A Day at Whistling Straits Golf Course - The American Club, Kohler, WI
Whistling Straits in Kohler Wisconsin is home to the 2015 PGA Championships, and is #2 on Golf DIgest's Top 100 Public Golf Courses. To learn more about some of the top courses we're playing on the Breaking Eighty Ultimate Golf Road Trip, check out
Playing Whistling Straits (Site of '20 Ryder Cup & ‘04, ‘10, ‘15 PGA Championship) #3 of Top 100
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Whistling Straits in Sheboygan, WI (Site of '20 Ryder Cup & ‘04, ‘10, ‘15 PGA Championship)
The Straits Course is the flagship course at Whistling Straits. As of 2012, it had a length of 7,790 yards (7,123 m) and a par of 72. It hosted the 2004 PGA Championship won by Vijay Singh in a playoff over Chris DiMarco and Justin Leonard, the 2007 U.S. Senior Open won by Brad Bryant, and the 2010 PGA Championship won by Martin Kaymer in a playoff over Bubba Watson. The course hosted the PGA Championship for a third time in 2015 with Jason Day winning three shots better than Jordan Spieth. In 2020 the Ryder Cup will be held on the course.
The Straits Course replicates the ancient seaside links courses of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Nestled along a two-mile (3 km) stretch of Lake Michigan, the course has eight holes hugging the lake, a flock of Scottish Blackface sheep, elevation changes of approximately 80 feet (24 m), and three stone bridges. It has vast rolling greens, deep pot bunkers, grass-topped dunes and winds that sweep in off the lake. Being a coastal links-style course, there are few large trees or woods on the course. The course is open and exposed to the wind and elements.
Before the course was built, the property was an abandoned airfield called Camp Haven (1949–1959),[2] with a stream running through the middle. Kohler Company CEO Herbert Kohler hired Dye to be the course architect. During construction, the original landscape of the Straits Course was covered with about 800,000 cubic yards (610,000 m3) of dirt and sand.[3]
Hiroshi Iwata holds the course record for the Straits Course with a 63 in the second round of the 2015 PGA Championship.
Whistling Straits
From a vision on the shores of Lake Michigan to the host of major golf championships, this is the story of Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin.
Best Golf in Wisconsin: Whistling Straits, Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes, Blackwolf Run, Erin Hills
Part II of my 2018 Epic Dream Golf Series is the Great State of Wisconsin. When you think of great golf destinations, Myrtle Beach, Pinehurst, Bandon and Pebble come to mind. Your list should include and needs to include Wisconsin. Wisconsin is filled with amazing golf course courses and experiences suited for a wide range of golfers on the road. I was able to play 6 of Wisconsin’s best public courses ranging from Amazing newcomers to well establish golf gems. I based my lodging in downtown Milwaukee, but all course would be great destinations to base your golf trip, that said to have a truly epic golf experience you will want to venture off whatever property you choose to play one or two of the others.
My First course was Whistling Strait – Straits Course. Easily the best course in the state and one of the best courses in the World. The Straits course is a testament to the genius and vision of Pete Dye. Pete Dye created an amazing seaside dunes experience on Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan feels like the Atlantic when playing Whistling Straits. You hear wave crashing and there is no end to the water you see. All of the par threes are on the Lake as well a many more holes but as you look out across the course you will look in awe at the magnificence of this course. The course is filled with bunkers and fescue and you always have a sense of danger with your tee shot. The majority of the course has room, but an errant shot will bring tall grass and loose bunkers into play.
On Day 2, I ventured out to Sand Valley Golf Resort. Sand Valley is the youngest addition to the high caliber golf world of Wisconsin, but it has it all. Owned and Developed by the same family that brought us Bandon Dunes, Sand Valley is a must for Buddies Golf Trips. Sand Valley gets everything right for the serious golfer down to the smallest detail. My first course was Sand Valley, a true Coore and Crenshaw design, skill and strategy are required to score well. Coore and Crenshaw are my favorite modern course designers, by far, they truly get the art and strategy of course design. Sand is abundant everywhere on Sand Valley but with generous fairways and no rough you do not have to concern yourself with living in bunkers. The concern and your focus will be on if you landed in the best location to attack the flag and hold the green. The green complexes are well thought out and will require some of your best approach shots. My second course for the day is Mammoth Dunes. Mammoth Dunes is the friendlier of the two 18 holes with Massive fairways and huge greens it is inviting to a wide range of golfers. My round was rained out on the 6th hole but Mammoth is epic in scale and a course you will enjoy especially if you play after Sand Valley. Once the Clouds broke and the rain stopped I ran over to the Sandbox. The Sandbox is a 17 hole par 3 short course that is perfect for a golf trip warm up or just a casual golf bonus. You will only need a few wedges and a putter and maybe one 9 or 8 iron for this course. The first thing you will notice is that this course is not a pushover, you have to bring your best short game and putting to score. The next thing you will notice is that everywhere around you people are laughing and having a great time. I joined up with a great group of guys and had a great time trying shots, talking golf and even laughing with other groups as they passed by. Similar to Bandon, Cabot and Streamsong, Sand Valley is great for the serious passionate golfer. Tom Doak was just announced to be building the third 18 at Sand Valley and I can not wait to go back and experience.
Day 3 - I played Blackwolf Run – River and Whistling Straits – Irish. Blackwolf Run is the only course I played on this trip that routed felt similar to a parkland style course. Blackwolf Run is beautiful and utilizes the land it is on perfectly. The Sheboygan River and various lakes and pond make this one of the best looking course I have played. Another Pete Dye Course, you will enjoy the lush forest, rolling hills and elevation changes throughout the course. The Irish course is easily overshadowed by The Straits course but is a must play. The Irish Course has many of the same features and design qualities of the Straits course but it is lacking Lake Michigan.
Day 4, I played Erin Hills, who Hosted the recent US Open in 2017. I personally thought this course was going to be the weak link in the group and that all of its accolades came from the US Open. The pictures you see online, the US Open Coverage and even my video do not do this course justice. Erin Hill is specular, grand, fun and engaging. My Second favorite course on this dream trip, Erin Hills engages you with every shot and especially your tee shot.
Wisconsin is a can’t miss.
Preparing For The 2020 Ryder Cup - Riggs Vs Whistling Straits 17th Hole
Whistling Straits is the most purely spectacular golf course we've ever seen. It’s punishing, and they moved a ton of dirt to create something that simply was nowhere near existing before doing so, but make no mistake about it — it is SPECTACULAR.
If you’re even close to Wisconsin, Whistling is a must-play. Kohler has 4 courses, a bunch of lodging, and several good options for dining. Just go there and enjoy yourself.
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The American Club Resort In Kohler, Wisconsin
Pursuitist visits The American Club Resort In Kohler, Wisconsin. Watch our video review of Destination Kohler, including the American Club, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, The River Wildlife Lodge, Whistling Straights, Blackwolf Run and more at this amazing Wisconsin destination. Get the full story at:
GOLF IN WISCONSIN + MEET THE CREW
A lot of people have been asking why I planned a trip to Wisconsin for golf. Well, I'll be showcasing 3 gems that we'll be visiting on this course and why Wisconsin is definitely a place to go on a buddies trip. Golf in Wisconsin involves us going to the 2017 U.S Open site of Erin Hills, playing a course that is maybe the best value in golf (Lawsonia), and finishing it off with a weekend at Sand Valley. Plus, get to know a few of the guys coming on the trip! I've added their Instagram accounts below.
Kyle - @KNOCKEDSTIFFGOLF
Josh - @JRWOLFRAM
Caleb - @CTWOLFRAM
Nathan - @THISTLELEATHERGOODS
Phil - @POWERSLICE
Keith - @THESWEETSPOTGOLF
Colby - @QUITETHECHAP
Go check out what everyone else is doing and stay tuned for plenty of content from Wisconsin.
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Riverbend in Kohler, Wisconsin
This is aerial footage of the exclusive Riverbend in Kohler, Wisconsin. Music is Over the Rainbow sung by Ella Fitzgerald from the album, Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Harold Arlen Songbook.
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Whistling Straits, Straits Course in Sheboygan Wisconsin Course Flyover presented by Golf Frontier. For additional information about this course visit for more Course Flyovers, and lots of additional golf related content visit
Music: Jeff Jessup
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The Brothers in Golf make their way to Sheboygan, Wisconsin to play a couple of world class golf courses!
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Ahead of the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, Rory McIlroy discusses the championship courses in the state of Wisconsin Subscribe to WISN on YouTube for more:
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How Whistling Straits is Preparing for the 2020 Ryder Cup | The Golf Podcast
This week our special guest is Michael O'Reilly, PGA Director of Golf / Ops Manager for Destination Kohler at Whistling Straits. Michael serves on the executive board for the 2020 Ryder Cup and stops by the show to talk about how their preparing to host the big event on the world's stage.
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Whistling Straits Golf - Tom's Putt
Tom making rare Putt
Playing Blackwolf Run - River Course in Kohler, WI (Site of '98 & '12 U.S. Women's Open) #15 of 100
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First round co-leader Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk and world number one Tiger Woods discuss their play in the first round Thursday of the PGA Championship on the Whistling Straits course in Kohler, Wisconsin. (August 13)
Destination Kohler Overview
Discover what makes Destination Kohler a must visit place for golf, spa, dining and design.