The Irish Course

at Whistling Straits Golf Club

The Irish Course at Whistling Straits is the sister course to the renowned Straits Course, offering a distinct yet complementary golfing experience. Also designed by Pete Dye, the Irish Course opened in 2000 and is set inland from Lake Michigan, just across the road from the Straits.

While it lacks the sweeping lakefront views of its counterpart, it features a rugged and imaginative layout that captures the spirit of inland Irish links. The course is characterized by rolling terrain, dense native grasses, deep bunkering, and water hazards that come into play on several holes, including a memorable stretch on the back nine.

Measuring over 7,200 yards from the championship tees, the Irish Course is slightly more forgiving than the Straits but still presents a strategic challenge with its undulating fairways and deceptive green complexes. It weaves through dunes, wetlands, and pot bunkers in true Pete Dye fashion, rewarding thoughtful shot-making and creativity.

Though it doesn’t host major championships, the Irish Course is widely praised as a top-tier companion to the Straits, providing a rich, varied, and thoroughly enjoyable test of golf in a world-class setting.

Signature Holes

A standout signature hole on the Irish Course at Whistling Straits is the par-3 13th hole, known as “Blind Man’s Bluff.” This memorable hole plays to a slightly elevated green that is partially obscured from the tee, creating a semi-blind shot that lives up to its name.

Measuring around 192 yards from the back tees, the hole is flanked by deep bunkers and rolling mounds, requiring both precision and nerve off the tee. The green itself is contoured and well-defended, making par a solid achievement—especially when winds swirl across the exposed terrain.