Open, rugged and windswept terrain defines The Straits®, sculpted along two miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. The course rating is 75.6 and it has a slope rating of 146 on Fescue grass. Whistling Straits Golf Course - Straits and Irish, Kohler: See 246 reviews, articles, and 172 photos of Whistling Straits Golf Course - Straits and Irish, ranked No.1 on … From the greens to teeboxes, this course held up well in very soggy conditions. The wind normally plays a big factor at that time of year, especially at the turn, it can be pretty humbling. If you like traveling around this great country of ours paying too much money to play golf, then you must make a trip up to Kohler for a weekend and play these wonderful courses. Whistling Straits; Straits or the Irish? This golf club has 2 golf courses, 36 holes and based on 4 reviews has an average rating of 9.0. N8501 Hwy Ls, Sheboygan, WI 53083 (920)565-6050; www.destinationkohler.com; Follow: Facebook. And follow me on Instagram to see 100% golf content. The course rating is 75.6 and it has a slope rating of 146 on Fescue grass. The “island” green is completely surrounded by sand with a large enough surface area. The Straits Course lives up to every inch of its reputation as a major championship venue. Before I begin, I have a scheduled fitting in March 2021 for Read more…, The holiday season is upon and so is the first annual Golf Wisely golf gift guide! By the time you hit the back nine, there is limited room for error. This is the plight of The Irish Course. Hole 14 Par 5 – 520 Yards (Tullamore Dew)Winding par 5’s is a Pete Dye architecture trademark and hole 14 delivers on it. A mix of challenge and scoring opportunities on a rugged landscape. The course is normally in amazing condition for that time of the year. Required fields are marked *. 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. A Wisconsin-based golfer who loves to share his perspective on the game as well as highlighting local golf courses through reviews. Message document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "afaffc5222ca52cd7630e02360ad6f00" );document.getElementById("bc09f2d6ac").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. No. No. If you play both courses you will rave and remember the Straits course, but if the Irish course were moved 100 miles away as a stand alone course, it would generate discussion and rave reviews … This concise golf course review of The Irish will cover a brief overview, strategy, my top holes and “The Irish experience”. Having a super famous sibling can be tough. Depending on your tees and the wind, this hole almost feels driveable, but the far part of the fairway is very narrow. There is a large range just a short walk from the clubhouse, and two putting greens. The Straits and The Irish Arguably the greatest championship course in the United States, The Straits at Whistling Straits® has hosted the 2004, 2010 and 2015 PGA Championships and the 2007 U.S. Senior Open, and it is the future site of the 2020 Ryder Cup.Whistling Straits offers two courses of dynamic contrast and world-class prestige. Sign up for our weekly newsletter and not only will you get the latest reviews, instruction, and more delivered directly to your inbox, you’ll also be entered into regular giveaways for golf clubs, PGA Tour passes, and more. A handful of updates since the beginning of 2020 and last year’s WITB post. If you like traveling around this great country of ours paying too much money to play golf, then you must make a trip up to Kohler for a weekend and play these wonderful courses. Twitter - @theamericanclub . With a view that overlooks holes 9 and 18 on The Straits, it would be a dream site for a golfer’s nuptials. No. The grazing sheep at The Irish require mentioning. To paraphrase our caddie, “There’s more room between the fairway and the junk” at The Irish, but there’s still plenty of junk if you get crooked off the tee. Written by: Top100 Aggregated Rating Rating: 7.4 out of 10 Reviews: … The Straits course at Whistling Straits, site of the 2004 and 2010 PGA Championships and future site of the 2015 PGA Championship and 2020 Ryder Cup, is slated as the number three course in the United States (according to GolfWeek and Golf Digest), and is the perennial number one track in the state of Wisconsin. GOLF. The uphill second shot with a steep drop off on the left makes par a difficult score. Myself and group of friends have been playing the Irish at the end of April for the past 15+ years and I totally love it each time. The Straits Course, host of multiple majors and the 2020 Ryder Cup, is so well known that it has taken the name of the entire property, Whistling Straits, for itself. Kohler Co. manages this facility, with Dirk Willis, PGA as the VP, Golf, Landscape & Retail. As you enter the clubhouse, you feel like you have transported to another part of the world. Subscribe to stay up to date and leave a like and comment if you enjoyed the video! 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. Despite being overshadowed in the popular consciousness, The Irish is a course that every visitor to Kohler needs to play at least once. I secured a tee time here in late October of 2010 for both the Irish and the Straits course, and had the luck of playing the Irish Course … The landing area for your tee shot is difficult to see as a large waste bunker blocks the view. This bit of homework can give a golfer a good idea of their club choice off the tee and really heighten the experience overall. Reviews for Whistling Straits (Irish) Average Reviewers Score: Description: With fairways set further in from Lake Michigan than the Straits course, the Irish was unveiled at Whistling Straits a couple of years after its older sibling debuted. Playing it for the first time will be difficult and should be treated with respect. What a great hole! The Irish Course does allow carts, but I’d strongly recommend walking. Shown above, this tee shot dares you to take a big risk in search of a big reward. The scale of the course and the features are so large that you can feel like you’re adventuring across the entire state. The Irish Course at Whistling Straits is the less-heralded brother of The Straits Course. As a golfer, equal anticipation is felt when playing The Irish course and for good reason. Truly a unique experience. The Irish shares its practice facilities with The Straits. Exclusive golf course information, specifications and golf course details at Whistling Straits - Irish Course. Early in my round at The Irish, I thought that the course was just an easier version of The Straits. Whistling Straits - The Irish Course Stands Alone As A Top Course In The Country By Brian Weis. Missing fairways at The Irish is not as painful as it is at The Straits, but there are plenty of opportunities to lose balls and strokes. Straits Golf Course at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan, Wisconsin: details, stats, scorecard, course layout, photos, reviews Once you’ve checked The Straits off your “Must Play” list, be sure to get at least one round in on The Irish. High quality iron play is still a must if you want to shoot a good score, but you can make a lot of easy bogeys with good course management. During our round we experienced a two-club wind which changed my strategy slightly but not entirely. After playing The Straits, Erin Hills, Sand Valley and now The Irish, I have grown to admire and appreciate links style golf. My full review of the Whistling Straits experience can be found on my course review of The Straits. Only Dye could make you believe Lake Michigan was the Irish Sea and those soaring dunes were made not … 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. Choose your tees with your brain, not your ego, so you can have a reasonable chance of hitting fairways and greens. Whistling Straits® The Straits and The Irish Arguably the greatest championship course in the United States, The Straits at Whistling Straits® has hosted the 2004, 2010 and 2015 PGA Championships and the 2007 U.S. Senior Open, and it is the future site of the 2020 Ryder Cup. A large, open fairway awaits golfers but somehow is difficult to find. View Details. GOLF. Course Map. Rankings: 9th . Irish Course This "not so" hidden gem doesn't get much recognition because it lives in the shadow of the Straits course. This championship layout features 5 sets of teeboxes for the enjoyment of golfers of all skill levels. I secured a tee time here in late October of 2010 for both the Irish and the Straits course, and had the luck of playing the Irish Course as a single first thing in the morning. Copyright © 2021 Plugged In Golf. The greens are larger, and the “safe sides” of the green are larger and safer. I have experienced Whistling Straits in several ways over the last year. I recommend visiting Whistling Straits website prior to a round as each hole is reviewed with playing tips. Pete Dye makes that challenging by providing very few straights holes. View Details. Courses near Whistling Straits (Irish) Also at this facility. Map Scorecard Men's Handicap Conversion Chart Women's Handicap Conversion Chart Check out the great views of Lake Michigan and The Straits from the highest point on The Irish while teeing off to the valley below. Everything you need to know about Whistling Straits® in United States of America. I have experienced Whistling Straits in several ways over the last year. Most shots will require some adjustment for elevation, playing around a curve, or staring down a major hazard. The left side of the green is home to a couple of the deepest pot bunkers on the course. One of the main complaints about the Straits Course is slow pace of play. Whistling Straits Restaurant ... and interspersed by four meandering streams, the grassland-and-dunes aspect of the Irish is a deceivingly tranquil landscape. 26 reviews of Whistling Straits Golf Course "We went to Whistling Straits per another couple's recommendations to go there for lunch and relax /read a book on the patio even though we did not come to Kohler to play golf this time. 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. Also designed by Pete Dye, it opened for play in 2000. In my opinion, the creative ways to play a hole and land movement drastically improve the playing experience. At 7,100 yards from the back tees, The Irish will challenge golfers in the same way as The Straits. https://www.top100golfcourses.com/golf-course/whistling-straits-irish The Straits Course at Whistling Straits tends to take the spotlight, but the Irish supplies its fair share of challenging, scenic golf with the typical Pete Dye flair. Looking out at this hole from the tee box makes it appear that you are at the end of the world. Golf, eat, massage, eat again, sleep and start is all over again the next day. Running along Lake Michigan with views of water and prairies as far as the eye can see. Also, keep your eyes our for the world-famous Whistling Straits Scottish sheep, which are allowed to roam the courses freely! Borrowing influences from Irish links courses, The Straits has fescue fairways and massive sand dune bunkers. Whistling Straits is home to one of the most beautiful clubhouses I’ve seen. Only Dye could make you believe Lake Michigan was the Irish Sea and those soaring dunes were made not by machine but by the winds of time. Review of Whistling Straits Golf Course - Straits and Irish. Check out more Golf Wisely golf course reviews here! It is a par-72 course that features 7,201 yards (6,585 m) of golf from the longest tees, with a course rating of 75.6 and a slope rating of 146. View Details. Enjoy the challenge of shot-making at every hole where par is never taken for granted. A golfer will require strategy to effectively navigate The Irish course. Borrowing influences from Irish links courses, The Straits has fescue fairways and massive sand dune bunkers. No. Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters. If you’re looking to book a spring golf trip, Whistling Straits should be high on your list. Finally, it’s worth mentioning that Kohler offers great deals in the early and late parts of the season. The shortest tees play (in-game) to 5274 yards, and the championship tees stretch the course out to 7480 yards. 3. Few golfers leave disappointed with the experience, but many will have improvement takeaways for their golf game. Whistling Straits Golf Course - Straits and Irish, Kohler: Hours, Address, Whistling Straits Golf Course - Straits and Irish Reviews: 5/5 United States Wisconsin (WI) The Irish and The Straits share a similar aesthetic, with the notable exception that The Irish is not on Lake Michigan. And just getting the ball around the green does not guarantee an up and down. Annually, the Pete Dye masterpiece tops every major golf magazine annual list of best public courses. Even hitting the green could leave a 3-putt (which I did). Enjoy the challenge of shot-making at every hole where par is never taken for granted. GOLF. 12 – Highland Trek. Independent Golfer has played and reviewed the top golf holes on the Irish I never had to wait for a club or a yardage, and they were a pleasure … This is one of the wilder holes I’ve played. I will share my golf journey, provide course reviews and test out some products along the way. Next to the clubhouse is the Whistling Straits Irish Barn, a venue for large groups and weddings. Easy wrap up here for The Irish at Whistling Straits golf course review. There are two tees and an enormous green. The Irish at Whistling Straits® was ranked #39 in GolfWeek’s 2018 Best Resort Courses and #43 in Golf Digest’s 2019/2020 America's 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses. Just like the drives, there aren’t many straightforward approaches at The Irish. If you aren’t consistently finding the fairways and greens, it’s nearly impossible to score well. The Brothers in Golf play the Irish Course at Whistling Straits! The Takeaway: The Irish course is a fantastic track that, while not superior, may appeal to a wider demographic of golfers than the more punishing Straits course. Conditions: 9/10, The conditions at the Irish Course are fantastic and on par with the next-door Straits course. It usually is the first swings of the season and the range is a huge plus to loosening up everything. However, this 160 yard piece of property brings The Irish experience all into one hole. All Rights Reserved.. Both traditional and memorable, the Irish course is full of unique challenges. One of my favorite visual elements of The Irish is that you can often see many holes from where you are, but you never feel crowded by other golfers. For my strategy, I expected to hit driver 5-6 times even when playing the blue tees at 6,600 yards. Given the importance of quality ball striking at both courses, I would suggest spending ample time on the range even if it means skimping on putts. Whistling Straits, Irish course: $130; Blackwolf Run, River course: $210; Blackwolf Run, Meadow Valleys course: $130 ; Now here’s where early-season rates get tricky… There’s a fine line between taking advantage of early-season rates on one of the top five courses in the country and playing it on soupy, brown terrain. Course Name: The Straits Course at Whistling Straits Designer: Pete Dye/Alice Dye (1998) Location: Haven, Wisconsin History: When you step foot on the property, it’s almost impossible to imagine that the land was completely flat just a few decades earlier.In 1949, the U.S. Military built Camp Haven on this old farmland to test anti-aircraft weaponry. The Irish Course Course at Whistling Straits is an 18-hole regulation length golf course in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The Straits at Whistling Straits is a golf course that tests you physically and mentally for 18 holes. Enjoy! This remote life opened up the option to rent an Airbnb in our Read more…, Welcome to the Golf Wisely 2021 WITB blog post! Severe mounding and pot bunkers abound, but if you play the right set of tees and keep the ball in the decently generous fairways, you can get around without too much harm done. Reviewed October 11, 2011. While length is not unimportant at The Irish, finding fairways is the priority. Like a magnet, golf balls want to veer right towards a wall of unwelcome Pete Dye bunkers. The course turns towards Lake Michigan and early glimpses of The Straits appear. This was the third time I have played The Irish. Next to the clubhouse is the Whistling Straits Irish Barn, a venue for large groups and weddings. Club choice could change by 2-3 depending on the pin and wind. When there’s a frost delay, the fireplace in the pro shop becomes a very popular attraction. Either one is great. The Irish course at Whistling Straits was ranked #35 in Golf Digest’s ranking of America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses for 2011/2012. Keeping the ball in play is the first thing to scoring well. Recommendation: Put the driver away sometimes. If you play away from them, you’ll find the up and downs are mostly straightforward. Please don't expect "any" nightlife. The Irish Course is a Par 72 layout, and offers five sets of tees to choose from. COVID changed many people’s lives, if not everyone. He's worked in nearly every job in the golf industry from club fitting to instruction to writing and speaking. You will need lots of bug spray. Whistling Straits (Straits Course), located in Haven, Wis., is ranked 23rd on Golf Digest's America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses of 2021-2022. Whistling Straits is one of two 36-hole links-style golf courses associated with The American Club, a luxury golf resort located near Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and owned by a subsidiary of the Kohler Company.The other is Blackwolf Run, south of Kohler Village.The Whistling Straits complex is located north of Sheboygan, in the unincorporated community of Haven in the Town of Mosel in Sheboygan … 27 reviews of Whistling Straits Golf Course "Stellar just stellar. You can play The Irish for as little as $80 until May 9. However, wise golfers will flock to it for quality holes, smaller crowds and lower green fees. Easy wrap up here for The Irish at Whistling Straits golf course review. 27 reviews of Whistling Straits Golf Course "Stellar just stellar. About Whistling Straits - The Irish Course. The two story stone building houses the Whistling Straits restaurant and the pro shop. In my opinion, The Irish is better experienced carrying your bag or walking with a caddie. If you plan to put together a good score, you need to get some birdies early or at least get all your mediocre swings out. The Irish, much like The Meadow Valley at Blackwolf Run, will never be the best-known course on its property. All Rights Reserved.. The world-class driving range at Whistling Straits The Whistling Straits clubhouse hangs three flags – USA, Ireland, and Wisconsin. The Irish course at Whistling Straits is nestled just inland from The Straits sharing a clubhouse and amenities. Please don't expect "any" nightlife. From the tiny one shown above to traps that could swallow a house, bunkers are everywhere. Either one is great. 12 Highland Trek Par 4 — Handicap 13 . View Details. 1 talking about this. It’s Pete Dye at his Machiavellian finest, a testament to his conceptual genius and dirt-moving wizardry. Copyright © 2021 Plugged In Golf. Check out the great views of Lake Michigan and The Straits from the highest point on The Irish while teeing off to the valley below. VIEW PDF. Whistling Straits offers two courses of dynamic contrast and world-class prestige. All the caddies we interacted with were models of professionalism. Nearly every fairway bends, snakes, or doglegs in some way so that you’re thinking about both the direction and distance of the optimal tee shot. So in my case my driving iron, with total distance of 230 yards, was to be used primarily for “position golf” off the tee. The following two tabs change content below. I was also able to play the Irish Course with my dad on 5/9/16, getting to experience one of Pete Dye's creations first-hand. The caddies that we encountered at Whistling Straits were excellent and can definitely add to your experience. Whistling Straits; Straits or the Irish? Designed by Pete Dye, ASGCA, the Irish golf course opened in 2000. At The Irish, golfers have the option to purchase a riding cart, caddie or fore caddie to help shepherd them around the difficult course. About Whistling Straits - The Irish Course. In my opinion, every golfer wants to shoot to his or her capability. Golf, eat, massage, eat again, sleep and start is all over again the next day. 12 Highland Trek Par 4 — Handicap 13. To start this golf course review of The Irish, I wanted to provide a perspective on playing strategies. In fact, I can say I prefer it over a wooded, narrow country club. The greens are the one area where Pete Dye takes it easy on the golfer at The Irish. The primary defense around the greens is an army of bunkers. 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. Reviews. If you want to see how your game compares to the best in the world, there are few better places to go. Check out more Golf Wisely golf course reviews here! Go to Whistling Straits for two reasons; The Straits and The Irish. Whistling Straits Irish, Golf Course reviews, contact information, hole details, maps, and weather. Hole 10 Par 4 – 387 Yards (Shepherd’s Post)This starting hole on the second nine might be the most photogenic on the course. Golf Whistling Straits – The Irish Course book. It’s worth noting that the Irish Course features traditional bentgrass fairways, while the Straits Course uses a blend of fescues. It’s big brother gets most of the press, but The Irish is one amazing golf course. The sheep are not skittish and will casually walk in front of a golfer while trying to tee off. I was also able to play the Irish Course with my dad on 5/9/16, getting to experience one of Pete Dye's creations first-hand. Designer Pete Dye showed great creativity when building the Irish at Whistling Straits which is just inland from the great lake and interspersed by four meandering streams, the grassland-and-dunes aspect of the Irish course is a deceivingly tranquil landscape. Both courses feature long views, mounds and elevation changes of all sizes, and countless bunkers. I was a volunteer at the 2015 PGA Championship, operating ShotLink lasers on-course during three days of the tournament. Whistling Straits is beautiful and beguiling and exasperating. I secured a tee time here in late October of 2010 for both the Irish and the Straits course, and had the luck of playing the Irish Course as a single first thing in the morning. 13 Blind Man's Bluff Par 3 — Handicap 17. I was a volunteer at the 2015 PGA Championship, operating ShotLink lasers on-course during three days of the tournament. Whistling Straits Golf Course - Straits and Irish, Kohler: See 246 reviews, articles, and 172 photos of Whistling Straits Golf Course - Straits and Irish, ranked No.1 on … The second course at Whistling Straits is the Irish Course, an inland grass-and-dune layout. Few golfers leave disappointed with the experience, but many will have improvement takeaways for their golf game. The layout is more reminiscent of Blackwolf Run than it is the Straits course in terms of style, texture, and challenge though the River course is a better overall offering. Whistling Straits Golf Course - Straits and Irish: Unbelievable course - See 246 traveler reviews, 172 candid photos, and great deals for Kohler, WI, at Tripadvisor. With a view that overlooks holes 9 and 18 on The Straits, it would be a dream site for a golfer’s nuptials. Irish Course at Whistling Straits Golf Course Review: Photos and accurate reviews of the top golf holes on the Irish Course at Whistling Straits Golf Course in Kohler, Wisconsin. I totally agree with you, it should be on everyones list to play at least once. We were lucky enough to have 2 giftcards that nearly covered all of our green fees. Either one is great. GOLF. Designer Pete Dye showed great creativity when building the Irish at Whistling Straits which is just inland from the great lake and interspersed by four meandering streams, the grassland-and-dunes aspect of the Irish course is a deceivingly tranquil landscape. However, as we started to near the turn, The Irish showed that it has teeth, too. Read reviews from world’s largest community for readers. Open, rugged and windswept terrain defines The Straits®, sculpted along two miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. No matter how good you are, your sister is the one everyone pays attention to. Images of the course yardage book can be found detailing carry distances and how far to the end of the fairway. Forced remote schooling and work for the vast majority, including me and my family. Whistling Straits Golf Course, the links-style home of the 2020 Ryder Cup, reminds of the great links courses in England and Scotland, like St. Andrew's and Troon and Carnoustie, where the game was bo... Golfed here with a coworker in September.