the back right, most likely to be used as the Sunday pin and bringing all kinds of excitement to the finish. The 18th is a true three-shot par 5, with the magnificent clubhouse and the distant Basilica of Holy Hill as a backdrop.  Getting to this raised plateau green is half the battle, making par is the real test. The fairway is lined with bunkers pinching the landing areas, while the false fronted green funnels approach shots hit short into the cluster of bunkers protecting the front and left side.

Course Stats:

This pure golf facility is focused solely on the playing experience. The course is a walking only opportunity but offers a full cadre of professional caddies to guide and coach you through your round. Their insider knowledge is invaluable to garner the most out of your visit to Erin Hills. For a fully immersed experience,  accommodations in the on-site cottages and Lodge give the guest a chance to enjoy the splendours of the course and savour conversations with other like minded golf pilgrims. The Clubhouse and Terrace provide two distinctive dining choices,  both pre and post round. Having the chance to walk in the footsteps of the game's greatest players Erin Hills should already put this as a bucket-lister, whose stature is sure to rise once the accolades begin to pour in following the U.S. Open. 

Contact:

Erin Hills Golf Club
7169 County Road O,
Erin, Wisconsin,
53027
866-772-4769

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