 Taylor Meadows Golf Club (734) 287-2100
Michigan Golf Course Review
Conveniently located just 10 minutes east of Metro Airport, Taylor Meadows provides an upscale golfing experience at bargain prices. Along with The Lakes of Taylor, these two
championship layouts are owned and operated by the city of Taylor, and feature two distinctive golfing experiences. The Lakes is the longer and more challenging of the two, and
is considered (and priced as) the premier facility. Taylor Meadows is the course many of you see on the south side of I-94 as you drive east bound towards Detroit, from Metro
Airport or western sections of the state. Recent renovations include considerable work on the landscaping and quality of conditioning, as well as a new addition to the clubhouse.
Besides a full service pro shop and indoor/outdoor dining with excellent views. Taylor Meadows now features fabulous facilities for outings, banquets and special events.
Operations Manager Rob Pare' gave me a tour which highlighted the upscale amenities now available for leagues and golf outings. The beautifully new banquet facilities can
accommodate up to 275 guests, with the latest technological innovations available. A bar/ lounge with the latest TV equipment features bar food and drinks after league play and
during outings. On property practice facilities include a hitting station with net, and putting green. The clubhouse is top notch, and the course, with new maintenance and
landscaping staff, is catching up.
Taylor Meadows is a great place to hone your game. At 6049 yards from the tips (5633 from the white tees), it is not a long course, but is challenging nonetheless with doglegs,
tree-lined fairways and water hazards. Beginners will find it user friendly from the white and front tees, and mid handicappers will enjoy play from the blues. Low handicappers
may delight in an opportunity to drive a couple of the greens on risk/reward par fours, and will get in a lot of wedge work. There are 10 par fours of 367 yards or less, and the 4 par
threes average 170 yards in length. The 3 par fives are generally 3-shot holes, and the remaining par four measures 419 from the tips. With this type of layout, beginning golfers
can partake in a round with their friends, without being totally intimidated. With prices in the low $40 range (with cart) during prime season, Taylor Meadows is worth a look.
Visitors in town on a short stay will appreciate its location near the airport.
The course provides a nice variety in shot selection, with doglegs bending in each direction. Many new trees have been planted in recent years, and are scattered throughout the
course. The condition of the fairways, bunkers and greens has experienced the same type of improvements rendered to the clubhouse area. On our review round, the course was
in great shape from tee to green, with pretty views all around. Mature willows are abundant and give the design a health dose of character.
With color-coded blocks on each tee box and small flags to indicate the days pin placement, the course is well marked. 150-yard stakes compliment the 100, 150 and 200 yard
markers on the fairways, which are measured to the center of the green. Scorecards provide hole diagrams with measurements - very useful to first time visitors. Generally
speaking however, there are no blind or tricked up shots - what you see is what you get.
The opening hole is a dogleg right with willows and a lake guarding the right side. Long hitters may be able to bend one over the near tree line, but most golfers should aim
between the 2 white stakes, and play a safe approach. The second also bends right and is a great birdie hole - one of the shortest par fours on the course at 335 from the blues.
Two bunkers guard the green on the mid-range par 4 third, which is followed by the longest 4 par on the course. Long hitters may cut this hole by aiming over the row of saplings
on the right. Numbers five and six are back to back par threes, both fairly open and quite par-able. The seventh is a 3-shot par five that is banana-shaped right to left. The
temptation will be to cut the hole by driving towards the row of baby Red Maples along the left side of the fairway. If you do not carry the last mound on the second shot however,
you will be left with a blind approach. The smartest move is to play the fairway and approach in three with a wedge to mid-iron. Two fairly easy par fours finish the front. Number
eight bends slightly right from an elevated tee with 3 bunkers waiting for anything hit long on the approach. The ninth is postcard material. With the new clubhouse in the
background, and a stately willow next to a pond protecting the right side. Aim just right and long of the 150 stake and a short downhill wedge approach will be your reward.
Long hitters can drive the green on number ten, without worry of much repercussion from an errant tee shot. The average golfer may elect to lay up to the middle of the fairway for
an easy approach. Eleven doglegs right, and requires an accurate lay-up near the 100 yard marker, which sits about 20 yards in front of the far fairway bunker. The approach is
over water to a slightly elevated green. After a straight forward par three (number 18 handicap) you are confronted with a tight tee shot on a long par five, with the I-94 freeway down
the left and trees bordering the right. The second shot opens up but the approach must be accurate, on a green that slopes right to left. Fourteen plays in similar fashion, to a
green that sits perched above a long sand trap. Fifteen is very open - and presents a good birdie opportunity if you can avoid the fairway traps on either side. Another banana
shaped par five is next. Though this hole bends to the left, the most advantageous position is along the right side of the fairway, all the way to the green. A pretty par three follows,
featuring a long bunker traversing the front of the elevated green complex. The finishing hole presents the opportunity for a strong finish. This is one of the more simple holes on
the course, as it bends slightly right and is fairly open all the way to the green.
Golf is a game that is meant to be enjoyed. We all appreciate beautiful, challenging layouts - and there are many in the metro area. Taylor Meadows is a course that should allow
you to score your handicap or better (slope rating of 115). A premium is placed on the short game and on shot-making ability, as opposed to distance, though the layout does
afford ample opportunity to use the driver. It will certainly not "beat you up" - a great place for an enjoyable relaxing round with friends, or for weekly leagues or outings.
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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