Paul Hundley
Dom Furore
Dom Furore
Dom Furore
Dom Furore
Dom Furore
Erin Hills Golf Course
Hartford, WI•Public
Awards
Panelists Score
Erin Hills Golf Course
7169 County Road O
Hartford, WI 53027-9786
United States
Telephone
Overview
Despite the rumor, Erin Hills wasn’t designed specifically to host a U.S. Open. Its original concept was to be a simple, affordable, lay-of-the-land layout to prove Mother Nature is indeed the best golf architect. The concept changed—some greens moved, one blind par 3 eliminated—as the quest for a U.S. Open grew. That dream came true: after trial runs hosting the 2008 U.S. Women’s Public Links and the 2011 U.S. Amateur, Erin Hills hosted the U.S. Open in 2017, the first time the event had ever been in Wisconsin. Brooks Koepka won with a 72-hole score of 16-under, leading some to conclude Erin Hills was too wide and defenseless. In truth, what it lacked that week was the usual gusty winds that would have effectively narrowed the slanted, canted fairways. Had the par been adjusted to 70 instead of 72 as is usual for most Opens, the score would likely have been closer to 8-under.
About
Golf Digest 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
“Fantastic golf course and design but 9 green needs a redo, especially under fast greens of 12+ stimp."
Read More2026
Review
“Erin Hills, located about 30 minutes from Milwaukee, was opened in 2006. The course was designed by Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry & Ron Whitten. This walking only course plays 7,772 from the black tees but offers seven tee box options making it playable for all abilities. The course is an inland links layout over rolling terrain. The course has no trees and wind becomes a significant variable in playing the course. From most of the tee boxes, the golfer generally has a broad view of the surrounding landscape. The tee boxes are often elevated with the golfer hitting into wide open, well-conditioned fairways. The rough is generally playable with tall, wispy grass. Second shots are at a premium, generally to elevated multi-tiered greens. Missed shots to the green will often fall off severely to collection areas. The greens are large and well contoured putting a premium on ball location. The greens are very well conditioned and roll true. The golf course designers let the natural terrain dictate the layout design which resulted in strikingly different looks from hole to hole. The course is amply spread out amongst the natural terrain often leaving substantial walks from hole to hole. Overall, it is a challenging layout that gives the golfer a wide variety of options to play the course."
Read More2026
Review
“Erin HILLS! Many holes play down then up, so club selection is tricky. Conditioning was phenomenal...one of the best I've seen. Greens were immaculate and most approaches had runoffs to chipping areas. Fairways were green, but were also firm and fast."
Read More2026
Review
“The course delivers a strong mix of shot variety, with green surrounds and short-game areas that are both fun and demanding. The greens rolled true and their complexes were excellent. A critique is that there were moments when well-struck shots weren’t rewarded, which can be frustrating considering how difficult a test the course presents. Even so, the course holds up as a thoughtful, engaging test."
Read More2025
Review
“Wildly fun and beautiful. Front nine has some repetitive shots. Wildly expensive as well."
Read More2025
Review
“Challenging but very playable considering the milder elements on our day of play. Shot options immediately start on the approach into par 5 hole #1 and continue into the "reachable" risk/reward shorter par 4 hole #2. Conditioning was fantastic and true. Impressive green complexes and contours. Par 3 hole #9 while not playing very long boasts challenge and aesthetics. Par 5 hole #14 and par 4 hole #16 highlight shot options & aesthetics. Erin Hills is very well rounded and the only category that may fall short is fun in terms of the every day golfer but the front gold tees around 5000 yardds might be a good option."
Read More2025
Review
“A truly great course, challenging but remaining fair, long holes but still requiring a thought process on how to play them. A variety of shot options offer themselves to the golfer. A very enjoyable course."
Read More2024
Review
“A well designed course, fast and firm fairways, Greens roll true. Challenging even for the scratch golfer, while still being fair. Some holes are just long, but most require your attention on deciding which shot to play. A variety of shot options offered to the player. A great course."
Read More2024
Review
“Erin Hills is a gem in the middle of what seems like pasture land. Unforgettable experience!"
Read More2024
Review
“Excellent US gem. Playing here should be on every golfers bucket list."
Read More2024
