Erin Hills Golf Club – Hartford, WI

Course Details

Architect(s): Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry & Ron Whitten (2006)
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,731
Rating: 77.9
Slope: 145

Course Accolades

Golf Digest: #42 in USA, #9 Public USA & #2 in Wisconsin
Golf Magazine: #74 in USA, #23 in Public USA & #3 in Wisconsin
Golf Week: #26 Best New Course (2007), #99 Modern USA, #36 in Public USA, #27 Resort USA, & #6 in Wisconsin
Golf World: Wisconsin Course of Recognition
Top100Courses: #5 in Wisconsin
Zagat: Top Courses in State (WI) & America’s Top Golf Courses (2012)

Course Score

Course Conditions: 10
Green Complexes: 10
Amenities: 9
Practice Facilities: 9
Service: 10
Course Design: 10
Value: 5

Total Score: 8.83

Course Review

The Good: This Hurdzan/Fry design collaboration with Golf Digest’s Ron Whitten about 35 miles northwest of Milwaukee is one of the most expansive golf canvases you will ever see. Incredible, rugged design is visually terrifying but very playable for mid and high handicappers. Excellent variety in Par-4’s with good mixture of doglegs and blind tee shots. Par-5’s, especially the closing hole, are very impressive. While its been three years since I first played, there are still U.S. Open caliber conditioning and challenging, undulating greens that putt perfectly. The clubhouse and newer overnight lodging options are absolutely top-notch and as elegant as any private club. Great practice facilities. Super staff that treat you like royalty and will ensure you have an experience of a lifetime.

The Bad: Other than the huge price tag and the remote location, there is nothing much else to gripe about the Erin Hills experience. The Par-3 9th is excellent, but the other Par-3’s are fairly unmemorable compared to the other holes on the course. Pace of play can take about 5-hours given the near 10-mile hike depending on how much you spray it.

The Verdict: Erin Hills is one of the best inland public golf experiences in the Midwest, if not the entire country. Hard to imagine spending $400+ at a non-ocean view course, but you’ll quickly forget the cost with this bucket list masterpiece at a scale that is unmatched.

Best Hole(s): Many like the short 15th best, but I’m partial to the downhill Par-4 12th. Once you crest the hill, a short iron must havigate a skinny, long green cut into a hillside. All of the Par-5’s are excellent, but the closing brute is a wonderful capper to an unforgettable round.