 BEACON HILL GOLF CLUB (248-684-2200)
Beacon Hill Golf Club in Commerce Township gives Michiganders another reason to feel privileged, as the number one state in the country for golfing
opportunities. When construction of the new clubhouse is completed and all facilities are open in the spring of 2002, the Beacon Hill experience will be
entirely upscale. Currently, 18 holes of championship golf is available, on a pretty course that winds through a developing residential community. The
homes are not intrusive, however. You need not be intimidated by their proximity, though a notation on the scorecard reminds you that players are responsible for broken windows and
other damage to the properties from errant golf shots.
 For a first year course (nine holes were open last season, with the back nine
added in the spring of 2001) Beacon Hill is in remarkable shape. The bent grass greens, fairways and tee boxes are well sculpted and definitely ready
for concentrated play. On a fall weekday morning, we pretty much had the course to ourselves. My playing partner and I agreed that the layout and
conditions were good enough that we would play this course frequently if we lived in the area.
 Despite construction all around the area, it was a very
pleasant round. The scorecards provide an overview of the design, as well as much appreciated accurate, detailed descriptions of each hole. The 150 yard stakes are quite visible in
the fairways and provide ample targets. 100 and 200 yard plaques are also in place. Although no pin placement system is available as yet, we
were told that one would be provided for when the course re-opens next spring. A unique feature is the aqua driving range on property. A small
practice putting green will be complimented by a second one next year.
 The opening holes are picturesque. The downhill par four first is followed by
one of the prettiest holes on the course, a challenging par three from an elevated tee over a daunting water hazard. There is plenty of room long, but
the putting surface is rather undulating. The third is a dogleg left par five, with an uphill approach to a green protected by water left and trees right. A narrow
, tree-lined par four precedes one of the most interesting holes
 on the front.
The fifth demands an accurate tee shot over a marsh, followed by an approach to the left over a beautiful pond. Be long and down the middle or right off the tee and
this hole presents a birdie opportunity that will make your day. A very short (and one of the easiest) par 3 over marsh is next. It is a great feeling to be
able to hit a wedge off the tee once in awhile! Another tee shot over a marsh on the dogleg left 7th hole is followed by an
 approach to a relatively small
green, surrounded by bunkers. This reasonable length par five is the number one handicap. The closing par fours at 8 and 9 demand length off the tee,
as your approaches will be to extremely uphill putting surfaces. The ninth demands accuracy. Anything left will be blocked by trees, and tee shots long
right will go through the fairway. Aim to be just right of the 150 stake.
The 10th is opposite of the first, with an uphill tee shot followed by a downhill approach. Water comes into play again on the next medium range par three
, which is almost all carry. The putting surface slopes significantly from back to front, so you'll want to stay below
the hole. The 12th also provides ample opportunity to clean your ball, with water hazards in play along the left side of the fairway, and around the green on three sides.
 Thirteen features a manageable tee shot over water
and an approach to an uphill green. A narrow, medium length par four with strategically placed fairway bunkers is followed by another tricky par three,
with a water hazard to the right. Now for the most interesting hole on the course - This double dogleg will surely present birdie opportunities to those
familiar with the layout. The safe thing to do is to aim for the bullseye targets provided on the fairways for your first 2 shots. A bit more risky is to play it a
bit left off the tee, and go for the green (a blind shot) on the approach,
 which
could give you a great eagle/birdie opportunity. After the tee shot, this hole plays entirely downhill. Extremely tempting! Seventeen is a gorgeous par four
that requires a 200 yard lay-up off the tee, and a short to mid iron to a well protected green with a postcard background. There is more room right, off
the tee, than is apparent. The finishing hole is also beautiful and very score-able A good drive, working the ball from right to left, will leave you with a
short iron to an uphill green A fine way to end your round.
The final three holes at Beacon Hill provide great risk/reward opportunities. This sequence of closing holes is amongst the best around. You will not be disappointed with the layout - even as
it winds through the residential community. It is wonderful as a first year course, and will only get better with
maturity and a new clubhouse. Next season's rates will be $45 weekdays and $55 weekends. Well worth it!
Check out the Two Guys Who Golf detailed information page on this course (which includes a link to the course's website if available) - click here.
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