MEADOWS GOLF CLUB at GrandValleyState (616) 895-1000
Michigan Golf Course Review 7/14/05
The Meadows Golf Club at Grand Valley State University is a Michael Hurdzan championship design along a
level terrain that features wonderful conditioning and shot values. The course has been rated with 4-1/2 stars out
of five by Golf Digest Places to Play, and is annually recognized as one of the top golf courses in West Michigan. The Meadows has hosted 6 NCAA Championships!
The facilities include the Meadows Golf Academy - which features over 110 bent grass tee stations, a 13,000
square-foot putting and chipping green, a 5,000 square-foot putting green, 10 sheltered hitting areas, 2 practice
holes that can be played as 3, 4 or 5 par, and PGA & LPGA accredited instructors. The clubhouse includes a
beautiful pro shop, locker rooms with showers, banquet/meeting facilities, plus a restaurant/lounge/patio with great lunch and dinner menus.
Five tee areas allow all levels of players to find their comfort level, with distances and slopes measuring 7034
yards/133 slope, 6336 yards/130 slope, 5826 yards/121 slope for men and 125 for women, 5324 yards/with a
123 slope for women and 4777 yards with slope of 115. Ample fairways bordered by mounding and bunkers
make this a fair and enjoyable layout - but there is trouble for those who stray too far off the tee or on approaches.
Most of the green complexes present mildly undulating putting surfaces with open fronts, and with sand traps and
mounding situated on the sides or behind. On the front side numbers six and seven look intimidating off the tee..
.but there is more room than appears to the right between the trees on 6, and 40-50 yards separates the natural
area from the green on the par three 7th. Creeks also cross frequently on the front - off the tee or near the greens
on practically every hole to start. Wetlands and natural areas come into play on quite a few holes on the back -
with none being more pronounced than the par three 17th and par 4 finishing hole. Seventeen begins from an
elevated tee and is all carry over a marsh, and number 18 (pictured in the two photos below) features a carry
over wetlands off the tee, plus another forced carry on the approach. With the marsh situated closely to the green, it is advisable to be long rather than short on the last approach shot of the round.
The Meadows, while challenging from the two back sets of tees, is a player friendly design with walking allowed
at any time. The carts are of the new variety - comfortable and compartmentalized. He Kirby marking system is
in place - with yardage markers on the fairways every 25 yards from 200 (250 on par fives) to 75 yards away.
150 yard stakes also double as directional devices, and pin placement info is located on each scorecard. The
entire facility is well taken care of...and the service is efficient and friendly. This is one of the best golf values in
Western Michigan. For more info, visit our page for the Meadows, with direct link to their great website by clicking here.
|
