Hole-by-hole guide to the Whistling Straits Ryder Cup course

Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin, hosts the Ryder Cup this year. Known for its open terrain on the shores of Lake Michigan, it will present plenty of challenges for Team Europe and Team USA alike.

Here is Telegraph Sport's hole-by-hole guide...

364 yards, par four
A series of bunkers to the left mean the bulk of players will hit a fairway metal and a short iron into the green, apart from the big hitters who may risk it all to try and reach it in one. Rough located to the right, which can make the hole longer but helps with the approach into the right of the green to reduce the threat of the deep bunkers located to the left and behind.

593 yards, par five
The first of six holes registering more than 500 yards, this hole requires two long and accurate shots to have a chance at eagle. The tee shot must be down the left side of the long and slender fairway to avoid a blind second shot. Anyone who takes on the green in two will have to dodge the deep pot bunker 35 yards out.

181 yards, par three,
Lake Michigan looms to the left of the green with a series of daunting dunes and bunkers between the water and short grass. A steep right-to-left green means pin position and winds will be pivotal.

489 yards, par four
Another hole where water remains a distraction on an intimidating tee box, where large mounding to the right of the fairway forces players left towards the bunkers, dunes and the lake. An elevated green does no favours for the shorter hitters, and any scores below par could prove rare.

603 yards, par five
This will likely be a three-shotter for most whose first name is not ‘Bryson’. The longest hole on the course, anyone brave enough to try hitting their second to the green will be challenged by a long carry over water, where a shallow green awaits. Laying up short on the fairway will instead leave a straight approach into the green avoiding the threat of the bunkers short and water left.

355 yards, par four
A short, sharp dogleg will test players on the green, where pin position will be crucial. The left half will require them to take on the green in one, with the slope to the right aiding a cut shot, while a position towards the back or right will see the more cautious among the pack opt to hit an iron off the tee and choose accuracy over distance.

221 yards, par three
The sharp drop-off into Lake Michigan runs the entire right-hand side of this eye-catching hole, where bunkers surround a long green that puts the emphasis on the right club selection. Once on the putting surface, subtle movement will put the players’ skills to the test.

507 yards, par four
A hidden landing area challenges players to keep their drives left as a severe drop-off, dunes, bunkers and Lake Michigan await to the right. The second is played with the water as a backdrop but a long iron may still be required to reach a green guarded on the left by dunes and bunkers, and on the right by deep bunkers and a falloff to the lake.

446 yards, par four
Three large trees about 100 yards off the green can mean trouble for anyone who is wayward right off the tee - something that is not helped by the left side of the fairway kicking down towards the danger area. Club selection can be affected by swirling winds, where players face the threat of the Seven Mile Creek and a series of narrow bunkers along the green’s right side.

479 yards, par four
Wise play is a driver to the left edge of the fairway, but go too far and the ball will drop off into rough and bunkers. A deep bunker on the right means a 240-yard carry will be required to take the alternative route, and another elevated green means the ensuing wedge shot is far from straight forward. Those who take on the green from the tee will have to navigate deep bunkers and carry the steep hillside in front.

479 yards, par four
The right is the danger here that will create doubts over whether driver off the tee is the smart play. Anything straying right will be swallowed by dunes, bunkers and a drop-off, and a near-100-yard bunker, at more than 16ft deep, protects the left of the green while also providing this hole’s appropriate title.

143 yards, par three
Even the shortest hole on the course is far from easy, with a very large, undulating green posing the most difficult putting surface on the course. Any pin positions to the back-right will prove especially tricky, and even a shot that hits the middle of the green could bounce or roll into deep bunkers. Playing cautious won’t help, with 40ft drops short and right steering down towards the lake.

404 yards, par four
The slope down to the front of the green means some may take it on in one, but tee and pin positions will dictate whether that is possible. A five wood or long iron is the more conservative play here, with a target area to the left leaving a short approach downhill to the green.

401 yards, par four
Just like the first, a long iron or fairway metal could well prove the popular choice off the tee on the last of the ‘short’ par fours. A sizeable bunker to the left should be avoided, not least due to the blind approach it then leaves, while the right is guarded by thick hillside fescue should anyone stray wayward. However, there will be a select few who fancy trying to clear the dangers to find the green in one.

518 yards, par four
A beautiful yet lethal start to the final four holes. The enormous par four requires a big drive and accurate long iron just to stand a chance of scoring well, and dunes to the right should dictate where the first shots end up. Bunkers add to the dangers that loom on the approach, leaving only one of the most heavily-protected greens to conquer.

Pete Cowen's guide to the last three holes

569 yards, par five
Fairly straightforward if the green is behind as they hit driver to a landing area where you can make it with the second. However, into the wind is tough. The approach will have to go over dunes and bunkers and that forces the players to think about bailing out to the right. There is an elevated green, never easy to work out with the wind involved, with the lake as the backdrop.

223 yards, par three
Tasty, very tasty. Miss it on the left and there is a bank that falls towards the lake full of bunkers and dunes. But the huge mound guarding the right of the green lures players to go that way. Miss it on the right and there is a hillside full of dunes and bunkers. Accuray in the wind is paramount.

515 yards, par four
Great finishing hole whose name tells you everything. If the wind is against and you are one up you know a par will be good enough 99 times out of 100. The creek could ensnare drives or second shots and the green is huge and undulating. A natural amphitheatre just adds to the drama.