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SYCAMORE HILLS Golf Club (586-598-9500)
Located on North Ave (an extension of Grosbeck Hwy) past 21 Mile Road, Sycamore Hills offers 27 holes of
Jerry Matthews designed championship golf. Sitting in the midst of one of the hottest golf beds in Michigan,
Sycamore Hills features great variety in the three layouts. With slope ratings ranging from 117 to 132, and
distances from 4933 - 6400 yards, all three designs will test your skill, yet will allow even novice golfers to enjoy
their round. Priced between upscale and moderate ( $50 plus or minus, for 18 with cart), Sycamore Hills is
consistently well-groomed, with bent grass fairways and greens. What's more - it is open year round, weather
permitting. We had the experience of playing on New Years Eve a couple years ago, in 10 degree weather - at a
great price. Covered carts are available, and provide an effective shield from the wind and inclement weather. No need to stop playing when good quality courses like these remain open...
Our review includes the West and North nines, played on a decent late fall morning (early December). The West
is our favorite layout of the three. It opens with a dogleg left par four. As with many of the greens on this layout,
tricky undulations and manicured green-side bunkers are prominent on # 1. The par three second always gives
me a rough time. At 201 yards from the Blues, it plays even longer as it is uphill (1 club longer). There is more
room for error than it seems, but this is still a difficult par. Water left and right will guide your shots all the way to
the green on number 3 - not much room for error here. The fourth is a picture hole. This par three has a water
hazard along the left and bunkers on both sides of the green. Next is a short par five. A couple of two hundred
-yard shots down the center of the fairway will leave a tight, wedge approach and a good birdie opportunity. The
best birdie hole is number 6 however. At just 294 yards from the tips, all you have to do is land on the middle
right of the fairway for an easy approach. Bend it left and you will struggle for par. The seventh is another short
par four, with a dogleg right on the approach. Long hitters who hit left to right can bend it around the first group of
trees for a short wedge approach. Otherwise, the best play is to land it just short of the bunkers on the left. After
these two very score-able par fours, you will be confronted with the most challenging hole on the West. At 418
yards from the Blues, number 8 presents a narrow fairway with trees on both sides. An accurate approach is
necessary, as a deep ravine and a branch of the Clinton River just beyond the signature Sycamore Tree, await
anything bending right. The ninth is a reasonable par four. Miss the fairway bunker left and you should have a
pretty clear approach to the green complex fronting the clubhouse. Stay left of center as the lake to the right, short of the green, stretches menacingly towards the fairway.
The North course is also a lot of fun to play. The dogleg left opener can be cut a little, as long as you pay attention
to the trap on that side. I love starting here, as this is an easy par - possible birdie. The water hazard long left on
number two is very reachable. Playing at just over 300 yards, a 200 yard lay-up is prudent move here. The par 5
third is one of the toughest holes at Sycamore Hills - especially from the tips. A long tee shot must be followed by
an accurately hit long iron or fairway wood, leaving a wedge/short iron approach. The green is undulating and
sloped back to front. A mid range par three is next, and is quite score-able as long as you don't shank one into
the water on the right. The shortest par four on the North follows. At 278 from the Blues, you will have the option of
bending your tee shot over the treeline right, or laying up in front of the trap on the left. Either way, a birdie is
possible here. Hopefully, you mastered these two, as now you play the # 3 and # 1 handicap back to back. Stay
left center off the tee on number seven, unless you are a very long hitter. Anything hit too close to the water on the
right, will gravitate towards that side. The approach has quite a bit of room. Placement off the tee is the most
important consideration here. The long par five 7th demands a long, straight tee shot. Dependant upon your
driving distance and fairway placement, you will either hit over the river on your second, or lay-up before it. Either
way, this is a three-shot hole. A water hazard long left on the approach to the green is not entirely visible, and
errant shots to that side are usually trouble. Eight is an easy par three. Water left will only come into play on very
poorly hit shots - and who hits those? The closing hole is a mid-range par four, favoring a right to left shot shape. A fairway trap left and bunkers on both side of the green provide the challenge here.
The South nine is also interesting, with various shots over sections of the Clinton River, and gentle, rolling terrain.
It is also the most challenging. Sycamore Hills, famous for outings and weddings, is even morepopular since
their newly completed additions and renovation of their beautiful banquet facility. Also on property are a large
putting green and ample driving range. The clubhouse/pro shop is fully stocked, and an adjacent lounge/restaurant are put to good use. Good quality, nice variety - great location!
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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