Metro Detroit Area Golfers (NO COVID-19, POLITICS)

[Moo]

For certain Rackham is open. Sanctuary Lake basically never closes, so I bet they will be open (but I find the greens to be wildly variable in the Fall and Winter).

It might be possible for you to join us on Monday at Rackham. We are playing at 11:30. We have three now, but a fourth is supposed to confirm soon. But that doesn't matter, as I can call a dood and we can get more tee times (plus, you can use my guest rate, which is absurdly low).

[gripandrip]

Fox Hills Classic courses are pretty much open all year round in Plymouth. Walking only.

($15 bucks)

[3_Jack_Par]

This is mostly correct, but they charge 20 bucks, and for some reason, only the Lakes & Woodlands nines have been open the two times I've played there recently.

[gripandrip]

I guess that depends on whether you get the senior rate (sorry - wasn't thinking about you young guys)....

And the Hills 9 has been closed for a while. I don't see any work being done on it, but it is closed none the less.

[1puttTUT]

That's like an hour from me. I might check out Fountains or Pontiac CC

[3_Jack_Par]

Ah, I never think about the "experienced" rate. I'm not really sure why the Hills is closed -- I can't see any work that they're doing there, even both times when I've played from the fairway of whichever of those holes runs next to the 2nd hole on the Woodlands.. It's kind of odd that the Hills would be the one that is closed, otherwise, because it sits on higher ground than most of the holes on the other nines, and other than the 2nd hole, it doesn't really get very wet.

I was pleasantly surprised that between the time I played there in late November, and about 2 weeks ago, they did a lot to clean up all the leaves on the ground. There were a few places I hit it the first time where it was really hard to find the ball for all the leaves, and I noticed they'd taken care of the leaves by the second time. They'd also moved the pins, so they're at least doing a little bit to maintain the course during the winter months.

[Mikey5e]

Sanctuary Lake is always open. Although, with SL, they might have closed a couple greens to protect them.

[1puttTUT]

Ugh I hate Skanktuary, but that reminds me that Sylvan Glen is probably open also ?

[Mikey5e]

Probably not the most mature comment but I accept you don't care for the course (Skanktuary?) Personally, I like it because it's different than most other courses. Also I think it's a decent course as well. This time of year it's just nice to be out on a golf course so I don't think anybody should be all that picky.

[Moo]

Sanctuary Lake has a certain charm. I happen to love several of the holes (like numbers 4, 6, 8, and 18). I think the course would be much improved if they recontoured the greens on 1 and 11...and then kept all the greens at the same speed (this has been an issue from time to time there).

The routing is a little bizarre and it's funny watching people on 17 wait until the green will clear when they have no real chance of reaching it (meaning they barely clear the cross bunkers). But, where else can say that you played golf on top of 1 billion diapers and parts of Jimmy Hoffa. Plus, some of the views are nice.

I used to know a guy that worked there and he told me they get over 50,000 rounds a year and it was the most played course under management by Billy Casper Golf. The course does take quite a beating during the high season.

[hybrid25]

Very good comments, and hilarious! I agree with number 17, that always seems to slow things down a bit, but it is a fun hole just the same and that you can go for the green on your drive. Back when the solar eclipse was going on I was teeing it up on hole 17 and drove the green leaving it about 20 ft in front of the flag. I was able to make that putt for an eagle, which I call my Eclipse eagle. I usually score well there because it's not very long from the whites, but it is an enjoyable course and unique!

[Moo]

That is a great eagle...of course you'll have to wait a lot of years to top it, as a regular, "non-Eclipse" eagle just isn't as good.

Overall I do like the course. I play with several different groups each week and one group (known as the East Side group) selected Sanctuary Lake for our last round this year. I thought that was an odd choice, but some of they guys I play with really, really love it. My worst hole there is always number 9. I've hit terrible tee shots that turned out brilliant and I've hit brilliant tee shots that just didn't work out so good.

Another very underrated course is Blackheath. It's one of my favorite courses to people watch other golfers, as you see some interesting choices on certain holes.

We have a bounty of great courses in the Metro area. We are SO lucky to have so many and so cheap to play.

[1puttTUT]

We've always referred to it as "skanktuary". Obviously I'm not a fan, but no offense intended to those who enjoy it. It's where my wife has her league, actually.

[Moo]

We call it Poopy Diaper Lake, but it is a term of affection.

[Jose c.]

hopefully play Calderon monday.

[1puttTUT]

Pine Trace is open Monday. We have a 12:16 tee time. ?

[3_Jack_Par]

Got an email from Fox Hills today saying they’re opening the Golden Fox whole the weather is good, in addition to the Classic.

[bk52]

Something for you to shoot for; I played 27 holes on 12/31/2016 (Fox Hills) and 18 on 01/01/2017.

[Moo]

Those are some macho dates to have played! But, the odds of matching them this year are not looking good. I played Friday and with the wind it was getting into the unplayable zone for me.

Let us hope for an early spring.

[Therealpatgiles]

Played 18 at Sandy Creek in Monroe on Thursday. 4 hour round. 50 degrees. Little bit of wind. Was nice.

[Mikey5e]

https://www.gam.org/Mobile/?World+Handicap+System

[bk52]

I need to give a shout out to Washtenaw Golf Club. Fox Hills was closed 01/03/2020, while Washtenaw was open for business. The course is in excellent shape for January. Yes, there is a fair amount of debris scattered around but I never had trouble finding my ball. The greens have gotten slower but they still roll decently.

[3_Jack_Par]

Washtenaw is one of the more underrated courses in the area. It could be better if they took down a few trees, but it's a good value compared to other places in the area, and the greens are among the best you'll find on public courses in the area.

[Go_Blue!]

Agreed...especially with the tree comment. Great parkland course.

[FairwayFred]

Another vote for Washtenaw being a great and very under rated place to play.

[Mikey5e]

I went over to Top Golf today with some friends, it's the first time I have been there. It is really an enjoyable time when you have a group and today was a really nice day to be there with the sun shining. We had lunch and did a couple rounds of golf. When you have a group of people it really cuts down on the cost and you can really have a good time and get some practice in the winter time.

[Mikey5e]

 

Not a bad winter going so far, almost the end of January and for the next 10 days nothing looks that threatening.

[bk52]

An optimist! Yes, after that unexpected foot of snow in early November it has not been bad. No polar vortex or heavy snows so far. If we could have another weekend like the beginning of the month of February, all this snow would be gone before the SE Michigan Golf Show.

[Mikey5e]

If you stop and think about it, we are approaching March where snowfall is usually melted and gone within a short period of time. You are right, we really haven't had those cold polar vortex is moving through the area. Before you know it, it will be spring and golf will be plentiful. It really has been a very good winter considering what could have been.

[3_Jack_Par]

Temps this weekend are expected to be in the Mid-40s. It might be possible to play on Sunday if anything is open. I wasn't optimistic about being able to extend through February my streak of playing at least once a month in Michigan, but it may be possible.