Best Public Golf Courses in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

You don't need a membership to play great golf in Milwaukee. From resort courses to municipal gems, here are the best public and semi-private courses in the area — ranked by design quality, conditioning, and value.

Erin Hills public

Erin, Wisconsin · Dr. Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry & Ron Whitten (2006) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,823 yards

Host of the 2017 U.S. Open, Erin Hills is a walking-only course routed through glacial kettle terrain with dramatic 100-foot elevation changes and fescue-covered ridgelines. The massive 7,823-yard layout through open meadows and native grasses delivers a links-like experience in the Wisconsin countryside.

2017 U.S. Open host venueWalking-only through glacial kettle terrain7,823 yards with fescue ridgelines

Green Fee: $175–$300 Rating: 4.8/5

University Ridge Golf Course public

Madison, Wisconsin · Robert Trent Jones Jr. (1991) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,888 yards

A Robert Trent Jones Jr. design and home course of the Wisconsin Badgers, University Ridge features rolling terrain through prairie and oak savanna. The public layout hosts the Steve Stricker-hosted AmFam Championship on the Champions Tour and offers championship golf at accessible university pricing.

Home of Wisconsin Badgers golfChampions Tour AmFam Championship hostRTJ Jr. prairie and oak savanna design

Green Fee: $50–$95 Rating: 4.3/5

SentryWorld Golf Course public

Stevens Point, Wisconsin · Robert Trent Jones Jr. (1982) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,951 yards

Host of the 2023 U.S. Senior Open, SentryWorld is a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design in Stevens Point that has long been considered the best public course in Wisconsin. The famous par-3 16th, the "Flower Hole," features 33,000 individually planted flowers creating the most photographed hole in the Midwest.

2023 U.S. Senior Open hostFamous "Flower Hole" par 3 with 33,000 flowersWidely regarded as Wisconsin's best public course

Green Fee: $60–$120 Rating: 4.5/5

Brown Deer Park Golf Course public

Milwaukee, Wisconsin · George Hansen (1929) · 18 holes · Par 71 · 6,759 yards

A historic Milwaukee county course that hosted the PGA Tour's Greater Milwaukee Open for over 30 years, Brown Deer Park offers championship golf at municipal pricing. The Andy North redesign features strategic bunkering, mature tree-lined fairways, and a classic parkland character.

Former PGA Tour Greater Milwaukee Open hostChampionship golf at municipal pricingAndy North redesign with parkland character

Green Fee: $30–$60 Rating: 4.1/5

The Bog Golf Club public

Saukville, Wisconsin · Arnold Palmer (1995) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,200 yards

An Arnold Palmer signature design north of Milwaukee, The Bog features a dramatic layout through marshland, wetlands, and mature hardwood forests. The challenging par-72 regularly hosts state amateur events and offers one of the most distinctive public golf experiences in southeastern Wisconsin.

Arnold Palmer signature designDramatic marshland and wetland routingRegular host of state amateur events

Green Fee: $60–$100 Rating: 4.3/5

The Bull at Pinehurst Farms public

Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin · Jack Nicklaus (2003) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,339 yards

A Jack Nicklaus signature design in Sheboygan County, The Bull at Pinehurst Farms provides a championship-level public golf experience near the famed Kohler courses. The 7,339-yard layout through rolling farmland and wetlands offers Nicklaus's trademark strategic challenge with wide fairways and bold green complexes.

Jack Nicklaus signature design near Kohler7,339-yard championship layoutExcellent complement to Whistling Straits area golf

Green Fee: $65–$120 Rating: 4.4/5

Whistling Straits - Straits Course resort

Sheboygan, Wisconsin · Pete Dye (1998) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,790 yards

Host of three PGA Championships and the 2021 Ryder Cup, Whistling Straits is Pete Dye's links masterpiece along two miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. The windswept layout features over 1,000 bunkers, dramatic bluff-top holes, and a visual spectacle that rivals the great links of the British Isles.

2021 Ryder Cup and three-time PGA Championship hostTwo miles of Lake Michigan shorelineOver 1,000 bunkers on Pete Dye links masterpiece

Green Fee: $200–$400 Rating: 4.9/5

Blackwolf Run - River Course resort

Kohler, Wisconsin · Pete Dye (1988) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,991 yards

Pete Dye's original Kohler course, the River Course at Blackwolf Run winds through dramatic glacial terrain along the Sheboygan River. The layout features Dye's trademark visual intimidation with plunging ravines, island fairways, and some of the most dramatic inland holes in Wisconsin.

Pete Dye's original Kohler courseDramatic Sheboygan River ravine routingAmong the top resort courses in America

Green Fee: $175–$325 Rating: 4.7/5

Best Time to Play

May through October, with June through September offering the best weather. Wisconsin summers are warm (70s-80s) with long daylight hours. Whistling Straits and lakeside courses can be windy regardless of season. Fall colors in late September and October are spectacular.

Booking Tips

For the best rates, book tee times midweek or during shoulder seasons. Many courses offer twilight rates for afternoon rounds. Resort courses often bundle with hotel stays for significant savings.

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) is the main gateway. Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run are 60 minutes north in Kohler/Haven. Erin Hills is 45 minutes northwest. Consider a 3-4 day trip to cover the Kohler courses and Erin Hills. Chicago (ORD) is also just 90 minutes south.

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