Erin Hills Golf Course: Wisconsin's US Open Venue Explained
Erin Hills opened in 2006 on 600 acres of glacially sculpted terrain in Hartford, Wisconsin, designed by Ron Whitten and Michael Hurdzan and Fred Couples. It was immediately recognized as something unusual for the Midwest — a genuinely links-style layout using the natural ridges, fescue grasses, and dramatic topography of the Wisconsin glacial landscape to create a course that felt Scottish without pretending to be.
The USGA noticed. Erin Hills hosted the 2017 US Open — just the second time in history the championship had been held in Wisconsin. The tournament was won by Brooks Koepka, who shot 272 and became the first wire-to-wire US Open winner since Rory McIlroy in 2011.
The Course Design
Erin Hills was designed with the specific intention of creating a US Open venue — wide fairways that narrow with approach to the green, fescue rough that punishes offline shots severely, and undulating greens protected by deep swales. The USGA's influence on the design process was significant; Erin Hills was built as a championship venue from the beginning, not retrofitted into one.
The course plays to a par 72 at up to 7,700 yards — among the longest in US Open history. The length is offset by the width of the fairways, which are significantly wider than typical US Open layouts. Koepka's winning score of 16 under par was the lowest US Open total since Tiger Woods's 12-under at Pebble Beach in 2000.
The fescue rough defines the course experience for recreational golfers. It grows tall and thick, and missing fairways at Erin Hills is effectively a penalty stroke. The course plays significantly harder than its scoring average suggests when the rough is at US Open height.
Playing Erin Hills
Erin Hills is a public course — one of the distinctions that made it an unusual US Open choice. The USGA typically holds its flagship event at private clubs; Erin Hills was only the third public course to host the US Open after Bethpage Black (2002, 2009) and Torrey Pines (2008).
The course offers several tee configurations, with recreational tee options that make it playable for golfers of most ability levels without the full challenge of the championship setup. The fescue rough is managed at a less punishing height outside of championship preparation.
Getting There
Erin Hills is located approximately 30 miles northwest of Milwaukee and 55 miles northwest of Chicago O'Hare. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is the closest commercial airport, with connections from major hub cities. General Mitchell has less capacity than Chicago's airports but provides convenient access to the Kettle Moraine region of southeast Wisconsin.
The Name
The course is named for Erin Foley, the daughter of developer Bob Lang, who purchased the land in 2004. Lang's vision was specifically to create a US Open-worthy public course; Foley managed much of the development process. The name honors both the Gaelic word for Ireland (reflecting the links-inspired design) and the family connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Erin Hills public or private?
Erin Hills is a public golf course. Tee times can be booked through the Erin Hills website. It is one of very few US Open venues that operates as a public daily-fee course.
Who won the US Open at Erin Hills?
Brooks Koepka won the 2017 US Open at Erin Hills with a score of 272 (16 under par), winning by four shots over Brian Harman and Tommy Fleetwood.
Where is Erin Hills Golf Course?
Erin Hills Golf Course is located in Hartford, Wisconsin, approximately 30 miles northwest of Milwaukee in the Kettle Moraine region of southeastern Wisconsin.