Erin Hills went from opening day to hosting the U.S. Open in just 11 years. Opened in 2006, it was where Brooks Koepka won his first major in 2017. The U.S. Women’s Open followed in 2025. That is a remarkable championship history for a course still only two decades old.
Set across 652 acres northwest of Milwaukee, Erin Hills was built around hills and valleys left by glaciers. The scale is hard to appreciate on television: fairways stretch across ridges, deep bunkers cut into the slopes, and the small ninth green sits almost surrounded by sand. You walk the course, with all of that ground between you and the finish.
The four-bedroom cottages have space for the group, the pub terrace overlooks the first hole, and the Drumlin putting course stays lit after sunset. Those are the parts of Erin Hills you miss when you only come for the round.
The Course That Makes the Trip
Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry and Ron Whitten designed the course. Several greens sit high above their approaches, and the shorter holes have some of the smallest targets.
The shorter holes deserve as much attention as the long ones. The second, a short par 4, finishes at a small green sitting high above the fairway. The runoffs make that little target look even smaller when you reach it.
The ninth is the par 3 to look forward to. The narrow green is surrounded by bunkers, and there is very little room for a miss. It is one of the most recognizable views at Erin Hills: a short hole with a green that looks almost swallowed by sand.
The par-5 14th has another dramatic green site, raised well above the surrounding ground. Down beside it, you get a much better sense of just how steep the slopes are. Those changes in elevation are a defining part of the round.
Walk It With a Caddie
Erin Hills is walking-only, and the hills make it a substantial walk. We would include a caddie in the trip. There are landing areas you cannot fully see from the tee, and local knowledge helps on a course with this much elevation change. Allow for the caddie charge and gratuity in your budget.
Stay for the Evening
For a group trip, the four-bedroom cottages are a big part of the appeal. Each bedroom has a private bathroom, and the shared space includes a fireplace, wet bar and poker table. You can finish dinner and head back together, with the first tee close by the next morning.
The Lodge has rooms and suites in an Irish-country-inn setting, also steps from the opening hole. It gives smaller groups an alternative to taking a full cottage.
We would allow at least one night to enjoy the property. A second night makes sense if you want another round and a less hurried departure.
Dinner, Fire Pits and Putting After Dark
The Clubhouse has a two-story stone fireplace, cathedral ceilings and a porch overlooking the course. After dinner, the Irish Pub’s terrace has fire pits looking out over the first hole. If you want the house drink, order a Fescue Rescue: Jameson, ginger beer and lemonade.
Then take a putter to the Drumlin. This is a 63,000-square-foot putting course with a central ridge, up to 12 feet of elevation change and lighting for play after sunset. Dinner followed by putting under the lights is a good reason to have a room on the property.
For overnight guests who want more full-swing golf, the Kettle Loop uses five holes drawn from the championship course. It provides a late-afternoon option when there is not enough time for another full round. Availability should be confirmed for your stay.
A Few Things to Know
Erin Hills welcomes public play; an overnight stay is optional. The Drumlin is available to Erin Hills golfers and overnight guests, and dining requires a tee-time or lodging reservation.
Summer’s longer days leave more room for golf before dinner. Check the seasonal calendar when choosing dates, especially if you want to add the Kettle Loop around your main round.
Plan an Erin Hills Trip
Erin Hills can be the main stay or part of a longer Wisconsin golf trip. Send us your dates, group size and rooming preferences, and we can help arrange the golf and accommodations. Plan your trip with JEL.
