Straits Course
The construction of the Straits Course involved moving
hundreds of tonnes of earth as the course was actually built on land formerly
used as an airfield. The result is a rugged, wild and windswept course featuring
distinct links accents, as if it has been air-lifted in from the UK or Ireland
and placed carefully on the shores of Lake Michigan.
While it may not be a traditional links course in the
Scottish and Irish sense, the Straits is rugged, open and wild, and with a
seemingly endless procession of bunkers in every direction you look, avoiding
the sand is a monumental challenge in its own right. Just ask Dustin Johnson
who fell afoul of a ruling after grounding his club in one of the courses
countless sandy areas, eventually costing himself a place in the 2010 PGA
Championship playoff which was eventually won by Martin Kaymer.
Pete Dye already had a number of the world’s best golf
courses in his design portfolio before his stunning creation at Whistling
Straits had come to pass. The likes of the Teeth of The Dog Course at Casa de
Campo in the Dominican Republic, as well as the world famous Sawgrass Stadium
Course in Florida outline his design prowess and the Straits Course certainly
lived up to his mighty reputation.
With a blank canvas and a hefty design budget, Dye managed
to turn a flat, uninspiring airfield into one of the world’s most beautiful
courses; a pinch of Ireland here, a sprinkling of Scotland there. In fact
according to Dye himself, building the Straits Course was a "once in a
lifetime thing" which, when you consider the quality of his other design
projects, is testament to the amazing test of golf that awaits travelling
golfers in Wisconsin.
Dye's creation was most recently on display at the 2015 PGA Championship, where the Straits Course proved to be the ideal stage for the best players in golf to display their skills. After a customary fast start from Dustin Johnson and a chance to see the top two players in the world, Rory McIlroy & Jordan Spieth, in the same group for the 1st two days, Jason Day finally landed his maiden major championship after an emphatic display over all four rounds which eventually saw him finish at -20; a new record score in relation to par at a major.
Course Information
| Par |
72 |
| Designed by |
Pete Dye |
| Opened for play |
1998 |
| Previously hosted |
PGA Championship (2004, 2010 & 2015), Ryder Cup (2021) |
Tees
| Black |
7,790 yards |
SSS 77.2 |
| Blue |
7,142 yards |
SSS 74.2 |
| Green |
6,663 yards |
SSS 71.9 |
| White |
6,360 yards |
SSS 70.4 |
| Red |
5,564 yards |
SSS 66.4 |
Signature Hole – No17: Par 3, 249 yards (Black Tees)
The 17th is the final leg of a spectacular quartet of par 3s that the Straits
Course offers. Named ‘Pinched Nerve’ – you’ll understand the sentiment when
standing on the tee – this is one of Dye’s most iconic and intimidating holes.
Between the tee and the front edge of the putting surface, there is nothing but
rugged wasteland and signature Whistling Straits style bunkers and to the left
of the green lies trouble in the form of Lake Michigan.
Throw in a hefty length of 249 yards (from the tips) and a green that sits about 20 feet below the level of the tee, and you have a hole is not for the feint-hearted. Although it will surely get the better of a great deal of golfers who play it, the rugged beauty of the hole more than makes up for that. If you walk off this green towards the 18th tee with a par on the scorecard, don’t look back!
Irish Course
Set just inland from Lake Michigan, The Irish Course at
Whistling Straits is much more than just a “decent second” course, offering
visiting golfers a different yet equally enjoyable test of golf as that of the
Straits Course.
The Irish sits adjacent to the Straits Course so it does
offer a handful of lake views, just not as many as its more illustrious sibling.
Like the Straits Course, it’s also exposed to the wind but to a lesser degree and
being another Pete Dye design, it also offers plenty of challenges!
These challenges come in the form of elevation changes and
undulating fairways, a handful of meandering streams which dissect the course, as
well as other individual water hazards and sandy waste areas, all of which have
been cleverly placed by Dye and appear quite intimidating to the golfer.
It is suggested that higher handicappers might actually enjoy their time playing the Irish more than the
Straits Course. Landing zones are more generous and in general, it offers a
less demanding test than its older sibling. Like the Straits Course, there are
plenty of memorable holes on the Irish so pack the camera for this one too!
Course Information
| Par |
72 |
| Designed by |
Pete Dye |
| Opened for play |
2000 |
| Did you know? |
Ranked 79th & 39th respectively Golf Magazine & Golf Digest's Top 100 Public Courses in USA |
Tees
| Black |
7,201 yards |
SSS 75.6 |
| Blue |
6,750 yards |
SSS 73.5 |
| Green |
6,366 yards |
SSS 72.0 |
| White |
5,992 yards |
SSS 70.3 |
| Red |
5,109 yards |
SSS 65.6 |
Signature Hole – No13: Par 3, 183 yards (Black Tees)
The 13th on the Irish Course has been dubbed “Blind Man’s Bluff” and
once on the tee, it’s easy to see why because, subject to which tees you’re
playing from, and despite the extra tall flagstick, you might well face a blind
tee shot to the green.
The green appears to be a fairly small target from the tee
as well and that is deceptive to say the least because weighing in at 14,000
square feet, it’s actually one of the biggest on the entire course. Sitting in a
bowl well below the level of the surrounding terrain, the putting surface here
is well guarded by countless bunkers and mounds that create a fantastic sense
of drama.
This tricky short hole forces the
golfer to trust their yardages rather than their instincts!
Practice FacilitiesThe Kohler Academy is ranked in the top 50 best golf schools
in America by GOLF Magazine, and provides the opportunity to benefit from top
class golf instruction as well as excellent practice facilities at both
Whistling Straits and the nearby Blackwolf Run.
At The Clubhouse
The Clubhouse at Whistling Straits is an excellent place to
unwind after a long day on the course, with traditional architectural details, a
relaxing ambiance and fantastic panoramic views of both the Straits Course and
Lake Michigan all adding to the experience.
Beside the clubhouse, you’ll find the
Whistling Straits Irish Barn which, with its sweeping views of the Straits
Course and Lake Michigan, is an excellent venue for private functions, whether they
be corporate or social in nature.
Other Information
Walking and fore caddies are
available at Whistling Straits and can really enhance your golfing experience, providing
information on everything from yardages and the subtleties of individual holes
and greens, to the history of the course and clubhouse. Tips expected.
A flock of Scottish blackface
sheep was acquired for Whistling Straits when it was constructed so if you come
across them on the course, don’t worry, they’re supposed to be there!
The Straits is a walking only
course and the approximate walking distance for all 18 holes is 5 miles. On the
Irish Course, golf buggies are available on request and restricted to use on
the paved pathways.
