Erin Hills Golf Course
Erin, Wisconsin, USA
Erin Hills Golf Course, nestled in the serene Kettle Moraine region of Wisconsin 35 miles northwest of Milwaukee, is a masterpiece of modern golf course design, seamlessly blending the natural landscape with the challenges and beauty of the game. Erin Hills opened in 2006 and quickly garnered acclaim for its distinctive layout and strategic complexity, hosting the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links in 2008, followed by the 2011 U.S. Amateur, 2017 U.S. Open, 2022 U.S. Mid-Amateur, and is set to host the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open.
Spanning over 650 acres of rolling terrain sculpted by glaciers 10,000 years ago, Erin Hills presents a links-style course that pays homage to the classic courses of Ireland and Scotland, letting the beauty of the landscape take center stage. Its fast, firm, and undulating fairways flow gracefully over the land, framed by native fescue grasses that sway in the wind, offering a picturesque yet formidable setting, while remaining playable for golfers of all levels by stretching from 5,000 to 8,000 yards and offering over 100 tee locations.
One of the defining features of Erin Hills is its natural rugged bunkers, seemingly random, yet strategically placed to punish errant shots and reward precise play. The course challenges golfers with its wide fairways that tempt aggressive drives but demand accuracy on approach shots to well-guarded greens. The lay-of-the-land greens are expansive and undulating, often presenting difficult reads that test even the most skilled putters.
The routing of Erin Hills is meticulously planned to provide a variety of challenges and stunning vistas throughout the round. Golfers traverse valleys, climb ridges so that each hole offers a unique experience, ensuring that players are engaged and captivated from the first tee to the final putt.
Beyond its architectural brilliance, Erin Hills is celebrated for its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The course is designed to harmonize with its natural surroundings, preserving wetlands and native habitats while offering a premier golfing experience.
In essence, Erin Hills Golf Course stands as a testament to thoughtful design and harmonious integration with nature, providing a challenging yet rewarding experience that has earned its place among the world's finest golf destinations.
“The natural beauty and challenging layout of Erin Hills make it the perfect stage for golfers to showcase their talent and determination,” said Mark Hill, managing director, Championships for the USGA. Which is why the USGA named Erin Hills the site of five additional USGA championships.
By the end of 2039, Erin Hills will have hosted nine different USGA events, setting a USGA record on a single course. Also, the addition of the 2033 U.S. Women’s Amateur will put Erin Hills in a prestigious group of 13 courses to have hosted both Men’s & Women’s U.S. Opens and U.S. Amateurs. On the list are venerable courses such as Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, Shinnecock Hills, and Oakmont, but Erin Hills will be the only course on the list that opened after 1924.
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Golf Digest:
America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses - #42
America's 100 Greatest Public Courses - #8
Best in State - #2
Best Resorts / The AmericasGolf Magazine:
Best New Course of 2006 - #1
Best in State - #6
Top 100 Courses You Can Play in the U.S. (Public) - #21
Best Public Courses in State - #3Golfweek:
Top 200 Best Modern Courses in the U.S. - #60
Best in State (Public) - #4
Top 200 Resort Courses - #22
Top 100 U.S. Public-Access Courses - #28Links:
Great Courses -
2039 U.S. Junior Amateur
2035 U.S. Amateur
2033 U.S. Women's Amateur
2030 U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball
2027 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball
2025 U.S. Women's Open
2022 U.S. Mid-Amateur
2017 U.S. Open
2011 U.S. Amateur
2008 U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links
Awards & Rankings reflect highest ranking throughout course history
Fry/Straka member designed under Hurdzan/Fry
Photos by Paul Hundley