The Ryder Cup

About The 2020 Ryder Cup

Soon to be the 43rd host of the Ryder Cup, the Straits course at Whistling Straits is one of the most picturesque courses in America. Here at Your Golf Travel, we offer you the chance to be there live and experience all the drama of a Ryder Cup unfold right in front of your eyes. Travelling stateside to watch golf’s most exciting team event is sure to be something on every golf fanatics bucket list and with our packages including transport, hotels, tickets and transfers doing so has never been easier.

The Straits course is no stranger to the limelight having played host to the US PGA Championship on 3 separate occasions with Jason Day reigning supreme last time round in 2015. Regarded by many as one of the toughest courses in America, every facet of the players’ games will be tested with many holes setting up perfectly for matchplay golf.

The Straits course by the Numbers
• 7,790 Yards
• Par-72
• Course visitor capacity up to 80,000
• Designed by Pete Dye
• Course Record - 63, Hiroshi Iwata

Whistling Straits Location
Whistling Straits is located just a 15 minute drive from the tourist hotspot of Kohler where there is plenty to do away from the course. In addition to this, the town is on the banks of the beautiful Lake Michigan and with temperatures topping 70°F (22°C) September it is a wonderful spot to soak up some sunshine.

With Milwaukee airport just an hour away transport time is kept to a minimal and this is the same for the hotels we offer too.

Whistling Straits is located in the heart of the world-famous North American Kohler Resort, Wisconsin. The nearest major city to the course is Milwaukee which is renowned for its role in the world’s beer industry and is home to a number of fantastic breweries. There are also a number of incredible restaurants that showcase the very best of American cuisine and are a great place to enjoy your evening after a great day at the golf.

The 43rd Ryder Cup will not be one to miss for any golf fan as Europe look to right the wrongs from their last trip across the pond when they lost 17-11 at Hazeltine in 2016.

A trip stateside to the game’s biggest team event is on every golfer’s bucket list and in 2020 Kohler and Whistling Straits have everything you could want to have the trip of a lifetime. The region lives and breathes golf with the Straits Course having played host to no fewer than 3 PGA Championships, 2 US Women’s Opens, US Senior Open and of course now the Ryder Cup.

With a number of America’s best golf courses in such close proximity, golfers are advised to take their clubs with them as your Ryder Cup adventure can include some fantastic memories outside of the actual event as well.

The Straits Course is at the forefront of golf at Destination Kohler and is one of the most iconic courses in America. Having been designed by one of the greatest modern day architects, it comes as no surprise that it is not only one of the most aesthetically pleasing courses in the world but also one of the best golfing layouts. Pete Dye is renowned for carving glorious golf courses out of incredible natural landscapes with his Teeth of the Dog course at Casa De Campo being another feather in his cap.

The rugged and exposed nature of the banks of Lake Michigan give the course a distinctive links accents. With long wispy rough and vast areas of sandy wasteland, the course is reminiscent of some of the UK’s best links tracks such as St Andrews and Royal Portrush.

Similar to its Scottish and Irish counterparts, the Straits Course has an illustrious history of hosting a number of major golf tournaments. Most recently, the world’s best battled it out for the 2015 US PGA Championship which saw Australian Jason Day eventually reign victorious having held off current world number Dustin Johnson. Day’s maiden major victory was emphatic to say the least as he set a 72 hole record for a major championship with a winning score of 20 under par.

Many view the Straits Course as one of the finest in America with its undulating fairways, abundance of water and punishing rough. The pros will need to be on the game in order to get the all important point out of their match.

Just 10 miles outside Rome, Italy’s first Ryder Cup venue lies in wait for the next European playing of the event. This will be the third course to host the biennial event out-with the UK & Ireland and it has some tough predecessors to live up to in Real Club Valderrama and Le Golf National.

The course makes the most of its Roman heritage and was designed by Jim Fazio and David Mezzacane. In 1994, The European Tour stopped by the course for the Italian Open which was won by the Argentinian, Eduardo Romero. Whilst this isn’t the course that will hold the Ryder Cup, it shows the heritage of the course and the quality of the property.

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The course that held that event will be completely rebuilt to host one of the most watched events in all of golf. This is a huge infrastructural project that will see new roads, lakes and irrigation being put in to create a wonderful arena for the tournament.

There is no doubt that Paris will be a tough act to follow, however, the Tom Fazio II course will undoubtedly be a great venue. The course is due to open in 2020 so now is the time to start planning your trip to this new European golfing masterpiece.

The tower of the castle of Marco Simone creates a visual centre-point of the course and, of course, gives the place its name. This tower dates back to the year 1000. In the 1970s, an entrepreneurial Italian couple decided to use this former Roman fortified farmland to create a wonderful country club as a tribute to the former glory of the land.

The idea behind the resort was to create something typically Italian. A course loaded with style, with character and with a luxurious level of detail that would create an unbeatable golfing experience. The softly undulating hills of the Italian countryside provide the course with wonderful terrain making this a sumptuous and almost luxurious golfing experience, native flora and fauna also add to the charm of the course.

The ancient land is decorated with woodland and natural elevation changes that make for a great piece of land for a course. Marco Simone Golf and Country Club will make a wonderful Ryder Cup venue, especially given that the course will be completely revamped for the event. The new course is tight with the use of signature Fazio bunkering to keep you honest. Multiple dog-legging holes call for accurate and tactical play from the tee to set-up the attacking approaches that are key to matchplay victory.

This is a technical course and one that low-handicap players will really enjoy. The course isn’t long which will make it a challenging course for the visiting Americans who enjoy the space to rip drives during the event. We saw in Paris that the tight set-up can give the Europeans a distinct advantage. There tends to be a huge difference in the way American and European courses are set-up for the Ryder Cup.

This will make for a great European course and, unless something changes, this is one that the PGA TOUR stars of Team USA will struggle with. This is a great course for friends to go and test their skills before the world’s best get out there. Whilst this is a technically challenging course, the shorter length and many teeing options mean that golfers of all levels can have a great time playing it.

The plan is set to unveil and test the new venue before the world of golf turns its attention to the course for that special week in October 2022. After opening in Spring 2020, The Italian Open will be played here in 2021. This Rolex Series event on the European Tour is sure to attract some extra big names as Team USA hopefuls try to get some competitive experience on the new course.

The course is slightly over 30 minutes from Rome airport. That makes it much easier to get to than Le Golf National by air. Bear in mind that, as Italy’s capital, Rome has good rail links too so you can easily take in a few Italian cities on your way to or from the Ryder Cup too. You will want to plan for extra time so you can take in some culture around the Ryder Cup week.

Both Naples and Florence are within 3 hours of both Rome and Marco Simone Country Club so you can really see some of the finest sites in the nation during your Ryder Cup odyssey. Being one of the world capitals of history and culture, there is a lot to explore in Rome. This is a city that you will want to drink in fully, literally because Italian wine is tremendous, around the time of the Ryder Cup. Visit ancient Roman ruins like the Colosseum or make it a gastronomic adventure taking in the famous Italian cuisine.

If you’re there during Ryder Cup week, you will obviously be unable to play on Marco Simone, well that is unless you qualified for the event. There are some great courses nearby that you can go play to help quench your thirst for a game. Castelgandolfo Resort is an incredible Robert Trent Jones Sr. course set in an inactive volcano. The course works its way through woodland and around large water hazards to create a wonderful 6,862 yard golf course.

Acquasanta Golf Club is another great offering in the Lazio region when you’re on your Ryder Cup tour. This tree-lined and pristine golf course is thought to be the oldest course in Italy having been opened in 1903. Olgiata Golf Club makes up another place to play when you’re in town. This is another Fazio course and is one of the best in Italy. Many top players have won here during the numerous elite amateur and professional events that have been held here.

The sport most synonymous with Italy is football. Having won many world cups and being home to some of Europe’s best teams this makes sense. In recent years, we have also witnessed rugby union become really popular in Italy thanks to the success of the national team in international events. It may not be the first country you think of in terms of golfing powerhouses but it certainly punches above its weight on this front.

Golf in Italy is going through a purple patch, having one of the best players in the world will do that kind of thing for a country. With Francesco Molinari’s victory at the 2018 Open Championship, he became the first Italian to win a major championship. Italian golf had been lacking a hero after the glory days of Constantino Rocca who won 5 European Tour titles and finished 2nd in the 1995 Open Championship.

With Francesco and his brother Edoardo, Italian golf started to get exciting again. Then Matteo Manassero came along and the young phenomenon added a whole new level of buzz to the nation. Since this talismanic trio came along, a steady stream of Italian talent has emerged on the men’s and ladies European Tours.

The timing for all of this couldn’t be better as it is drawing the attention of sport-loving Italians to golf in perfect preparation for their first Ryder Cup experience.

Every two years we see golfing fanatics come out in huge numbers to help their team to victory by creating that home advantage. There really is nothing in golf like the first tee on the first day of the Ryder Cup. Italy is going to be no different and imagine the extra passion from the locals who haven’t had this chance before. Surely the famous blue and yellow-clad European fans will have their usual spot above the first tee.

If Francesco Molinari can make it into the team and, given his recent form, it is likely he will be there, then the 2022 Ryder Cup will have an even more passionate crowd. There is also the chance that his brother Edoardo can get clear of his injury issues and claim his place on Team Europe again.

Finally, given that this is still three years away, there is a good chance that one of the rising Italian stars could become a strong member of the home team.

Whatever happens, European Ryder Cup events are incredible spectacles and this will undoubtedly be of great benefit to Italian golf. Watching the best players in the world battle it out over Marco Simone Golf and Country Club wearing their team colours will inspire many to pick up the clubs and try golf.

There is no denying that the Ryder Cup is one of the most important events on the golfing calendar and this will be another wonderful venue. You must get yourself out to Italy and try this course before the Ryder Cup.

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There are few courses in the world that have the infamy of Bethpage Black, this will be an incredible Ryder Cup venue. One of the most famous landmarks on the property is before you’ve even hit a ball, the sign that reads, "The Black Course Is An Extremely Difficult Course Which We Recommend Only For Highly Skilled Golfers."

Bethpage, in Long Island, NY has been in action for over 100 years and is one of the most beloved courses in the USA. There is going to be a wonderfully hostile reception for Team Europe the week they try to deny Team USA the trophy. This is a course that consistently and deservedly makes it on to the Golf Digest World Top 100 Courses list.

We take a close look at this “Extremely difficult course” and see who should play it, what else you should do while you’re there and where you can play in the local area.

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Golf at Bethpage goes back to the great depression and for decades has been a famous golfing destination for New Yorkers. It was one of those city secrets as it is so close to the Big Apple, however the gaze of the global golfing world turned to the course in 2002 and the secret was out. That year the US Open was held at Bethpage Black and only one player managed to end the week under par, Tiger Woods.

The crowds that week were incredible, those New Yorkers again, and it created a tremendous atmosphere. This led to the return of the event in 2009 and had everyone talking about the difficulty of Bethpage Black. Since then the course has become more and more infamous to the point where it now has a firm place on the PGA TOUR schedule.

In 2019, the newly rescheduled PGA Championship was held at the Black Course and was won by Brooks Koepka. That week the course didn’t look so difficult for Brooks as he posted the lowest 36-hole score in championship history with a 63 and a 65, there’s something for you to aim to match. He would go on to win that week by two shots and take his fourth major.

There is no doubt that this will be an outstanding US Ryder Cup venue. One factor that will be important is the Team USA captain and the players he has to choose from. Ryder Cup rules say that the home captain can set up the course however he wants. Usually, in the US, that means an even tamer set-up than the usual PGA TOUR which means barely any rough and plenty of room to miss.

If this happens, it will make the course much more playable but will make for a less characterful Bethpage Black. Ideally the course will be configured more along the lines of a US Open. This would mean narrow fairways and high rough. It would mean that match play ties would require nerves of steel and holes could be lost quickly. Here’s hoping that is what we will see.

One of the big factors of a Ryder Cup near New York will be the rowdy fans. The Europeans can expect a really tough time from the New Yorkers as they egg on their men to lift the Samuel Ryder Trophy.

Firstly, this is a public course owned by the city. It is part of Bethpage State Park and anyone is welcome to come and play one of the five courses on the property. The best thing about Bethpage Black, by far, is that you will never play a Ryder Cup host course for such little money. A round here will only cost you $150 and if you can do a midweek twilight tee time, it is just $78! Another great plus is that you have to walk this course, no golf carts here, this is old school proper golf.

So, you’ve seen the sign, got the obligatory picture of it and you’re ready to test your skills against the beast that Brooks tamed. How does the course play and what is your best way to navigate it?

Well firstly, you’ll want to hit it straight. This course was partly designed by A.W. Tillinghast and has his trademark large and punishing bunkers dotted around the course for you to navigate around. Although this is a parkland course, there is a links-ish feel to the turf which Long Island is known for.

There is no getting away from the fact that this course is more suited to better golfers. If you’re not a single-figure handicapped golfer, for example, you can still enjoy this course and the experience of playing such a famous course, just don’t expect to post your best score ever.

New York is one of the easiest cities in the world to get to so this is a great venue for European fans to experience an American Ryder Cup. From the city it is just a short trip out to Long Island and to Bethpage Statepark.

You can fly to New York from most large airports in the UK so you will have plenty of options when it comes to planning your trip.

What to do in New York

One of the most obvious things to consider doing is taking in the other sports that will be on offer. Around the time of the Ryder Cup, your choices will be ice hockey, basketball or American football. Some of the world’s most famous teams call New York home and this is your chance to see them in all of their glory whilst taking in the best golf event there is.

If culture is more your thing then you could check out a show on Broadway or visit one of the many museums of the city. Another one of the biggest draws of the Big Apple is the incredible food scene on offer. Some of the finest restaurants in the world are on offer and if you are a foodie you must take advantage.

Finally, you have to visit the famous landmarks that are synonymous with the city. Take in the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings, the Statue of Liberty and Times Square to name but a few. You won’t be short of options during this trip.

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There are many great golf courses in the area so you will be able to play some golf as well as watch it. One of the best places to play is Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point, this incredible Jack Nicklaus Signature design has views of Manhattan that you can’t believe until you see it. As the name suggests, this is a links-style course and it is pure luxury.

If you’re looking for another course with major heritage then Eisenhower Park Red Course has hosted Champions Tour majors and is a really enjoyable course. This course has plenty of doglegs to defend it so bring your best tactical game and you will have fun here. Another great golfing experience in New York is Pelham Bay and Split Rock, this 36-hole pair have glorious and unexpected wildlife in such a city environment and make for an unforgettable couple of rounds. Each of these courses are around 6,500 yards and, although municipals are as good as most private courses.

It is worth noting that some of the most famous and prestigious courses in the USA are on Long Island. You won’t be able to get onto them unless you know some well-connected people or a member, but you could pop by and see if you can have a look around. Shinnecock Hills, The National Golf Links of America and Friar’s Head are all examples of super-exclusive courses in the area that take full advantage of the wonderful sandy turf of Long Island.

Scotland may be the home of golf but the USA is certainly the ‘holiday home of golf’. More than half of the golf courses in the world are in the US and in recent years some truly incredible new tracks have been added to that list.

Every state in America has its own share of outstanding courses but there are some real hot spots that you should visit if you are in the country. For good weather and a great choice of courses, Florida is a great option for a golf trip.

There are thousands of courses in the Sunshine State and some really famous places to play. One particular stand out are the courses at Streamsong Resort or you could play another famous PGA TOUR course, TPC Sawgrass. The Bandon region of Oregon is now firmly on the golfing map with some masterpieces like Bandon Dunes and The Pacific Dunes.

Another great place to play is South Carolina where you have all the courses of Myrtle Beach as well as the incredible Pinehurst Resort or Kiawah Island. Some of these names evoke memories of incredible moments in golf from major championships to previous Ryder Cup battles.

Adare Manor is sure to be an incredible Ryder Cup host and the crowd will be a huge part of that. It is very difficult to forget the scenes at K Club when a highly emotional Darren Clarke stepped up to the first tee following the loss of his wife. The crowd that week were unrelenting in providing the extra man and carrying Team Europe to Ryder Cup victory.

There is no doubt that the unrivalled success of the Irish Open on the European Tour has helped bring the biennial event to the Emerald Isle. With recent major winners and superstar tour players, Ireland is loving golf right now. With all of this in mind, today we will look at Adare Manor and get excited about the Ryder Cup coming back to Ireland.

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There are few places in the world that can put on a golf trip for friends the way Ireland can. If you have the chance to take in some major championship venues and a Ryder Cup while you are at it then that is even better! For many, Ireland is an even better golf holiday destination that the UK.

There is no doubt that the Ryder Cup at Adare Manor will be a huge success. When the Irish put on a golf tournament, the people come in record-beating numbers no matter what weather.

You also have to bear in mind that the match before this one will be in New York as Team America hosts at Bethpage Black. This will mean that the rowdy big apple crowds will need to eat some humble pie as the Irish out-do them and show that they really are among the best golf fans in the world.

It is great to have the Ryder Cup back in Ireland and a testament to all of those who have worked hard to bring the tournament there. There are few nations in Europe that deserve a home Ryder Cup more than Ireland.

In 1995, Robert Trent Jones Snr, the renowned American architect laid down the original parkland course on this wonderful piece of country estate land. He created a great parkland course that made its way around the manor house and river on the property.

This course was highly celebrated and was the host to the Irish Open in 2007, where local boy Padraig Harrington won, and again in 2008.

In 2016, a huge renovation project began to bring Adare Manor took the quality of the course to a whole new level. The multi-million euro project involved a refurbishment project of the course and in order to do this, a world-class architect was needed. Few names could follow RTJ but the team at Adare Manor picked one who is a master craftsman when it comes to golf courses. Tom Fazio has been responsible for the reinvention of the land and has arguably created the best new golf course in Europe.

Fazio’s design philosophy is to allow the terrain of his courses to make the most of their natural beauty. Each hole at the course is unique and splendid, this is a golfing experience that will remind you why you fell in love with the game in the first place. The deep green of the grass and the trees that frame the holes really add to the visual appeal of Adare Manor.

No expense has been spared in creating this tour de force of design and it will undoubtedly provide a wonderful arena for the battle between Team Europe and Team USA. This is a course that every golfer will love. There are many teeing options so you can enjoy the course no matter what level you play at or how long you’ve played. This is a golf course for all and perfect for a group of friends who want to tour the incredible golfing destinations in Ireland take in a future Ryder Cup venue while you are at it.

Adare Manor is in County Limerick in the south-west of Ireland. Depending on the rest of your trip itinerary you can fly to many different airports thanks to Ireland being fairly small. Cork Airport is under two hours away and Dublin Airport is just over two hours away, so you can easily make this trip with a flight and a hire car. If you’re coming from the UK you can even take a ferry over so that you have your own car for your trip.

Ireland is a country that is absolutely packed with world-class golf courses that are all fairly close together, it is the perfect place for a golfing adventure with friends. There is also a huge amount of history and local culture you can enjoy as part of the trip. Ireland has a rich heritage and one that is ripe for visitors to enjoy.

What to do while you are there

One of the most famous exports of Ireland is, of course, Guinness. The world’s most famous porter tastes better here than anywhere else in the world and you simply must grab a pint whilst you are in town. If you are in Dublin then you should spend some time in St James Gate Brewery to see how it is made and have the freshest pint you’ve ever had. Dublin also has some great sporting venues to visit like Croke Park.

If you decide to base yourself in Cork then your senses are in for a treat. Cork City is bursting with incredible places to eat, drink and be merry. You will have a ball here while you enjoy some local food and craic. One of the most notable things about Ireland is the warm welcome that you will be afforded by locals. Maybe you could even watch a game of hurling or Gaelic football to see the other sports that the Irish excel at.

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If you decide to stay close to the Ryder Cup, near Adare Manor, then you need to know what your options for playing locally are. Limerick Golf Club is one of the oldest courses in Ireland and measures around 6,500 yards. The par 72 is a fun parkland course that is kept in great condition.

Shannon Golf Club was founded with championship golf in mind. Opened in 1966, this is a solid championship course that is nestled in some beautiful surroundings. The tall evergreen trees that are dotted all over the property create a challenging yet fair round of golf.

Finally, Glasson Country House & Golf Club opened in 1993 and is widely regarded as one of the most scenic courses in Ireland. This beautiful course was designed by Christie O’Connor Jr and makes the most of its location beside Lough Ree.

The course has awesome views of the water and is sure to take your breath away. At over 7,200 yards this is a long test but with multiple teeing options, every golfer will be able to enjoy this track.