A relatively new kid on the block: Erin Hills doesn’t announce itself the way some iconic courses do. There’s no ocean, no cliffs, no immediate wow factor. Instead, it eases you in, then slowly stretches out in every direction until you realize just how big, wild, and demanding this place really is.
What really defines Erin Hills is the sheer scale of the place. This is a big golf course in every sense. Big property. Big walks. Big swings. From the moment you step onto the first tee, it’s obvious this isn’t a course you tiptoe around. The fairways are wide, but the land is so expansive that nothing feels automatic. It’s the kind of place where you glance back after a few holes and can’t believe how far you’ve already walked. You’re constantly choosing lines, managing angles, and dealing with wind that never quite lets you settle. It’s modern golf built on old-school principles, and it rewards patience and power.
The walking experience here is as good as it gets. Wide corridors invite you forward, greens reveal themselves slowly, and the routing makes you feel like you’re on a long journey rather than just another round. Erin Hills doesn’t rush you. It asks you to stay engaged, hole after hole, with no real letup.
The greens are a huge part of the challenge. They’re large and full of movement, with subtle slopes that don’t always show themselves until it’s too late. You can hit what feels like a solid approach and still end up with in a tricky spot. Position matters here, and being on the right side of the green is often the difference between a confident look and a stressful two-putt.
Hole 8 is where everything clicks. A bold, beautiful par 4 with a semi-blind tee shot that that cuts across rolling terrain. The approach is demanding as you fire up the hill and the green sits perfectly in the landscape, rewarding a well-struck shot while punishing anything non committed. It’s the kind of hole that feels great to play, looks even better as you walk off, and sticks with you long after the round ends. Simple on paper, memorable in execution.
As the round goes on, Erin Hills keeps testing you in different ways. Some holes stretch long and force discipline. Others tempt you into biting off more than you should. The wind shifts, the light changes, and the course never quite plays the same way twice. It’s challenging, but it’s fair. You always feel like you had a chance if you made the right decisions.
Erin Hills doesn’t overwhelm you with spectacle. It’s the kind of place that grows on you hole by hole, then really sinks in once the round is over. You leave tired, satisfied, and already replaying shots in your head.
This is public golf built for walking, thinking, and feeling the land beneath your feet. No shortcuts. No gimmicks. Just a big ball park asking you to figure it out.
Tips:
Walk it if you can. Erin Hills is meant to be experienced on foot, and the routing rewards the pace. Wind plays a massive role here, so don’t be afraid to club up and trust it. Play the right set of tees. Sounds simple but can really diminish the experience if you play it to far back.
Location: Erin, WI | Cost: ~$350
