MOOSE RIDGE GOLF CLUB (248-446-9030)
Michigan Golf Course Review
Moose Ridge Golf Club in South Lyon promotes itself as an "up north" golf course, in Lower Michigan. World
-class facilities and services are advertised. This Ray Hearn design, which has been open for just one year,
delivers on all counts! Though not all components are in place (the clubhouse will open next season and the
course naturally needs to "settle in" a bit), Moose Ridge promises to be a top tier facility. Hidden on 230 acres of
naturally wooded, undulating land with more than 90 feet of elevation changes, this championship course has it
all. Bent grass tees, fairways and greens; well defined bunkers filled with white USGA Best Sand; acres of
wetlands filled with lush wildflowers and heather; numerous water hazards and a rolling terrain provide challenge
and aesthetic beauty reminiscent of premier Northern Michigan properties. Indeed, I found myself looking for Moose (Meese?) at nearly every turn. There were plenty of ridges!
The practice facilities are remarkable, providing a great compliment to this upscale golfing experience. Two
large grass range areas with target greens are accompanied by a large putting green, and short game practice
area with sand bunker. The 10,000 square foot cedar and stone clubhouse includes an upscale restaurant,
banquet facilities and outside pavilion for weddings, outings , meetings or parties. Though Moose Ridge is a
public course, the "private club' experience is enhanced by tee times arranged in 10 minute intervals, and by the excellent service provided. All carts include club AND ball washers for your convenience.
The opening hole is a beauty. This short par 4 will give you a nice opportunity to get off to a good start, if you
can avoid the bunkers on either side of the fairway. Sound advice is to lay-up with a long iron, as the fairway
traps are sneaky close. Play a bit cautious and give yourself a chance for at least a par -as the next 3 holes
provide one of the toughest sequences anywhere. Two long par fours with uphill, undulating greens are followed
by a snakingly narrow par 5, with an approach to a thin green flanked by marshes in the front and back and to the
left. There is little room for error on this #1 handicapped hole. Navigate these 3 holes successfully, and you
might be on your way to a great round. Five through nine provide ample par/birdie opportunities. The fifth plays
shorter than it seems, although the uphill green has some tricky undulations. Be sure to be on the correct tier. An
easy par 3 is followed by a very short par four, requiring an 180 - 200 yard tee shot (there is more room left than
it appears) followed by an approach to an uphill, double-tiered green. The eighth is also a short hole, but the
fairway bunker and mound fronting the putting surface adds some difficulty. The finishing hole on the front is
tough one. There is lots of room long and short is also a good idea. Right or left are nothing but trouble on this
par three, which plays longer than the scorecard indicates. It is more uphill than it appears.
The back nine opens up with the easiest sequence of holes on the course. A very short par four at 10 gives you a
good deal of room off the tee, but narrows considerably on the approach. The eleventh seems even easier,
although the putting surface has a great deal of break. These are followed by a short par three with a huge green
- and the 18th ranked handicap. Thirteen is a beautiful and rather long par 4 with marshland to the right and
mounds left. The par 5 fourteenth has a long fairway, with lots of room for error - a good par/birdie chance.
Number 15 is one of the most beautiful holes on Moose Ridge, and is also incredibly challenging. An accurate
tee shot over water is followed by an approach to a narrow green, with a lake running all along the left side and
forest land to the right. A gorgeous downhill par three with similar features, is a prelude to a very long, wide open
par 4, with the most puttable green on the course. Long hole, easy green - this is a fair trade off. You will not be
disappointed with the closing hole. This is a long par 5 dogleg right. It is highly unlikely you will save much
distance by trying to cut your tee shot. Play it straight and you will have an easier second shot and better chance
of landing it near or on the green on your third. A good birdie/par opportunity if you play it right.
My first impression of Moose Ridge was that of a tough Gaylord area type of course. The slope rating of 128
from the whites and 138 from the tips seemed a little low. To my surprise, when the smoke cleared (or in this
case, a light, all day drizzle) I found I had shot my handicap - and realized I could have done even better without
the three putts I had early in the round. Moose Ridge is indeed challenging. But it is also fun to play and
gorgeous to look at. They have a pretty decent pin placement system (markers on the flags) and the fairways are
well marked with yardage plates and white 150 yard flags on the sides of the fairways. Keep in mind, you will
often need an extra club on your approach to these greens, which are usually uphill. The rates of $48/$58
weekday and $75/$68 weekend ndicate high quality golf and top notch facilities. That is exactly what you will get! Truly a treat!
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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