THOUSAND OAKS GOLF CLUB (616-447-7750)
Michigan Golf Course Review 9/09/06
Thousand Oaks Golf Club in Grand Rapids is a spectacular Rees Jones championship design that has received
numerous awards including: Top 20 Courses in Michigan, 4-1/2 stars by Golf Digest Places to Play, one of the
top 100 daily fee Courses for women in America, # 1 Best New Course in Michigan 2001 (Great Lakes Golfer Magazine) and 2004 recipient for Best Dining by Grand Rapids Magazine!
The residential development surrounding the property is thoughtfully done, with beautiful homes situated on the
perimeters and hillsides fronted by mature trees and lush landscaping, presenting outstanding golf course views.
Unlike many courses built in residential communities, the homes alongside Thousand Oaks in no way intercede onto the golf property. Real estate opportunities are still available (as of fall 2006).
The golf course facilities include a targeted grass range, short game area with sand bunker, plus large putting
green. The compartmentalized golf carts are equipped with UpLink GPS and have rear weather covers. A
beautifully appointed clubhouse features a nicely stocked pro shop, banquet/outing facilities and outdoor patio,
plus a restaurant/lounge that has been recognized as the Best Golf Course Restaurant in the Midwest (Great
Lakes Golf 2001 and 2002). Other honors include Best New Restaurant in West Michigan and "Best Brunch" by
On the Town Magazine in 2001. I had the opportunity to stay for dinner, and was vary impressed by the fine selection and great quality of cuisine. Try the seafood chowder!
The course at Thousand Oaks is a golf destination unto itself. The topography is extremely rolling, with finely
manicured fairways and true rolling bent grass putting surfaces carved into forested hillsides, with a few lakes
and ponds providing additional aesthetics. Over 4 dozen sand bunkers can be found along the undulating
fairways or greenside. Mounding around the raised putting complexes creates some challenging up and down situations.
Four sets of tees provide golfers with opportunities to play from distances and slopes measuring 7128
yards/142 slope, 6677 yards/136 slope, 6137 yards/130 slope for men and 137 for women, and 5328 yards with
a slope of 120 for ladies playing from the forward tees. Besides the GPS on the carts, golfers will also find
sprinkler heads measured to the center of the green, 100, 150 and 200 yard markers are located on the fairways
, and 150 yard stakes double as directional devices on all par fours and fives. Pin placement info is provided for on the scorecards, along with green depths and shapes.
The slope ratings indicate that scratch golfers will find all they could ask for from the back tees, and at 130 from
the golds at 6137 yards, the average golfer will find a fair and interesting challenge. Players will encounter
frequent side-hill, uphill and downhill lies, and the putting surfaces are undulating with subtle tiers and ridges, and are usually protected by bunkers and mounding.
Though challenging, the layout is also quite fair. There usually is ample room on the fairways. Most golfers will be
required to use every club in their bag, and will be rewarded when making good shots. Miss the greens to the
sides and players will need to exhibit good short game skills to recover from sand traps and swales. The par 72
layout is balanced with two par threes and two par fives on each nine. There are 7 par fours of 400 yards plus from the tips.
Thousand Oaks is open for public play, and affords golfers a chance to play one of the most gorgeous, upscale
designs in the state. We highly recommend a round here. For more information, visit our page for the course with direct link to their website by clicking here.
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