Erin Hills makes you wish you were Irish and the golf course delivers a feeling that is felt from the first tee to the last green; this review will describe that emotion. The brilliant Erin Hills logo is presented throughout the course in the most unique places – simple and understated, making it difficult to not walk out of the pro shop fitted head-to-toe in gear. Read below on my golf course review of Erin Hills.
Course Background and Lodging
Erin Hills golf course was host to the 2017 U.S. Open Championship won by Brooks Koepka. Brooks handled the course with relative ease placing a “black eye” on the setup at Erin Hills. The opinion is unfortunate since we just witnessed a similar score at Pebble Beach with rave reviews on the course setup. Anyway…with over 600 acres, previously covered by Wisconsin’s last glacier, Erin Hills gives the appearance of a flat course when viewed from afar. Opinions of a “flat” course will immediately change from as soon as the first tee.
Our 8-person group of golfers woke up on-site at Erin Hills in one of the on-site lodges. This accommodation provided a great way to start the day of golf at its amazing course restaurant. On this day, the weather was perfect. Skies were bright blue with only a breeze to contend.
Erin Hills Experience
Erin Hills immediately sets high expectations with its name and reputation alone. Many golf courses carry this burden, however, Erin Hills delivers on both golf and amenities. The facility, staff and experience are all top notch. From check-in to check-out, guests/golfers are treated with amazing service and terrific amenities. The stand out experience from the trip was the Erin Hills caddie barn. An actual barn housing the caddies and available to overnight guests in the evening. Filled with games and televisions, this is a great way to unwind.
The clubhouse has been newly built since the 2017 U.S. Open with a brilliant pro shop carrying several top brands all displaying the noticeable clover logo of Erin Hills. As mentioned, our group enjoyed both breakfast and dinner at the clubhouse restaurant and would recommend to anyone visiting. Finally, the men’s locker room is extremely clean and delivers on all the required amenities before / after a round of golf. Well done!
The Golf Course
Passerby golfers will perceive Erin Hills as tame and simplistic. Only until you step on the tee box(es) do you realize the complexity, strategy and trying nature of the golf course. Erin Hills will send golfers on a literal roller coaster of elevation changes requiring extensive shot-making. The undulation of the fairways made every tee shot and approach shot just that much more interesting and challenging. Caddies will provide guidance and input, but the golfer must think through ball flight, angles and club choice. Erin Hills will exhales a golfer both physically and mentally.
In June, the fescue is early in its growth so if found there is still a chance to reach the green, although quite difficult. The fairways were available to all players but having a caddie will give you the best chance to find them. Adding to the complexity, Erin Hills requires several blind tee shots. If missed, double bogey is lurking.
The Drumlin Putting Course
Erin Hills announced a 60,000 square foot putting course, The Drumlin, set to open in late 2019. During our visit, the course was being seeded but the area was well framed. The rumors are the putting course will have a dozen or so holes. The area will have lights surrounding it making it accessible well into the evening. A putting golf course review will be drafted during my next round at Erin Hills!
Top Holes
Hole 7 Par 5 551 Yards
This par 5 is a true three-shot hole that runs past the bell which gave the “all clear” for the former Dell Hole. Make sure you reach as the false front on the right will drop your ball 40 feet below the hole making even par difficult. Miraculously, I chipped in from this described area for eagle turning my round around nicely.
Hole 9 Par 3 143 Yards
The closing hole on the first nine appears tame on the scorecard but it is anything but easy. Surrounded by brutal bunkers, the green requires an accurate tee shot from an elevated position. On our day, we were playing into a 2-club wind making the shot selection and execution even more difficult.
Hole 12 Par 4 388 Yards
The blind tee shot must be precise to have a reasonable chance at par. The extreme undulation of the fairway allows for players to find “speed slots”. Leveraging this will propel a ball towards the green only leaving a short pitch. A great shot-making hole which I feel epitomizes the architecture of Erin Hills.
Conclusion
Erin Hills is a dream to review. The course hosted a U.S. Open, delivers on a great golfer’s experience and the playability of the holes leaves for lasting memories. For my money, Erin Hills is the place. Every. Time. I was left with such an impressive experience that writing this brings back the fondness of it all. Luckily, I picked up a couple amazing Seamus Golf souvenirs with the Erin Hills logo. I use these as reminders of my experience each time I play golf! Make this course a destination – you will not regret it. Hope you enjoyed this golf course review of Erin Hills – you can find more on my blog here.
1 Comment
Steve · July 13, 2019 at 10:19 pm
Thanks for the review! Hope you can join us again soon and go for an albatross on 7. 🙂
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