MEADOWS GOLF CLUB at Grand Valley State (616) 331-1000
Michigan Golf Course Review
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 8 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, 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 7030 yards/143 slope, 6370 yards/130 slope, 5866 yards/121 slope for
men and 125 for women, 5324 yards/with a 123 slope for women and 4777 yards with slope of 119. 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 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 course, with direct link to their website by clicking here.
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