One Thing About Every Hole at Whistling Straits

Hole 2 – par 5 – 593 yards

The crazy-deep bunker to the right of the fairway on this par 5 looks scarier, but one of the coolest bunkers at the Straits Course sits on the approach to the green. Resembling a principal’s nose in its construction, it makes for awkward lies that barely allow the player to move the ball forward.

Hole 3 – par 3 – 181 yards

The 3rd has beautiful, wavy ridges that emulate the ripples of Lake Michigan. What I like about these contours is that they move diagonally to the line of play rather than perpendicularly. As a result, a slight pull may fail to climb one of the ridges, while a push can make it over.

Hole 4 – par 4 – 489 yards

Since the 4th hole gets narrow in the pros’ usual landing zone, longer hitters would have an edge if the tee were up, giving them a chance to fly it over the trouble and into the generous section of fairway beyond.

Hole 5 – par 5 – 603 yards

Tee selection and wind are the key variables here. If it’s downwind, the big boys may be able to cut the dogleg and turn this long par 5 into a shortish par 4. It’s possible that Pete Dye meant for the sharp “S” shape of this fairway to curb the advantage of distance, but for today’s top pros, it does the opposite.

One hole where Bryson could take a mega-shortcut? No. 5, which is listed at 571 yds but can play much shorter (depending on wind, tee box and ball speed).

During a practice round he cut the corner and had 120 in, while other guys played up the left and had 3-wood or hybrid in. pic.twitter.com/Pqq6ye8mMm

— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) September 21, 2021

Hole 6 – par 4 – 355 yards

The brilliance of this short par 4 comes from its unique green, which is shaped like a pair of glasses. The left eye is accessible, even drivable because of the slopes feeding into it. The right eye is a different story. It’s small and surrounded by trouble, and it can be attacked only through the air. When the pin is on the right, watch for players’ decisions off the tee. A layup leaves a tough wedge, but going for it could result in a disastrous encounter with the deep center bunker.

Hole 7 – par 3 – 221 yards

Benched into the lakefront, the 7th is a completely manufactured hole. Pete Dye’s team dug out the lakeside bluffs in order to elevate the inland sections of the course. That massive feat of earthmoving left this intimidating par 3 hard against the water.

Hole 8 – par 4 – 507 yards

On this brawny par 4, Ryder Cuppers will need their longest, most accurate tee shot. If they miss the corridor (which includes the fairway as well as the short rough), the penalty will be severe.

Hole 9 – par 4 – 446 yards

This is one of the smallest greens, if not the smallest, on the course. Scrambling will often be critical here.

Hole 10 – par 4 – 341 yards

The second potentially drivable hole at Whistling Straits, the 10th incentivizes players to go for the green because a layup leaves an uneven lie and a blind approach. Pushing farther up yields a flatter lie and better visibility.

Hole 11 – par 4 – 519 yards

Typically a par 5, the 11th will play as a big par 4 at the Ryder Cup. According to Joseph LaManga, hitting the fairway here is unusually important. Since there’s a brutal bunker 20 yards short of the green, a running approach from the rough isn’t a good option.

Hole 12 – par 3 – 143 yards

The wildest green on the Straits Course snakes from front left to back right and contains a number of tiers, bumps, and rolls. The orientation of the green makes things tough on right-handers (all 24 competitors), whose common misses are short right and long left.

Hole 13 – par 4 – 404 yards

My favorite aspect of this stunning hole will likely be irrelevant for Ryder Cup players: the feeder slopes around the green allow for a variety of fun run-up shots.

Hole 14 – par 4 – 396 yards

Since it’s not on the lake, the 14th is somewhat slept-on, but it fits more gracefully into its artificial landscape than any other hole at Whistling Straits. The green site appears natural even though it was created from nothing.

Hole 15 – par 4 – 518 yards

Like the 3rd green, the 15th green has flowing contours that mimic the surface of Lake Michigan. In this case, the lake looms behind the hole—a beautiful sight.

Hole 16 – par 5 – 569 yards

The final par 5 on the course is the last real birdie opportunity. Like all of the long holes at Whistling Straits, the 16th puts a premium on finding either the fairway or the short rough. If you’re errant off this tee, you’ll have a hard time getting home in two.

Hole 17 – par 3 – 223 yards

Arguably the toughest single shot on the course, the 17th hole will reveal a player’s confidence, or lack thereof. Most will probably aim for the right half of the green, giving a wide berth to the treacherous left side.

Hole 18 – par 4 – 515 yards

The cross-hazard creek here is devastating for average golfers, many of whom have to lay back to 150+ yards on their second shots. But the creek also gives pros fits: if they miss the fairway, they have a tough decision to make; if they decide to go for it, great theater.

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