SALEM HILLSGOLF CLUB (734-248-437-2152)
Michigan Golf Course Review 5/18/05
Salem Hills Golf Club in Northville was recently the recipient of the an award from the Detroit Free Press as one
of the Top Ten Golf Courses in the Metro Detroit area. Golf Digest Places to Play has also has honored the
facility with 3-1/2 stars out of five. My first impression of the clubhouse and property was that it was "squeaky
clean". The Clubhouse features a pro shop and a comfortable dining area (serving lunch and dinner items), as well as a separate banquet/outing room with bar, that can accommodate 160 people.
There is a grass range, large putting green and a short game area with practice bunker. The golf course was
designed by Bruce and Jerry Matthews in 1963, on a terrain that is alternatively rolling and level. Though
undulations appear, golfers will encounter mostly level lies on the well conditioned bent grass fairways. Water is in play three times on each nine, and there are 35 sand bunkers in total.
Most of the green complexes feature large, mildly sloping putting surfaces that are often framed by bunkers on
either side. Mounding is understated and generally speaking, there are ample landing zones off the tees, and
plentiful room for recoveries greenside. Four sets of tees play to yardages and slopes measuring 6992
yards/124 slope, 6504 yards/122 slope, 5863 yards/119 slope for men and 126 for women, and 5000 yards with
a 113 slope for the ladies. As the rating indicate - this is a user-friendly layout that can be enjoyed by all levels of golfers.
The back nine plays a bit tighter, as trees and water hazards squeeze the fairways and landing areas. Number
three is a beautiful golf hole, with a pond located along the left about 150 out that feeds into a creek crossing just
in front of an elevated green complex. Like most putting surfaces on the course, the green here slopes from back
to front. Golfers can ascertain the hole locations through the small yellow ball markers on the flagsticks, which
indicate front, middle and back pin placements. The course is well-marked, with color coded stakes near the
cart paths, plus color coded yardage blocks on the fairways posted at 100, 150 and 200 yards (plus 250 on par fives).
Salem Hills provides a pleasant golf experience - not too difficult overall, but with some interesting holes that will
challenge even the best of players. Fine conditioning from tee to green, friendly, personal service and
outstanding facilities are standards that have earned Salem Hills an elite status in the metro community. The
price certainly is a factor here, as rates including cart top out at $48 prime time in 2005! For more info including a direct link to their website, visit our page for Salem Hills by clicking here.
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