 |
By VW and House
While presenting at the Michigan Golf Show in Novi, we were fortunate enough to share space with the guys from Moose Ridge Golf Course. House had played this course almost a decade ago and had few memories of his round but a cloudy recollection that this was a legitimate course to play while in southeast Michigan. The buzz around the booth was enough proof for me. Our first round of the new golf season was played here among new friends.
| #1 |
The outward hole is a short par 4. The box is elevated, providing a clear view of the green. Take a good look from this vantage point, because your approach shot will most likely be a blind shot. There are trees on the left, but there are openings to play from. Fairway bunkers frame the landing area. This can be a difficult par if you miss your approach. |
| #2 |
The safe play on this par 4 is down the right side of the fairway. There are few obstructions and the 3rd fairway offers a bailout to miss hits. Tee shots to the left are lost around the hillside and back into the scattered woods along the 1st. The green is elevated and shallow, requiring a high approach to hold the green. |
| #3 |
Play the right side of the fairway to avoid the hazards along the left, including a marsh and a stand of trees with enough ground cover that you could lose your partner if you are forced to go in looking for your drive. The fairway runs uphill to a green fronted by mounds and protected by bunkers front left and greenside right. Approach shots will be blind to a green that runs left to right to the front corner. |
| #4 |
The number one handicap hole on the course is this 562 yard par 5. Consider one of the toughest holes in the state, there is a trick to playing this and keeping your round intact. The hole moves very slightly right to left with the green tucked in behind the expansive marsh on the left. Keep every shot along the right hand side and you will easily reach the green in regulation. The green is deep but narrow and runs in what looks like every direction. We chose to play two balls on this hole, taking the aggressive approach followed by the safe play described above. Experience counts for everything on this challenging hole. |
| #5 |
This is a pedestrian par 4. Keep your drive straight and you will be left with a short to mid iron into a slightly elevated green with plenty of break to challenge birdies. Accuracy is critical as left, right, and long are all hazardous to your score. |
| #6 |
The first par 3 on the front, the 6th requires an accurate tee shot to a very difficult green. Depending on pin placement, the large tree that fronts the left side will come into play. Safe shot is to right of center. Birdies are tough to come by as the green is a difficult read for both break and pace. |
| #7 |
The tee shot is risk/reward on this short par 4. The fairway is more crooked than a Wall Street banker and the landing zone is Area 51. The green can be reached in one, but anything other than hitting the pin can put you in jeopardy. There are woods lining both sides of the fairway and enough bunkers to consider this a private beach. If you opt to play a cautious tee shot, take a fairway wood or hybrid down the center, aiming for the bunker straightaway. The green is two-tiered, with the ridge falling to the back and left. |
| #8 |
Why do we always remember with excruciating clarity the holes that got the better of us? This par 4 has a split fairway. Most will want to play to the right fairway. Heavy hitters may prefer to play to the much smaller left fairway. The routine play leaves an approach shot to a blind green fronted by large mounds. Gauge your distance and maybe drop a club to avoid the marsh and briar patches that serve as back drop to this huge green. |
| #9 |
A beautiful par 3 at which to make the turn. The green is elevated and sits at the base of one hill to the right and the ridge of another to the left. Safe and smart play is to the right (or center if you have the shot!). The slope will kick your ball toward the green. Anything left and you will need to repel down to set up for your second shot. The green is long and will punish any golfer that doesn't drop it close to the pin. |
| #10 |
Playing at 285 yards, this par 4 can be reached from the elevated tee box. Like so many of the other shorter holes here, what is lacking in distance from tee to green is compensated for in the width of the landing area and greens. A short iron or wedge will take you to a green that moves left to right and back to front. |
| #11 |
After an unusually long ride through the woods, you will arrive at the par 4 11th. An accurate tee shot is required to avoid hazards both right and left. There are both fairway and greenside bunkers to contend with before reaching a large green that moves front to back. Should be a routine par for most. |
| #12 |
This short par 3 is a bogey golfer's dream. The marsh on the left is in play only if you get aggressive shooting at a pin tucked left. Otherwise, the green is large and accommodating. Stick one close or you will need directions to sink your putt. |
| #13 |
Aim for the left side of the fairway on this par 4 because the landing area favors that side. The reward in trying to cut the slight dogleg right does not outweigh the risk if you miss right. Approach shots are to an elevated, two-tiered green that slopes back to front. This can be a difficult par to make. |
| #14 |
This is a routine par 5. Tee shots are straightaway and the fairway is accommodating. Your second shot will play over a large valley. Don't worry too much about this hazard. Unless the grasses grow up severely, you can play from this position. Clear the valley and you have a short iron into the green. Birdie or par should be easily achievable. |
| #15 |
Unless you have played the course before, you may find this par 4 somewhat confusing. Distances are difficult to judge and tee shots can be made with less than complete confidence. The book will tell you to play out to the right side of the fairway, leaving an open shot to a green tucked in to the left between the hill and the pond. Follow the book or you will be attempting some of those shots you never plan for; off the side of a hill, between three trees to a short, sloping fairway that runs to another pond. |
| #16 |
This is a tricky little par 3. Tee shots are from an elevated green to a tight green guarded by water right and the hillside left. Once on the green, the putt can be a difficult read depending on pin location. If the pin sits center, the green is narrow and the effect of the water will throw off both break and pace. |
| #17 |
Bunkers line this par 4 both left and right. The hole doglegs left, but straightaway drives are still safe because there are no other obstacles. Cut the corner and a mid to short iron will carry you to the green. Take a little off your swing to avoid the woods that line the backside of the green. |
| #18 |
This par 5 was one of our favorite holes on the course. You have two choices off of the tee. Left of the large tree or right of the tree to carry the valley and cut the dogleg. Either option will play to a slightly downhill green that runs front to back and left to right. Plenty of shot making options on this fun and challenging inward hole. |
| Great courses can probably stand on their own merits. The landscape, the design, and the course's reputation will bring golfers in from parts unknown. What brings golfers back again and again is the experience, which is always inclusive of the people that maintain the course, that greet you on an early morning, that rush your lunch at the turn, and share a laugh when you walk in off the 18th, in victory or defeat. To us, that was what set Moose Ridge apart from courses of similar vintage. We arrived and departed feeling well-cared for and appreciated. And in the end, isn't that what we are always searching for? And, of course, the ever-elusive double-bogey free round |
 |
 |
| 1) |
Fee Factor
|
19
|
| At $40 for weekdays and $45 for weekends, Moose Ridge is one of best values in Michigan golf. |
| 2) |
Friendliness Factor
|
19
|
| Playing an early morning round in spring in Michigan can mean a frost delay. That gave us time to talk with guys in the pro shop, who were open and friendly. Same for the staff in the dining room. |
| 3) |
Fringe Factor
|
17
|
| The range is perfect, with lots of space for individuals and far enough away not to be a bother. The pro shop is small, with the majority of the main building dedicated to the Moose Grille. |
| 4) |
From 1st Tee to Handshake Factor
|
19
|
| Playing any course in Michigan mid-April is different than in mid-July. That being said, I look forward to going back again later in the season. Great design and layout makes for a challenging and enjoyable round. |
| 5) |
Fun Factor
|
18
|
| We enjoyed a perfect early-season round. There was variety in the design and use of some very beautiful landscape. Moose Ridge captures Northern Michigan golf without the drive. |
Website: http://www.mooseridgegolf.com/
Check out the Where to section or just stay where you are and eat at the:
Moose Grille:
We had quite an appetite after our round and started our meal with a cup the soup de jour. Much to our delight it wasn’t a soup at all, but a delicious Chorizo Chipotle Chili. Nice robust flavors permeated from the heat of the chorizo and chipotle. It is delayed from the onset but very pleasant when arriving. Start your meal off right and order this, you won’t regret it.
Next, we ordered an appetizer of Jalapeño Crab Dip, which is served like spinach and artichoke dip. The roasted Jalapeno and crab are mixed together with parmesan and onions creating a deviously textured spread. Spoon it on to the chewy fresh bread sliced into individual servings and you have a winning combination.
House opted for the healthier sister to his favorite sandwich. The Turkey Reuben was a fine post round choice. The noteworthy homemade coleslaw added a lot to the overall taste of the sandwich.
The Cheeseburger VW ordered looked Food Network worthy as it was delivered to our table. It was so attractive that two guys who had just ordered hot dogs switched their orders to burgers. We took a moment to stare at it because it was almost looked too good to eat.
Cold beer, great service, many flat screens TVs to watch your favorite sporting event. The décor boasts a wonderful moose lodge setting, which makes this “19th hole” too good to pass up.
Check out some other places to eat, drink, and stay around southeast Michigan.
|
