Whistling Straits Trip report

[jvincent]

OK all, this year's golf trip with the Mrs (I golf, she goes to the spa) was to the site of the 2010 PGA Championship, Whistling Straits. We were just there over Thanksgiving weekend, so here is the summary.

More specifically, we stayed at the American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin and I played all four courses that are part of the resort. Two are at Blackwolf Run (Meadow Valleys and River) and two are at Whistling Straits (Straits and Irish). Blackwolf Run will be hosting the US Women's Open in 2012.

The weather at Kohler was just like what was in Ottawa, i.e. absolutely beautiful for this time of year. Or any time of year for that matter. We got extremely lucky.

The golf courses are all spectacular Pete Dye creations. If you get out of position, you will pay. Here's an example from Straits.




I played the Straits course from the Blue tees (7142 yards, 74.2 rating, 145 slope) and shot an 88. I actually hit the ball pretty solid except for a couple of snap hooks off the tee that and one terrible approach shot that ended up as doubles. I would have scored better except for the fact that I could not get a feel for the speed of the greens with long approach putts, especially from off the fringe and made a bunch of bogeys.

Highlight of the round was birdieing number 17. It was playing 210 yards into about a 35 kph wind. It nailed a 4W pin high and sank a 25 footer. There was a wait on the 17th tee and we had just watched two guys put balls in the lake before us from the white tees.

As I usually do when I play the big courses, I took pictures of every hole from the tee and from the fairway to show what it looked like for my approach. I only did this for the round at Straits, which is where the PGA was played.

The link to the full web album is: https://picasaweb.google.com/1016654...istlingStraits

If you are looking for a premier golf destination, I can highly recommend Kohler. The service at the hotel and the courses was top notch and the golf courses are all spectacular.

Any questions, let me know.

[gbower]

Sounds like you had a good trip. Nice pictures John.

[jvincent]

Thanks. I just noticed my embedded image didn't work. I'll try to fix that.

[Wilster]

Is pic 74 , The DJ bunker ?

[jvincent]

Indeed it is.

My tee shot was just off the fairway, a few yards ahead of it.

[Wilster]

Nice pics John , and i'm not one bit jealous at all ......

[Sakuraba]

Wow, that looks awesome. Do they send you out with a caddy?

[Paulio]

Indeed it is.

My tee shot was just off the fairway, a few yards ahead of it.

So you hit it further than Dustin did? Cool.

[jvincent]

Wow, that looks awesome. Do they send you out with a caddy?

A caddie is required on the Straights course and was included as part of my golf package. Even though the weather was perfect, I went out as a single! Just me and my caddy with foursomes in front and back. I have to admit, it was pretty nice.

[jvincent]

So you hit it further than Dustin did? Cool.

In DJ's defense he was playing from the back tees. Also, I'm pretty sure he was hitting a 6i or 7i from the bunker and I had a 4W in my hand.

I tracked all the clubs I hit into the greens on my scorecard. It was a pretty good mix and it was pretty obvious which holes were into the wind and which were downwind. I actually took a crack at hitting #11 in two but did not hit a good shot.

[jeffc]

wow, great pics John. can you comment on the cost of playing WS?

[John]

Officially jealous, looks like an amazing track.

[jvincent]

wow, great pics John. can you comment on the cost of playing WS?

Not cheap, but my total bill was probably on the high side since were there for our anniversary so there were multiple expensive dinners out, plus my wife went to the spa while I was golfing, etc.

The package I was on included a half hour lesson, 4 rounds, carts for the two rounds at Blackwolf, caddies for Straits and Irish, and three nights in the hotel. With taxes and caddie tips, it comes out to just over $2K.

If you just show up and play Straights will run you $410 + tip, which includes the caddie. The other course fees are $240, $180, $180 but don't require a caddie or cart. Add $30 for carts and $60 + tip for a caddie.

[jvincent]

Officially jealous, looks like an amazing track.

Yep, it's pretty nice. As golf destinations go I have to rank it #2 behind Bandon Dunes.

Pete Dye courses are visually intimidating but very fun to play.