LEGACY GOLF CLUB (734-854-1553)
Review 7/08/04
The Legacy Golf Club in Ottawa Lake is an outstanding Arthur Hills links style design that has been awarded 4
-1/2 stars (out of five) by Golf Digest Places to Play. The 18 holes of championship golf are spread out over 207
rolling acres, with five lakes, including the one surrounding the island green on the par three 8th hole (pictured
above). An expansive water hazard also helps frame the outline of the beautiful par four 10th and 18 holes -
which both afford wonderful views of the Legacy clubhouse. This facility features a beautiful pro shop and a
restaurant/lounge that are atypical of area golf properties. The restaurant facilities include an indoor patio and an
outdoor Tiki bar - both of which provide valuable services for golf groups, outings and special events. In addition,
the Legacy Island Resort is located nearby, providing comfortable accommodations, an indoor pool with Jacuzzi,
meeting space and other amenities that are of interest to groups and families. For more info on the resort - click
here.
Some extremely interesting holes are including in this design, which features a nice mix of wide open and tree
lined or water outlined fairways. The green on number 8 is completely surrounded by water, but is short enough
that most golfers will have a good chance of keeping the ball dry. The wind can definitely be a factor in this area
of the state however, and it can really make a difference on this hole. Number 18 presents a carry over water that
is longer than it appears from the tees. Again, if a strong headwind is present, this can be a daunting tee shot.
The right side is a reasonable target area, although a strong shot may carry through the fairway and into the high
grasses, or into another pond that is situated along that side. From this area, the view of the 18th green with the
modern clubhouse and attached Tiki bar is of postcard quality (photo above). Our advice - grip it and rip it and hope for the best!
Mr. Hills seems to relish the idea of presenting risk/reward opportunities that can define the success of one's
round. This is particularly true on the par four tenth, which doglegs to the left over a lake. A safe play is to lay up
to the right side, with the carry covering as little of the lake as possible. An adventurous tee shot that is shaped
right to left will carry a more significant amount of water, but if successful will leave a wedge or short iron
approach and a good shot at birdie. A similar situation presents itself on the par five14th. The tee shot if placed
long and left may find a level landing area that sets up for an approach over a lake that is pretty much all carry -
with a good shot at reaching in two. A more cautious player (and those without long distance) may want to lay up
to near the 100 yard area on the second shot and play for a safer three shot approach. Both holes are pictured
above. The short par four 5th is also risk/reward - with golfers presented a choice of driving over a natural area
directly towards the green, or laying up to the right side and leaving a short iron over a deep bunker to the
elevated green complex. This is another formidable carry where the wind may have an affect on a player's shot selection.
Not all of the holes require such decision making...The opening hole is a wide open dogleg right par four that
invites a grip it and rip it mentality, with a left to right shot shape being the advantageous play off the tee. This is
one of the most wide open holes, and one of the simplest approaches of the round. Number three is also a very
linksy style golf hole. The fairway is ample, but bunkers and mounding may result in some undesirable second shots to the putting complex at the end of an uphill playing field. Together with the par four second and fourth holes, this group presents a reasonable opportunity to get off to a good start.
As you can ascertain by these images, the Legacy presents a good variety in design, and most golfers will have
the occasion to use every club in their bag. One thing that is consistent however - are the wonderful conditions
from tee to green, with finely sculpted tee boxes, sand bunkers, manicured fairways and large, true rolling putting
surfaces. The course provides 100, 150 and 200 yard indicators on the fairways, plus some sprinkler heads
measured to the center of the green. Pro Link GPS is standard on all carts, providing accurate distances to the
pin, as well as hole diagrams and tips. An appreciated feature is the yardage display to the pin mounted on the
back of each cart as well. Ball and club washers are also provided. Five sets of tees make it possible for all
levels of golfers to choose a distance that suits their game, with the tips measuring 6840 yards with a slope of
134. Alternated sets play to 6326/129 slope, 6018/126 slope, 5485/121 slope and 4961/115 slope.
Practice facilities include a spacious grass range with target areas, a huge putting green plus short game area.
The Clare Batiste Golf Academy is on property - featuring half, one-day and two-day schools, private instruction
and corporate clinics. We heartily recommend stretching before a round - and at the Legacy this principle is not
only reinforced - but encouraged as they provide the unique Gary Gray Golf Gazebo. This contraption features
stretching stations designed to facilitate readiness for swinging a golf club - great idea and effective (with me as
witness). All said and done - our experience at the Legacy confirms that they go the extra distance to present a
total experience that warrants their 4-1/2 star rating. We highly recommend a day of golf here (or a couple of
days with a night or two at the resort) ! For more info, visit our page for the Legacy with a link to their website by clicking here.
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