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By House
There are few places in this world that bring peace and serenity to a fast-paced, hectic life. Radrick Farms Golf Course, the University of Michigan’s Faculty/Staff and Alumni course, does that for me. With its astonishing long wait list to join, it is all the more wonderful that I have had the privilege to play this Pete Dye masterpiece as much as I have.
There are two sets of tees for men: maize and blue. Most members play the longer maize because it is just under 7,000 yards.
| #1 |
This is your best chance at birdie of the par 5s, even though it is the longest. Hit your tee shot to the right center part of the fairway to take the bunkers and the trees out of the equation. All the greens are fast and have some movement, but this one rolls exactly as it reads. |
| #2 |
Most first timers stand on the tee box and scratch their heads for this crazy par 4. A blind tee shot invites players to test their luck by hitting over the trees to the left for a chip shot to the green. Don't buy into this way of thinking. Hit it to the right edge of the fairway on the landing area for nice look at this extremely difficult green. |
| #3 |
Ah, another par 4 with a blind tee shot! This one encourages you to blast a drive that hugs the tree-lined left side. Depending on pin placement, you might have made a wise decision. The green is two-tiered and hosts trees, bunkers, and the cart path. I have seen everything happen on this hole... the good, the bad, and the unmentionable ugly! |
| #4 |
The large green is surrounded by bunkers. If you stay within your swing, you should be able to avoid them. Either way, this par 3 has another green that is deceptively difficult. |
| #5 |
Fun par 5. It's difficult to tell you how to play this hole because it really depends on what type of hitter you are. If you are big off the tee and have a high ball flight, hug the trees on the right and drop it in the fairway for a good look at birdie. I usually play the center fairway, which leaves a long second shot. Danger is literally on all sides of the hole. If you come up short, you might actually have a better chance with a bump and run at the hole. This green is long and narrow with movement. There is a covered bridge that you will cross to get to the 5th green and 6th tee box. I spent an hour there one time in a horrible storm. Call me strange, but it was actually kind of a cool experience. |
| #6 |
Yet another unique par 4. You must know that a good straight drive will probably put you too far left and stymied behind the trees for your approach shot to the green. Best to play a 3w or try a power fade for all of us right handers. The green is severely sloped down to the front. |
| #7 |
It is the longest of the par 3s (right around 200 yards from either set of tees) and has a huge green to attack. Front greenside bunkers on both sides gobble up any short shots. Pin is usually tucked in a tough position on this hole. |
| #8 |
This, the shortest par 4, makes me think of the Jimi Hendrix song Castles in the Sand because when you get to the tee you see mounds of sand on the right side of the fairway. Actually, the fairway is to the left around the sand like a green letter "C." Most people can blast right over the sand for a lob wedge shot to the green. |
| #9 |
Elevated tee shot on this par 4. Hit it left and you are in the parking lot. Go right and you are stymied behind a row of trees. If you can avoid the strategically place bunkers in the landing zone on the fairway, you will have an easy wedge shot to the green. Be keenly aware of pin placement because 3 putts on this green are not uncommon. |
| #10 |
From the tee, you will see a wide open fairway to blast away at on this par 4. If you do go left, you will be searching among range balls for your own. Just get your tee shot out there, so you can fire at the green, which is absolutely enormous. |
| #11 |
This long par 3 is much easier than you will think. From the tee, it looks like the green is surrounded by bunkers. Once you get to the green, you will realize that you had more area of forgiveness than you assumed. |
| #12 |
I love this par 5! It is a start of stretch of five beautiful holes. You tee from an elevated box and hopefully will feel the joy of crushing your drive as it hangs up in the sky for an eternity (or a second or two longer than normal) before it gently lands on the fairway. Your second shot leaves you with an uphill approach. I have rarely made the green on my second shot but usually leave myself with an easy of chip or pitch to birdie range. The green reminds me of the shape of Africa and is almost as large as the continent. Get a good roll and you might walk to the next hole, writing down a 4 on your card with a circle around it. |
| #13 |
I refer to this as the "banana boy" hole, because it is a nice sloping dogleg left. My friend Chris had a marvelous left-handed slice that was made for this hole. He was the one and only player I wouldn't question when he brought out the driver. He could smoke this high lefty slice that looked like a bird flying dead middle down the fairway. He would be 100 yards ahead of my 4i or 3w punch shot to the bend in the "nana." Make sure you get to the bend because you don't what to be short. This hole is tree lined on both sides. Bunkers front both sides of the green and the left side drops off beyond the green. |
| #14 |
You really need well struck shots on this par 4. The first, hopefully, will funnel to the center of the fairway beyond the bunker. Your second shot should be aimed at the center of the green. I wouldn't recommend pin searching on this one or you might end up in one of the greenside bunkers or worse. |
| #15 |
The tee box gives you one of the most picturesque views of downtown Ann Arbor. This short par 3 is elevated and challenging. Stick your shot and you are left with fighting yet another difficult Radrick green to win back a stroke. |
| #16 |
This par 5 has two different tee boxes that are separated by a creek. One tee box beautifully displays where to attack the hole. The other tee box leaves you wondering which direction you are supposed to go. I am trying to remember if I have ever gotten par from this hole from the less desirable first (or left) tee box. My thought is... no. Shoot for the right side of the fairway to avoid water on the left on your second shot. Too far right and you will be in the woods or the couple bunkers placed before the green. It is much more open than I am leading on. The green is misshapen and unpredictable. This hole has ruined my rounds, and at times made it, when successfully navigated. For that, I will always hold this hole up as one of my sentimental favorites. |
| #17 |
Some people love this hole, but to me, it the most mundane on the back nine. Other than the fountain behind you as you tee off, the rest of the hole is a pretty straightforward par 4. Because I know my round is ending, the green and approach shot have never given me much challenge. Go for birdie to win some strokes back. |
| #18 |
I have played this hole more times in partial darkness than any other hole in my life. Most tee shots on this short par 4 feed down into the center of the fairway. Take aim at the pin and hope to bypass the bunkers that front the green. |
| This hidden gem is nestled in the northeast side of Ann Arbor. To me, it is just as beautiful as its neighbor, the Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Some locals don't even know that Radrick exists. When you say the U of M Faculty/Staff and Alumni golf course, some may think you are referring to the course across from the Big House. Ingrain this in your brain if you are a fan of Pete Dye and great courses: if you ever get a chance to play Radrick Farms Golf Course... do it! |
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| 1) |
Fee Factor
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| As Tom Petty sings, "the waiting is the hardest part." To become a member at Radrick, get on the wait list. If you want to play, make friends with a member. Once you are a member, the price is right, especially if you are a walker, which there are a lot of at Radrick. |
| 2) |
Friendliness Factor
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18
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| Very personable and professional in the pro shop. The clubhouse manager, Paul, is a staple at this course and a true asset to this well-run course. The starters are always polite and make sure everyone knows the order. Tee times fill up here, so they keep you on time. The members police themselves, so make sure you keep up and you will have a wonderful round. |
| 3) |
Fringe Factor
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17
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| Radrick is outfitted with a driving range, chipping area, and two nice large putting greens. The putting green by the 1st tee is more indicative of the course, but I prefer the less crowded one on the way to the parking lot. Pro shop is small but nice inside. There is a snack shack at the turn. |
| 4) |
From 1st Tee to Handshake Factor
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19
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| This is classic Pete Dye. The layout is well designed and the course is fun for all levels. I have never played this course with anyone who did not want to return. |
| 5) |
Fun Factor
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19
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| I probably have played this course more than any other and I still find joy in taking my golfing buddies who haven't had a chance to play it. For me, the excitement they display throughout the round is what golf is all about. |
Website: http://www.umich.edu/~radrick/index.html
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