The best golf courses in Wisconsin, USA

Whistling Straits (Straits Course), designed by Pete Dye, is an iconic public links course on the shores of Lake Michigan, known for its rugged terrain, windswept fescue, and over 1,000 bunkers. The course hosts major tournaments including PGA Championships and the Ryder Cup, and is renowned for its challenging layout and stunning scenery.

The Lido at Sand Valley is a meticulously reconstructed homage to C.B. Macdonald's legendary long-lost course, designed by Tom Doak and opened in 2023. Set in the sandy dunes of central Wisconsin, it showcases world-class architecture with template holes, massive undulating greens, strategic bunkering, and a firm, fast links experience. It’s among the boldest golf recreations ever built.

Erin Hills is a championship, links-style golf course set across more than 650 acres of glacial terrain northwest of Milwaukee. Designed by Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry, and Ron Whitten, it has hosted the 2017 U.S. Open and several USGA championships. The rolling fescue fairways and firm, undulating greens provide a demanding yet beautiful test for golfers.

Blackwolf Run's River Course in Kohler, Wisconsin, was masterfully designed by Pete Dye and opened in 1990. It is acclaimed for its demanding layout, striking beauty, and the way it follows the Sheboygan River over dramatic terrain. The course is renowned for precision shotmaking, undulating greens, and relentless strategic challenge, offering a world-class test in tournament condition.

Mammoth Dunes at Sand Valley, designed by David McLay Kidd in 2018, sprawls across ancient sand barrens in central Wisconsin. The course is defined by wide fairways, enormous greens, dramatic elevation changes, and a playful design that rewards bold decision-making. Its vast scale and natural setting provide a uniquely memorable and enjoyable golf experience for players of all levels.

Sand Valley, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, is a modern public course set on 1,700 acres of rolling sand dunes in central Wisconsin. Opened in 2017, it delivers firm, fast fescue surfaces and dramatic, exposed dunes, bringing true links golf to the Midwest. Recognized for architectural merit and walkability, it offers a distinct and memorable golf experience.

SentryWorld, designed by legendary architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., is Wisconsin’s first true destination golf course. Debuting in 1982 and renovated in 2014, this 18-hole parkland layout is renowned for pristine conditioning and the iconic Flower Hole. The course delivers a strategic and enjoyable challenge for all skill levels and routinely appears in top public course rankings.

Lawsonia (Links Course) in Green Lake, Wisconsin, designed by William Langford and Theodore Moreau in 1930, is a celebrated public course praised for its classic bold architecture. Known for its wide fairways, deep bunkers, firm bentgrass playing surfaces, and multi-tiered elevated greens, it delivers a traditional links experience in a Midwest setting.

Milwaukee Country Club in River Hills, Wisconsin is a classic, highly private parkland course designed by Charles Hugh Alison in 1929, later refined by Tom Doak. Blending rich history, traditional design, and prominent architecture, the course is regarded as one of the Midwest's elite, noted for tree-lined fairways, strategic bunkering, and its exclusive club environment.

Blue Mound Golf & Country Club is a private 18-hole course in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, originally designed by Seth Raynor in 1926. Renowned for its Golden Age architecture, classic Raynor features, pristine conditioning, and rich tournament history, including hosting the 1933 PGA Championship, the course offers strategic holes and an elegant, traditional club experience.

The Meadow Valleys Course at Blackwolf Run, designed by Pete Dye and opened in 1990, is renowned for its blend of rolling prairies, dramatic elevation, and strategic bunkering. Recognized among America's finest public courses, it offers a test of skill with varied terrain, subtle greens, and picturesque views in a refined resort setting.

The Irish Course at Whistling Straits, designed by Pete Dye and opened in 2000, is a links-inspired inland course set amid dunes, moguls, and sculpted bunkering. Located adjacent to the world-famous Straits course, it blends Dye's strategic vision with rugged Wisconsin beauty. The course consistently challenges golfers with its windy conditions and creative design.

The Club at Lac La Belle is a historic public course in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, originally established in 1896 and fully reimagined by architect Craig Haltom in 2020. The course stands out for its bold green complexes, creative strategies, and fun factor, drawing national praise including a spot among America's most enjoyable courses. Expect a challenging yet accessible parkland layout.

TPC Wisconsin, formerly Cherokee Country Club, is a private 18-hole golf course on 154 acres adjoining Madison’s Cherokee Marsh. Newly renovated by PGA Tour star Steve Stricker and Steve Wenzloff, the course reopened in 2023 as part of the TPC Network, offering a challenging layout and top-tier conditions for members amid scenic surroundings.

Pine Hills Country Club, designed by Harry Smead, sits on 186 acres of rolling wooded terrain in Sheboygan. Established in 1928, its classic parkland design features challenging, small greens and dramatic landforms. The course has hosted US Open qualifiers and is known for its exceptional conditioning and strategic shot values.

Lawsonia’s Woodlands Course, designed by Rocky Roquemore in 1983, winds through dense Wisconsin hardwoods and dramatic elevation changes near Green Lake. Known for narrow fairways, strategic shot-making, and water in play on 11 holes, it delivers a secluded, immersive 'up north' parkland experience. The course contrasts with its famous Links sibling, offering a more technical, tree-lined test.