PIERCE LAKE GOLF CLUB (734-475-5858)
Michigan Golf Course Review
Located less than 1 mile (exit 159) off I-94 in Chelsea, Pierce Lake Golf Club is without question one of Southeastern Michigan's top golfing values. In fact, with prime rates
including carts topping out at $45 - this may be the best value the Two Guys Who Golf have encountered this year. This is one heck of a golf course! Huge undulating greens, soft
sand bunkers plus well sculpted tee areas and fairways create an upscale feel to the layout at Pierce Lake. This Harry Bowers design features rolling terrain in a secluded,
natural environment that encompasses considerable acreage of wetlands. Golfers will find that on least half of the holes, a carry over wetlands either off the tee, in the middle of
fairways or near the medium speed putting surfaces is in order. Novices can take comfort in the fact that very few of the carries demand much length - and most are quite manageable.
This course layout has been well thought out - as scratch golfers will find considerable challenge from the tips, which play to 6914 yards with a 135 slope rating. The Gold tees
measure 6587 (131 slope), the blues 6152 (127 slope), the whites 5591 (122 slope) and the forward tees 4778 with a 109 slope rating. These five sets provide ample choices -
making the course suitable for all levels of play. Most golfers will choose the blues, which feature no par fours over 386 yards in length. The key to scoring well here is to manage
all the mid length par fours, take care of business on the 5 par threes (measure between 137 and 191 yards) and score on the 5 par fives which average 492 yards in length.
Hole diagrams are included on each score card, providing a nice overview . There are distance markers at 100, 150 and 200 yards, and pin placements are indicated by a color
-coded flag system. The scorecards also provide green depth charts for each putting surface - and another feature often found only at upscale facilities are the ball and club
washers included on each golf cart. The clubhouse is unpretentious, with a pro shop, snack bar with hot/cold sandwiches and beverages, and seating inside for about 40-50
people. Outdoors there is a picnic pavilion that can accommodate up to 100 people for golf outings. Also adjacent are nature trails with boardwalks and observation decks.
The front side plays a bit easier than the back, and the opening hole is a fair starter. This 347 yard (from the blues) par four is tight and tree lined, with a tee shot placed just past
the 150 stake a good play. The uphill approach is a blind one, but you can trust the yardage...After a simple par three the third hole demands some distance off the tee, with a tee
shot landing just right of the 150 resulting in a good position from which to approach an elevated green complex. There is a narrow natural area just in front of the green. The par
five 4th doglegs right also, with the end of the fairway on the left near the 200 yard marker. A lay up over the 150 stake will leave a simple approach and a good opportunity for par
or better. Play it safe and this is a good scoring hole. Five bends in the opposite direction, with a water hazard far right of the cart path. A shot to the left center will set up well -
anything left will be blocked by tall trees. Go for it on six - there is not much trouble and long hitters will be left with just a wedge or short iron approach here. Aim over the 150 and
keep in mind that the green slopes from front to back. Seven is another simple par three, and is followed by the number two handicap - a wide open par five inviting a grip it and rip
it mentality. We found this hole to be very score-able. The closing hole turns a little to the left, and plays downhill on the tee shot and uphill on the approach - with a marsh area
just in front.
The back side opens with the longest hole on the course. The wide fairway narrows near the 150 marker, and a marsh cuts in front about 40 yards out. Another short carry over
wetlands off the tee is called for on eleven - which looks intimidating but is more bark then bite. There is more room than it appears from the tee boxes, though at 336 from the tips
a fairway wood or long iron is recommended here. Twelve must also carry some natural area, but there is 10 yards of grass in front, and much more room to the right of a mildly
undulating green. Carry the marsh on thirteen, land anywhere on the fairway and a simple approach is your reward. The par three thirteenth is also part of the six-hole stretch of
wetland carrying holes - this one has plenty of room short and left. The carry on 15 is a bit more challenging, perhaps the longest on the course, and plays to a raised fairway. This
is a very score-able par five. There is no marsh area to worry about on 16, and those with a left to right shot shape will benefit from the design of this dogleg right par four. The two
finishing holes are amongst the most challenging of the layout. Seventeen is a tight par four, with a shot placed in the left center near the 150 yards stake the wisest play. The
green is guarded by trees on both sides. The final hole is the longest of the par threes, and is tough from the tips with a long carry over marsh. Like many of the holes at Pierce
Lake that demand carries over trouble - there is plenty of bail out room - this time to the left of the over-sized putting surface, that slopes back to front and left to right.
Pierce Lake is part of the Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission. Their website (click on the link at the top of this page) provides multiple ways to save on this
course. If you have not had an opportunity to play Pierce Lake - which incidentally has received 4 stars from Golf Digest - we recommend that you consider it - this is a great deal!
Folks living in this area are fortunate indeed.
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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