The hardest golf courses in Wisconsin
The hardest 18-hole golf courses in Wisconsin, ranked by USGA slope rating from each course's longest men's tees, with course rating as the tiebreaker. 61 courses have complete, verified tee data.
Whistling Straits Golf Club
Sheboygan, WI, USASlope rating 152, 77.2 course rating, Black tees, 7,790 yds
PublicPete Dye
- 4.8Conditions
- 4.6Layout
- 3.5Value
- 4.6Scenery
- 4.0Facilities
Inspired by Ballybunion in Ireland this place is a must play. We are 45 minutes away so get to play on a regular basis. Lake Michigan could pass for the ocean for those not from the Midwest. The lake is in direct view for all the holes but #5.
Written by
@joekuborn
- Must play
- Challenging
- Views
The River
Blackwolf Run Golf Club
Kohler, WI, USASlope rating 151, 76.3 course rating, Black tees, 7,404 yds
PublicPete Dye
- 4.5Conditions
- 4.4Layout
- 3.0Value
- 4.0Scenery
- 4.0Facilities
Such a beautiful course but so difficult that is unfair at times. The river comes into play on so many holes. Pete Dye wanted a challenge for players and this course comes through. Not walkable since long drives between some holes.
Written by
@joekuborn
- Challenging
- Must play
- Pristine
The Bull at Pinehurst Farms
Sheboygan Falls, WI, USASlope rating 147, 76.3 course rating, The Bull tees, 7,302 yds
PublicJack Nicklaus
- 3.7Conditions
- 3.8Layout
- 4.2Value
- 4.0Scenery
- 3.8Facilities
Very difficult course with many target tee shots with less than driver. Greens were very good and soft. Worth the money for sure especially compared to Kohler courses nearby
Written by
@joekuborn
- Challenging
- Driving range
- Fast greens
Irish
Whistling Straits Golf Club
Sheboygan, WI, USASlope rating 146, 75.6 course rating, Black tees, 7,201 yds
PublicPete Dye
- 4.4Conditions
- 4.4Layout
- 3.5Value
- 4.5Scenery
- 4.4Facilities
Doesn’t get the notoriety of the Straits course but is every bit as good. Not on the water like the Straits but still has some awesome holes and is a great warmup before playing Straits
Written by
@NoBog3ys
- Driving range
- Must play
- Views
Erin Hills Golf Course
Erin, WI, USASlope rating 145, 77.9 course rating, Black tees, 7,731 yds
PublicDana Fry & Dr. Michael Hurdzan
- 4.6Conditions
- 4.1Layout
- 3.5Value
- 4.2Scenery
- 4.2Facilities
Just such a difficult walk. Caddies are exceptional. Played in 4:40 and it was the caddies fastest loop of the season. (Slowed down for Maintenance). Soft conditions but if it was firm and fast it would be incredibly difficult. Layout is eh. Some really nice holes but lot of blind shots
Written by
@dpiddy
- Must play
- Pristine
- Caddies
(Meadow Valleys) Blackwolf Run Golf Club
Kohler, WI, USA
Slope rating 145, 75.1 course rating, Black tees, 7,250 yds
University Ridge Golf Course
Verona, WI, USA
Slope rating 144, 74.9 course rating, Black tees, 7,259 yds
The Bog
Saukville, WI, USA
Slope rating 142, 74.9 course rating, Black tees, 7,221 yds
Sentry World Golf Course
Stevens Point, WI, USA
Slope rating 142, 74.4 course rating, Tournament tees, 6,951 yds
Wild Rock Golf Club
Wisconsin Dells, WI, USA
Slope rating 141, 76.5 course rating, Quartzite tees, 7,414 yds
(Player) Geneva National Resort
Lake Geneva, WI, USA
Slope rating 141, 74.3 course rating, Black tees, 7,018 yds
(The Lakes) Lake Arrowhead Golf Club
Nekoosa, WI, USA
Slope rating 140, 74.8 course rating, Black tees, 7,105 yds
(Palmer) Geneva National Resort
Lake Geneva, WI, USA
Slope rating 140, 74.7 course rating, Black tees, 7,177 yds
White Eagle Golf Club
Hudson, WI, USA
Slope rating 140, 74.7 course rating, Black tees, 7,178 yds
St. Croix National Golf Club
Somerset, WI, USA
Slope rating 138, 73.9 course rating, Black tees, 6,909 yds
The Legend at Bergamont
Oregon, WI, USA
Slope rating 137, 75.0 course rating, Black tees, 7,331 yds
The Club at Strawberry Creek
Kenosha, WI, USA
Slope rating 136, 74.8 course rating, Black tees, 7,113 yds
Fire Ridge Golf Club
Grafton, WI, USA
Slope rating 136, 74.5 course rating, Black tees, 7,084 yds
Troy Burne Golf Club
Hudson, WI, USA
Slope rating 136, 74.3 course rating, Lehman tees, 7,003 yds
(Lee Trevino) Geneva National Resort
Lake Geneva, WI, USA
Slope rating 136, 74.3 course rating, Black tees, 7,116 yds
(Brute) Grand Geneva Resort
Lake Geneva, WI, USA
Slope rating 136, 73.8 course rating, Blue tees, 7,085 yds
(Lake/Canyon) Trappers Turn Country Club
Wisconsin Dells, WI, USA
Slope rating 136, 73.4 course rating, Gold tees, 6,972 yds
Milwaukee Country Club
River Hills, WI, USA
Slope rating 135, 73.8 course rating, Blue tees, 6,875 yds
The Legend at Merrill Hills
Waukesha, WI, USA
Slope rating 135, 73.3 course rating, Black tees, 6,971 yds
(The Pines) Lake Arrowhead Golf Club
Nekoosa, WI, USA
Slope rating 135, 72.3 course rating, Blue tees, 6,624 yds
How we rank
This ranking uses published scorecard data from each course’s longest men’s tees, the same tee set for every course. Only 18-hole courses with a yardage for every hole, a total that matches the hole-by-hole sum, and a par between 54 and 80 are included, and the tees must carry a single slope rating (55–155) and course rating. Courses whose scorecard duplicates another course’s are left out until the data is fixed. Courses are ordered by slope rating, then course rating, then Course Vaults score. Only open courses with a published Course Vaults score (at least 5 explicit ratings) are eligible, and a page is published only when at least 5 courses qualify. State pages include courses across Wisconsin. Rankings refresh about hourly.
FAQ
Whistling Straits Golf Club is #1 on Course Vaults in Wisconsin at Slope 152 (77.2 course rating · Black tees · 7,790 yds). 61 courses qualify for this list.
This ranking uses published scorecard data from each course’s longest men’s tees, the same tee set for every course. Only 18-hole courses with a yardage for every hole, a total that matches the hole-by-hole sum, and a par between 54 and 80 are included, and the tees must carry a single slope rating (55–155) and course rating. Courses whose scorecard duplicates another course’s are left out until the data is fixed. Courses are ordered by slope rating, then course rating, then Course Vaults score. Only open courses with a published Course Vaults score (at least 5 explicit ratings) are eligible, and a page is published only when at least 5 courses qualify. State pages include courses across Wisconsin. Rankings refresh about hourly.
Slope rating is the USGA measure of how much harder a course plays for a bogey golfer than for a scratch golfer, from 55 to 155 (113 is average). Course rating is the expected score for a scratch golfer from the same tees.
This page was last generated Nov 12, 2026, 3:37 AM EST. Scores and eligibility are recomputed about every hour.
