Whistling Straits Golf Course

was there for practice rounds. my favorite spot was the chalet on 17 overlooking the lake. what a breathtaking view. grounds are amazing.

Out of all the golf I’ve played, this is probably the nicest courses I’ve been to. It’s SUPER hard, with the fog off the lake making for some interesting «blind» shots. The greens were fast and tricky, fairways and tee boxes were in great condition. Our caddie was amazing. Surprisingly, I didn’t lose many balls, but I did shoot plenty over my handicap. Had a chicken sandwich and beer at the bar after the round with my foursome, and there were no complaints from anyone. The price is steep to play here, but in my opinion, completely worth it.

FOR GOLF ONLY — IRISH COURSE AT WHISTLING STRAITS
Pete Dye, you glorious SOB. I have never seen a Pete Dye layout I haven’t loved and the Irish Course is no exception. Ranked #35 in Golf Digest top 100 public
Immaculate and for 250 without caddie it should be. I played the tips which backed up all the way to 7200 yards but it was actually a fairly playable 7200 with firm (not overly firm fairways) and wide fairways. Drive it straight and long here and you can score. The greens have a decent amount of break but always ran true and quick — I think about a 10.5 the day I played. On about 3 or 4 holes you can see the Lake and the Straits Course which is an absolutely beautiful site.
Adding to the beauty of this course is the over 500 bunkers. I would estimate that about half of these don’t come in play, or at least shouldn’t come in play. Rumor has it that Dye gave the Straits course 1 extra bunker than the Irish Course. While difficult from tee to green it is playable as Dye always gives the golfer at least one side to miss on, whether fairway or green.
A great experience, glad I ponied up the extra 100 plus for the caddie and tip so I could walk the course and really appreciate every nook and cranny of a Dye masterpiece.
If you have the cash to spend and you really like golf — do it. I can’t comment on the Straits course other than it looks like what I imagine heaven to look like.
Note — when you make a tee time they need to hold it with a CC and they didn’t have access to the holding CC to apply it to the fee (turned out to be a problem for me but I imagine most wont have the same issue, especially if staying at the American Club)

Beautiful property and gardens. Great view of the lake.

Links land. Not links golf.
There is no point playing in an environment with wind that would make Scotland blush and having greens where an approach requires a lofty shot.

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. We are so glad we did that! The view of the golf course and lake Michigan was unbelievable!!!
I am a novice golfer and I truly did appreciate the golf course for its beauty and the challenges that I saw the other golfers faced playing on the course.
I did enjoy their chicken wrap with homemade potato chips! My husband had the corned beef sandwich which he really enjoyed. After we ate, we just sat in our chairs facing the breathtaking view, sipping our ice teas, and enjoyed our books!