The Straits Course
at Whistling Straits Golf Club
Wisconsin, USA
(1 reviews)
The Straits Course overview
The Straits Course at Whistling Straits is the crown jewel of the property and one of the most celebrated golf courses in the United States. Designed by Pete Dye and opened in 1998, the course is laid out along two miles of rugged Lake Michigan shoreline in Haven, Wisconsin.
It is styled after traditional Irish and Scottish links courses, with vast fescue-covered dunes, windswept terrain, deep pot bunkers, and unpredictable coastal winds. The course is walking-only, enhancing its authentic links feel, and is known for its dramatic elevation changes and panoramic views of the lake.
Measuring over 7,700 yards from the back tees, the Straits Course is a true test of skill and strategy, offering a demanding but rewarding challenge for golfers of all levels.
It has hosted multiple major championships, including three PGA Championships and the 2021 Ryder Cup, where its dramatic finishing holes and coastal layout provided a stunning stage for international competition. The Straits Course is both visually spectacular and technically demanding, representing a masterclass in modern golf course design that respects and reinterprets the classic links tradition.
Signature Holes
Whistling Straits is home to several signature holes, but none are more iconic than the par-3 17th hole on the Straits Course, known as “Pinched Nerve.” This dramatic hole stretches up to 223 yards from the championship tees and demands a long, precise tee shot over a yawning ravine to a green perched precariously on a narrow ledge above Lake Michigan.
With strong winds frequently sweeping in from the lake, club selection and accuracy are critical. The green is tightly guarded by bunkers and rough, making any miss punishing—yet the views from the tee are among the most stunning on the course.
