At $340 for an 18-hole round [plus caddy fees], I cannot afford to play this mecca of the golf world. Whistling Straits
Whistling Straits
Whistling Straits is one of two 36-hole links-style golf courses associated with The American Club, a luxury golf resort located near Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and owned by a subsidiary of the Kohler Company. The other is Blackwolf Run, south of Kohler Village. The Whistling Straits co…
How much does it cost to play Whistling Straits golf course?
If you’re looking to book a spring golf trip, Whistling Straits should be high on your list. You can play The Irish for as little as $80 until May 9. Green fees bump up to $130 from May 10 to June 3.
How much does it cost to play the Irish at the Straits?
You can play The Irish for as little as $80 until May 9. Green fees bump up to $130 from May 10 to June 3. The Irish and The Straits share a similar aesthetic, with the notable exception that The Irish is not on Lake Michigan. Both courses feature long views, mounds and elevation changes of all sizes, and countless bunkers.
Do I need a caddie at Whistling Straits'Straits Course?
When booking at Whistling Straits' Straits Course, you'll be quoted a fee that inclues the green fee, caddie fee ($70 per person plus tip for 18 holes) or forecaddie fee ($40 per person plus tip for 18 holes) and taxes. The Straits Course is walking only, but a caddie is not required.
What are the best golf courses at Kohler’s Irish?
The Straits Course, host of multiple majors and the 2020 Ryder Cup, is so well known that it has taken the name of the entire property, Whistling Straits, for itself. Despite being overshadowed in the popular consciousness, The Irish is a course that every visitor to Kohler needs to play at least once.
How much does a round at Whistling Straits cost?
But how much will it cost you to play there? It's not cheap. Prices vary based on the time of the year, but the peak rate is $485, which is only eclipsed by a few other bucket-list public options such as Pebble Beach, Pinehurst No. 2, TPC Sawgrass and Shadow Creek.
How long does it take to play the Irish Course at Whistling Straits?
4 to 4 1/2 hours4 to 4 1/2 hours. Caddies are required and they keep the players moving. over a year ago.
Are carts allowed on the Irish Course at Whistling Straits?
Straits Course Golf carts are not allowed. Caddies are highly recommended but are not required. Whistling Straits is a double-bag facility. Caddie fee $80 per person.
How much does it cost to play the River Course at Blackwolf Run?
18-Hole River CourseGreen FeeMon - FriSat, Sun, Holidays18 Holes$440 (432 €)$440 (432 €)
Is Whistling Straits a tough course?
Whistling Straits in Kohler — the site of the 2015 PGA Championship — is the most difficult golf course in America, according to Golf.com, which called it “golf's version of a slaughterhouse.” Whistling Straits topped the list of “The 9 Most Difficult Courses in America — and What You Would Shoot There.”
Why is Whistling Straits so hard?
From the tips, Whistling Straits is one of the most difficult courses I've ever stepped on. With strong winds, seemingly more sand than grass, plenty of length, and penalizing fescue lining the fairways, you better bring your 'A' game to contend with the mighty Straits.
Can you wear jeans at Whistling Straits?
Whistling Straits Golf Course dress code includes proper golf attire and must be adhered to at all times throughout the day. No jeans, t-shirts, or cargo shorts or pants are permitted.
How much do you tip a caddie at Whistling Straits?
$60 per bagHow much should I tip my caddie when I play Whistling Straits? The recommended caddie gratuity is $60 per bag for a walking caddie and $30 per bag for a forecaddie. Please feel free to give more or less depending on the level of service provided during the round.
How much do caddie make at Whistling Straits?
Caddies work for gratuities, and the recommended tip at the Straits is $40 per bag for 18 holes, though many golfers tip two or more times that amount. If a caddie works five days a week, makes two loops per day and double-bags on both, he can easily make $1,500 a week.
Is Whistling Straits walking only?
The Straits is a walking course only; walking distance for 18 holes on The Straits is approximately 5 miles, Caddies required (prior to twilight).
Is Blackwolf Run walking only?
Dye's River course has a beautiful naturally rolling setting that is bordered by mature trees and runs along the Sheboygan River for several of the holes. Most players will elect to ride a cart given some of the far distances between greens and tees, but walking is always an option as is taking a caddie for the day.
What body of water is near Whistling Straits?
Lake MichiganThe Straits at Whistling Straits was designed in the grand tradition of the game as a true links golf course with magnificent dunes, bunkers, large rolling greens, and of course, the presence of the large body of water, Lake Michigan (often mistaken as an ocean).
How long is the walk at Whistling Straits?
two milesSculpted into two miles of uninterrupted shoreline of Lake Michigan in Kohler, Wisconsin, Whistling Straits can be an unforgiving brute.
Is the Ryder Cup on the Irish Course?
Ryder Cup Europe – which comprises the Managing Partner the European Tour, the Founding Partner The PGA and the PGAs of Europe – announced the five-star resort will follow in the footsteps of Whistling Straits in Wisconsin (2020), Marco Simone in Italy (2022) and Bethpage Black in New York (2024) as the venue for ...
How do you play Whistling Straits?
2:0011:19Every Hole at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan, WI | Golf DigestYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTwo run north and two runs south including the third that like the others is angled away from the t.MoreTwo run north and two runs south including the third that like the others is angled away from the t.
Who designed Whistling Straits Irish Course?
Paul "Pete" DyeThen again, Paul "Pete" Dye is one of a kind. The man who designed all four courses for Kohler Co., including Whistling Straits, site of the 97th PGA Championship (Aug. 13-16) has been called a genius and an artist. He is both of those things.
What is the course at Whistling Straits?
The Straits Course at Whistling Straits tends to take the spotlight , but the Irish supplies its fair share of challenging, scenic golf with the typical Pete Dye flair. Severe mounding and pot bunkers abound, but if you play the right set of tees and keep the ball in the decently generous fairways, you can get around without too much harm done. Spray the ball, though, and you'll be in for a long round.
What golf course is in Kohler?
If you will be in Kohler for golf, then you definitely need to play the Irish course, along with the 3 other courses at the facility. I found Irish to be the most playable of the four and the surroundings are really remarkable.
What are the best holes in the golf course at Lake Michigan?
Starting on the back nine, you're treated with expansive views of Lake Michigan and The Straits Course. The 12th tee is the best spot. for a picture. The 10th hole is classic Dye -- lots of visual intimidation and tricks. Only problem is that even though you can ride in a cart (very comfy carts, btw), it's cartpath only, so you end up walking almost as much as if you just walked the whole way. Really can slow play if the course is busy.
How many yds is a tee shot?
Tee shot doesn't allow you to be super aggressive, but you can play to the strength of your approach game. Even though it's just a straightforward shot of 200-250 yds, there is plenty of trouble to keep you honest. The approach is another good challenge, especially with the pin on the right side of the green.
How many tees does the back 9 have?
The back 9 has a pretty big change in elevation from 10 tee up through 13 tee, but the course is very walk-able.
How far down is the par 5 closing hole?
Do not miss the green right, however, as a steep, closely-mown slope will carry errant shots 15-20 feet below the green surface, making for a most difficult up-and-down.
Is the Irish course the same as the Straits course?
The Irish sits just a little inland from the Straits course, but boasts many of the same incredible features and challenges while maintaining a personality all its own.
What is the Whistling Straits?
Senior Open; and will host the 2020 Ryder Cup. Open, rugged and windswept, The Straits® is a walking-only, links-style course sculpted along two miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. It features rising bluffs and massive sand dunes, natural fescue fairways and views of Lake Michigan from all 18 holes. A masterpiece in the world of golf, The Straits was ranked #4 on Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses for 2015-16. Just inland from the great lake and interspersed by four meandering streams, the grassland-and-dunes aspect of the Irish course is a deceivingly tranquil landscape. Both traditional and memorable, the Irish course is full of unique challenges.
How many rounds of golf are there at Blackwolf Run?
Three 18-hole rounds of golf per person. One round per person on The Straits at Whistling Straits, one round on The River at Blackwolf Run, and one round on your choice of either The Irish at Whistling Straits or The Meadow Valleys at Blackwolf Run. Golf cart fees at Blackwolf Run.
How long is a golf lesson at Blackwolf Run?
One hour golf lesson at Blackwolf Run or Whistling Straits with Kohler Golf Academy instructor. Lesson topics include full swing, pitching, chipping and putting. Advance reservations required. Please book lesson at time of booking the package.
What are the courses at Blackwolf Run?
Blackwolf Run® also has two courses, The River and The Meadow Valleys. Melded into a river basin formed by glacial runoff, Blackwolf Run’s have hosted the 1998 and 2012 U.S. Women’s Open and the 1995–1997 Anderson Consulting World Golf Championships. These extraordinary courses are ranked among the best in the country.
Does Meadow Valleys have green fees?
Complimentary green fees for replay golf on the Meadow Valleys, Irish, and The Baths courses. For guests staying on the package, package replay rounds may be booked in advance but must be the second round of the day. Golf car, caddie fees and gratuities not included. Please note, if the Irish, Meadow Valleys, and The Baths are unavailable for replay, special package replay rates are available for the River and Straits, based on same-day availability. Please inquire in the golf shop following your round.
Is there a green fee for replay golf?
Complimentary green fees for replay golf, based on same-day availability on Meadow Valleys course, Irish course and The Baths course. Replay rounds may not be booked in advance. Golf cart, caddie fees and gratuities not included. Please note, if Irish, Meadow Valleys and The Baths are unavailable for replay there are special package replay fees on both the River and Straits on a walk-on or same day booking, please inquire in the golf shop following your round.
What is the Irish course at Whistling Straits?
The Irish Course at Whistling Straits is the less-heralded brother of The Straits Course. A mix of challenge and scoring opportunities on a rugged landscape.
What is the Whistling Straits Irish Barn?
Next to the clubhouse is the Whistling Straits Irish Barn, a venue for large groups and weddings. With a view that overlooks holes 9 and 18 on The Straits, it would be a dream site for a golfer’s nuptials.
What is Whistling Straits?
Whistling Straits is home to one of the most beautiful clubhouses I’ve seen . The two story stone building houses the Whistling Straits restaurant and the pro shop. When there’s a frost delay, the fireplace in the pro shop becomes a very popular attraction.
Is Pete Dye's golf fairway a straight hole?
While length is not unimportant at The Irish, finding fairways is the priority . Pete Dye makes that challenging by providing very few straights holes. Nearly every fairway bends, snakes, or doglegs in some way so that you’re thinking about both the direction and distance of the optimal tee shot.
Does Irish Course allow carts?
The Irish Course does allow carts, but I’d strongly recommend walking. The caddies that we encountered at Whistling Straits were excellent and can definitely add to your experience. Finally, it’s worth mentioning that Kohler offers great deals in the early and late parts of the season . If you’re looking to book a spring golf trip, ...
Is there more room between the fairway and the junk at the Irish?
To paraphrase our caddie, “There’s more room between the fairway and the junk” at The Irish, but there’s still plenty of junk if you get crooked off the tee. Choose your tees with your brain, not your ego, so you can have a reasonable chance of hitting fairways and greens.
Is the Irish course a good course?
The Irish, much like The Meadow Valley at Blackwolf Run, will never be the best-known course on its property. However, wise golfers will flock to it for quality holes, smaller crowds and lower green fees. Once you’ve checked The Straits off your “Must Play” list, be sure to get at least one round in on The Irish.
What is the difference between the Irish course and the Straits Course?
The major difference between the more noted Straits Course and the Irish Course comes down to two words -- Lake Michigan. The former is aided significantly by the juxtaposition of one of the five Great Lakes. Credit Dye for his inventiveness but having Lake Michigan as your lead actor helps buttress the storyline considerably.
Why is the Irish golf course so shaped?
The Irish is overly shaped and clearly manufactured so that the layout has little meaningful connection to the land it occupies. To use a Star Trek analogy - the final product was "beamed" to the site and attempts to sell golfers on an "Irish" connection. What's funny is that the cost to play the real thing is likely cheaper than playing the artificial one.
What is the best hole on the front nine?
4. Par 4 – 489/443/432. This is the best hole on the front nine, both due to its length and being the shape of the hole as a dogleg left to a relatively narrow green. A long waste area goes down the left side stopping about 125 yards from the green. The fairway becomes very tight at the turn in the dogleg due to mounds down the right side and this waste area. I do not think bigger hitters should try to carry the waste area from the black tee as it is just over 300 yards. The green sits below much higher ground to its left and another long waste area on its right side. There are smaller swales and ripples in this fairway. The difficulty with this hole is getting to the tee as the green itself is relatively tame, with two ripples down the left side but not so large as to create doubt in one’s putt. There is an enormous number of bunkers built into the hill on the left and once again the caddie responded no when I asked if he had ever seen anyone in the upper half of these bunkers.
How many feet drop from the back tee on the green?
The green sits at the bottom of a 30 feet drop from the back tee and has numerous unnecessary bunkers between the tee and the fall-off. Behind the green climbing up the hill are more bunkers, completely unnecessary. From the blue and white tees you see much of the green and the hole plays flat.
Where is the bunker on the green at the golf course?
There is a bunker with sleepers on the right front half where a large spine cuts from this bunker halfway into the green. Another bunker sits behind the hole although from the tee this is on the left back of the green.
Where is the Irish course?
The Irish course is the second course at Whistling Straits, part of the Kohler resort in Wisconsin. Designed by Pete Dye, the course is just inland to it's more famous neighbor, the Straits course, which has hosted multiple PGA championships a senior U.S. Open. The Irish course is a fun track that is easily walkable.
Is the Irish course the same as the Straits?
It is a weird design to this hole. The Irish course is not in the same league as the Straits course, although it does have many fine golf holes. But it is let down by an overload of visuals that are more of a nuisance than a distraction. It also has only one par 5 that is compelling.
What is the Irish course at Whistling Straits?
The Irish course at Whistling Straits is often an afterthought to its big brother, The Straits, but do not underestimate this gem as I will cover in this golf course review. Challenging holes architected by Pete Dye will be found at every turn on The Irish at Whistling Straits including his famous signature characteristics. At a responsible rate, The Irish is a course best experienced with a bag on your shoulder and classified as a must-see for Wisconsin golfers. This concise golf course review of The Irish will cover a brief overview, strategy, my top holes and “The Irish experience”. Enjoy!
How far from the back tees is the Irish golf course?
At The Irish, golfers have the option to purchase a riding cart, caddie or fore caddie to help shepherd them around the difficult course. At 7,100 yards from the back tees, The Irish will challenge golfers in the same way as The Straits.
How many sheep are there at the Irish?
The grazing sheep at The Irish require mentioning. Approximately 20-25 sheep call The Irish home and during our round were behind hole 14 tee box and on hole 16 green. The sheep are not skittish and will casually walk in front of a golfer while trying to tee off. Truly a unique experience.
Is it difficult to play the Irish course?
A golfer will require strategy to effectively navigate The Irish course. Playing it for the first time will be difficult and should be treated with respect. I recommend visiting Whistling Straits website prior to a round as each hole is reviewed with playing tips.
Where is the skinny winding fairway in Par 5?
The skinny winding fairway of this par 5 snakes to the left of the mound in the fairway. A miss to the right of this green will give the best chance for a par.
What side of the green is the bunker on Par 3?
Club selection is difficult on this treacherous par 3. The left side of the green is home to a couple of the deepest pot bunkers on the course.
What is the motto of a short par 4 second?
Safety first is the motto on the short par 4 second. A tee shot in the fairway is a must if you expect to hold the narrow front-to-back green.
Can you cut the corner on a par 5?
Long hitters can cut the corner on this reachable par 5; a split fairway for the second can create a difficult layup.
Can a short dogleg right be attacked?
A short dogleg right can be attacked from almost any angle on this generous fairway. The large two-tiered green is protected by two very deep bunkers in the rear
