Timber Trace (734-878-1800)
Michigan Golf Course Review - 5/05/02 -
Timber Trace Golf Club in Pinckney has been recognized as Livingston County's premier championship layout.
Set amongst pines and hardwoods, with rolling fairways and superb conditioning, this course provides an "up
north" feel. An exclusive 650-acre residential development (Putnam Meadows) surrounds the property, without
intruding onto the course itself. The facilities at Timber Trace leave nothing to be desired. The clubhouse
features a small but functional pro shop and dining area with outdoor terrace. A large putting green is
conveniently located next to the first tee, and a practice area with sand bunker and chipping green provides a
great space to work on your short game. The range features both grass and mat tee areas with ample targets for a quick warm up or for lessons.
Once out on the course, you will find there are ample drinking water stations, an amenity often overlooked by
many Metro area courses. The carts have yardage/hole diagram booklets, which are of great use, especially to
first time visitors. The course is well marked, with stakes on the fairways measured at 200, 150 and 100 yards
from the center of the greens. Pin placement information for the consistent, mildly undulating putting surfaces,
which are of medium size and speed, is also provided for on the charts on each cart. You will encounter mostly
open fairways, with a rolling topography that usually leaves you with an even lie for approaches. Tall grasses help
to define the rough, and the 72 sand bunkers scattered throughout the layout are well sculpted. A three foot fringe
surrounding the greens allows for shot selections ranging from long lag putts to chipping with long irons and
fairway woods. A unique feature at Timber Trace is the 5 minute drive through the Lake Wallaby Natural Area,
between the 12th green and thirteenth tee. Beautiful views of the lake and forest, along with extravagant homes that dot the hillsides are appreciated, and fit in nicely with the round of golf.
The opening hole is a challenging one, with a fairly wide open tee shot followed by a tight approach. The green is
elevated and is well protected by a bunker complex on the right side. The safest play is to approach from the left.
Number two is a beauty. You will have to carry a valley off the tee, but will find lots of room and downhill shots all
the way to the flag. The third is an easy mid-range par three with bunkers right and left of the large putting
surface. On the par 4 fourth, you will encounter lots of room off the tee, but the green is tucked away amongst
pine trees and bunkers. There is a fairway bunker short right and long left on number 5. The approach plays to
an elevated green, and anything long find the drop off behind the green. Short is better here. The next hole
doglegs left, but there is no need to try to cut it. Aim for the 150 and take an extra club to reach the putting
surface that is slightly uphill. There is a deep bunker left and grass swales in front of the green on the par 3
seventh., but this is a relatively easy hole. Number 8 has plenty of room off the tee, and doglegs left on the
approach. A bunker complex left dissuades aiming shots to that side. The finishing hole plays relatively easily, as
long as you avoid the right greenside bunker. None of the holes on the front are intimidating off the tee, as they
are all of reasonable length, with ample landing areas. Your driver should be put to good use.
The back opens with the number one handicap. Distance and accuracy are required off the tee, and the
approach will require your best effort. This is one of the prettiest holes on the course. If you make a mistake,
hopefully it will be to the right. This is followed by a short and easy par four. You can almost drive the green, but a
more sensible shot is a lay-up to the 100 yard stake. The narrow green is well bunkered, with long rough
awaiting if you hit a flyer. A high soft approach is necessary here. Twelve is the toughest of the par three. It will
play long as it is a bit uphill. Sit back and enjoy the scenery on your 5 minute ride through the lake Wallaby
Natural Area. The next 4 holes are quite open, similar to the designs on many of the areas links layouts.
Thirteen is a reasonable par 4. Avoid the bunkers 50 yards out, and land your approach softly as this green here
is also narrow. Fourteen presents much room off the tee, and all the way to the green A few bunkers along the
way are the only hazards here. Aim to the left side of the fairway on 15, or it will play very long. Your second shot
is downhill, while the approach is considerably uphill. You will come back up the hill on the tee shot on 16. The
green is long and undulating, with lots of room left on the approach. A pretty par three awaits on the seventeenth.
There are deep bunkers front and back , but as is the case with all 4 par threes at Timber Trace, you have a
reasonable chance to score par or better here. Aim for the 150 stake in the middle right of the fairway on the
finishing hole. This is a dogleg left with a downhill approach to a deep green that slopes back to front.
Timber Trace is an incredibly fun round of golf. You will not get beat up by tight fairways and a myriad of hazards.
At 7020 yards from the tips, avid golfers will be amply challenged. At 6180 from the mid tees (there are 5 sets of
tees) , it is very fair for the average player. Numerous bunkers, doglegs and tricky green complexes keep it
interesting - and the many tall pines throughout the course give it a distinguished look. With incredibly
reasonable green fees all week long, this is one of the best values in Michigan. Highly recommended!
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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