GARLAND GOLF COURSE REVIEW - Swampfire Golf Club
(989-786-2211)
Resort information:
Garland Resort in Lewiston is one of the Midwest's top four season resorts, and affords golf buffs the opportunity to play 4 championship caliber golf courses, all conveniently located on one property. These include the upscale
Fountains - one of Michigan's best, as well as the Swampfire, Monarch and Reflections. All four courses are
serviced by one clubhouse, which features a wonderfully stocked pro shop, restaurant & lounge, with a wide
variety of lodging adjacent to the courses. Swimming pools, saunas, whirlpools, a workout facility and other
recreational activities are available on property. For detailed information on the resort accommodations and amenities including a link to the Garland web site, visit our page for Garland Resort by clicking here.
Visitors will find a spacious grass & mat driving range with target areas, plus two enormous practice greens for
putting and chipping - one near the range and the other conveniently located near the center of the resort. A
good variety of instructional programs and lessons are available, and can be set up through the pro shop.
Golfers playing multiple rounds can pick up a quick burger or sandwich in the outdoor grill between rounds, or
can relax at the outdoor Gazebo which is a favorite hangout at night. There also is ample seating indoors at Hermans. Downstairs from the pro shop are locker facilities with showers for men and women.
Swampfire Golf Club Review 5/14/04 - photos updated July, 2006
Swampfire is a gorgeous golf course featuring manicured fairways sculpted by pine and hardwood forests, that
lead to large, mildly undulating and mostly raised putting complexes. This is one of Garland's tightest layouts,
demanding both distance and accuracy off the tee. Water hazards, many of them formidable, are also present on
15 of the 18 holes. At 6854 yards, the Champion tees play to a 141 slope and demand the best from
experienced golfers. With a 139 slope (6422 yards) the blue tees are not much easier, and with a slope of 136 (
6108 yards) average golfers will be challenged to score their handicap. The toughest portions of the hazards are mostly taken out of play from the forward tee areas.
On course golfers will be pleased with the simple fairway marking system, as red, white and blue stakes are
readily visible on both sides of the fairways. Cart paths are also marked, as well as some sprinkler heads. The
day's hole locations are indicated on the pin placement sheets that are provided for on the carts...be sure your cart has one before teeing off.
The opening hole begins with an ample fairway with a water hazard that crosses about 140 yards from the green.
The second shot turns slightly right, to a putting surface that is crowned on 3 sides. Number two has water in play
along the right all the way to the green and also to the far left of the cart path off the tee. BE WARY on the
approach, as the pond on the right creeps into the landing area just before the green. This is one of the most
demanding iron shots of the day, and is deserving of your utmost attention. The par three 3rd is a beauty that is
all carry over water, to a back to front sloped putting surface, with plenty of room long. The tee shot on four
presents a short carry over another hazard, with lakes bordering the fairway on both sides. This is another
extremely tricky approach...be sure to stay to the right, aiming towards the bunkers on that side on the approach.
To the left and in front of the green is a water hazard that is not immediately visible. Anything landing short of the
green in the center or left is gone! You might want to take a minute to drive up near the green complex to see
what you are dealing with, before you hit... Similar to number three. The par three 5th is all carry. The slope in
front of the green will guide balls hit short into the hazard here. The horseshoe shaped tee area is quite unique,
rotating boxes and providing different vantage points daily. The wide fairway on 6 is well bunkered along the
right, with a pond in play about 100 yards out. This hazard continues to the left and behind the elevated green
complex. Hole number seven is a tight, tree lined par four which invites a tee shot that splits the fairway traps on
either side. The fairway on eight is more generous, though a 80 yard long bunker lines the left side. A water
hazard crosses about 100 yards away. The closing hole on the front mimics the other par threes on the front, as it is all carry with a considerable slope in front that will reject balls hit short.
The back side plays a little longer, and begins with a medium range par five that features a water hazard on the
left about 250 yards out. The place to be on this dogleg left is right of center. After a nice tranquil drive through
the woods, the eleventh tee welcomes you to a pretty par three, that plays longer than the advertised yardage.
There is plenty of room short and around the green here. A tee shot that splits the fairway bunkers will leave
advantageous positioning to approach the putting complex on the long, dogleg left par four 12th . The second
shot is uphill to a green well protected by bunkers in front. Thirteen turns to the left past the 150 yard marker, and
it is possible to drive it through the fairway here. Stay to the left of center and the approach to a raised green
becomes more manageable. The generous fairway on 14 ends near the 220 area, as a water hazard crosses.
Land it on the short grass and this hole is very score-able, as there are no bunkers to deal with. It is possible to
cut the dogleg right 15th, for those that can drive to within the 150 yard area along the right off the tee. The
crowned putting surface slopes off in front and to the left of this mid range four par. Aim towards the tall pine
deep of the fairway on the pretty par four 16th. The ideal landing area is between 80-120 yards away, leaving a
wedge approach over water to green protected by a huge sand trap in front. The par three 17th is the course's
number 18 handicap, and presents plenty of room short of and around the putting surface. Like the rest of the par
threes on the Swampfire, this hole seems to play longer than the published yardage. The course closes with a
tee shot over water to a wide fairway that narrows on the approach. The green is a slightly raised and slopes from back to front.
As the slope indicates, Swampfire is a good challenge, and perhaps the toughest of the layouts at this resort.
Doglegs, water hazards, bunkers and Fairways defined by mature forest - this course has it all. Prior course
knowledge - or at least a quick study of the yardage guide (cost $1.50 in the pro shop) will help...especially on
the second and fourth holes. We had the opportunity to spend two nights at Garland, played all four courses,
practice facilities, enjoyed the pool areas, restaurants and lounge, and highly recommend this place to anyone who has never had the opportunity to visit. The amenities and service are great.
Visit our information page for the Swampfire course by clicking here.
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