Erin Hills Golf Course outside of Milwaukee

Erin Hills Golf Course is a links course out in Wisconsin farmland that's emerged as the favorite to host the 2017 U.S. Open.

It's only about a 40-minute drive from downtown Milwaukee but feels like it's another world away. The golf course is completely free of houses or any looks at buildings besides the stone clubhouse or the cart barn that's literally a big towering wood barn.

With all four par 5s stretching to more than 600 yards from the back tees, Erin Hills is certainly no pushover. It also features a number of blind shots, though a USGA-wanted renovation that began in October of 2008 will change some of that. What will not switch is how the par 3s will test you, including the blind tee shot par 3 seventh hole. You have to ring a bell when you putt out to let golfers behind know it's safe to go.

There's no question a lot of golfers will be going to Erin Hills on special trips in the future, though.