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!
Course Overview
The Irish course at Whistling Straits is nestled just inland from The Straits sharing a clubhouse and amenities. My full review of the Whistling Straits experience can be found on my course review of The Straits. As a golfer, equal anticipation is felt when playing The Irish course and for good reason. 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. Pete Dye course signatures are recognizable throughout the grounds in railroad ties, spattering of two dozen bunkers on every hole and a difficult 18th hole.
Unlike The Straits, a player can decide to rent a cart to get around The Irish but it must be kept on the cart path at all times. In my opinion, The Irish is better experienced carrying your bag or walking with a caddie. Narrow walking paths between each hole will give you a true links style experience while also getting great visuals of the golf holes as designed. Lots more can be shared around my thoughts on walking versus riding, but I will leave that for another blog.
Playing Strategies
To start this golf course review of The Irish, I wanted to provide a perspective on playing strategies. 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. Images of the course yardage book can be found detailing carry distances and how far to the end of the fairway. This bit of homework can give a golfer a good idea of their club choice off the tee and really heighten the experience overall. In my opinion, every golfer wants to shoot to his or her capability. Little things like scouting the course’s website and reviews are a great way to prepare for a round.
This was the third time I have played The Irish. For my strategy, I expected to hit driver 5-6 times even when playing the blue tees at 6,600 yards. Keeping the ball in play is the first thing to scoring well. So in my case my driving iron, with total distance of 230 yards, was to be used primarily for “position golf” off the tee. During our round we experienced a two-club wind which changed my strategy slightly but not entirely. Recommendation: Put the driver away sometimes. The driver is not always the right club regardless of a par 4 or 5.
Top Holes
Hole 6 Par 3 – 149 Yards (Mulligan’s Watch)
The second par 3 on the first nine does not stand out on the scorecard alone. However, this 160 yard piece of property brings The Irish experience all into one hole. The “island” green is completely surrounded by sand with a large enough surface area. Club choice could change by 2-3 depending on the pin and wind. Missing this green brings bogey into play quickly. Even hitting the green could leave a 3-putt (which I did).
Hole 10 Par 4 – 387 Yards (Shepherd’s Post)
This starting hole on the second nine might be the most photogenic on the course. The course turns towards Lake Michigan and early glimpses of The Straits appear. A large, open fairway awaits golfers but somehow is difficult to find. Like a magnet, golf balls want to veer right towards a wall of unwelcome Pete Dye bunkers. The uphill second shot with a steep drop off on the left makes par a difficult score. Looking out at this hole from the tee box makes it appear that you are at the end of the world. What a great hole!
Hole 14 Par 5 – 520 Yards (Tullamore Dew)
Winding par 5’s is a Pete Dye architecture trademark and hole 14 delivers on it. The landing area for your tee shot is difficult to see as a large waste bunker blocks the view. Going for the green in two shots is frowned upon even if the fairway is found. The only bail out is short left which is an unlikely spot for many amateur golfers. Leave yourself 100 yards in for your best chance at birdie and enjoy a walk over the bridges crossing the stream in front of the green.
The Irish Experience
After playing The Straits, Erin Hills, Sand Valley and now The Irish, I have grown to admire and appreciate links style golf. In fact, I can say I prefer it over a wooded, narrow country club. In my opinion, the creative ways to play a hole and land movement drastically improve the playing experience. The Irish, like the others, delivers on links golf. Golfers will be presented with both good and bad bounces. Where the ball lands matters. And just getting the ball around the green does not guarantee an up and down.
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.
Conclusion
Easy wrap up here for The Irish at Whistling Straits golf course review. Go to Whistling Straits for two reasons; The Straits and The Irish. Few golfers leave disappointed with the experience, but many will have improvement takeaways for their golf game. Enjoy the challenge of shot-making at every hole where par is never taken for granted.
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