Ian Wilkerson's hole-by-hole course guide to Whistling Straits

Hole-by-hole course guide for Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, venue for the Ryder Cup between the United States and Europe.

Hole 1 - Outward Bound
364 yards, par 4

The opening hole has been shortened since the course hosted the 2015 US PGA Championship. There are bunkers to the left of both the fairway and the green, so expect players to hit a wood to the middle of the fairway for a short-iron approach.

Hole 2 - Cross Country
593 yards, par 5

There is a chance here for an eagle if players hit it straight and long. The second shot is blind if you don’t hit the left side of the fairway and those going for it in two must miss the pot bunker short of the green

Hole 3 - O'Man
181 yards, par 3

With bunkers and dunes on the left, aiming for the right side of the large green looks the best policy, especially as Lake Michigan is on the troublesome side too.

Hole 4 - Glory
489 yards, par 4

There are bunkers and dunes to the left and large mounds to the right. A middle to long iron may be needed to the elevated green and par may even be enough to win the hole.

Hole 5 - Snake
603 yards, par 5

The rewards are there for players who want to take it on in two but it's a risky strategy. Many may elected to take two iron approaches instead as water lurks on both sides of the S-shaped fairway.

Hole 6 - Gremlin's Ear
355 yards, par 4

Pushing the tee forward could tempt some to try to drive the green but they will not be able to miss it either short or right. Otherwise a long iron to navigate this short dogleg may be the sensible approach.

Hole 7 - Shipwreck
221 yards, par 3

The hole runs parallel to the lake and club selection will be critical on this long green. There is a sharp drop off to the shore if players go too far to the right. The green is tricky to read too.

Hole 8 - On The Rocks
507 yards, par 4

It is best to stay left with the driver even though the landing area cannot be seen from the tee. A long-iron second shot will need to navigate both the dunes and bunkers on the left and the even deeper traps on the other side, not to mention the water.

Hole 9 - Down and Dirty
446 yards, par 4

Players don’t want to go too far right as the only trees that come into play on the course could obstruct their approach. Bunkers on both sides could also be an issue.

Tommy Fleetwood hits a practice shot on Whistling Straits' tenth teeCredit: Warren Little

Hole 10 - Voyageur
361 yards, par 4

Anyone looking to take this on will have to be mindful of deep bunkers on the edge of the green. The best line is to the left, but going right should involve a simple pitch so long as the bunker 240 yards from the tee has been negotiated.

Hole 11 - Sand Box
519 yards, par 4

Players should stay to the left off the tee but a 16-foot deep bunker 100 yards from the green lies in wait for any errant approach. Players finding the sand will face a blind shot to the green.

Hole 12 - Pop Up
143 yards, par 3

The shortest hole on the course has one of the most difficult putting surfaces. Even if you hit the heart of the green, the ball can still roll off into a deep bunker, so there is plenty to think about.

Hole 13 - Cliff Hanger
404 yards, par 4

The left side of the fairway looks preferable, but the green is narrow leaving little margin for error and different approaches may be needed with a variety of tee and pin positions available.

Hole 14 - Widow's Watch
396 yards, par 4

There is plenty of trouble around the green if big drivers elect to fly over the bunker on the left. A fairway metal to the right side of the fairway looks the best approach.

Hole 15 - Grand Strand
518 yards, par 4

A long, straight drive and an accurate long-iron approach is required but the large undulating green presents plenty of problems, even if players avoid the bunkers on the left.

Hole 16 - Endless Bite
552 yards, par 5

With matches reaching a crucial stage, it would be no surprise if plenty adopt a two-shot strategy, but accuracy will be required to avoid bunkers on the right and the lake to the left. A daunting wedge shot beckons if the approach misses to the right.

Hole 17 - Pinched Nerve
223 yards, par 3

Players dare not miss left, where huge sand dunes and bunkers lurk, while there is also a big dune on the right. Go too far that way and you’ll find a hillside loaded with bunkers.

Hole 18 - Dyeabolical
515 yards, par 4

The reward of a short approach awaits those taking an aggressive line but dunes and bunkers will have to be negotiated. The huge green is guarded by Seven Mile Creek and a par could be enough to settle any matches going the whole way.

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