WHITE PINE NATIONAL (989-736-3279)
Review 6/27/04
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White Pine Hole #3
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White Pine Hole #5
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White Pine National is a beautiful championship layout located near Hubbard Lake, and has been certified as an
Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. The facilities are simple but efficient, with a price structure that makes an
experience here one of the best values in Michigan golf . A small clubhouse includes a nice dining area that
serves breakfast and lunch items, and is open from 7 AM - 7 PM in season. Practice facilities feature a spacious
grass range and putting green. The "Himalaya" 18-hole putting course is adjacent to the practice green, and is priced at just $4 for adults and $2 for children.
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White Pine Himilaya Putting Course
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White Pine Hole #11
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There is a great variety in design throughout the 18 holes on White Pine National, providing all levels of players
an interesting experience, and one that will require a complete game to score well. The initial 4 holes afford a
good opportunity for a warm up, with wide landing areas and fairly flat putting surfaces that are simple to
approach. From here the terrain changes, with frequently elevated tee areas and greens. The middle holes
provide some interesting green complexes, with understated but strategic bunkering. Throughout golfers will find
wonderfully conditioned putting surfaces that are small to medium in size and on the plus side for speed. The
areas surrounding the greens - and particularly in front, are not overly penal, affording ample opportunities for up
and downs. There are some exceptions however, as witnessed by the complexes pictured here.
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#5 Green at White Pine National
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#11 Green at White Pine National
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On course red, white and blue blocks are visible on the fairways near the 100, 150 and 200 yard areas, and
small flags indicate front, middle and back pin placements on the greens. Four sets of tees max out at 6801
yards with a 128 slope. The alternate sets play to 5971/120 slope, 5179/116 slope and a women friendly 3986
yards from the forward tees. With such a great distance between the tips and white tees, mixing and matching is
not a bad idea. Playing the tips from all but the par threes and the 4 par fours of 400 + yards (numbers 5,8,10 &
12) will make the course play to a reasonable 6400 yards. Overall - this is not an overly difficult course, and all
levels of players should be able to get around well here. There is enough trouble however, especially on the back side, that errant approaches will be penalized.
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Hole #13
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Hole #16
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From tee to green, the course was in very good shape on our late June visit. Some holes are pretty spectacular,
with the short par four 16th among my favorites. Uniquely, two large bunkers rest on the upper shelf on the right
side of the fairway, and another deep sand trap guards the front portion of a perched green. The 13th plays from
an extremely elevated tee, and is also pictured above. Prime rates at White Pine National are less than $50 including cart in 2004. For more info, visit our page with link to the White Pine website by clicking here.
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