Tips on playing Crystal Downs?

[markjinc]

I'll be heading to Michigan next month to play Arcadia Bluffs, Kingsley and Crystal Downs and wanted to know if anyone has any tips or suggestions when at Crystal Downs? I've played Arcadia and am super-pumped to return but this trip is more about the opportunity to play one of Alister Mackenzie's masterpieces. I've heard there is no alcohol on the premises - is that true? Don't know if my father-in-law is going to like that :) Anything else I should know or be aware of before teeing off? Thanks

[jwfgolfpro]

[quote name='markjinc' timestamp='1406124739' post='9766605']
I'll be heading to Michigan next month to play Arcadia Bluffs, Kingsley and Crystal Downs and wanted to know if anyone has any tips or suggestions when at Crystal Downs? I've played Arcadia and am super-pumped to return but this trip is more about the opportunity to play one of Alister Mackenzie's masterpieces. I've heard there is no alcohol on the premises - is that true? Don't know if my father-in-law is going to like that Anything else I should know or be aware of before teeing off? Thanks
[/quote]

No water or Out of Bounds and is one of the hardest courses I have ever played.
Keep below hole and stay out of the Heather.

JWF

[dozer996]

[quote name='markjinc' timestamp='1406124739' post='9766605']
I'll be heading to Michigan next month to play Arcadia Bluffs, Kingsley and Crystal Downs and wanted to know if anyone has any tips or suggestions when at Crystal Downs? I've played Arcadia and am super-pumped to return but this trip is more about the opportunity to play one of Alister Mackenzie's masterpieces. I've heard there is no alcohol on the premises - is that true? Don't know if my father-in-law is going to like that Anything else I should know or be aware of before teeing off? Thanks
[/quote]

Stay below the hole...that is the case for pretty much every hole. The slope and with today's green speeds make this one of the toughest places to putt when above the hole. The front nine is awesome, so fun to play.

[knickerbocker]

On 11, try and hit it in the left bunker from the tee and make a bogey

[HighSpeedScene]

CD is all about choosing the lesser of two evils. Very few opportunities to be aggressive - if you choose aggressive, you're basically hoping to get lucky.

And stay below the hole!

[markjinc]

So putting sounds like fun Cant wait.

[dozer996]

Like Knickerbocker says on 11, hit it in the bunker...the green will spit every ball landed on it back at you. I had to pick up after 4 shots rolled off the green and back to my feet every time.

The day before we played it, only 2 people finished 11...one of them had a hole in one and the other chipped in.

[markjinc]

Anyone know their aeration schedule or weather to expect for mid September? Do excited for the opportunity to play here in 4 weeks. Can't wait.

[MaxPower328]

Just got a chance to play it yesterday. I'm not sure when they are aerifying the greens, but I would imagine it would be in a couple weeks. The courses up north tend to do them a little later because they get a lot of Fall golf. They weren't running at lightning speeds yesterday, but they were certainly fast. All the advice above holds true especially on 10 and 11. Those are really tough greens. We had 1 par on those 2 holes between 8 scores of some decent golfers.

That was my first time playing it and I enjoyed it, although I still prefer Kingsley. Take some pictures of all the lake views and keep it out of the heather!

[markjinc]

Thanks for the tips. Teeing it up there in less than 2 weeks. Playing Kingsley the day before and Arcadia following. Should be a great trip and hopefully the weather cooperates.

[MaxPower328]

[quote name='markjinc' timestamp='1409936662' post='10070725']
Thanks for the tips. Teeing it up there in less than 2 weeks. Playing Kingsley the day before and Arcadia following. Should be a great trip and hopefully the weather cooperates.
[/quote]

I couldn't think of a better golf trip then Kingsley, Crystal Downs, and Arcadia. Only thing you are missing is Forest Dunes, but it isn't in that geography. That would be a hell of a stretch that I would put against any 4 course stretch in the country...especially given how much it costs vs. other courses.

[stringbean502001]

[quote name='MaxPower328' timestamp='1409938341' post='10070895']
[quote name='markjinc' timestamp='1409936662' post='10070725']
Thanks for the tips. Teeing it up there in less than 2 weeks. Playing Kingsley the day before and Arcadia following. Should be a great trip and hopefully the weather cooperates.
[/quote]

I couldn't think of a better golf trip then Kingsley, Crystal Downs, and Arcadia. Only thing you are missing is Forest Dunes, but it isn't in that geography. That would be a hell of a stretch that I would put against any 4 course stretch in the country...especially given how much it costs vs. other courses.
[/quote]

GREAT trip---we played AB, FD and Kingsley earlier this summer. Incredible. Tried for 2 months to find a connection to CD, but failed sadly. I'd be interested in how you like all four.
We drove by CD--back roads line a few holes. We did briefly wonder if it would be worth it to explain to our wives that a couple of supposedly mature old guys were in jail for sneaking onto a golf course!

[Openwater22]

[quote name='stringbean502001' timestamp='1410619251' post='10111463']
[quote name='MaxPower328' timestamp='1409938341' post='10070895']
[quote name='markjinc' timestamp='1409936662' post='10070725']
Thanks for the tips. Teeing it up there in less than 2 weeks. Playing Kingsley the day before and Arcadia following. Should be a great trip and hopefully the weather cooperates.
[/quote]

I couldn't think of a better golf trip then Kingsley, Crystal Downs, and Arcadia. Only thing you are missing is Forest Dunes, but it isn't in that geography. That would be a hell of a stretch that I would put against any 4 course stretch in the country...especially given how much it costs vs. other courses.
[/quote]

GREAT trip---we played AB, FD and Kingsley earlier this summer. Incredible. Tried for 2 months to find a connection to CD, but failed sadly. I'd be interested in how you like all four.
We drove by CD--back roads line a few holes. We did briefly wonder if it would be worth it to explain to our wives that a couple of supposedly mature old guys were in jail for sneaking onto a golf course!
[/quote]
You didn't look in the right places.

[markjinc]

I'm so excited for Wednesday. Kicking it off at Kingsley then CD. The weather looks spectacular and it couldn't have come at a better time. My game has never been sharper.

[BG5]

Your a lucky man...enjoy the beauties!

[mattsam]

Review please!

[1puttTUT]

I want to know who can get me on? I'm tired of driving by and salivating!

[scrody17]

A True masterpiece.

It was funny how more of my bad shots ended up better than some of my good shots.

Advice - Always. Stay. Below. Hole.