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

[Go_Blue!]

13 hours ago, Chanceman said:

How did you like Stoatin Brae in comparison to HH and AD?

 

This was my 4th time playing Stiatin Brae and least fun experience. The course has no clue what it wants/is supposed to be. They completely cut down many long grass areas, which I understand why, to keep play moving, but now they are burnt out hard rock and patchy areas. It really took away from the aesthetics and design of the course. It was also the driest I have ever seen it, which is fine since it should be played this way. However, while the fairways and rough were very, very dry the swells in front of the greens were lush and vibrant. This is in direct contrast of how the course should be played if it is dry and you are running shots up. The greens were the slowest of the entire trip. Just awful for a course with this much potential. They looked quite shaggy. Same with the tee boxes. Awful. Add on the $95 price tag, closed blue stem restaurant because they cant get anyone to work and awful pace of play and it will be years now before I give it another go.

[knickerbocker]

33 minutes ago, Go_Blue! said:

 

This was my 4th time playing Stiatin Brae and least fun experience. The course has no clue what it wants/is supposed to be. They completely cut down many long grass areas, which I understand why, to keep play moving, but now they are burnt out hard rock and patchy areas. It really took away from the aesthetics and design of the course. It was also the driest I have ever seen it, which is fine since it should be played this way. However, while the fairways and rough were very, very dry the swells in front of the greens were lush and vibrant. This is in direct contrast of how the course should be played if it is dry and you are running shots up. The greens were the slowest of the entire trip. Just awful for a course with this much potential. They looked quite shaggy. Same with the tee boxes. Awful. Add on the $95 price tag, closed blue stem restaurant because they cant get anyone to work and awful pace of play and it will be years now before I give it another go.

 

This is what happens when you create elevated greens and you get water runoff from watering the greens.  This is my experience every time I have played Stoatin.  

 

[Gdane]

Hi All, taking the family up to Traverse City next month, and have an early morning round booked at Forest Dunes.  For those that have played, how is the walkability?  I've never been to the resort, and I'm sure people have their preferences for the original Dunes course vs. the Loop.  I'd guess just based on the design that the Loop is a much easier walk than Forest Dunes.  I still have time to switch to the Loop, so curious to see what kind of feedback I get here.

 

Thanks!

[tlknight]

Was at Forest Dunes last week. The Loop is walkable though I didn’t see a single walker in two days.  Forest Dunes is not walkable as there are many decently long hauls between holes. 

[3_Jack_Par]

The original Forest Dunes is pretty walkable, IMO. There’s a few holes with a decent distance from one green to the next tee, but it’s not especially hilly or a difficult walk otherwise. 

[Curmudg3on]

I was up there Friday.   We ate at the outdoor gazebo and for the hour we were there I didn't see anybody walking.    That's not to say people don't walk, we just didn't see any walkers. 

[Ryan3773]

4 hours ago, tlknight said:

Was at Forest Dunes last week. The Loop is walkable though I didn’t see a single walker in two days.  Forest Dunes is not walkable as there are many decently long hauls between holes. 

I walked it in under 4 hours last summer, it’s really not that bad at all...

[Chanceman]

15 hours ago, knickerbocker said:

 

This is what happens when you create elevated greens and you get water runoff from watering the greens.  This is my experience every time I have played Stoatin.  

 

Very disappointing to hear all that, as SB was on my short list for the next trip. Others I have on the list in that general area are Pilgrims Run, Tullymore, and The Mines.

[Imp]

21 hours ago, knickerbocker said:

 

This is what happens when you create elevated greens and you get water runoff from watering the greens.  This is my experience every time I have played Stoatin.  

 

I was a member at an old course here in Mass (I go to MI for work often, that's why I'm here - usually in the winter though), that was the same thing. 8 greens were elevated by 30 feet or more. Laying up, you tried not to get too close to the base, otherwise you have soggy ground and not firm(ish) grass. 

[knickerbocker]

13 hours ago, Gdane said:

Hi All, taking the family up to Traverse City next month, and have an early morning round booked at Forest Dunes.  For those that have played, how is the walkability?  I've never been to the resort, and I'm sure people have their preferences for the original Dunes course vs. the Loop.  I'd guess just based on the design that the Loop is a much easier walk than Forest Dunes.  I still have time to switch to the Loop, so curious to see what kind of feedback I get here.

 

Thanks!

 

The original course is far better and its not even close. While I enjoy the uniqueness of the loop, if you only have time to play one, the OG is the clear choice. 

[reperna]

41 minutes ago, knickerbocker said:

 

The original course is far better and its not even close. While I enjoy the uniqueness of the loop, if you only have time to play one, the OG is the clear choice. 

If I’m playing one course on the property it’s Forest dunes. It’s one of my favorite courses I’ve ever played. The loop is fun, but not in the same category as the og.

[kamizzou91]

A buddy and I are planning a last-minute trip to Michigan the first week in August.  We have Forest Dunes booked for 36 on Wednesday and 18 on Thursday before flying out Thursday night.  We are looking to fill 18 on Monday and 36 on Tuesday.  Flying into DTW landing at approximately 10 AM on Monday.  Any suggestions?  Arcadia is apparently booked up with zero tee times, as we had initially planned to play that.   We are looking at the Bay Harbor/Boyne courses, but would also be open to anywhere else worth playing.  Appreciate any insight from those in the know.  

Edited June 24, 2021 by kamizzou91

[brentdtw]

You could play Sheperd's Hollow (they have 27 there if you felt like it) on Monday, and then the Dream and the Nightmare in West Branch for the 36 on Tuesday. 

[Curmudg3on]

We played the Dream and Nightmare last Thursday and Friday.   It's not a long drive from there to Forest Dunes.

[golfortennis]

On 6/22/2021 at 8:52 AM, Imp said:

I fly into Detroit. Rent a car. Drive to grand rapids/battle creek/KZoo area for work, so anywhere along that route... suggestions? Can even get up to Lansing (usually Sunday afternoon rounds which shouldn't be difficult) Then, I drive back to Detroit and fly out, offering another opportunity to play later in the week. Afternoon rounds after 4pm during the week may be difficult, but not impossible, and I don't mind driving an hour if it's worth it for those afternoon rounds, since daylight exists later in the afternoons/nights since west side of time zone... So... How narrow do you WANT me to be? 😉

 

You would need to have a connection, but the U of M golf course is an Alister MacKenzie design.  Great golf course.

 

[brentdtw]

Not any more, UM is open to anyone, it's just more expensive without a connection. But it's a fantastic course to play and not far from the airport. The booking window opens up 7 days before so you have to be on top of it if you need a specific time. 

 

https://umgolfcourse.umich.edu/index.php/rates/

[golfortennis]

Interesting.  I wonder what brought that change about.  Didn't think they were ever hurting for players.

[knickerbocker]

  U of M not being snobbish? There is a first for everything.

[Curmudg3on]

Did you see the price?

[AzSuperHack76]

19 minutes ago, DennyJones said:

Did you see the price?

Unaccompanied is $130 weekdays and $160 weekends. 
 

Compared to courses in Az during peak season, it’s a bargain. Especially for such a historic course/Alister MacKenzie design. We have a Northern Michigan trip in August, will be adding it for sure while we’re in Detroit. 
 

$300-350 plus for Troon, Grayhawk, TPC Scottsdale, etc., etc., during our peak season is absolutely ridiculous and those courses pale in comparison. Not a lot of history in terms of design and designers here in Az. Although we are spoiled to be able to play year round. 

[putterboy75]

Hi everyone - I had a question I thought this thread would be well suited to answer. I live in the Birmingham area outside Detroit, but am driving to Ann Arbor tomorrow to see a family friend for dinner.

 

Where should I play? I'd love to play UM course or Radrick Farms but am a UNC alum which makes it a little more work to play either of those.

 

Thanks for the help!

[Go_Blue!]

On 6/26/2021 at 8:12 PM, AzSuperHack76 said:

Unaccompanied is $130 weekdays and $160 weekends. 
 

Compared to courses in Az during peak season, it’s a bargain. Especially for such a historic course/Alister MacKenzie design. We have a Northern Michigan trip in August, will be adding it for sure while we’re in Detroit. 
 

$300-350 plus for Troon, Grayhawk, TPC Scottsdale, etc., etc., during our peak season is absolutely ridiculous and those courses pale in comparison. Not a lot of history in terms of design and designers here in Az. Although we are spoiled to be able to play year round. 

 

UMGC has been my home course for the past 6 years. There is very little outside play. Some come in, but with the student passes and champs passes, the course gets a ton of play. Last year they oversold the student passes and it was ridiculous trying to get out. There are a lot of beginner golfers playing that course, which is fine, however they neglect to repair ball marks on the greens. Course could be even better but because of all the play and levels of play, they seem content with the effort they put into it.

Edited June 28, 2021 by Go_Blue!

[Dino81]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a teaching pro somewhat close to Rochester Hills? I’m currently a 5 and looking to clean up a few issues in my game. 
 

I’d prefer to see someone that embraces technology and increasing clubhead speed. I’ve been doing some work on my own over the past year (went from about 98 to 106mph) and would like a pro that isn’t going to shy away from moves/positions that will keep me on the path to getting longer AND more consistent. 

[1puttTUT]

2 hours ago, Dino81 said:

Does anyone have a recommendation for a teaching pro somewhat close to Rochester Hills? I’m currently a 5 and looking to clean up a few issues in my game. 
 

I’d prefer to see someone that embraces technology and increasing clubhead speed. I’ve been doing some work on my own over the past year (went from about 98 to 106mph) and would like a pro that isn’t going to shy away from moves/positions that will keep me on the path to getting longer AND more consistent. 

 

I see Bret Hartman at OU 

[Dino81]

2 hours ago, 1puttTUT said:

 

I see Bret Hartman at OU 

You’re a member there, right? Is that a requirement? I am working on my Masters there right now, but I’m not a member. 

[1puttTUT]

7 minutes ago, Dino81 said:

You’re a member there, right? Is that a requirement? I am working on my Masters there right now, but I’m not a member. 

 

You don't need to be a member 

[timbo08]

2 hours ago, 1puttTUT said:

 

You don't need to be a member 

Is the affiliate status the only way to play as a Non-Member and Non-Guest of Member out of curiosity. 

[1puttTUT]

13 hours ago, timbo08 said:

Is the affiliate status the only way to play as a Non-Member and Non-Guest of Member out of curiosity. 

 

The term "affiliate" is what they use in place of "member". You have to purchase an annual membership to become an affiliate, so they are the same thing. 

 

Full time students and faculty can play Katke at a reduced rate. Sharf is just flat-out private. 

 

Alumni get no rights or discounts.

[Curmudg3on]

I recently took a few lessons from Ben Bockin in Novi.   He's very good

 

GLA - Ben Bockin

[N8dogg2669]

Heading out on a golf trip a week from today. First stop is Forest Dunes to play FD and The Loop, then drive over to Arcadia Thursday night. Friday morning we have Arcadia South followed by Arcadia Bluffs in the afternoon, then hopefully a little bit of time to have a cigar and a cocktail and watch the sun go down before our Dinner reservation at Arcadia. Saturday morning headed down to American Dunes, and then most likely eat and drink until I am unable to move somewhere in GR and then head home Sunday morning. Super pumped for this trip.