Kohler, WI
Destination Kohler
Destination Kohler
Courtesy of Kohler Co.
Blackwolf Run: River
Kohler, WI • Public
Blackwolf Run: River
1111 W Riverside Dr
Kohler, WI 53044-1633
United States
Telephone
Overview
Only Pete Dye could have convinced owner Herb Kohler to rip apart an award-winning course (Golf Digest’s Best New Public Course of 1988) and still come out a winner. Dye coupled the front nine of that original 18 (now holes 1-4 and 14-18) with nine newer holes built within a vast bend of the Sheboygan River to produce the River Course. It possesses some of Dye’s most exciting holes, from the triple-option reachable par-4 ninth to the boomerang-shaped par-5 11th to the monster par-4 18th, where Kohler surprised Dye by converting a long waste bunker into a temporary lagoon for tournament events. For major events, like the 2012 U.S. Women’s Open, Dye’s original 18 was used. But for survey purposes, Golf Digest evaluates the River 18, which is available for everyday general play.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked since 2023.
Previous ranking: 117th.
2025-'26 ranking: 128th.
100 Greatest: Ranked from 1993-2022.
Highest ranking: 31st, 1993-'94.
100 Greatest Public: Ranked since the inaugural edition in 2003.
Highest ranking: 11th, 2005-'06.
Previous ranking: 18th.
2025-'26 ranking: 17th.
Best in State: Ranked first, 1991-'99. Ranked inside the top five since 1991 and ranked fourth from 2013-2022 and fifth, 2023-2026.
2025-'26 ranking (and previous): 5th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Several holes demand attention off the tee, so it helps to have a caddie to help direct your alignment. Green complexes are very difficult with several pin placements on each green that can increase 3-putt opportunities. Missing the greens in regulation will also result in challenging pitch shots. The river plays an important part in the aesthetics, shot positioning, and risk-reward lines."
Read More2026
Review
“Several holes demand attention off the tee, so it helps to have a caddie to help direct your alignment. Green complexes are very difficult with several pin placements on each green that can increase 3-putt opportunities. Missing the greens in regulation will also result in challenging pitch shots. The river plays an important part in the aesthetics, shot positioning, and risk-reward lines."
Read More2026
Review
“Don’t overlook this course when you go to Wisconsin. It is fun to play and at the same time will challenge you throughout your bag."
Read More2026
Review
“This is a completely different feel from the other courses on property. Yet it still plays firm and fast and requires a wide variety of shots and at the same time gives you many options on how to play it."
Read More2026
Review
“The layout of the course, winding around the Sheboygan River, is one of the finest designs I have ever played. The courses has drastic elevation changes, sharp doglegs, and lots of contour on the greens. If it were on a large body of water, it may be one of the best courses in the country. It was a fair, but firm test of shot making and course management. The par three’s were long, but each afforded the opportunity for a bale out while still having a reasonable chance to get up and down. Although the par five’s were mostly unreachable, each had a unique design and flow that required three solid shots. The mix of long par four’s with short doglegs allows you to utilize every club in your bag."
Read More2026
Review
“The River Course is a classic Pete Dye design with all the trademarks you’d expect: strategic angles, confident visual framing, and a set of par 3s that stand out as the strongest moments on the property. The tee shot on the par-4 5th is one of the more memorable swings of the day... fun, dramatic, and exactly what you hope for on a Dye routing that uses the terrain well. 11 is an excellent risk/reward par 5 giving longer hitters a go, and requiring those laying up to pick their number and angle wisely. Not everything lands perfectly. The approach into the par-5 16th borders on overly penal, with the linden tree guarding the green perhaps more than necessary and the ninth hole feels like it is trying too hard. While 18 is meant to be a traditional Dye Cape hole, it leaves a little bit to be desired. It feels more contrived than the rest of the layout, which otherwise has a natural flow. Overall, it’s a strong course with real character, anchored by its par 3s and a handful of excellent par fours."
Read More2025
Review
“The River Course at Blackwolf Run earns its #128 ranking on Golf Digest's Second 100 Courses with outstanding design, a stern challenge, and gorgeous views throughout. Shot Options: While the course invites players to use driver on numerous holes, designer Pete Dye doesn't demand it off every tee. You have the choice to navigate the course with a variety of clubs and approach styles to the green, either by air or on the ground. Perhaps my favorite risk-reward hole of the year is the 9th hole, which encourages an aggressive line with driver from the tee and a second shot to the reachable green with a deep, punishing bunker running down the left side and short of the green. It's a brilliant risk-reward hole that forces a real decision. Challenge: While Dye is renowned for designing tough courses, The River Course is quite playable so long as you choose the right shot, line of play, and execute to your target. But miss the mark and you'll pay dearly. The punishment is severe, often resulting in an awkward recovery or perhaps a penalty stroke or lost ball. The greens presented a fair test, requiring players to pick the right line and pace. Layout Variety: Dye showed a preference for short par-4 holes, with five by my count. He also favored flat holes (10 total) and straight holes (nine total). A strength of the routing is that seven holes feature combinations of uphill, downhill, and flat terrain, requiring adjustments to stance and club selection. Aesthetics: The River Course is exquisite. The natural surrounds, especially as you move from the front nine to the back along the river, the contours of the holes, and the impeccable work by the maintenance staff make for a beautiful experience. Conditioning: The River Course was in outstanding shape. The fairways ran firm and fast, the rough was thick and penal, and the greens accepted well-struck shots while punishing mishits. Putts rolled smooth. Character: While the broader Kohler resort offers multiple amenities, at Blackwolf Run, golf is the singular focus. There's no question what you're here to do. Fun: The River Course is a ton of fun. Given Dye's reputation and the fact that the course hosted the U.S. Women's Open in 1998 and 2012, I expected a long, hard day. Instead, Dye delivered a fair test that's still demanding, and the fun came from posting good scores on a course of this caliber in such a stunning setting. ---"
Read More2025
Review
“Some really really good holes - one of Pete Dye’s best designs"
Read More2025
Review
“The River Course at Blackwolf Run is a contender for best course in Kohler, even including the Straits. I'd argue that the River has much more variety, a similar level of challenge, and a solid handful of holes that will stick in the player's memory for years to come. Holes 3, 5, 8, 9, 11, 13, 16, and 18 are all noteworthy here, and it would be no surprise if you picked a different hole than those 8 as your favorite. Yes, it lacks the "Ocean" influence and view, but the River is no doubt one of America's top public courses, and one of Pete Dye's best creations."
Read More2024
Review
“Named after Black Wolf, chief of the Winnebago Indians. Both the River and Meadow Valleys courses opened in 1988. Water appears on 14 of the 18 holes - it's always there. Big elevation changes which require adjustments to yardages or sight lines. Rarely did I have a flat lie and often felt as though the course was "pulling" me left or right. The course has few bailout areas- any approach shot miss will find bunkers, water, or rough. The 18th holes on both River and Meadow Valleys are a massive double green. Both holes finish in front of the large clubhouse made from Canadian pine logs. The staff and forecaddies were excellent. The player gets the impression that the entire town of Kohler is excited that he/she is there. Enjoy!"
Read More2024
