All Things Michigan Golf.....The Three Putt

[postfold]

4 hours ago, MattM97 said:

 

Ok I'll try and get on Radrick if my friend is a member there or has connections, is the regular course still worth playing? 

 

Regular U-M course is very much worth playing.   

[MattM97]

1 hour ago, Go_Blue! said:

Absolutely. UM is a very good track and a must if you have never played it. I just prefer Radrick, as do most who have privileges at both. When you play both regularly, they really begin to separate. 

 

2 minutes ago, postfold said:

 

Regular U-M course is very much worth playing.   

 

Good to know thanks, it will be on our list of courses to play for sure then, if we can get on Radrick then we will but if not the regular one will do and I'm sure we'll enjoy it. 

[odshot68]

I’ve never played either but really disappointed by msu tracks. And used to be a spartan boy

[Go_Blue!]

55 minutes ago, odshot68 said:

I’ve never played either but really disappointed by msu tracks. And used to be a spartan boy

I have only played Forest Akers West and was not impressed, especially with much it was talked up. 

[3_Jack_Par]

I’ve only played Radrick once, but I vastly prefer the U-M course to it. It pains me as a Spartan to say it, but it’s the much better university course among the two. I actually like Akers West a lot, too. I’d take it over Radrick. Akers East is more of a track for beginners—I grew up around Lansing, and it’s the first course where I ever shot under par for 18 holes.

 

[bk52]

I have lived in Ann Arbor for 40 years and have played both U of M and Radrick many times.

 

If one were going to play one time and had a choice between the U of M Blue Course or Radrick, pick U of M. If is a classic McKenzie course from the 1930's. It is quirky, busy, and a bit abused. It is also a lot of fun to play. Standing on #18 tee, looking down on "The Big House" is not something you do during a typical round of golf.

 

An opportunity to have a membership? Radrick is the choice: superior practice area, great pace of play, serene locale, excellent modern design, consistently fine maintenance, regular schedule of member competitions. And nobody parks cars on the course almost every weekend in the Autumn! 😉

Edited June 8, 2024 by bk52

[Go_Blue!]

3 hours ago, bk52 said:

I have lived in Ann Arbor for 40 years and have played both U of M and Radrick many times.

 

If one were going to play one time and had a choice between the U of M Blue Course or Radrick, pick U of M. If is a classic McKenzie course from the 1930's. It is quirky, busy, and a bit abused. It is also a lot of fun to play. Standing on #18 tee, looking down on "The Big House" is not something you do during a typical round of golf.

 

An opportunity to have a membership? Radrick is the choice: superior practice area, great pace of play, serene locale, excellent modern design, consistently fine maintenance, regular schedule of member competitions. And nobody parks cars on the course almost every weekend in the Autumn! 😉

Very fair analysis. 

[cassel191919]

On 6/7/2024 at 4:30 PM, Go_Blue! said:

 

UofM is treated like a muni when it should be treated as a premier course. 

The greens aren’t taken care of, along  with the tee boxes. Pitch marks and divots everywhere. The greens are a fescue grass (awful) which is very grainy and sticky. The blind tee shots on the front (2, 4, 7). Bunkers are very inconsistent, and in many cases lacking sand. Course is just not taken care of like it should be. Is it a good course? Absolutely. But from a pure golf standpoint, Pete Dye’s first 18 hole design at Radrick is so much more pure. The greens are far superior. Layout is much better. Pace of play is 10x better. And location is 10x better. You aren’t surrounded by any noise (tennis complex behind 2 and tee of 3, AA Pioneer games being called, etc) at Radrick. It’s just a pure golf experience with nature all around you. The practice facility at Radrick is also a huge benefit as UofM only has 4 nets to hit into…very premier, lol. And my biggest issue is not being rewarded for good shots on multiple holes at UM. 

I will admit its been a few years (before covid)since ive played and i know they get a ton of play, but when I last played the greens were incredible. If that has changed that is incredibly disappointing, because it is one of the best designed courses in the area.

 

Mackenzie greens just really aren't supposed to be played at modern green speeds and that can really punish great shots. The speeds at Crystal Downs can be just diabolical with the slopes in his greens.

[ldchristopher]

A buddy and I played Angel’s Crossing and The Medallist on Tuesday and Calderone and The Grande yesterday. I really enjoy all four of those courses. Angel’s is a steal at $44 to walk and if there’s a better value in the state than Calderone, please point me to it. The Grande is a cart course, which is not my style at all, but after walking three rounds in about 27 hours, it certainly made the last 18 easier. The Chicago area seems to have courses half as good at double the price. Will hopefully be back again later this summer. 

[3_Jack_Par]

Walking with the weather as hot an humid as it has been is pretty impressive. I don't know if there's enough water in the state to replace all that I'd sweat out if I attempted to walk 54 holes in this.

[Pepetito]

21 hours ago, ldchristopher said:

A buddy and I played Angel’s Crossing and The Medallist on Tuesday and Calderone and The Grande yesterday. I really enjoy all four of those courses. Angel’s is a steal at $44 to walk and if there’s a better value in the state than Calderone, please point me to it. The Grande is a cart course, which is not my style at all, but after walking three rounds in about 27 hours, it certainly made the last 18 easier. The Chicago area seems to have courses half as good at double the price. Will hopefully be back again later this summer. 

How’s the grande? Heard it hasn’t been in the greatest of shape 

[MattSTL88]

Anyone played Muskegon Country Club lately? Have a friend who is Redwater member but haven't played Muskegon with him yet

[ldchristopher]

2 hours ago, Pepetito said:

How’s the grande? Heard it hasn’t been in the greatest of shape 

It was in okay shape. Greens were on the slow side and kind of splotchy in spots but they rolled true. The area got a ton of rain earlier in the week so the course was plenty green but I didn’t see any ponds in bunkers. It wasn’t on par with The Medallist or Calderone though, in terms of conditioning. 

[postfold]

5 hours ago, MattSTL88 said:

Anyone played Muskegon Country Club lately? Have a friend who is Redwater member but haven't played Muskegon with him yet

 

Haven't played it myself lately but know a number of people who have.  In great shape and an excellent layout.  If I were going to join anywhere that would be the place even though it would be a bit of a hike.

[StoutKing]

On 6/7/2024 at 3:05 PM, MattM97 said:

 

 

Good to know thanks, it will be on our list of courses to play for sure then, if we can get on Radrick then we will but if not the regular one will do and I'm sure we'll enjoy it. 

You should try and play the Alister MacKenzie UM course.  I think he only designed 10 or so courses in the US including Augusta National, Cypress Point, Crystal Downs, etc.  The UM course isn't fully restored but I guarantee you will enjoy the green complexes and routing.  Try and walk if you can.  It's a bit short by modern standards but a ton of fun.  Radrick is good too I just prefer old school courses.

 

*Disclaimer - I haven't played it in many years so I'm not sure on conditions...

Edited June 22, 2024 by StoutKing
spelling

[StoutKing]

On 6/7/2024 at 11:26 AM, cassel191919 said:

lol I couldn't disagree more with the previous post, The Mackenzie course is the best course in south east Michigan outside of Oakland Hills and Meadowbrook.  Radrick is a great track but the regular university course is the choice if you can only play one

It's pretty darn good.  Have you played Franklin or Bloomfield Hills?  Heard good things

[Kuhndogg8]

Hey guys, looking for some help.

 

A couple nights in Charlevoix end of July.  It'll be just me, but can get out for one 18 hole day and one 36 hole day.  Looking for some guidance.  I've played Belvedere before and I absolutely love it.  May put it in the rotation for one of these rounds, but interested in seeing something different.

 

Charlevoix Golf & Country Club

Crooked Tree

Dunmaglas (someone here in Phoenix told me this is a hidden gem)

Monument & Alpine for 36

Arthur Hills & The Highlands for 36

 

May be able to access these privates, but not sure yet:

True North

Walloon Lake

 

Initial lean is Crooked Tree + Arthur Hills / Highlands.  Thoughts on that?  If I'm able to access True North or Walloon Lake are either of those a must play?

 

Appreciate the help guys!

[golfortennis]

On 6/8/2024 at 8:48 AM, bk52 said:

I have lived in Ann Arbor for 40 years and have played both U of M and Radrick many times.

 

If one were going to play one time and had a choice between the U of M Blue Course or Radrick, pick U of M. If is a classic McKenzie course from the 1930's. It is quirky, busy, and a bit abused. It is also a lot of fun to play. Standing on #18 tee, looking down on "The Big House" is not something you do during a typical round of golf.

 

An opportunity to have a membership? Radrick is the choice: superior practice area, great pace of play, serene locale, excellent modern design, consistently fine maintenance, regular schedule of member competitions. And nobody parks cars on the course almost every weekend in the Autumn! 😉

 

Absolutely gut wrenching to hear U of M is letting the McKenzie course go to pot.  Design-wise it is excellent.  I do dislike the fact the range is reserved only for U of M golf team(even MSU lets you warm up on the range), and I most certainly would not recommend playing it once football season starts.  (The golf course is about the best place for tailgating, but then you gotta think long and hard about what that brings about if you want to play the course 2-3 days after a game).  Agreed that 18th tee shot is quite something.  I also really enjoy the par 5(can't recall if it's # 3 or 4with the green angled off to the left up the hill-you can go for it but it carries a lot of risk.)

 

But if you can use the range at Radrick, then that is a big plus right there.

 

Almost have to wonder if the athletic department only keeps the course for parking nowadays.  What is the going rate to park there now?  It was $20 last time I was there about 20 years ago.

 

 

[cassel191919]

On 6/21/2024 at 8:21 PM, StoutKing said:

It's pretty darn good.  Have you played Franklin or Bloomfield Hills?  Heard good things

Ive played just about everything other than Franklin Hills, That is the last course on my Michigan Bucket list.

[cassel191919]

On 6/22/2024 at 11:54 AM, Kuhndogg8 said:

Hey guys, looking for some help.

 

A couple nights in Charlevoix end of July.  It'll be just me, but can get out for one 18 hole day and one 36 hole day.  Looking for some guidance.  I've played Belvedere before and I absolutely love it.  May put it in the rotation for one of these rounds, but interested in seeing something different.

 

Charlevoix Golf & Country Club

Crooked Tree

Dunmaglas (someone here in Phoenix told me this is a hidden gem)

Monument & Alpine for 36

Arthur Hills & The Highlands for 36

 

May be able to access these privates, but not sure yet:

True North

Walloon Lake

 

Initial lean is Crooked Tree + Arthur Hills / Highlands.  Thoughts on that?  If I'm able to access True North or Walloon Lake are either of those a must play?

 

Appreciate the help guys!

True North is a must play if possible. Ive always enjoyed both the monument and alpine, but also cant go wrong with the hills course at boyne or whatever fancy a** name they are using now.

[StudentGolfer4]

On 6/23/2024 at 12:21 PM, golfortennis said:

 

Absolutely gut wrenching to hear U of M is letting the McKenzie course go to pot.  Design-wise it is excellent.  I do dislike the fact the range is reserved only for U of M golf team(even MSU lets you warm up on the range), and I most certainly would not recommend playing it once football season starts.  (The golf course is about the best place for tailgating, but then you gotta think long and hard about what that brings about if you want to play the course 2-3 days after a game).  Agreed that 18th tee shot is quite something.  I also really enjoy the par 5(can't recall if it's # 3 or 4with the green angled off to the left up the hill-you can go for it but it carries a lot of risk.)

 

But if you can use the range at Radrick, then that is a big plus right there.

 

Almost have to wonder if the athletic department only keeps the course for parking nowadays.  What is the going rate to park there now?  It was $20 last time I was there about 20 years ago.

 

 

It’s not in fantastic shape but I wouldn’t say it’s going to pot. They only let you park in the rough from what I recall. The course is used almost exclusively for university students, staff, and personnel. 
 

The unaffiliated guest rate is $140 through the week and $170 Friday-Sunday. 

 

[Pepetito]

On 6/22/2024 at 11:54 AM, Kuhndogg8 said:

Hey guys, looking for some help.

 

A couple nights in Charlevoix end of July.  It'll be just me, but can get out for one 18 hole day and one 36 hole day.  Looking for some guidance.  I've played Belvedere before and I absolutely love it.  May put it in the rotation for one of these rounds, but interested in seeing something different.

 

Charlevoix Golf & Country Club

Crooked Tree

Dunmaglas (someone here in Phoenix told me this is a hidden gem)

Monument & Alpine for 36

Arthur Hills & The Highlands for 36

 

May be able to access these privates, but not sure yet:

True North

Walloon Lake

 

Initial lean is Crooked Tree + Arthur Hills / Highlands.  Thoughts on that?  If I'm able to access True North or Walloon Lake are either of those a must play?

 

Appreciate the help guys!

Could play Charlevoix CC and Belvy on the 36 hole day.  Easy drive.

Then go play Arthur Hills (one of my favs) or Crooked Tree if you havent played that yet.

[cassel191919]

Anyone played the Cardinal yet and what were your thoughts?  I know new greens are generally very firm the first season or 2 is that the case there?

[3_Jack_Par]

19 hours ago, cassel191919 said:

Anyone played the Cardinal yet and what were your thoughts?  I know new greens are generally very firm the first season or 2 is that the case there?

It sucks -- you shouldn't waste your time😄. Leave it to us poor suckers who have annual passes.

I've played over 20 rounds there. It's a great layout, and it's in great shape. Hopefully it stays that way now that it's open to the public. It's nice that unlike a lot of courses in the area, there's no houses bordering the course, so you're really just surrounded by woods (and railroad tracks and M-14, and Hines Drive/5 Mile Rd at times) instead of yards and houses that all look the same. The greens are pretty firm -- from the fairway on a full swing, with a short iron, it will usually stop for me within about 5 feet of the landing spot, but with a longer iron, and/or downwind, or out of the rough, you do have to account for a bit more rollout. I generate a decent amount of speed and spin, so I find it pretty playable. People who don't hit it as high or spin it as much do sometimes struggle to stop it even from the fairway. 

 

It's pretty awesome. I personally think it's the best public course in the Detroit area. If you do check it out, make sure you keep pace, because we've been spoiled by being able to get around in well under 4 hours most of the time, and we'd love to keep the pace of play moving along well.

 

 

[cassel191919]

56 minutes ago, 3_Jack_Par said:

It sucks -- you shouldn't waste your time😄. Leave it to us poor suckers who have annual passes.

I've played over 20 rounds there. It's a great layout, and it's in great shape. Hopefully it stays that way now that it's open to the public. It's nice that unlike a lot of courses in the area, there's no houses bordering the course, so you're really just surrounded by woods (and railroad tracks and M-14, and Hines Drive/5 Mile Rd at times) instead of yards and houses that all look the same. The greens are pretty firm -- from the fairway on a full swing, with a short iron, it will usually stop for me within about 5 feet of the landing spot, but with a longer iron, and/or downwind, or out of the rough, you do have to account for a bit more rollout. I generate a decent amount of speed and spin, so I find it pretty playable. People who don't hit it as high or spin it as much do sometimes struggle to stop it even from the fairway. 

 

It's pretty awesome. I personally think it's the best public course in the Detroit area. If you do check it out, make sure you keep pace, because we've been spoiled by being able to get around in well under 4 hours most of the time, and we'd love to keep the pace of play moving along well.

 

 

Thanks for the write up, I remember someone saying they were a pass holder i just couldn't remember who. How do tee times work being a pass holder compared to the general public/resort guest?

 

I will try to only show up once this season, its good to hear its in great shape and I hope it stays that way but I see how members can treat their own course let alone the general public. Also no worries on pace of play if it takes longer then 3 hours I am going home  (its nice having the first tee time at my course every weekend)

[3_Jack_Par]

members can make tee times 14 days in advance, and the public can only book a week ahead. Not that I ever plan anything that far ahead in my life, lol.

[N8dogg2669]

Heading up to the Loon and Otsego tomorrow for a bachelor party. Never played The Loon so pumped about that. FYI, Greystone punched their greens this week. We have a week off from our league, so they should be good by time we get back. 

[Pepetito]

4 hours ago, N8dogg2669 said:

Heading up to the Loon and Otsego tomorrow for a bachelor party. Never played The Loon so pumped about that. FYI, Greystone punched their greens this week. We have a week off from our league, so they should be good by time we get back. 

I’d like to hear recent thoughts on the Loon. Never played it

[N8dogg2669]

3 hours ago, Pepetito said:

I’d like to hear recent thoughts on the Loon. Never played it

I’ll give an update next week. 

[countvelvet]

On 6/26/2024 at 11:45 AM, N8dogg2669 said:

Heading up to the Loon and Otsego tomorrow for a bachelor party. Never played The Loon so pumped about that. FYI, Greystone punched their greens this week. We have a week off from our league, so they should be good by time we get back. 

I played the Tribute and Classic a couple weeks ago.  Both are in fantastic shape.