Whistling Straits: the complete guide to Wisconsin's Ryder Cup links

The courses

The Straits

Pete Dye (with Alice Dye) · 1998 · 18 holes · Links-style (lakefront)

Host of three PGA Championships, the 2007 U.S. Senior Open and the 2021 Ryder Cup

The headline act — a links-style course carved along roughly two miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, defined by rugged dunes, fescue, bluff-top holes and a famously vast number of bunkers (the resort and most outlets put it around a thousand). Resident Scottish Blackface sheep wander the property. It's walking-only, and the lake wind can turn it into a completely different course from one round to the next.

This is where the U.S. won the 2021 Ryder Cup 19–9, the largest margin of the modern era, and where three PGA Championships have been decided. It sits high on Golf Digest's list of America's best public courses — a true major venue you can actually tee it up on.

The Irish

Pete Dye · 2000 · 18 holes · Inland links-style

The Straits' inland companion at Whistling Straits — a grass-and-dunes course threaded by four meandering streams, with rolling terrain, deep bunkering and dense native grasses. It captures the spirit of inland Irish links without the lakefront views.

It's the natural second round at Whistling Straits, more forgiving on the cart front than the walking-only Straits and a fine test in its own right.

Blackwolf Run (River & Meadow Valleys)

Pete Dye · 1988 (36 holes by 1990) · 36 (two 18s) holes · River-valley parkland

Both courses regularly in Golf Digest's Top 100 Public; hosted the 1998 & 2012 U.S. Women's Open

A separate 36-hole property about 20–30 minutes inland in the Village of Kohler, along the Sheboygan River. The River and Meadow Valleys courses are both regulars in Golf Digest's America's Top 100 Public, and a composite championship routing drawn from the two hosted the U.S. Women's Open in 1998 and 2012.

Together they make an easy 36-hole day on one property — the perfect complement to the two Whistling Straits courses on a full Kohler trip.

Can you play Whistling Straits?

Yes — it's public/resort golf, open to anyone who books. In practice, staying at Destination Kohler lodging gets you access and tee-time priority, so a stay-and-play package is the most reliable route to a Straits tee time. Demand is high, so book well ahead.

One key rule: the Straits is walking-only — no carts — and a caddie or forecaddie is a strong part of the experience (highly recommended, available for a per-bag fee, not strictly required). The Irish and Blackwolf Run are more flexible on carts. Green fees and caddie rates change, so confirm current pricing with the resort.

When to go

Wisconsin golf is seasonal — roughly April/May through October, with peak conditions in summer. Late spring through early fall is prime; the shoulder months can be cold and blustery, and the courses effectively close for the Wisconsin winter.

Whenever you go, expect frequent — sometimes strong — wind off Lake Michigan, which meaningfully changes how the Straits plays. Exact open and close dates shift year to year with the weather, so confirm when you book.

Getting there

Most travellers fly into Milwaukee (MKE), about an hour south by car, or Green Bay (GRB), roughly an hour north. Chicago (ORD/MDW) is about 2.5 hours' drive. A car is effectively required.

The resort sits near Sheboygan: the Straits course is in Haven, north of the city, while the lodging and Blackwolf Run are in the Village of Kohler, a short drive inland.

Where to stay & eat

The flagship is The American Club in the Village of Kohler — a Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond hotel (the only Five-Diamond resort hotel in the Midwest) in a historic building that opened as a hotel in 1981. Inn on Woodlake is the more affordable option nearby, by The Shops at Woodlake.

Across the resort you'll find on-site dining, the Kohler Waters Spa and River Wildlife, a large private outdoor-recreation preserve. Sheboygan nearby adds more lodging and restaurants if you want them.

How to play it (the four-course stay-and-play)

The classic trip is a multi-day, four-course stay-and-play: the Straits (the marquee round — walking with a caddie), the Irish, and Blackwolf Run's River and Meadow Valleys (an easy 36-hole day on one property). Base at The American Club or Inn on Woodlake and book a resort golf package for tee-time priority.

Budget at least three to four days to play all four comfortably. On the Straits specifically, plan on walking and take a caddie or forecaddie for the full experience — reading the lakefront wind and Dye's bunkering is a lot easier with local eyes.