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By House
Fall golf in Michigan is a wonderful experience—golfing at a fine country club is even better. Not many munis or publinks have crews mowing and blowing leaves on an immaculately maintained course. The greens were aerated two weeks prior to my round but had recovered beautifully. Washtenaw Country Club is the third oldest country club in Michigan, established in 1899. Known for small, fast greens, this course will truly challenge any golfer. Although it isn’t the longest course around, it has some really fun and unique holes to it.
I did something I rarely do—I walked it solo. I planned to do more walking this year; get back to the origins of golf. No pull cart, just the old fashioned throw the bag over your shoulder and off you go. I found it remarkably tranquil and cathartic. I am a social person by nature, so going golfing alone isn’t my first choice. But golf is golf and on this day it culminated into the perfect round.
| #1 |
Uphill par 4 that borders the driving range. Stay just right of center for your best attack angle on the first of many postage stamp greens. |
| #2 |
This par 4 claims the highest handicap. It isn't the length that will get you-the green is tough because they love to tuck the pin deep on one of the many tiers. |
| #5 |
The slightly elevated tee box makes you want to crush your drive and make up a stroke on this straight par 4. |
| #6 |
This 562-yard hole is the longest hole on the course and it ends with a slightly elevated three-tiered green. I usually leave my approach shot short. Today, I actually landed the ball on the top tier (where the pin was located), but it rolled off the steep backside. With cool precision, I chipped in my shot without a witness in sight, except for a few squirrels that seemed mighty impressed. |
| #7 |
It's challenging because you only have a 30-yard landing area to leave you a clear shot at the hole. The willow to the right side of the fairway before the stream must have a built-in magnet that attracts my golf ball. Today, would was no different-I had to punch a 2h under the willow and over the stream to a landing area just left of the hole. |
| #8 |
Very strange hole to describe and play. This short par 4 has a tree placed exactly where you think you want to aim. If you fall short on your approach shot to the elevated green, you will land into a rough so nasty that the local rules for women is to drop the ball straight back to the bottom without penalty. This 15-foot hill is difficult to climb up, dangerous to climb down, and catastrophic to your score if you actually have to hit out of it-if you can find your ball in the first place. Play to the right and use the small thin green to all of your advantage. The green always seems faster on this hole. A birdie is possible, but be happy if you get to the 9th having carded par. |
| #9 |
The back nine has some really fun holes. In the 1920s, it became a 18-hole course, so I don't know if these holes were designed in the original layout. If they had the creativity to design this type of track back then, I am truly impressed. |
| #11 |
Aim your tee shot right of center for the best angle to the green on this par 4. |
| #12 |
Club selection is crucial on this downhill par 3 hole that backs up to the stream and has yet another of the signature small greens to aim for. Hitting a high shot that sticks is the best play. |
| #13 |
This last par 5 is straight but hilly. Hit your yardages and you will settle for a tap-in par. |
| #16 |
The stunning par 4 is visually pleasing. Trees line both sides of the fairway to the landing area in front of the pond. The water fountain in the center of the pond only adds to its majesty. You can try to sneak a driver up the left hand side, but it is not the suggested play because the room for error is minimal. The smart and preferred play is to hit a smooth long iron or hybrid to the flat landing area just before the pond. I stuck my approach shot to the right of the hole but missed that putt high. It doesn't matter; a beautiful hole and a gorgeous approach shot makes me enjoy the experience. This course isn't going to give you putts, so you better make them when you can. |
| #17 |
This par 4 is the bridge between the two postcard worthy holes. It does respond with a fantastic green, which, when the hole is tucked in the back left corner, produces a knee-knocking adventure. |
| #18 |
You tee off to a blind second shot. You know the hole is up there, but you don't know where. You want your shot to land about 120 yards from the hole, so you must do your math and chose your club wisely. Big hitters who play here for the first time will find themselves wet if they go for the hero play. If you take too much club, you risk hitting on the down slope over a pond - we all know how fun that can be. I went slightly right on my tee shot and had to cut my approach shot low under a tree, hoping to land it on the right side of the green or greenside bunker or worse. I did just that; the ball was too hot to stick on the green and rolled into the bunker. I had a nice shot out of sand but still missed my putt to save par. |
| I realized after the round that my shoes were in desperate need of retirement. I felt totally at peace knowing that I had taken advantage of one of the last Indian summer days that Michigan had to offer. The solitude of the round was fitting for me to reflect on my golf game with a beautiful golf course as the back drop. The round was done and so was my Michigan golf season. I had played some fantastic courses, had so fantastic shots, but most of all had a fantastic time doing it all! |
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| 1) |
Fee Factor
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18
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| Most likely you are guest of someone, so you won't even see the fee. I know what it is and find it very reasonable for a very nice course. |
| 2) |
Friendliness Factor
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20
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| The staff is exceptional in the pro shop and the clubhouse. This is a private country club and you will notice the difference between that and a public course immediately. |
| 3) |
Fringe Factor
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18
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| Limited by land, the driving range is short and doesn't accommodate the use of drivers. I am never a fan of hitting into a net, but on the plus side, you don't have to pay for range balls! The putting green is fantastic and gives you a nice feel for what you will encounter in your round. Pro shop was small but nice inside. |
| 4) |
From 1st Tee to Handshake Factor
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18
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| Well-designed and maintained course. The maintenance crew is absolutely top notch! |
| 5) |
Fun Factor
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18
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| Great course with some extremely challenging greens. |
Website: http://www.washtenawcc.com/
Check out the Where to section: for places to eat, drink, and stay around southeast Michigan; although the 19th hole is a must after your round. The food and service is fantastic at Washtenaw Country Club.
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