Central USA Golf Course Reviews
Erin Hills Golf Course ReviewErin, WI
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Erin Hills Scorecard, as of the date of last review
Erin Hills Golf Course Summary: This host of the US Open for both the men and women is a big canvas filled with rolling heather covered hills, steep faced bunkers, humps, hallows and undulating putting surfaces. There are very few trees and only a couple of water hazards, but the deep rough and nuanced contours provide plenty of challenge, in addition to the extreme length of the course. The golfer will find themselves intrigued by the site, and nervous over many a difficult shot throughout the day. The best golf holes are described below:
Erin Hills Hole 1: The opening par five features a reed filled water hazard down the left from tee to green. However, as a relatively short par five that doglegs left, a long drive that cuts the corner can make going for the UGIR a possibility to start the day. Of course, staying right from tee to green can make the hole a relatively docile opener if the golfer stays in play. Pins left of center are more difficult, and the green slopes away behind the surface as well.
Erin Hills Hole 1: The opening par five features a reed filled water hazard down the left from tee to green. However, as a relatively short par five that doglegs left, a long drive that cuts the corner can make going for the UGIR a possibility to start the day. Of course, staying right from tee to green can make the hole a relatively docile opener if the golfer stays in play. Pins left of center are more difficult, and the green slopes away behind the surface as well.
Erin Hills Hole 2: This par four is driveable, but has a tee shot that will be blind for said attempt.The more conventional play is to lay up and put the drive left of the bunkers cut into the hill. There is a little more room to the left off the tee than is visible, and this presents the better angle to the green. The risky drive would go over the bunkers. The green is small and crowned, rejecting all but the most central of shots and the deep bunker to the right of the putting surface must really be avoided as up and down out of there is very tricky.
Erin Hills Hole 3: Very long and difficult, this par four has a fairway that slopes from right ot left and bunkers on both sided, and deep rough outside of those. A strong drive is needed to have a good shot to hit the elevated green protected by a massive bunker short. The green is wide with a high point dividing right from left.
Erin Hills Hole 4: This par four heads in the same direction as the previous hole and is of similar length. More straight, the fairway feels tighter with OB left and a multitude of bunkers in play. Again, the green is very well guarded with a deep fronting bunker and rejecting slopes just long as well.
Erin Hills Hole 6: Honestly, not my favorite or one of the most memorable golf holes on the course, this par three just had a great picture near sunset. It is long and has a steep false front, putting a premium on ball striking. Once on top, the green is fairly flat and large, making for some long putt possibilities.
Erin Hills Hole 7: This par five weaves its way around various series' of bunkers en route to an elevated putting surface that is really wide. Shots off the mark can find themselves careening down steep slopes, or getting stuck on them, depending on direction, so getting too aggressive can come with a hefty price tag.
Erin Hills Hole 9: Considered by many to be one of the most difficult shorter par threes anywhere, the tee shot is elevated, but the green is small and absolutely surrounded by bunkers and uneven lies, not to mention the water nearby. In the wind, controlling distance and trajectory makes this a difficult par for even the pros.
Erin Hills Hole 13: The back nine's first par three is slightly downhill to another green that is crowned and wants to reject shots in any direction. Thus, matching up shot shape, wind and distance is paramount yet again.
Erin Hills Hole 15: The short par four that got a lot of attention during the major championships hosted here, some like it and others do not. Either way, going for the green is possibly for the long hitters but the penalty for missing can be steep. Played as a lay up hole, the key after finding the fairway is to dial in the wedge to the right section of the green, which is strongly undulating and not friendly to long putts.
Erin Hills Hole 16: Visually, probably the most archetypal par three on the course, this has all the main features of what makes Erin Hills what it is. Steep faced bunkers guard and undulating green where finding the right area by matching up the shot shape and wind is critica. A birdie opportunity for success and bogey for the wrong miss.
Erin Hills Hole 18: The finale is an absurdly long par five, even when the wind is helping. At over 600 yards for most tee boxes, it'll require three good golf shots to hit the green. The general slope is right to left, in league with the hole's dogleg. So, the further left one goes, the player can shorten the hole, but also leave harder angles to most pins and find deeper rough and bunkers, so the player gets to pick their finishing poison.
