University of Michigan Golf Course Review

University of Michigan Golf Course
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Overall Grade: A+
Value: A+
Course Conditions: A+
Value: A+ ($25 - $76)
Course Design: A (could be considered short by today’s standards)
Walkability: B (hilly; not for the weak of heart)
Practice Facility: C (there is a range, though its not on the course—its nearby)
Food: ?
Teacher’s Comments: A must play for Southeastern Michigan.

What do Augusta National, Pebble Beach and the University of Michigan Golf Course have in common? All were laid out by master course designer Alistair MacKenzie.

I’m never going to get to play Augusta. And it’s unlikely I’ll get to Pebble Beach ... but the UM “Blue” course is a teriffic substitute.

Located right across the street from the UM Football Stadium (the course is used for parking on football saturdays—something I consider an abomination), the “Blue” is one of two owned by the University. The other, Radrick, lies just outside town.

While the course ostensibly is limited to play by students, alumni and employees of the University, it shouldn’t be difficult for anyone to get on. Practically everyone in Ann Arbor fits into one of the three above categories—or knows someone who does. They have also never checked when I told them I was an alumni.

The course is included in a listing of the top holes designed by MacKenzie—whom Sports Illustrated calls “Golf’s Greatest Course Architect”.

The signature hole is the number 6, a short (310 yard) par 4 (photo, top left). It plays from an elevated tee down into a valley, and then back up again to a two-tiered, boomerang shaped green. Four bunkers line the sides. If you miss the tier on which the flag resides, it’s a three putt minimum (PLEASE do not chip from the green).

The hole was selected as the second hole on SI’s Alistair MacKenzie Dream 18 by a panel which included Nick Faldo and architech Tom Doak.

“MacKenzie created boomerang-shaped greens at every course he designed,” reads SI’s description of the U-M’s sixth hole. “Set into a hill with many compartments, this remains the wildest of them all.”

The course also recently was rated #3 among collegiate courses.

I’ve played the “Blue” a number of times over the last few years, and have found it to be a stern test of my golfing skills. Clocking in at 6,687 yards from the blues, it has a rating/slope of 72/135.

The difficulty of the course lies in it’s strategically placed bunkers, complex greens and hilly terrain.

The teriffic par 5 third is a good example of all three. The hole begins with an elevated tee, from which you must carry your shot across a valley and uphill further still to a ridgeline 220 yards out. A fairway bunker on the right lurks to catch slicers. The front edge of the bunker is physically 180 yards out, but because of the hill, it plays farther.

From the crestline, the hole sweeps down and to the left around a tall stand of trees. From the bottom, you must hit a high shot back up to green, which is perched on a terrace hanging from the side of the hill. (photo second from top, on right) To make matters worse, the curvy green is surrounded by some truly evil bunkers.

My favorite hole is the aforementioned par 4 sixth. It’s short, measuring just 309 from the blues, but the green and bunkering make it devilish.

But to be honest, I really like every hole on the University of Michigan course—and this is the only course I’ve played that I can say that about.

Course conditions at the “Blue” have always been teriffic. Fairways, tee boxes and greens all were top notch. The course is well-manicured, and has lots of the little extras—flower plantings, benches, etc.

The Blue also has some spectacular vistas of Ann Arbor, overlooking much of the city and campus.

Overall, I think that this is the premier golf experience in Washtenaw County—and thats including some of the private and more exclusive clubs that I’ve had an opportunity to play.

For more photos, and a course walk-through, click here.