Four Classic Nines To Play In Michigan

Four Classic Nines To Play In Michigan

Nine-hole courses are in vogue these days. As players increasingly face a time crunch between work and family, nine-hole courses offer a good way to satisfy a golf urge without killing a whole day.

At the same time, nine-hole courses have gotten a bad rap for bad architecture and bad conditions. They have been for too long an afterthought in the golf world.

The good news is that there are some really great nine hole courses out there. Here are four great — and classic — nine-hole courses designed by notable architects that you should play in Michigan.

Elk Rapids Golf Club, Elk Rapids

In 1922, the town fathers of Elk Rapids employed Donald Ross to build a course in an effort to build a tourism industry.

Donald Ross needs no introduction to most golfers. His designs are famous: Pinehurst No. 2, Seminole, Oakland Hills, Inverness, Scioto and hundreds more. In 1922, Donald Ross’ brother, Alex, was the head professional at Detroit Golf Club. Ross laid out a large number of Michigan courses in the 1910s and 1920s.

Elk Rapids is one of those rare Donald Ross courses that you can actually play. It also seems very well preserved. Tall fescue, craggy bunkers and a clever routing give it a strong classic vibe.

It is worth playing twice. I did.

Read GolfBlogger’s Elk Rapids Golf Club review.

Charlevoix Golf Club, Charlevoix

Charlevoix’s municipal course is a well-kept, charming nine-hole Willie Watson design that dates to the early 1900s.

Willie Watson was a Scottish professional who emigrated to the United States in the late 1800s. He arrived in Michigan when he was hired by Charlevoix’s Chicago Golf Club to lay out the course that now is the town’s muni. Watson served as the pro at Charlevoix, and then was hired to design the nearby Belvedere Golf Club. For years, he served as the pro for both courses.

Among his most famous courses are Interlachen, Olympic Club and Harding Park. Belvedere is in the conversation for best course in Michigan.

Charlevoix Golf Club is not in that category, but fans of classic golf course architecture will not want to miss it.

Read GolfBlogger’s Charlevoix Golf Club Review and while you’re at it, read the Belvedere Golf Club review.

Mullett Lake Country Club, Topinabee

Dating to 1921, Mullett Lake Country Club is a Tom Bendelow design.

Bendelow is known as the Johnny Appleseed of Amercian golf. In his career in the first half of the 20th century, he designed some 600 golf courses. Much of his work was done as the Director of Golf Course Development for Spalding Sporting Goods and later, Wilson Sporting Goods. The obvious connection is that those companies were hoping that more courses would increase equipment sales.

He was not a hack, though. Among his best designs were East Lake, Medinah and Olympia Fields.

Mullett Lake is no East Lake or Medinah, but it is an enjoyable classic layout.

Read GolfBlogger’s Mullett Lake Country Club review.

Maple Brook Golf Club, Charlotte

Maple Brook is a 1926 Tom Bendelow design that once was the Charlotte Country Club. It now is open to the public.

The par 36 offers a twist in that it has two distinct sets of tees. This unusual arrangement means that players can play a full eighteen without actually playing any duplicate holes.

The classic design has plenty of meaningful elevation changes, and was well-kept on the day I played. I fully intend to go back.

Read GolfBlogger’s Maple Brook Golf Club review.