Glen Oaks Golf Course Review

Glen Oaks Golf Course Review
Thirteen at Glen Oaks is a 477 yard par 5.

Glen Oaks Golf Course Review

Glen Oaks Golf Course
Grade: C
Teachers’ Comments: A good muni. Short.

Glen Oaks, in Farmington Hills, Michigan is one of five golf courses in the Oakland County Parks system (all have “Oaks” in their name). If you live in the area, I think that every course in the system is worth exploring.

An aerial view of Glen Oaks

Glen Oaks is a typical Michigan parklands course. It has a nice mix of open and tree-lined fairways, a portion of the Rouge River that meanders through the layout and spots of marshland. Built on 122 acres, Glen Oaks has a back-and-forth design, but didn’t feel too cramped to me. The course opened in 1930.

Bogey golfers will find Glen Oaks a friendly place. A par 70, Glen Oaks stretches to 6, 051 yards from the back tees. It plays to a 69.7/126. A tee up, it comes in at 5, 714 and a 64.1/110. I normally caution players to move up a tee, but in this case, the back tees likely will suffice.

Glen Oaks Golf Course Review
A view of the green on Glen Oaks’ second.

My favorite hole was the par 4 second. A dogleg right measuring 334 yards, it begins with a tight tee shot between lines of trees. At the bend, however, it opens up to reveal a slightly elevated green and a pond on the right. Bunkers guard the left side of the fairway, and the area around the green.

Glen Oaks Golf Course Review
A view of the green on the eighteenth at Glen Oaks.

Other interesting holes include six and nine, which are par threes that require shots over a ravine created by the Rouge River. Eighteen finishes on a picaresque perch over the river, with the clubhouse framing the background. Seven of the holes are doglegs, which also adds some interest.

Glen Oaks Golf Course Review
Glen Oaks’ fourth is a 199 yard par 3.

Conditions on the day I played were good — what you would expect from a well cared-for muni. The greens and fairways were in good shape, but areas just off the fairway were a little shaggy. There also were quite a few areas that could have used a good tree trimming.

Still, it was clear to me that the crew cared about the course, and that management has budgeted enough money to keep it up.

Glen Oaks Golf Course Review
Benches and water are readily available at Glen Oaks.

On a more positive note, the course has done a good job of maintaining bridges, rock walls along the waterway and cart paths. You shouldn’t need to use a cart, though. The course is among the more walkable I have played. There are plenty of benches around to rest your feet while waiting and water stations to stay hydrated.

Glen Oaks has a really neat looking English Tudor style clubhouse that was constructed in the 1920s. The structure has been designated a Michigan Historical Building. They apparently do quite a few weddings and special events there.

The Glen Oaks Golf Course Review was first published February 21, 2019 from notes and photos taken on a round played in July 2018.

A photo tour of Glen Oaks Follows:

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