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

[3_Jack_Par]

I don't love those two holes back to back, because to me, they're basically the same strategy. Iron off the tee, and a wedge or short iron to the green. There's not really an opportunity to get super aggressive on either hole, because the landing areas are pretty tight, and they're not short enough where you can get it close enough to make it worth hitting driver or (for me) anything longer than a 4 iron. This may be because I play the course once every couple of years, so I don't know it very well, but that stretch of two holes is just something to get through on the way to #16, which is probably my favorite hole on the course. It's almost a carbon copy of the 5th hole at Kapalua, and it's a fun hole where there is a real risk/reward decision to be made.

 

[Moo]

19 minutes ago, 3_Jack_Par said:

I don't love those two holes back to back, because to me, they're basically the same strategy. Iron off the tee, and a wedge or short iron to the green. There's not really an opportunity to get super aggressive on either hole, because the landing areas are pretty tight, and they're not short enough where you can get it close enough to make it worth hitting driver or (for me) anything longer than a 4 iron. This may be because I play the course once every couple of years, so I don't know it very well, but that stretch of two holes is just something to get through on the way to #16, which is probably my favorite hole on the course. It's almost a carbon copy of the 5th hole at Kapalua, and it's a fun hole where there is a real risk/reward decision to be made.

 

Many people share your opinion of 14 and 15.  I think they are the way they are just because that was what the land afforded.  Both are smack in the middle of a fairly large swamp, so the land available was limited.  When the PGA had qualifying for the Rocket Mortgage last year, a number of players complained that they couldn't see the landing area on 14 (also, those pros hit errant balls on 14 over the forest canopy on the right...the day after the Rocket I found many Pro V1s in places you never find them).  Local knowledge helps on both of those holes.

 

16 is the signature hole and for good reason...it's a monster.  Arthur Hills gives you huge areas to target for a (fairly easy) par, but the penalty for aggressive play is usually a lost ball.  The entire right side of the green complex from the pin to 120 yards is graded to bounce balls to the right and into the devil grass...never to be seen again. 

 

 

[1puttTUT]

Unreal that SH is opening for the season in February...

 

[Priceyd]

4 hours ago, 1puttTUT said:

Unreal that SH is opening for the season in February...

 

$60 to play in the week more then expected, but very surprised to see it open this  early.

 

love playing that course

 

Just got home from Brae Burn, not bad conditions seeing as its Feb, only one green really wet. Happy to get out and play golf 

[Moo]

The mighty Lyon Oaks is projected to open on March 29th.

 

I guess those groundhogs were not wrong (this time).

 

 

[Priceyd]

11 hours ago, Moo said:

The mighty Lyon Oaks is projected to open on March 29th.

 

I guess those groundhogs were not wrong (this time).

 

 

excellent! haven't played there for couple of years missed all of 22 injured and then never got around to playing there in 23. Love the course

[1puttTUT]

On 2/27/2024 at 9:03 AM, Moo said:

The mighty Lyon Oaks is projected to open on March 29th.

 

I guess those groundhogs were not wrong (this time).

 

 

 

That seems late to me. Almost every course near me is already open for the season.

[Moo]

13 minutes ago, 1puttTUT said:

 

That seems late to me. Almost every course near me is already open for the season.

It is early for a course run by the county.  Usually, they open around April 1, so it's just a few days early this year.  They also close earlier than most, often at the end of Oct or the first week of Nov.

 

I think it has to do with payroll and part-time status hours for the year.  The county courses are not running on a maximum profit basis like the private courses.

[birdiestobogeys]

On 3/5/2024 at 10:46 AM, Moo said:

It is early for a course run by the county.  Usually, they open around April 1, so it's just a few days early this year.  They also close earlier than most, often at the end of Oct or the first week of Nov.

 

I think it has to do with payroll and part-time status hours for the year.  The county courses are not running on a maximum profit basis like the private courses.

Maybe not maximum profit, but they sure are trying to make more money and have other funding sources besides greens fees. It was a little frustrating that after myself and the majority of Oakland country residents vote to increase our property taxes to give more funding to the county parks they turn around and get rid of all spring and fall rates. 
 

Maybe off-season rates are a thing of the past given higher costs and higher demand, but I would have hoped the county courses would be one of the last places to get rid of them. 

[Moo]

51 minutes ago, birdiestobogeys said:

Maybe not maximum profit, but they sure are trying to make more money and have other funding sources besides greens fees. It was a little frustrating that after myself and the majority of Oakland country residents vote to increase our property taxes to give more funding to the county parks they turn around and get rid of all spring and fall rates. 
 

Maybe off-season rates are a thing of the past given higher costs and higher demand, but I would have hoped the county courses would be one of the last places to get rid of them. 

I agree with you completely. 

 

Unfortunately, the cost to run a course has increased (like everything under the sun has) and the public always pays (eventually). 

 

 

[bk52]

I don't typically play higher end courses early in the year. The conditions are always a bit marginal. Plunking down $60+ to play spongy fairways and slow greens is hard to accept. 

[wannabettz]

Hey are any of you guys located near Warren specifically?

[SnowbirdTom]

19 hours ago, wannabettz said:

Hey are any of you guys located near Warren specifically?

Not anymore, but I lived there for a while. Whatcha looking for? 

[wannabettz]

Looking for anyone in that area to help assist with a purchase since I am unable to get out there.  Will be more than happy to pay a fee for the help.

[Moo]

Opening day at the Mighty Lyon Oaks.  Course is in amazing condition.

 

 

[njspence]

Morning fellas, has anyone noticed the difficulty getting out as a single in this area?  Seems most courses require you to book 2-4 folks with cart.  
 

In talking dew-sweeping during the week one day, not 12 on a Saturday. 

 

What gives?

[Curmudg3on]

11 hours ago, njspence said:

Morning fellas, has anyone noticed the difficulty getting out as a single in this area?  Seems most courses require you to book 2-4 folks with cart.  
 

In talking dew-sweeping during the week one day, not 12 on a Saturday. 

 

What gives?

 

Online booking for sure.  I've not tried calling the pro shops to see if I can get out as a single but online seems to always require at least 2 now.    There may be some singles on Golfnow, I'm not sure

[CRDuffy21]

Hello Friends, 

 

Can we start a listing of current conditions of public courses in the area? Wondering specifically on a few of the following Metro Detroit courses:

- Lyon Oaks

- Moose Ridge

- Huntmore

- Majestic ($85 to play on the weekend already!?)

- Coyote Preserve

 

Greens?

Tees?

Bunkers?

Aeration Timing? 

 

Would be beneficial for someone to be able to search the forum and see a recent review of conditions. Anyone played these lately? 

 

[Moo]

22 minutes ago, CRDuffy21 said:

Hello Friends, 

 

Can we start a listing of current conditions of public courses in the area? Wondering specifically on a few of the following Metro Detroit courses:

- Lyon Oaks

- Moose Ridge

- Huntmore

- Majestic ($85 to play on the weekend already!?)

- Coyote Preserve

 

Greens?

Tees?

Bunkers?

Aeration Timing? 

 

Would be beneficial for someone to be able to search the forum and see a recent review of conditions. Anyone played these lately? 

 

Lyon Oaks is in the best condition I've ever seen it in for April.  The greens are true and quick at 9 (9 is quick for Lyon Oaks).  It looks like it usually does in mid to late May.  The mild winter, low snowfall, and early spring made the difference. 

 

 

[Priceyd]

5 hours ago, CRDuffy21 said:

Hello Friends, 

 

Can we start a listing of current conditions of public courses in the area? Wondering specifically on a few of the following Metro Detroit courses:

- Lyon Oaks

- Moose Ridge

- Huntmore

- Majestic ($85 to play on the weekend already!?)

- Coyote Preserve

 

Greens?

Tees?

Bunkers?

Aeration Timing? 

 

Would be beneficial for someone to be able to search the forum and see a recent review of conditions. Anyone played these lately? 

 

I played huntmore last weekend, was in good condition but then we had a snow storm and hail all over the greens, but back 9 it cleared up and was happy with it. was 60 on the weekend to play and would go back.

 

Playing coyote preserve this weekend, hoping its good condition.

 

Majestic I played end of feb It had only been open a week and was decent, greens were great condition for Feb. 

 

Not the most in depth review, but I am surprised how expensive most courses seem to be this early in the year 

[Curmudg3on]

10 hours ago, Priceyd said:

Not the most in depth review, but I am surprised how expensive most courses seem to be this early in the year 

 

+1