GOLF DIGEST 2017/2018
#9 ERIN HILLS
What a thrill it was playing Erin Hills, site of the 2017 US Open! I was so excited to play it especially since I had played so well a few days earlier at Cog Hill. After an opening birdie, the course became very stingy and pars not so common. 
(A common theme at Erin Hills is the centerline bunker directly in front of the green. There is some room to run it on but the aerial approach is the best.)
Erin Hills is a Hurdzan Frye Whitten collaboration. At the time, pundits were claiming it was the best piece of property since Sand Hills in Nebraska. The receding glaciers had carved out topsy turvy terrain. It was a huge win for Hurdzan and is his best site to date.
(The 439/398 yard fourth leaves little room short to miss. While some may call this a links, I am more prone to call it a prairie course.)
(The 492/415 yard eighth doglegs left around a large hill. Those who take the aggressive line over the hill have a mid or short iron while those who play straightaway have 200+ to the green. The three bunkers short abruptly ends any thought of bouncing it on.)
Erin Hills challenges golfers to play aggressively. Even though Hurdzan insisted on using fescue grass in the fairway to maintain fast n firm conditions, the ground game is stymied by centerline bunkers. Several holes swing around large hills where the aggressive player can cut off a big chunk of yardage, and have an advantage for the approach. 
(The ninth is destined to become one of the best short par threes in the country. The 165/143 yard hole peels away from front to back while being bracketed with very difficult traps. The crosswinds only add to the challenge.)
The heaving rolling topography is the best feature at Erin Hills. There’s opportunities to hit speed slots and work the ball off backstops. It’s just a blast to play. When the US Open was here, players raved about it. Because of it’s elasticity, the holes can play a variety of lengths yet still keep its width.
(The 403/315 yard eleventh is a good birdie hole. The right side of the fairway slopes hard left, so a draw can work deep towards the hole, and give the player a chance to spin a wedge close.)
The bunkers are quite dramatic here. There’s no structure to them, and presence of deep rough makes them a formidable hazard. The high rough is also in play, especially when challenging the aggressive lines off the tee. 
(The 464/388 yard twelfth is arguably the best hole at Erin Hills. The aggressive play over the right hill leaves a mid iron. The green is handsomely cut between two hills.)
(The 215/170 yard thirteenth has a swale dividing the left side of the green. Several interesting pin locations makes this a tough two putt.)
The only two drawback I had with Erin Hills were the walks, not from tee to green, but rather from the green to the next tee. Many of the tee boxes have steep slopes up to them. Also, the large acreage of the course translates into even longer walks to the tee boxes. While maybe just a slight issue for me, for seniors or golfers not in shape, it can be a big issue. 
(The wicked fourteenth green is unbelievable...
...this view shows just how difficult the hole can be. While long hitters can carry over the central bunker and mound, short hitters will be attacking from an inferior position.)
With the recent trend to play the US Open at public courses, the USGA can take it to Bethpage on the east coast, Torrey Pines on west coast, and now Erin Hills in the Midwest. Brooks Koepka may have tied the tournament record at -16 under par, but for the first time ever, the top three ranked players in the world missed the cut.
(The 663/622 yard eighteenth played as the easiest hole during the US Open. What an amazing stat considering this is a very difficult hole for average players. Who will ever forget Justin Thomas hitting a three wood to five feet for eagle?!)
Erin Hills is a modern classic and I expect to see the US Open come back soon. With the wind and prairie grasses swaying, especially when rough contrasts with the green fairways, Erin Hills is a sight to see. I give it an 8 (excellent)(worth spending a weekend).
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