 AMERICAN DUNES GOLF CLUB -formerly Grand Haven (616-842-4040)
Michigan Golf Course Review
American Dunes (formerly Grand Haven Golf Club) is a Bruce Matthews/Jerry Matthews collaboration that has garnered 3-1/2 stars from Golf Digest Places to Play. The design
features a rolling terrain with some tight, tree lined fairways leading to raised green complexes that on our visit, during a mid July drought - were in perfect condition. Like many
courses in the Grand Rapids area, this layout was sorely in need of some rain. Grand Haven deserves a lot of credit for keeping the greens in fantastic shape!
Two of my favorite holes were the par three 5th, which plays over water from and elevated tee, and the par three 16th, which also plays down a hill. Both are featured in the photos
above. Number 17 is also an aesthetically pleasing golf hole. The tee shot leads to a sloping fairway and the second shot on this par four is affected by a pond that is situated to
the right from about 100 yards in. A view of the approach is pictured below. In total, over 50 sand bunkers are situated greenside or along the tree lined fairways, and 3 holes have
water hazards in play.
Golfers have four sets of tees to choose from, with distances and slopes measuring 6832 yards/133 slope, 6467 yards/129 slope, 6159 yards/127 slope and 5145yards with a
slope of 122. On course, sprinkler heads are measured to the center of the green, and small markers on the flagsticks indicate front, middle or back pin placements. Weather
covers are standard on all golf carts.
On property is a clubhouse with pro shop and restaurant/lounge open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week during the golf season. Banquet/outing facilities can accommodate up to
300 people inside and 200 outside in the pavilion. A grass range and practice green are also located near the clubhouse.
This is a challenging layout that demands accurate tee shots - but is friendly near the greens as many present open fronts with bunkers along the sides. Rolling dunes and sandy
waste areas add to the aesthetics and charm of this time honored layout. For more info, visit our page for the course, with direct link to their website by clicking here.
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