GARLAND GOLF COURSE REVIEW - Fountains Golf Club
(989-786-2211)
Michigan Golf Course Review
Resort information:
Garland Resort in Lewiston is one of the Midwest's top golf resorts, and affords golf buffs the opportunity to play 4 championship caliber golf courses, all conveniently located on
one property. These include the upscale Fountains - one of Michigan's best, as well as the Swampfire, Monarch and Reflections. All four courses are serviced by one clubhouse,
which features a wonderfully stocked pro shop, restaurant & lounge, with a wide variety of lodging adjacent to the courses. Swimming pools, saunas, whirlpools, a workout facility
and other recreational activities are available on property. For detailed information on the resort accommodations and amenities including a link to the Garland web site, visit our
page for Garland Resort by clicking here.
Visitors will find a spacious grass & mat driving range with target areas, plus two enormous practice greens for putting and chipping - one near the range and the other
conveniently located near the center of the resort. A good variety of instructional programs and lessons are available, and can be set up through the pro shop. Golfers playing
multiple rounds can pick up a quick burger or sandwich at the outdoor grill between rounds. There also is ample seating indoors at Tamaracks. Downstairs from the pro shop are
locker facilities with showers for men and women.
Fountains Golf Club Review
Fountains is the premier layout at Garland, and the newest course on the property, added to the resort in 1995. The price to play this layout is a few dollars more than at the other 3
championship designs - and the cost is justified by upscale conditioning and an aesthetically beautiful golfing environment. Majestic pines and hardwoods line the fairways on
spectacular, rolling terrain that visitors to northern Michigan have come to appreciate - a signature for an area that is considered to be one of the nation's top golf destinations.
Four sets of tee boxes are provided on each hole, and measure 6740 yards with a slope of 130, 6401/127, 5853/121 and 4617 yards with a 128 slope. The whites are challenge
enough for average golfers, as tee shots on the par threes and approaches on the par fours and fives will mean a two club difference on average for players using the 6400 yard
blue tees. On course golfers will be pleased with the simple fairway marking system, as red, white and blue stakes are readily visible on both sides of the fairways, allowing for
quick judgments on club selection. The day's hole locations are indicated on the pin placement sheets that are provided for on the carts...be sure your cart has one before teeing
off. On our spring visit the trees were not in full bloom and the weather did not cooperate, with rain and dark skies hampering our ability to take good photos, but the images here
do reflect the beauty and tranquility of the Fountains course.
The beginning hole is a fair one, an eleventh handicapped par four that presents a good scoring opportunity. Distance is important off the tee however, as golfers will not want to
miss the small putting surface on the approach - which leaves some pretty tough up and downs from the collection areas defined by greenside slopes and mounds. The second
presents an extremely tight tree lined fairway that is approached from an elevated tee area. The 2nd shot must navigate a water hazard that comes into play on the left about 140
out, and also squeezes the landing area near the 100 yard marker. This 3-shot par five features one of the day's more challenging approach shots, to a raised green with water
left and plenty of mounding and undulations. Number three demands a carry over a marsh, and plays all of the distance advertised - with one club extra being the
recommendation from my playing partner and myself. There is room left of the fairway bunker on four - which also plays long and uphill all the way to the green. Five is a gorgeous
par three that plays over a huge bunker to an undulating green that slopes off in back. Stone walls define the tee boxes and also offer some additional aesthetic beauty to this hole
. The par 4 sixth doglegs left from another elevated tee and invites a tee shot placed in the 150 yard area between a triumvirate of sand traps. The uphill approach is a simple one
from there. Seven also bends to the left, with ample room to the right, or long over the fairway bunker along the left side. The beautiful eighth is the second of back to back par fives,
and presents one of the tightest challenges off the tee on the Fountains course. Tall pines define the landing area - and with some distance players may be tempted to attempt to
reach in two. A water hazard that comes into play 90 yards away in front - plus another immediately to the right, will make most golfers play this as a 3-shot hole. Number nine is
a pretty par three with water short right and mounding behind the green that will make up and downs a tough proposition. This hole finishes the front, which like the back, features
3 par threes, 3 par fours and 3 par fives.
Ten is beautiful from the sculpted tee areas, as it features a manicured fairway that is well bunkered in the strategic landing areas on both sides. Water is in play on the second
shot, from 140 away to the greenside sand trap. The approach is extremely uphill to a rather undulating putting surface. Eleven is a tight par three that plays uphill and needs-1/2
to 1 club more to reach. If you are off line slightly to the left, chances are the ball will find the steep slope and roll down into the collection area - creating an extremely difficult up
and down. The beautifully tree lined fairway on 12 bends slightly to the right, with large bunkers in the landing zone on both sides. A club extra will be needed on the uphill
approach. Thirteen also doglegs right, this time at the 150 yard stake, with the preferred landing spot being the area between the tree on the left and bunker right. There is a
considerable marsh area that creeps towards the fairway on 14, and comes into play about 110 yards out. The approach is a tough one, demanding an accurately placed shot that
lands over the hazard, with a little bit of bail out room to the right. Long is also gone here...Fifteen doglegs to the right past the tree line, with a pond in play along the right about
155 away. The second shot to a green complex surrounded by water on three sides is very tight. Anything hitting the perimeter on either side of the putting surface will most likely
roll into the hazard. Do not be short on the par three 16th, as the greenside slope will direct shots into the water hazard that rests immediately in front. Seventeen presents an
ample fairway that narrows as the approach is made. The putting complex is narrow and undulating. Fountains finishes with a par three that is nearly all carry over a pond, with
some room right of the large green.
Great golf course - wonderful resort! We had the opportunity to spend two nights at Garland, played all four courses, practice facilities, enjoyed the pool areas, restaurants and
lounge, and highly recommend this place to anyone who has never had the opportunity to visit. The amenities and service are great.
Visit our information page for the Fountains course by clicking here.
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