Erin Hills

A relative newcomer to championship golf, Erin Hills burst onto the scene in the early part of the 21st century by hosting three USGA championships. In fact, it was awarded the 2008 U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links before it even opened to the public. The daily-fee course then hosted the 2011 U.S. Amateur, won by Kelly Kraft in a memorable duel over future multi-PGA Tour winner Patrick Cantlay. And six years later, Brooks Koepka claimed the first of his two consecutive U.S. Open titles. In 2022, Matthew McClean, of Northern Ireland, edged good friend Hugh Foley, of the Republic of Ireland, to win the U.S. Mid-Amateur. That set the stage for the world's best females to challenge the links-style layout just outside of Milwaukee.

Hole 1

The 532-yard, par-5 first hole offers a great chance for competitors to get out of the gate with a birdie or better.

Hole 2

One of the most strategic holes on the course. Players hit a blind tee shot but plenty of fairway awaits to the left beyond the mound. Second shot features the smallest and narrowest green on the entire course for this challenging par 4.

Hole 3

A downhill tee shot leads to one of the widest fairways on the course. However, the green itself is one of the most difficult to reach in regulation.

A well-placed tee shot can lead to extra rollout from the slope. On approach, players will want to avoid the false front that awaits on the kidney-shaped undulating green.

At 439 yards, this is the longest par-4 on the outward nine. The preferred angle of attack is from the left side of the fairway. The green complex features a ridge on the left that slopes onto the putting surface, providing some margin for error on what will be one of the longest approach shots competitors face.

The longest par 3 on the course has only its false front visible from the tee. Players will aim to take their tee shots beyond the hole for the best look at a birdie putt. Coming up short could prove costly.

Another blind tee shot awaits players at the 7th, but unlike some other shots at Erin Hills, no hidden zone of safety awaits. The landing zone on this tricky par 5 is just 30 yards wide. Those who can stick their opening shot will still be facing 14 bunkers and a false front with their second and third shots into the two-tiered green. 

A dogleg left with a landing zone atop the sloping fairway. A 250-yard tee shot will leave players with about 165 left to the well-protected elevated green. 

A downhill tee shot awaits this heavily bunkered green complex. Despite its short distance (139 yards), an approach that ends up long and right could still be in danger of funneling off of the putting surface. 

The inward nine opens with yet another blind tee shot, a staple at Erin Hills. With a downhill landing zone, longer hitters will have a chance to get rollout before taking aim at the green which slopes from back to front. 

A downhill tee shot leads to a narrow, semi-blind landing area. Two large front bunkers protect the small, circular green, causing problems for any short approach shots. 

Very little room for error on this difficult tee shot with a narrow fairway. That theme continues on approach, with the second-smallest green on the course. The 12th hole figures to be one of the least forgiving holes on the course.

A pleateud green makes distance control critical on this 168-yard par 3. The bunker that straddles the left of the green will collect some shots that end up rolling off surface. Hole placement will determine much of the day-to-day strategy on 13. 

This par 5 features various options for players off the tee. Those aiming to go for the green in two will need to carry the native area that precedes an elevated green. Even laying up has risks, with the landing area being narrow as well. The green primarily moves left to right and sports a large false front that could eject anyone who comes up short.

One of the most picturesque tee shots at Erin Hills. Players tee off from the highest spot on the entire course, with bunkers placed in the fairway. The green itself features a significant false front making it a difficult hole despite it being one of the shorter par 4's. 

The second-deepest green on the course has two tiers. Hitting the correct one will be critical for scoring opportunities on this par 3. Bunkers await on both sides for any tee shots that are off the mark. 

Both the fairway and green are not visible on this tee shot. Luckily, it's the only hole at Erin Hills without bunkers. Players will favor the right side of the fairway for a landing zone on this hole, which played as the fourth-hardest during the 2017 U.S. Open.

Despite it's length, the closing hole at Erin Hills, a 541-yard par 5, will grant players an opportuinty to close their round on a high note. If competitors can keep their second shot out of the fairway bunker, the approach shot to the large green is relatively safe from 100 yards in.