At Erin Hills, a 62,000-square-foot putting course scheduled to open later this year will have 10 to 12 feet of elevation change, according to Dana Fry, who designed the mammoth green with associate Jason Straka.
“It’s unbelievably dramatic,” Fry said. “You might have double-breaking putts that break 10 feet one way and five feet the other way. Over a hill and then up eight or nine feet. The tee might be up high and you’re putting down a steep slope.”
The addition of a putting course will give golfers and especially overnight guests one more thing to do at Erin Hills, which played host to the 2017 U.S. Open and is ranked No. 42 on Golf Digest’s list of America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses, but has just one 18-hole course.
“It’s just another way to expand the experience, whether for daily golfers or for overnight guests,” said John Morrissett, the competitions and marketing director at Erin Hills.
Morrissett envisions foursomes tackling the putting course between rounds on Erin Hills or larger groups, drinks in hand, trying crazy putts after dinner. The course will be lit at night.
“Part of the hope is that players will face putts that they haven’t faced before,” he said. “It will be entirely for fun. Whether between your rounds or after dinner, it’s just another thing to do.”
Said Fry, “I think you’ll have people putting into the late hours of the evening and some gambling going on. You’ll have guys trying outlandish putts.”