OT / ND Game golf suggestion
Flying my son in from Atlanta for ND weekend. We want to play golf on Friday. Our favorite course is Moose Ridge, but it's entirely booked for an outing on Friday, Sept 09 with no tee times the entire day. I need an alternative - MR guys suggested Northville Hills GC. Any other suggestions for courses in the area comparable to Moose Ridge in terms of price and golf challenge? Any comments +/- on Northville Hills?
GO BLUE!
August 16th, 2011 at 3:37 PM ^
Will you adopt me for that weekend?
August 16th, 2011 at 3:42 PM ^
Leslie Park on the north side of Ann Arbor, it's a gem. Rated top public course in Michigan by Golf Digest in 2009/10. Layout is fun, good challenging course. Tee times are a bit tricky, but if you can get on, it's the bee's knees.
Otherwise i'd reccommend Oakland University if you don't mind driving out to Rochester Hills. The regular OU course (Katke-Cousins) is a tournament grade typical Michigan forest track, and the newer course (R&S Sharf) is a links style that's pretty well thought of. I've played both a number of times and really like Katke. Playing on a Friday you should be able to get decent tee times, and the fees may be a little cheaper.
If you want to stay in the Ann Arbor area, I'd also reccommend Stonebridge GC just south of the Ann Arbor airport. Track winds through a housing community, but its challenging (#1 is a 428 yd par-4 beauty with a little elevation and a creek guarding approach shots), they have online specials, and the course is generally well maintained. Also they have yardage books on the carts which is always a nice touch.
August 16th, 2011 at 4:03 PM ^
Is Katke available to the public now? When I lived in Oakland County it was members or Oakland U affiliates only. I've been gone for 11 years, maybe things have changed? We are staying around Novi Town Center.
August 16th, 2011 at 4:08 PM ^
Echoing this response. My family has moved away from Rochester Hills, but last time I was there (a year ago), it was not open to the public.
August 16th, 2011 at 4:05 PM ^
Played it for the first time last week. Fairways and greens were impeccable. Not sure it's worth twice the green fees ad Leslie but it's nice to try it once
August 16th, 2011 at 3:45 PM ^
Both are very nice courses, but I am more partial to Lyon Oaks as it is in a better setting. Can't lose either way.
August 16th, 2011 at 3:48 PM ^
I always have enjoyed Lake Forest GC. The front nine is kind of bland, but it's relatively cheap and always in good shape. I've played Pierce Lake in Chelsea as well a few years ago, which I enjoyed.
August 16th, 2011 at 3:51 PM ^
almost schizophrenic to me... is it a lake course or an "up north" forest course? Does it favor tight fairways or wide open looks? Yes the course was in good condition, but it just seemed like to me the course had two designers and I like a course that has a single underlying theme / strategy to its layout.
August 16th, 2011 at 3:50 PM ^
EMU's course, Eagle Crest, is quite a fun course. Some creative holes (especially 16), but a bit on the short end (blues are 6400 I think). It's in Ypsi right off 94 by the Marriott. It's right there on Ford Lake so some nice views and plenty of water. Play a few times a year and always enjoyable.
August 16th, 2011 at 3:54 PM ^
don't bring your driver :)
The course continuously forces you to hit iron or fairway wood off the tee and is not forgiving / conducive for guys who like to actually use their $400 driver. Good course, but I like a course that demands some length off the box on more than half the holes. See Detnews.com's write up on it from a couple weeks ago if you want second hand verification.
August 16th, 2011 at 3:51 PM ^
Bring your clubs with you for the tailgate on the golf course.
August 16th, 2011 at 3:57 PM ^
1) Pierce Lake in Chelsea
2) The Majestic in Hartland
3) Lyon Oaks in South Lyon
All three are favorites of mine and not too far from Ann Arbor.
August 16th, 2011 at 4:04 PM ^
I second Pierce Lake.
August 16th, 2011 at 4:01 PM ^
The Grande out in Vandercook Lake (just east of jackson) is a really nice course. Beautiful, well kept course and challenging.
August 16th, 2011 at 4:05 PM ^
I would also add my recommendation for Pierce Lake in Chelsea.
I also enjoy Coyote Preserve in Fenton, and the Majestic in Hartland.
August 16th, 2011 at 9:15 PM ^
I second the Coyote Preserve. It's a beautiful course and quite challenging. While you're in Fenton stop at the French Laundry for a dinner and a beer. You won't regret it
August 16th, 2011 at 4:06 PM ^
This course is gorgeous, and it is not far from A2. Another one that is a bit of a sleeper is Heather Hills in Romeo, which is just north of Detroit.
August 16th, 2011 at 4:32 PM ^
The U of M Course is open on the 9th if you or your son is an alum. love to play that course and would that day if its not booked up.
August 16th, 2011 at 4:34 PM ^
Unless you have access to Crystal Downs there is no MI course more enjoyable to me than the UM golf course. It is a MacKenzie design and is a ton of fun. If you can play on Friday it's a no brainer. Enjoy!
August 16th, 2011 at 4:37 PM ^
This course is awesome!
August 16th, 2011 at 5:18 PM ^
I second that. It always made for a great Sunday Funday activity. However, that place is sadly going out of business. There was an article about that on annarbor.com the other day.
August 16th, 2011 at 9:53 PM ^
I especially like the part where the business is for sale.
August 16th, 2011 at 4:56 PM ^
I play a league at Links of Novi, and I believe it is fairly comparable to Moose Ridge in layout/challenge, and cheaper in price. There are 3 - 9 hole courses, and I would suggest the West and the East for the best experience.
August 16th, 2011 at 7:43 PM ^
They are not comparable at all actually, Links of Novi has a par 34 nine there, I do not respect a course with a par 34 unless its hosting a U.S. Open.
August 16th, 2011 at 9:31 PM ^
Is the South course, which I did not suggest. otherwise, they have very similar yardage, and par 71- 18 holes. While Moose Ridge is the nicer course, Links does play very comparably.
August 16th, 2011 at 5:10 PM ^
Lyon Oaks is a very good course as well as Tanglewood. I wouldn't bother with Links of Novi on the weekends as it tends to get backed up with slow play. Also I'm not sure if they are having problems with a few of their greens on the East and West courses. Another good course is Gateway in Romulus. It's a links style course and is pretty wide open but will play tough if it is windy. Pheasant Run in Canton is also a very nice course.
August 16th, 2011 at 5:35 PM ^
Great rec's and I've now got options to explore. Leslie Park looks like a hidden gem and getting great reviews - plus you can make tee times 14 days in advance, not 7 days in advance like everywhere else. Appreciate it and GO BLUE!
August 16th, 2011 at 6:15 PM ^
Leslie Park is solid, but they must have paid someone off for that top 50 ranking they got a few years ago. I am probably a bit jaded from playing in a league there for the last 15 years though. The have the price in line with reality now and have food and a beverage cart, so they've come a long way.
August 16th, 2011 at 7:40 PM ^
Hands down the Majestic at Lake Walden, literally the only course in SE Michigan that actually has a couple holes that are like up north. One view is looking down to Lake Walden and you can see for miles.
August 17th, 2011 at 12:48 AM ^
Since you mentioned Moose Ridge, if you're gonna be in that area or willing to go there.... try Chemung Hills between Brighton and Howell. Golfed there for the first time about a month ago and loved it. A number of elevated tees and some very beautiful scenery. And the price was unbeatable ($29 for 18/cart on a Sunday!).
Also...coworkers of mine rave about Timber Trace in Pinckney, but I've yet to get there.
If you want to drive a bit farther, try Copper Hills in Oxford. Stunningly beautiful, and pretty challenging. 27 holes (Hill, Jungle, Marsh...take your pick., but the Hill course is a must-do). Absolute favorite of mine, especially for fall golf.
I'm also fond of Reddeman Farms (Dancer Rd, off Jackson Rd between A2 and Chelsea).