Whistling Straits — The Straits Course
A Pete Dye links epic sprawling along two miles of Lake Michigan bluff — host of the 2021 Ryder Cup and three PGA Championships, yet open to any traveller who books a stay at Destination Kohler.
Whistling Straits — The Straits Course in photos
Can I play Whistling Straits — The Straits Course?
Yes — the Straits is a public, pay-and-play course operated by Destination Kohler, so any traveller can tee it up rather than needing a member's invitation. It is one of the most in-demand rounds in American golf, so tee times go quickly and priority is given to guests staying at a Kohler property. Expect a bucket-list price tag and a caddie by your side, as the course is walking-only.
How to book: Book through Destination Kohler's golf reservations by phone or online. To lock in a tee time in advance you generally need to be booked into a Kohler lodging package (The American Club or Inn on Woodlake); non-lodging play is limited and best arranged close to the date. Reserve months ahead for peak summer, and note that a caddie (no carts) is part of the experience.
About Whistling Straits — The Straits Course
Whistling Straits' Straits Course was conjured by Pete Dye in 1998 from flat lakeshore farmland, trucked-in sand and thousands of bunkers to mimic a wild Irish links along two miles of Lake Michigan coastline. It has since hosted three PGA Championships (2004, 2010, 2015), the 2007 U.S. Senior Open and the 2021 Ryder Cup, cementing its status as one of the great modern championship venues. Despite that pedigree it remains a public, walking-only, caddie-carried course that resort guests can play, with wind, grass-topped dunes and grazing Scottish Blackface sheep framing every shot. It is expensive and heavily booked, but for many it is the ultimate American links pilgrimage.
Signature hole
The par-3 17th, 'Pinnacle', plays across a gaping chasm to a green perched on a Lake Michigan bluff; the sweeping par-4 18th, 'Dyeabolical', has decided majors and the 2021 Ryder Cup.
What makes it special
Ryder Cup theatre
You play the same bluff-top finish where the U.S. crushed Europe in 2021.
Two miles of Lake Michigan
Eight holes hug the shoreline, with the water and grass-covered dunes in constant view.
Caddie-carried tradition
No carts anywhere — every round is walked with a caddie, just as Dye intended.
Tournament pedigree
- PGA Championship (2004, 2010, 2015)
- U.S. Senior Open (2007)
- Ryder Cup (2021)
Need to know
Best time to play
May through October, with peak conditions and the best turf from June to September; spring and autumn bring firm, windy links weather and slightly lower rates.
Dress code
Traditional golf attire — collared shirts and tailored trousers or shorts; no denim or cargo shorts. Soft spikes only.
Good to know
Strictly walking with a caddie; there are no golf carts on the Straits. Fescue framing, blind shots and roughly 1,000 bunkers make it a demanding four-and-a-half-to-five-hour round, so take the caddie's lines seriously and bring wind layers.
Upcoming golf tournaments
Prefer to watch the world’s best? Book tickets to an upcoming tournament, then add a hotel and flights.
Getting there
Nearest airports
Milwaukee (MKE) ~1 hr; Green Bay (GRB) ~1 hr; Chicago O'Hare (ORD) ~2.5 hrs.
On arrival
The course sits on the Lake Michigan shore in the Town of Mosel, about 13 miles northeast of the village of Kohler near Sheboygan — roughly an hour's drive north of Milwaukee up I-43. Most visitors drive or take a Destination Kohler shuttle from The American Club. Allow time for the winding approach road down to the lakefront.
Stay near the course
Most golfers base themselves at Destination Kohler's flagship five-star hotel, The American Club, or the lakeside Inn on Woodlake in the village of Kohler, both of which unlock tee-time priority. Sheboygan, on Lake Michigan a few minutes from the course, offers lower-cost hotels.
★★★★★ 5-starTap for live prices The American Club
Kohler
★★★ 3-starTap for live prices Inn On Woodlake
Kohler
A taste of the luxury stays near Whistling Straits — The Straits Course — tap any hotel to see live availability and prices for your dates, or search them all.
Plan your golf trip
Hotels near the course
Live-priced stays a short drive from the 1st tee.
Search hotelsFlights
Get to Kohler — search fares to the nearest airport.
Find flightsTournament tickets
Rather watch the pros? Book golf tournament tickets.
See golf ticketsThings to do
Tours and experiences around Kohler.
Explore KohlerFrequently asked questions
Can the public play Whistling Straits?
Yes. The Straits is a public, pay-and-play course; you don't need to be a member, but advance tee times are prioritized for guests staying at a Destination Kohler property.
How much does it cost to play the Straits Course?
Peak green fees run around $735, with twilight rates from roughly $455, plus a caddie fee of about $90 and gratuity. Rates are seasonal and per round.
Do I have to stay at the resort to play?
Not strictly, but staying at The American Club or Inn on Woodlake gives you tee-time priority and is by far the most reliable way to secure a slot in summer.
Can I use a golf cart or do I have to walk?
The Straits is walking-only with no carts; you'll walk the entire round, and a caddie is strongly recommended.
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Green fees, access rules and tee-time policies change frequently and vary by season. The figures here are indicative for trip planning — always confirm on the official site before booking.
- The Straits Course — Destination Kohler
- Golf Rates and Policies — Destination Kohler
- Whistling Straits — Wikipedia
Guide updated 2026-07-27.