Two Guys Who Golf

Michaywe Lakes Course (989-939-8911)

- 07-02-02 - (Note: Course layout has changed since this review (e.g.: Hole #1 is now Hole #15)

The Lakes is a Jerry Matthews design that provides a unique golf experience to resort guest and the golfing public. The Lakes has been re-united with the original Pines course - providing two championship layouts on the Michaywe Golf property. When first opened in 1988, it was ranked as the Third Best New Resort Course in America by Golf Digest. Six holes are Alpine climbing up and around panoramic vistas, six are Scottish links style, and six traverse over and around water. This is a TIGHT course, requiring careful club selection and accuracy off the tee. Many of the fairways are narrow and tree lined, with penal rough awaiting errant tee shots. The medium sized greens roll a bit slower than most in the Gaylord area, but are receptive to approaches. You will learn to appreciate the moderate speed, as some of the putting surfaces have devilish ridges. Length off the tee is not a major factor on this course, as the tips (blues) measure 6310, the mids (whites) 6024, and the fronts (reds) 4952. However, you will want be as far down the fairway as possible, as the approaches from these tight fairways demand accuracy, and are best maneuvered with short irons. For the average golfer, we recommend the middle tees, as there is challenge enough from the distances provided from the Whites.

The opening hole plays downhill with 1 large bunker and two small ones fronting the green – an easy hole if you clear the traps. The second doglegs left with trees on that side and fairway bunkers right. Hug the tree line left for the best results and most reasonable approach to a tight, elevated green complex with bunkers on both sides. Three is a beautiful par 3 with water all along the left side and deep of the green. Trees left off the tee make this an intimidating experience if the tee box is situated to that side. The fourth demands a carry over water off the tee to a narrow fairway. There is lots of trouble to get into here. The approach is uphill to a very tight green complex. Trees left and water right on number five also make this a tight driving hole, though there is some breathing room on the approach. This is followed by two par fours featuring narrow, tree lined fairways. The approach on seven is a postcard shot – but one that will demand your best effort. The par three eighth is gorgeous to look at. It is relatively short, but water right and long make this as close to an " island green experience" as you can get without actually experiencing the real thing. The dogleg left par five ninth is the #2 handicap and an intimidating closing hole. Aim between the traps on the right and water left off the tee. The second shot is fairly open on this 3 shot hole. There is very little room for error if you decide to go for it in two, as the approach will be with a fairway wood and is entirely over water. The prudent move is to lay up to the right, and enter the green from that side with a short iron.

The back-side opens with lots of room off the tee on number ten, though the approach plays uphill and narrows considerably. Take one club extra here. There is more room than it seems off the tee on 11. Your second shot on this mid-length par five is also quite open but tightens along the way to a heavily bunkered putting complex. The green on the par three 12th is sloped right to left, and demands accuracy due to bunkers on either side. Take an extra club as it plays long. Pin-point accuracy is needed on the next two holes, which feature fairways that are all of 15 to 20 yards wide. Sloped banks will help tee shots that are not overly errant, but uneven lies will await anything hit offline. Score well here and you have done some nice work. The fifteenth hole is the number 18 handicap – and one of the toughest high handicaps we have ever played. This mid-length par three features deep green-side bunkers, with mounding and trees on either side of an undulating green. Par is a great start here. There is a sharp dogleg left about 80 yards out on the short but challenging par four 16th. Take a walk up to the green and check out the pin placement before you hit your uphill approach. The putting surface is extremely ridged – be sure to reach the correct portion or a three/four putt is possible. There are trees all over the place on the par four 17th. The slope to the left will guide balls back toward the center, and there is some room right off the tee. This green is also ridged.

A water hazard all along the left side should not come into play until the approach on what is perhaps the widest fairway on the course on 18. This finishing hole is the number 1 handicap, demanding an approach over water to a tight green complex. Par it and get out of town.

While not overly long, the Lake presents a great deal of challenge. Take advantage of the knowledge provided by the hole diagrams on their scorecards. Sprinkler heads are marked to the center of the green, and 150-yard stakes are visible targets on the fairways. Pay attention to the pin placements, indicated by color-coded flags. A driving range is conveniently available, and putting green and full service clubhouse, including a pub and pro shop are on property.

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