 RAMMLER GOLF CLUB (586-264-4101)
Michigan Golf Course Review
Rammler Golf Club provides a great service to the Metro Detroit area, as on property are both an 18-hole par 71 traditional layout, and a nine hole par three - perfect for beginners
and junior golfers. The par three is a great place for dads and moms to take their youngsters, to show them the proper style, techniques and etiquette that will help them to enjoy a
lifetime of golfing pleasures (and frustrations!). As with the championship layout - walking is allowed at all times! Rammler harkens to old time golf - prices are reasonable, the
layout is challenging but not overly difficult, and the property is well taken care of. Little touches like wrought iron benches near tee areas and replenished, newly manicured sand
bunkers make visitors feel that the folks here truly care about helping you to enjoy a round of golf.
With prices for 18 holes including cart topping out at under $38 during prime time in 2003, this is an extremely good golfing value. The roundish greens, medium in size and
speed, are well conditioned and the bluegrass fairways and tee areas are amply defined. There is a practice putting green, but no driving range on property. The clubhouse
features a full service lounge and a restaurant sporting a nice picture window with great views of the ninth and first tee areas and fairways. Breakfast, lunch and dinner items are
served daily during the season, and the roomy atmosphere is quite conducive for outings and leagues.
Golfers will find that the course is adequately marked, with 200,150 and 100 yard stakes near the sides of fairways, and GAMs near the middle tee boxes. Small flags indicate front
, middle or back pin placements on putting surfaces that are only mildly undulating. The bunkering near the greens is not overstated, and along the fairways it is minimal. The
Clinton River crosses near the tee areas or greens on 5 holes, with minimal carries that are obvious except for the tricky par five 17th. With some caution, it is completely possible
to play this course with 1 ball. The front nine is comparably easy, as it plays to only 2933 yards from the blue (back) tees. The back side is quite long - 3372 from the blues and
3139 from the white tees. At a total of 6305 the back tees play to a 113 slope, with the whites measuring 5954 (109 slope) - and the forward tees 4951 (107 slope). Most average
golfers should be able to handle the blue tees, though another option is to play the blue tees on the front and the whites on the back - combining for 6102 total yards.
The beginning hole traverses the river near the elevated tee area, and bends to the right. There is a pond on the right just before the 150 yard marker, and out of bounds to that
side is quite close, discouraging shots to the parallel fairway next to it. The second is a long par three - much more difficult from the blues, and is followed by a tree-lined par four
with a simple approach. The fourth and fifth holes are very score-able, a 383 yard par four and a mid-length par three listed as the 9th and 13th handicaps. A tee shot placed on
the left side of the fairway between the 150 and 100 yard stake will leave a clear approach on the dogleg right par four 6th. Anything right, unless especially long, will be blocked by
tall trees. Seven is extremely narrow off the tee, and plays downhill to a beautiful green complex framed by a weeping willow. After a simple par three with bunkers on both sides,
the ninth presents an opportunity to show some smarts...There is a water hazard (the river) crossing the fairway about 90 yards out - with the approach all carry. Lay up to about
120 out and you're safe for the uphill approach.
Ten, like the opening hole, doglegs right, but has a water hazard that runs all along the right side. There also is an "invisible pond" on the left near the 150 stake. The river
crossing near the tee area should be of no consequence... The eleventh is a narrow par three, with plenty of room short, and precedes the number one handicapped 438 yard
par four 12th. A play just left of the right fairway trap will set up nicely. Beware of the sloping fairway that leads to a grass ravine along the left - it is a difficult up and down from there
. A blind, uphill tee shot awaits on 13 - aim to be left of the right tree line, and the approach should be clear. Number 14 is straight and open, although it narrows on the approach,
and is followed by another straight and simple four par. The 16th plays long from the tips at 435 yards, and is still challenging from the white tees (399 yards). The 12th and 16th
holes make up for much of the disparaging difference in length between the two nines. Number 17 is a tricky par five, which is wide open off the tee, and turns to the left near the
150 stake. The left side of the fairway is the best spot from which to approach the green, which sits about 10 yards on the other side of the Clinton River. The river comes into play
about 30 yards out. This is a tough hole than can be made much easier with prior knowledge and good course management. The course finishes with a par three that plays
extremely long from the back tees (220 yards). There is ample room for error in front of the green, which is not a bad play, especially if you have a good round going.
For a par 71, we found the layout to be fair but more challenging than the low slope rating indicates. The back nine is particularly tough, especially from the blue tees. The trick is
to go in with a great score on the front, and to ride the momentum on some of the more challenging holes on the back. Average golfers may not hit many greens in regulation on
the last nine holes, so a good short game will certainly come in handy.
As we said - this is a value course that is in great shape for the amount of play it receives from leagues and outings - and it is a local favorite. It is a valuable commodity in Metro
Detroit - good people and friendly service are a bonus.
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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