COYOTE GOLF CLUB (248-486-1228)
Michigan Golf Course Review
Coyote Golf Club in New Hudson Michigan - located just minutes from the Novi Expo Center and Fall Michigan Golf Show, was shimmering on a mid-October afternoon. To my
surprise - this late in the season, the golf course was in excellent condition and an absolute joy to play. This challenging 18-hole design was established in 1996, and has since
been recognized as one of the best upscale conditioned courses in SE Michigan. Its 3-1/2 star rating from Golf Digest Places to Play is an accurate assessment, as Coyote
provides not only a beautiful layout, but also top notch facilities as well.
Practice facilities include an expansive range with both grass and mats, 2 putting greens and a short game area with bunker. The clubhouse features a pro shop and a restaurant
bar and grill, with breakfast, lunch and dinner available. Corporate and special events of varying sizes can be easily accommodated. On course amenities include hole by hole
diagram booklets in each cart, featuring valuable tips on how to play the course. The 150 yard stakes on the par fours and fives are very visible and provide directional information
as well. Cart paths are marked (even on par threes) and sprinkler heads provide measurements to the center of the green. The yardage posted on the scorecards indicates
measurements from the center of each tee box, and small flags are posted on each flagstick to indicate front, middle or back pin placement.
Long hitters will delight in this 7201 yard layout, which presents a top slope rating of 130. The three alternate sets of tees measure 6646 (123 slope), 6318 (120 slope), and 4923
(114 slope). Average golfers will play from the blue tees - with only one par four over 400 yards the distance is spread out quite evenly over the 6300 plus yards. Be sure to play by
the rules of etiquette - or you may face the consequences, as this unfortunate golfer did. This is not a Holloween display - but rather a feature to remind us to replace or repair
divots and fix all ball marks on the green...Did you realize that if we repair ball marks/divots efficiently, the greens and fairways will "recover" within a week's time - if not - it may take
all season. Kudos to Coyote for this nice touch and necessary reminder.
The opening hole presents an opportunity for a good start, as this mid length par four plays to a number 13 handicap. Avoid the pond about 100 yards out on the right and the path
is simple. The second is a well-bunkered par three, with another pond immediately to the right of the putting surface. Passing the RIP sign you will find a challenging par five on
hole number three. The approach is over a pond that stretches from 95-50 yards out, with room left front and on a narrow strip of fairway along the right. Played cautiously as a 3
-shot hole, a good score is possible here. Aim to the left side of the fairway on four, which is heavily tree-lined on the right. A downward slope about 150 out and a marsh crossing
the fairway about 130 yards from the green creates the need for a lay up, making the yellow pole on the left a good target off the tee. A lay up to the 150 along the dogleg right on 5
is also the recommended play. Six bends in the opposite direction, but the right side is the place to be on this hole, which presents one of the tightest approaches of the day.
Seven is narrow from tee to green, with a tee shot over a marsh area called for off the tee. This is deservedly the course's # 3 handicap. The closing holes on the front are very
score-able, although the eighth plays uphill into the prevailing wind. Nine doglegs left with out-of-bounds along the right and a pond immediately past the green - another 3 shot
par five.
The back side is a bit more open than the front, but also plays longer. Number ten is a tricky dogleg left demanding a tee shot placed near the 150 yards stake right of the tall tree.
Pay attention to the pin placement on this colossal green, which is protected by a bunker left and a water hazard immediately to the right. Short is better than long on the par three
11th, as the putting surface is noticeably sloped from back to front. Length is required on the # 2 handicapped par four 12th - which plays from distances of 494, 461, 436 and 339
yards. A tee shot placed to the right of and past the 150 yard stake will set up an easy approach on 13. A water hazard comes into play immediately right of the cart path, making
the landing area quite precise. After a long but simple par three, golfers will find another par five that will require three shots to reach by most players. There is water short right off
the tee and the fairway slopes left to right near the 150. An uphill approach to a small putting surface on this dogleg left makes par a good score here. Sixteen plays back down
the hill, and is a very score-able four par. Prior course knowledge (read the diagram book on the cart) comes in handy on 17, which doglegs left about 120 yards out. Long hitters
may carry the edge of the natural area on the left, if they can hit it past the 100 yard marker. A safer play is to the right of the 150 yard stake. Another marsh sits about 300 yards out
and is about 50 yards deep on the finishing hole. This beautiful par five will require two accurate lay ups from most players. The first should land as close to possible to the end
of the fairway prior to the natural area, and the second needs to clear the marsh and land about 80/70 yards from the green for the best approach. (Long hitters may attempt to
clear the marsh off the tee). From there an accurate wedge must clear the water hazard and land softly on the back to front sloped green - great finishing hole!
Coyote is an extremely pretty golf course that is both challenging and reasonable - making it a nice fit for all levels of players. The par fives need some course management, and
the par threes (except for # 14) present good scoring opportunities. Most golfers will use every club in their bag before the round is finished. It is the type of course that one will
want to play again, as good shots present good scoring opportunities.
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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