HAWK HOLLOW GOLF CLUB (517-641-4295) (888-411-HAWK)
Michigan Golf Course Review - 5/30/03 -
Love golf? Spend a day at Hawk Hollow and you will feel as though you are in golfer's paradise! This beautiful
and finely manicured facility is one gorgeous piece of golf property. The original 18-hole layout generously
absorbed an additional 9 holes - with the new 27-hole facility earning Golf Digest's 4-1/2 star rating , plus
mention as one of the Top 200 In America You Can Play. It does not end here. The Falcon - a 9-hole executive
layout similar in conditioning and quality to the current championship course, is located just a couple miles down
the road, as serves as a great practice course, and also can facilitate those looking for a quick round. This links
style walking course also provides carts for those who need them, and features back tee areas to challenge
experienced golfers, plus forward tees to make the experience un-intimidating for beginners (at very reasonable
rates). Another unique feature at Hawk Hollow is the 18-hole Little Hawk Putting Course ($7.00). In about 1-1/4
hours golfers can play this par 54 layout between the hours of 7AM and 10 PM in season (weather permitting),
with generous lighting making evening play possible. Throw in remarkable practice facilities that include two
complete, full service driving ranges with target greens, an 8,000 square foot putting green, and a short game
area with practice bunker - and you have perhaps the most complete golf facility in Mid-Michigan.
Folks attending banquets, golf outings and special events will be thrilled with the excellent views from the
spacious clubhouse, and outdoor veranda. The facility overlooks the golf course with spectacular views of the
17th and 18th holes. There is ample seating for up to 350 people, and a private Board Room can facilitate
meetings for 14. Menus can be tailored to fit any occasion, and golfers can relax and enjoy drinks and
sandwiches along with a great atmosphere in the clubhouse lounge. Beverage/snack carts also tour the course,
providing the same top quality service one receives at Hawk Hollow, from the time you arrive until the time you leave.
The golf course is wonderfully marked, with 150 yard stakes serving as great targets, plus yardage plates at
100/150/200 yards. Sprinkler heads are also measured to the center of the greens, with daily pin placement
sheets indicating which of the six hole locations are being used each day. Four sets of tees allow nearly every
level of golfer to find their comfort zone. The blues are very playable on the original 18 holes, as they measure
6306 yards, with no par fours exceeding 388 yards. The tips are a challenge from 6974, with a 136 slope.
Beginners and mid-handicappers can enjoy the white tees at 5789, and forward players receive a considerable
break off the tee with the yardage and slope at 5078/120. There is a nice balance to this layout, with doglegs
demanding an equal number of shot shapes left to right and right to left. Water comes into play on 13 of the
original 18 holes, but there are few forced carries. Conditioning from tee to green is excellent, with finely
manicured fairways and with mildly undulating putting surfaces that are quick but receptive. A good tip - keep it on the fairway - as the rough, while not overly long, is quite hearty and very penal.
The front nine presents generous fairways with the yardage spread out nicely - no overly long or short holes here.
The first plays to a wide fairway and features an approach to a well bunkered green complex. Mounds but no
bunkers are present near the green on two, though a trap about 40 yards out may come into play for long hitters.
The par three 3rd features water left, with ample bail out room right, and is followed by back to back par fives.
Both have ample fairways, but narrow on the approach. Long hitters should know that a pond creeps out towards
the fairway along the right about 260 out. The 6th is a classic dogleg right, with plenty of room. Again, be aware
of a pond past the tree line here. Another pond must be carried on the par 3 seventh, which is a challenge from
the tips at 198 yards. The eighth is wide open except for a water hazard along the right side about 130 yards
from the green. A challenging closing hole is next, as the 422 yard par four ninth plays as the number one
handicap on the front side. The carry over a lake is longer than it may seem - take enough club and let er rip...
Numbers ten and eleven are playable doglegs, with each bending mildly left. Water on the left 100 yards out
presents the challenge on 10, while anything long right on 11 will find the bush. The fairway narrows here about
130 out, so an accurate tee shot is mandatory. The par three 12th plays over a water hazard to a huge putting
surface with multiple ridges. There is some bail out room short left. A pair of fairly long par fives (536 and 548
from the tips) sandwich an easy par four in holes 13-15. A creek runs across the fairway about 200 yards out on
13, while the 15th plays tightly off the tee, with another water hazard coming into play along the right about 140
out. In between, a two-tiered putting surface provides the challenge on 14. The par four 16th is a pretty hole, and
features an interesting tee shot over water and an island. Golfers with a natural left to right shot shape could do
well. A lake on the right and mounds and bunkers left make the tee shot on number 17 quite a challenge. Error
left, if you must - as a left to right shot aimed towards the center of the green will almost surely be punished here,
with the prevailing wind leading the ball towards water. The finishing hole is a beauty. The water along the right
creeps towards the fairway about 130 out, making an accurate tee shot along the left center a desirable play.
The approach will have to carry the hazard, and avoid the numerous bunkers on the left side. Like the initial nine - the closing hole is the number one handicap on the back side.
If you have the time - do not stop at 18. The additional nine holes are quite unique, as numbers 12-15 play
alongside a former quarry. Most players can play from the black tees, as they measure 3103 yards, while the
blues fess up at 2875. Length is obviously not the name of the game here. This is more of a target type of layout -
with some roller coaster fairways and elevation changes. We found it to be quite interesting, and extremely fun to
play. The layout is unique - and aesthetically beautiful. You can play this nine by itself or in conjunction with one of
the other nines, depending on the day's schedule of tee times. A better idea is to play all 27 - at a great rate of $73 weekdays and $82 weekends with cart in 2003.
As if this outstanding 27-hole layout, together with the nine-hole Falcon executive course, the 18-hole putting
course, and the tremendous practice facilities are not enough - Hawk Hollow will open a spectacular new 18-hole
championship course in August 2003. The EAGLE EYE Golf Club at Hawk Hollow promises to add another quality dimension to the complex, while featuring a 17th hole island green. Pete Dye and Chris Lutzke
collaborated on this effort which, when complete - will help to build Hawk Hollow's reputation as one of
Michigan's top golf destinations! Our advice - visit Hawk Hollow - for an 18-hole round or for an entire day. The
Lansing area is gaining recognition for top quality golfing experiences - and Hawk Hollow is a major reason. Highly recommended!
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.
|
