HICKORY HOLLOW GOLF CLUB (586-949-9033)
Macomb County is blessed to have an impressive list of good value golf courses within its boundaries. The area
along I-94 between M-59 and 26 Mile Road has the lions share. Hickory Hollow, with walking permitted at all
times and green fees with cart topping out at under $40 (in 2001),is one such course. Located on North Avenue,
just-1/2 mile north of 21 Mile Road, this 6356 yard championship design features a good mix of wide open and
tree lined fairways. Most memorable are the approach shots to the 9th and 18th greens which are similar in
nature, over a creek which runs through the property, to greens surrounded by bunkers. The same creek widens
and meanders along the backside of the property and can be seen flanking the middle holes of the back nine.
Ponds come into play along parallel fairways on 2/7 and 5/6. A man made fountain spouts in the pond separating the 11th tee and green, considered the signature hole of Hickory Hollow.
The opening hole is quite challenging - a slight dogleg left with pines along the left side discouraging any
thoughts of taking a short cut. A sand trap left and a water hazard on the fairway's right side come into play on
the mid length par five second. A reasonably long and accurate tee shot will afford you a good birdie opportunity
here. Another easy hole (144 yard downhill par three) precludes the toughest stretch on the course. The fourth
requires an accurate lay-up, preferably to the right side of the fairway. A difficult approach awaits - to a large
crowned green, surrounded by bunkers. An uphill tee shot along a fairway that narrows on approach is next. A
pond to the right can hamper long hitters off the tee, or errant second shots. It is quite open near the green.
Water long right and high lipped greenside bunkers right, left and short provide a challenge on # 6. The 414 yard
par 4 seventh is the course's # 1 handicap, with a water hazard in play along the right side about 100 yards from
the putting surface. The eighth is wide open and an easy par, and is followed by a challenging par three over a
creek (see first picture), with sand traps in all the strategic places. It is better to be long here.
The back nine opens with a very reasonable par five, which is slightly uphill off the tee and relatively wide open
and flat afterwards. The signature (par 3 11th) hole is short, but a challenge nonetheless , as you will need to negotiate the pond and creek and land on the correct portion of the crowned green.
A drive of 170 to 180 yards off the next tee will put you in good shape on the next 4 par, which plays at a little
over 270 yards. A slight dogleg left and trees all around will make this hole play longer. Go too far off the tee, and
you will not have a shot at the green. Another lay-up of 180 yards or so is desirable on the tight, par four 13th. A
long drive will go through the fairway, and anything right will be blocked on the approach by a group of tall trees.
Fourteen is an easy par three to an elevated, crowned green, and is followed by yet another short par four. You
must be slightly right off the tee, to approach the uphill green with a bunker hidden off to left side. Grip it and rip it
on the par 5 16th, which is the longest hole on the course. There is lots of room all the way to the green, which
doglegs to the right. Seventeen is also wide open and completely straight - with it's 18th handicap rating making
it the easiest hole of the layout. The closing hole is a medium length par five, which is almost impossible to reach
in two. A creek runs across the fairway about 30 yards out, making a wedge approach after a long iron or fairway
wood your best bet. There is quite a bit of room for error, and the traps on 18 (as they are throughout the course) are not difficult to maneuver out of.
Hickory Hollow is easily accessed from I-94, and is open all year round (with great winter golf rates) - weather
permitting. There is a putting green, but no driving range on property. Notice that the yellow stakes alongside the
fairways indicate 150 yards, and the whites are placed 100 yards from the center of the green (different color
code from many courses). The slope rating of 114 indicates that this course is playable for all levels of ability.
Leagues and outings are welcome as is dining at their restaurant and lounge. A reminder on their scorecard "etiquette is considering the rights of others" is good advice!
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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