Michigan course with best practice area

[robp11]

Looking for a practice area where I can pretty much spend the whole day dialing in wedge distances and practicing chipping and sand shots....I live in East Lansing but have generally only played courses in the Lansing, Jackson and Ann Arbor areas....would appreciate some help from some of you knowledgeable people!  (by the way, I won't be doing this until spring or early summer).   

[loki993]

I had a golf clinic at Fox hills in Plymouth last year and I haven't been anywhere else that has a short game area like they do, I cant imagine a better short game practice facility. 2 greens, bunkers, somewhat hilly so you can get multiple lies, all grass and you can hit shots anywhere from probably 90 yards to chips. I think its a flat daily fee, I never paid because I was doing the clinic and everything was there for us already. I think they give you a roller cart, wheel barrow or something,  with balls in it and a ball retriever and you can hit basically until you don't want to anymore. Its kind of amazing, I could spend hours there. 

 

https://www.foxhills.com/golf-and-footgolf/practice-facilities

Edited January 22 by loki993

[3_Jack_Par]

Outside of private clubs, the options are somewhat limited in my experience for areas where you can do much more than chip or putt, or on occasion, hit some greenside bunker shots. The best options I can think of:

• Eagle Crest - They have a practice green with one or two bunkers and I think you can hit shots from about 50 yards away. I have only used it before a round, but I think you can practice there without paying anything, but don't quote me on that.
• Fox Hills - As loki mentioned, they do charge you to use the area, but it is a really nice setup with multiple greens
• St. John's Resort - I think they also charge you to use the area, but it looks like it's going to be really nice -- it's new and was part of the renovation they've done there over the past couple of years. I joined as a member, and access to the short game area is one of the perks I'm looking forward to. I plan to take advantage of it very frequently
• Miles Of Golf - they have a pretty expansive short game area for members of their practice club or something like that. I'm not sure if they offer any access to the area as a daily fee thing, but if so, it would be another good option.

[golfortennis]

On 1/22/2024 at 4:29 PM, loki993 said:

I had a golf clinic at Fox hills in Plymouth last year and I haven't been anywhere else that has a short game area like they do, I cant imagine a better short game practice facility. 2 greens, bunkers, somewhat hilly so you can get multiple lies, all grass and you can hit shots anywhere from probably 90 yards to chips. I think its a flat daily fee, I never paid because I was doing the clinic and everything was there for us already. I think they give you a roller cart, wheel barrow or something,  with balls in it and a ball retriever and you can hit basically until you don't want to anymore. Its kind of amazing, I could spend hours there. 

 

https://www.foxhills.com/golf-and-footgolf/practice-facilities

 

That sounds like a great facility, but I can't believe anyone still talks about footgolf....  

[robp11]

Thanks for all the ideas guys!...I used to use the players club at Miles when I lived in Ann Arbor and I always liked it, but I think it requires a membership.  The price is pretty reasonable, but now that I live farther away I wish I could do it just for a day.  

 

I did see that one of the Boyne courses (Highlands?) has an outdoor range that has trackman...hitting off the ground with trackman...that would be exactly what I'm looking for to dial in wedge distances.  If there is anything like that closer to me that would be great, but if not I might make a trip up there just to use that for a day.  

[MattSTL88]

1 hour ago, robp11 said:

Thanks for all the ideas guys!...I used to use the players club at Miles when I lived in Ann Arbor and I always liked it, but I think it requires a membership.  The price is pretty reasonable, but now that I live farther away I wish I could do it just for a day.  

 

I did see that one of the Boyne courses (Highlands?) has an outdoor range that has trackman...hitting off the ground with trackman...that would be exactly what I'm looking for to dial in wedge distances.  If there is anything like that closer to me that would be great, but if not I might make a trip up there just to use that for a day.  

Can speak to Boyne Highlands if you go that route, it was pretty nice when I went in 2022. Turf was in great shape, not a range that is grass, but beat to hell from overuse.

[Sparty4202]

I do believe that the MSU range is open to the public and it is a very good facility. 

[robp11]

On 1/28/2024 at 1:23 PM, Sparty4202 said:

I do believe that the MSU range is open to the public and it is a very good facility. 

Yes, I go there quite often but I've never used the short game area...I always assumed it was reserved for season pass holders or the college team players but I should check to make sure.  

[3_Jack_Par]

Looks like the practice facility at Forest Akers requires a membership, if I'm reading that correctly:

[3_Jack_Par]

I was at a membership orientation at St. John’s yesterday, and found out that the short game area there will only be available to resort guests and members, so there won’t be a daily rate to use it for the general public

[N8dogg2669]

On 1/29/2024 at 2:01 PM, robp11 said:

Yes, I go there quite often but I've never used the short game area...I always assumed it was reserved for season pass holders or the college team players but I should check to make sure.  

I lived up there for a year. Got a membership to the short game area. Would get a shag bag and spend hours out there. Was well worth it