CaddieTrail Guide
Wisconsin punches well above its weight — Whistling Straits hosted the Ryder Cup, Erin Hills the U.S. Open, and Sand Valley has become one of the premier golf destinations in the country. The public trail here is among the most satisfying in the Midwest.
Wisconsin is one of America's great golf destinations, anchored by Whistling Straits and its iconic Ryder Cup and PGA Championship history. Erin Hills hosted the 2017 U.S. Open, The Lido is Tom Doak's celebrated modern masterpiece, and Sand Valley has become a premier destination resort with Mammoth Dunes and Sedge Valley joining the original course among the top 10 in the state. Milwaukee Country Club and Blue Mound add Golden Age depth to a trail that spans lakeside resort golf, links-style layouts, and classic private clubs.
#1 on trail
Whistling Straits (Straits Course)Haven, Wisconsin
Pete and Alice Dye carved this Lake Michigan shoreline layout in 1998, bringing Irish links character to Wisconsin. Host to four major championships, as well as the 2021 Ryder Cup.
#2 on trail
Erin Hills Golf CourseErin, Wisconsin
Links-style public layout by Hurdzan/Fry/Whitten across glacial Wisconsin terrain. Hosted the 2017 U.S. Open. Wide fairways, native fescue rough, and exposed ridgelines define the challenge.
#3 on trail
The LidoNekoosa, Wisconsin
Doak and Schneider's 2021 reimagining of C.B. Macdonald's lost 1914 masterpiece occupies a dramatic glacial landscape along the Wisconsin River. Named among the best public courses in the country since opening.
#4 on trail
Milwaukee Country ClubRiver Hills, Wisconsin
H.S. Colt and C.H. Alison design from 1929, one of Wisconsin's most architecturally significant private layouts. Routing uses the natural ravines and mature hardwoods of River Hills to demanding effect.
#5 on trail
Blackwolf Run (River Course)Kohler, Wisconsin
Pete Dye carved this 1988 resort track through the Sheboygan River valley, using natural wetlands and elevation changes to punish wayward shots. One of Wisconsin's toughest public tests.
#6 on trail
Sand ValleyNekoosa, Wisconsin
Coore & Crenshaw's 2017 design sits atop ancient lake bed sand, producing naturally firm, fast conditions across expansive fairways. The sandy soil and native fescue recall Scottish heathland, earning consistent top-20 public rankings.
Wisconsin's 10 greatest public courses — Whistling Straits, Erin Hills, Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes, Blackwolf Run, The Lido, SentryWorld, and others — represent one of the most concentrated collections of accessible world-class golf in the Midwest, all bookable by any golfer. A focused 5–7 day Wisconsin trip covers most or all of the trail. Golf season runs May through October. One of the most satisfying and efficient trail completions on the platform for Midwest golfers.
#1 on trail
Whistling Straits (Straits Course)Haven, Wisconsin
Pete and Alice Dye carved this Lake Michigan shoreline layout in 1998, bringing Irish links character to Wisconsin. Host to four major championships, as well as the 2021 Ryder Cup.
#2 on trail
The LidoNekoosa, Wisconsin
Doak and Schneider's 2021 reimagining of C.B. Macdonald's lost 1914 masterpiece occupies a dramatic glacial landscape along the Wisconsin River. Named among the best public courses in the country since opening.
#3 on trail
Erin Hills Golf CourseErin, Wisconsin
Links-style public layout by Hurdzan/Fry/Whitten across glacial Wisconsin terrain. Hosted the 2017 U.S. Open. Wide fairways, native fescue rough, and exposed ridgelines define the challenge.
#4 on trail
Sand ValleyNekoosa, Wisconsin
Coore & Crenshaw's 2017 design sits atop ancient lake bed sand, producing naturally firm, fast conditions across expansive fairways. The sandy soil and native fescue recall Scottish heathland, earning consistent top-20 public rankings.
#5 on trail
Blackwolf Run (River Course)Kohler, Wisconsin
Pete Dye carved this 1988 resort track through the Sheboygan River valley, using natural wetlands and elevation changes to punish wayward shots. One of Wisconsin's toughest public tests.
#6 on trail
Mammoth DunesNekoosa, Wisconsin
David McLay Kidd's 2019 links-style layout sprawls across central Wisconsin's ancient sand barrens, featuring massive fairways, minimal rough, and sweeping dunes. Ranked among America's top public courses.
Four world-class courses in the Central Sands of Wisconsin — The Lido, Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes, and Sedge Valley — routed through prehistoric sand dunes that give this modern resort an otherworldly links character. All fully public and bookable online, completable in a single 3-day stay. Roughly 3 hours from both Chicago and Milwaukee, and pairs naturally with Whistling Straits for a Wisconsin golf circuit.
#1 on trail
Sand ValleyNekoosa, Wisconsin
Coore & Crenshaw's 2017 design sits atop ancient lake bed sand, producing naturally firm, fast conditions across expansive fairways. The sandy soil and native fescue recall Scottish heathland, earning consistent top-20 public rankings.
#2 on trail
Mammoth DunesNekoosa, Wisconsin
David McLay Kidd's 2019 links-style layout sprawls across central Wisconsin's ancient sand barrens, featuring massive fairways, minimal rough, and sweeping dunes. Ranked among America's top public courses.
#3 on trail
Sedge ValleyNekoosa, Wisconsin
Mike Keiser and Tom Doak's 2017 design at Sand Valley Resort in Wisconsin's Central Sands region. Routes through ancient glacial dunes with firm, fast fescue fairways in the links tradition. Ranked among America's top 25 public courses.
#4 on trail
The LidoNekoosa, Wisconsin
Doak and Schneider's 2021 reimagining of C.B. Macdonald's lost 1914 masterpiece occupies a dramatic glacial landscape along the Wisconsin River. Named among the best public courses in the country since opening.
Four Pete Dye masterpieces on Lake Michigan's shores — Whistling Straits Straits Course, Whistling Straits Irish Course, Blackwolf Run River Course, and Blackwolf Run Meadow Valleys — all open to resort guests at the American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin. The property has hosted multiple majors including the 2021 Ryder Cup. Completable in a 3–4 day stay. Pairs naturally with Sand Valley for a dedicated Wisconsin golf trip.
#1 on trail
Whistling Straits (Straits Course)Haven, Wisconsin
Pete and Alice Dye carved this Lake Michigan shoreline layout in 1998, bringing Irish links character to Wisconsin. Host to four major championships, as well as the 2021 Ryder Cup.
#2 on trail
Whistling Straits (Irish Course)Haven, Wisconsin
Links-style inland terrain with dramatic elevation shifts, bentgrass fairways framed by native fescue rough and dunes, with select views of Lake Michigan. Public access via The American Club resort.
#3 on trail
Blackwolf Run (River Course)Kohler, Wisconsin
Pete Dye carved this 1988 resort track through the Sheboygan River valley, using natural wetlands and elevation changes to punish wayward shots. One of Wisconsin's toughest public tests.
#4 on trail
Blackwolf Run (Meadow Valleys Course)Kohler, Wisconsin
Pete Dye design carved through glacial terrain in Kohler, WI. Meadow Valleys plays more open than its River Course sibling—wide fairways, fewer forced carries, still Dye-sharp.
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