| #1 |
This Par 4 immediately challenges your driver. Tee shots must be straight to avoid O.B. down the left side and a grouping of bunkers down the right. The green sits downhill and is guarded by strategically placed bunkers that will penalize incorrect distances, both short and long. |
| #2 |
A typical par 4, plays uphill from the box. Stay left from the tee to avoid the fairway bunker lining the right side, not to mention the railroad tracks that run along the entirety of the hole. Count yourself among the fortunate if a train does not pass by during your round. |
| #3 |
Enjoy the view from this par 4. The hole rolls downhill from the tees and offers a split fairway, separated by a line of trees. There are bunkers at every turn, some new additions to the original. A beautiful, challenging hole. |
| #4 |
Thread the needle on your drive because more bunkers have been installed to frustrate even the most accurate of golfers. You will progress back uphill to a two-tiered green defended by overhanging branches and bunkers on the front left. Tip here is to land short. There are additional bunkers on the backside that will complicate your scoring. |
| #5 |
We think, without question, the par 5 should have been the signature hole at Thornapple Pointe. Your tee shot will come off an elevated box with a view of the entire hole, plus the halfway house (strangely located between the 6th and 15th tee boxes) and the Thornapple River. Play to the right side of the fairway despite the hazards here including bunkers and fescue. This position will allow you to cut the corner on the dogleg right. There is a large tree that sits on the bluff above the river. Aim right of that, cut out over the water, and the green can be reached in two. Or play it safe and make up a story to tell your friends and children. |
| #6 |
After five difficult holes, you are finally rewarded with a par 3. Nice length and plenty of opportunity to bogey this hole with a huge bunker to the right of the green. If you are lucky, you may end up on one of the mounds in this waste bunker instead of buried in it. |
| #7 |
From the tee, this par 5 hole looks to play seven miles from the whites. You have to carry a deep ravine from the tee. You have to follow with accurate mid to long-iron play between thick stands of trees. You can reach this green in two but aim for the more-forgiving right side of the green. A large bunker guards the left half of the green and is a sucker pin placement because the green is shallow at this point. |
| #8 |
This par 3 is over a marsh. Unless you worm burn or chunk your shot it won't come into play. There are three large sand bunkers around the green that requires accuracy to avoid. The green has two levels so make sure you look to see which tier the flag stick is located. |
| #9 |
Once again, you are forced to carry your tee shot over a hazard. Playing less than 300 yards, this par 4 can provide for some makeable birdies. Shoot for the right corner of the dogleg and the landing spot can put you directly in front of the green with only a pitch shot to make the green. The green itself is narrow with a great deal of undulation (most likely compensation for being so easily reached). |
| #10 |
It may be suggested to you by the staff to bag your driver on this par 4, and instead, take advantage of a long iron or hybrid. In truth, there is no jeopardy if your drive is straight. The fairway rolls down to the green but even the little "valley" can be negotiated. Grip and rip and you will be chipping from 25 yards off the green. |
| #11 |
Let loose the driver on this par 4. The fairway is wide and accommodating, much like some of the girls from the sorority during my days at Grand Valley. The backside of the green falls away quickly and there are bunkers front right and left to contend with. Just off of the left side bunker, tall grasses grow ready to frustrate any misses in that direction. |
| #12 |
Par 3s are funny beasts. Too long and you don't have the club to get you there; too short and you don't have the accuracy to stick a shot. The 12th follows the latter. Playing less than 135 yards, the distance and direction have to be spot on to avoid one of the many bunkers that surround the hole. |
| #13 |
The designated signature hole, the white tees play from the bluff overlooking the Thornapple River and adjacent riverbed. The river runs the length of the 13th down the left side and a wooded hillside lines the right and both seem to interfere in an ongoing basis throughout play. Play the left side of the fairway despite the water hazard because it gives you the best approach to the green. |
| #14 |
This par 4 continues to traverse along the Thornapple River. Your tee shot must clear an inlet off of the river to a wide open fairway. One of the coolest golf course bridges spans this section. Take your time and enjoy the ride. Clear the water and the balance of the hole is pedestrian. |
| #15 |
Another challenging par 3 that is similar to the 6th as they share the same bunker. Trees line the right, so your tee shot must be accurate in both distance and direction. Overshoot the green and the fescue awaits to gobble up your ball. |
| #16 |
The shorter par 5 on the back kicks off with some wetlands to carry off the tee. A tree lined fairway will guide you to a small green guarded by bunkers and several tall trees. Hopefully the pin is on the right side of the green so the tallest of the trees doesn't block your shot. |
| #17 |
Aim right off the tee to avoid the bunkers and grasses along the left side of the fairway. It is further to the hazard that fronts the green than it appears from the box, so feel free to bag your fairway wood and hit the driver. The green is elevated on this par 4 and fronted on the right by a large bunker. |
| #18 |
Travel back through the tunnel under the railroad tracks to the finishing hole, a par 4 playing just over 315 yards. You will again have to carry that well-protected marsh to the fairway. Accuracy is key to hit the narrow landing area surrounded by bunkers. If you manage to nail your tee shot, you have the hole beat and another round in the books! |
| There is reason why there is so much quiet buzz about Thornapple Pointe. It is affordable, well-maintained, and challenges you to use every stick in the bag. Throw in the setting and the wonderful staff and this Bill Newcomb designed course is a true Michigan gem. |
| 1) |
Fee Factor
|
19
|
| Three different rates for week,weekends, and a twilight rate puts this course right in the meat of the curve. |
| 2) |
Friendliness Factor
|
18
|
| The clubhouse staff was courteous, but the real experience is with the starter and cart attendant. Both were friendly and ready to help with anything we needed. |
| 3) |
Fringe Factor
|
18
|
| This course is set up to cater to determined golfers. The clubhouse, pro shop, and ancillary facilities were first rate. |
| 4) |
From 1st Tee to Handshake Factor
|
18
|
| The staff and crew care about your experience on this course and it showed. Fairways, bunkers, and greens were well-groomed. The outhouse at the point was clean and convenient. |
| 5) |
Fun Factor
|
19
|
| From the 1st tee, where we had a long talk with the starter, Jim, to our trip back to the car, House and I both marveled at how enjoyable the course was to play. It didn't hurt that the people we met at Thornapple were into golf and so relaxed that it put us at ease even after an early 18 to warm up for this course. |
