FOX RUN COUNTRY CLUB (989-348-4343)
Michigan Golf Course Review 6/04/05
Fox Run Country Club, located just a couple miles off I-75 south of Grayling on Four Mile Road (exit 251 then
west), is a four star (Golf Digest Places to Play) Jeff Gorney design fashioned in a picture perfect Northern
Michigan setting. With friendly service and affordable value, this is a perfect opening or closing round on a Northern Michigan golf vacation!
The course features a varied terrain with tree lined fairways, marsh areas, heather rough, undulating greens and
strategic bunkering that provides a fair yet challenging test for golfers of all skill levels. Three sets of tees play to
distances and slopes measuring 6362 yards/128 slope, 5904 yards/123 slope and 4829 yards/119 slope.
Players will encounter medium size, mildly undulating putting surfaces, many of which slope from the middle of
the green towards the front. Though the green complexes present open fronts, there are holes which feature sand bunkers set in greenside mounding, which can translate into some tough up and downs.
Holes four through five are special - the 377 yard par four 4th bends right to left with a narrow landing area
defined by a sloping terrain to the left and marsh along the right. Golfers are best served by laying up just left of
the 150 yard stake here. The demanding approach is uphill to a well guarded putting complex. Number 5 could
be the signature hole on many courses - a par three from an elevated tee area, with a considerable marsh ravine and sand bunker fronting the green.
There is a good mix of level and undulating playing surfaces, and also doglegs that bend in either direction. Each
fairway is tree lined, but most holes present ample landing areas on the bent grass fairways. The course is well
marked with sprinkler heads measured to the center of the green, 150 yard stakes on both sides of the fairways,
and 100, 150 and 200 yard blocks also visible. Small flags on the sticks indicate front, middle or back hole locations. This is a good walking course, as the distances from green to tee are manageable.
There are some extremely interesting par threes, with the 5th (pictured at the top of this review) and the 146 yard
17th (pictured above from the tee and from behind) among the best you will find in the state. Seclusion describes
the atmosphere here, as residential properties do not intrude upon this idyllic setting. There are two practice
greens and a grass range on property, and the clubhouse features a pro shop plus a snack area/lounge with a
complete lunch menu and beverages plus snacks. The Friday Night Fish fry is a local favorite. The facility can
accommodate groups of up top 130 for outings and events. For more info, visit our page for Fox Run, with direct link to their website by clicking here.
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