Beautiful areas in our nation’s upper midwest may be very well known as hunting and fishing paradises for the sportsman. Still, real golf enthusiasts are well aware that these same areas also have some of the most beautiful, challenging, and brilliantly laid-out public golf courses found anywhere on earth. Listed here are but a few of the many that avid golfers on public courses can take on in their travels throughout these gorgeous regions. And outside of inner golf circles, who would’ve thought that Wisconsin has such highly-rated, outstanding golf destinations? Here are but a few of the notable ones.

Course: Whistling Straits – Haven, Wi. – Length: Par 72 / 7,790 yards

At last count, Pete Dye had integrated 1,102 bunkers into this gorgeous course, spanning a two-mile stretch of Lake Michigan. With very rugged fairways and highly windswept greens, it’s a grand challenge for golfers of any experience level. Two dozen will take on this monster in the 2020 Ryder Cup.

Course: Black Run (River) – Kohler, Wi. – Length: Par 72 / 7,404 yards

Another Pete Dye creation, this course is distinctive in that Dye convinced owner Herb Kohler to rip-up an already highly acclaimed course, and came up with a big winner again. This river course is a large bend of the Sheboygan River, has some extraordinarily memorable holes, and was host to such significant events as the 2012 U.S. Women’s Open.

Course: (New) Sand Valley – Nekoosa, Wi. – Length: Par 72 / 6,913 yards

On over 1000 acres of rolling sand hills in central Wisconsin, course architects Bill Coore and legendary PGA professional Ben Crenshaw got creative here, with some deep sand spits, dual fairways, a hidden punchbowl putting surface, and perched greens bringing the challenge to golfers here.

Course: (New) Mammoth Dunes – Nekoosa, Wi. – Length: Par 73 / 6,935 yards

This is the latest to open at Wisconsin’s Sand Valley Resort. Entire hillsides of sand were exposed and integrated here, adding beauty and stability against heavy wind and rain. Vast fairways are the draw here, enabling golfers to take advantage of a little more flexibility on their shots.