The Polo Fields - Ann Arbor Course

As a Senior golfer, I don't hit the ball very far anymore, but like to think my game around and on the greens is pretty good. The green complexes here are genrally elevated , fast, and undulating, especially when, like yesterday, they played hard and fast. Hiting woods or long irons into these greens was futile. They either never made it up the elevated front slope, rolled off the back, or never made it to the back of the green because they travelled off the side of a mound and carreened sideways down the greenside severe slopes and into the heavy rough The layout is not spectacular, but very good. Tees and fairways were great. Sand traps were very playable, which seems to be getting to be a rarity nowadays. The rough was just right. You really needed to be able to spin the ball to keep it on the green, and ther rough was high enough to allow for finding your ball, but not for putting much backspin on it.

I found myself within chipping or pitching distance in regulation on most holes, and felt lucky to make bogey. Getting a chip shot, pitch shot, or long putt to cozy up close to the pin required lots of thought and perfect execution. Oftentimes, if uphill of the pin, or short-sided, there was simply nno way to get up and down short of hitting the pin. Missing your landing spot by a foot oftertmes was the difference between a gimme and a 30 foot putt due to the mounding and terraces on the greens. Maybe playing the course again might make some of those shots a bit easier. For a first-timer, it was mentally exhausing to try and get up and down. My ego was considerably bruised by this place as to its opiinon of my short game skills.

Be advised that the 18th hole has a green that slopes from front to back more severely than any hole I've ever played in my 65 years of golfing.

Maybe some rain and soft and receptive greens would produce a different experience. Because I love a challenge, I really enjoyed the round.

Love this track. Links style course that won’t eat you up if you’re wobbly off the tee. Would love a little more elevation change, but the design really plays into the links vibe. Excited to be a member of the club! Place has 1st class pro, staff, and members.

P.S. hole 18 may or may not be my favorite finishing hole in Michigan.