TULLYMORE GOLF CLUB at Tullymore Golf Resort (231-972-4837)
Michigan Golf Course Review
Tullymore Golf Club ( the beautiful sister to the revered St Ives Golf Club in Stanwood) is an elegant course that incorporates elements of Irish beauty with traditional American
design concepts, forging a layout that is spectacular, and often breathtaking. Both courses are part of Tullymore Golf Golf Resort and this one-two punch is perhaps the best that
can be found in the Midwest. Each course has its own grass range and large practice green. For more info on the Tullymore Golf Resort and for golf package and accommodation's pricing, click here.
Golf publications worldwide have recognized the uniqueness of this layout, which was designated as the "Number 1 New Upscale Golf Course in America" in 2002 by Golf Digest.
Other recent awards include: Michigan's #1 Golf Resort 2010, Golf World Readers Choice Award, Top 50 Golf Resorts in the U.S. 2010, Golf World Readers Choice Awards, Silver
Medal Winner-Premier Resorts 2010-The Best Destinations in Golf 2010, Golf Magazine, Top 15 Greatest Public Courses in America 2007-2110 by Golf Digest, Americas 100
Greatest Golf Courses 2007-2010 by Golf Digest, Top 100 Residential Golf Courses in America 2010 by Golf week and Best New Clubhouse in America - Daily Fee/Public
Category 2009 by Golf Inc. Magazine
This Jim Engh design features bold, dramatic bunkering that is quite unlike anything I have ever experienced. The soft white sand is often framed by intricate mounding that is
aesthetically contoured, weaving its way into the fabric of fairways and greenside complexes. The length and shapes of these hazards indeed make them obstacles that will affect
your club selection and strategy. Their effect in shaping shots often rivals that of the many pines and hardwoods that line most fairways. Throw in some daunting water hazards
highlighted by dense wetlands, lakes and the Shinglebolt Creek and you have a layout that is beautiful to look at and challenging to play.
At 7250 yards the tips play to a slope of 150 - one of the highest in the Midwest. This yardage is heavily weighted on the back side as it measures a whopping 3898 yards with a
couple of long par fours (458 and 465 yards) plus two long five pars (615 and 608). The black tees play to a challenging 142 slope at 6547 yards, and the blues are no slouch at
6210 with a 135 slope. Most golfers will choose these tees - which present only 1 par four of 400 yards plus. The white tees measure 5550/115 slope - and are very playable for
high handicappers. Women will find the gold tees at 4668 yards/115 slope player friendly.
A yardage guide booklet is available in the Tullymore pro shop, and scorecards also present a lay of each hole, with information on green depth a much appreciated feature.
There are 6 hole locations, with the pin placements indicated on a sheet supplied on each cart. The Kirby marking system, with yardages measured to the green's center posted
every 25 yards from 200 in on the par fours and 250 in on all par fives. Some sprinkler heads are also marked, and each tee area provides a yardage block measuring distances
to the center of the green. The club house at Tullymore is a simple one, with a nice variety of logo clothing and golf accessories available. The Tully's halfway house features lunch
and snack items, as is conveniently located at the turn. A beautiful practice green and ample grass range provide complimentary warm ups for green fee paying guests. On site
lodging options include the Tullymore Golf Resort, Tullymore Lodge, Executive Homes and Custom Cottages. Visit our page for the Tullymore Golf Resort - with info on the
property as well as the St Ives Golf Course, by clicking here.
The opening hole at Tullymore doglegs right and is a three shot par five for the average golfer. A long bunker short right of the green makes for a challenging approach shot. The
par four second features a signature bunker along the right side, which comes into play from 130 yards in. Needless to say, it must be avoided to warrant any chance of par. The
short par four 3rd presents a very rolling fairway with the 75 yard area a preferred landing spot. The small green is sloped back to front and is protected by a deep bunker short,
and a sloping depression behind, making for difficult up and downs. It is better long than short on four, as the slope that fronts this par three will guide mis-hit tee shots into the
water. The second of back to back par threes plays downhill, with greenside mounding funneling balls hit slightly offline towards the center of the green. A ridge in the back third of
the putting surface inclines putts to both the back and front of the green. A left to right shot shape will serve golfers well on the short par four 6th, which if played properly will leave
a short wedge approach and a great birdie opportunity. Right handers should aim towards the center fairway bunker and fade the tee shot towards the trees right of center,
landing in the 60-70 yard area. The 7th is a pretty par three that is all carry over wetlands. Although the putting surface is triple tiered, long is better than short here, regardless of
pin placement. Number 8 is a challenging par five that snakes its way along a fairway that narrows near the green. A second shot hit to the right will most likely leave a clear
approach over a marsh and between two trees - and a shot hit to the far left on the fairway near the 80 yard area will also leave advantageous positioning. The tee shot on nine
plays uphill, and doglegs sharply left to a green that is well protected by a deep bunker framed by intricate mounding. The initial shot must breach the 90 yard area to have any
chance of a clear shot at the putting surface.
Your driver will get a good workout on the back nine, beginning with the formidable par four tenth, which is quite open until you reach the 130 yard area. A pond on the left works its
way towards the green, inviting an approach from the right side. Eleven turns to the right past the left fairway trap, with a tee shot layed up to the left center about 130 away
providing a good position for the approach. The mounding all around the green creates a bowl affect on this hole, and also on the par three 12th. Number 13 begins from an
elevated tee with the left fairway bunker providing a formidable obstacle. Long hitters can try to carry one over the trap, while all others need to stay right of center. The second shot
on the 3-shot par five needs to maneuver towards the right center, as this hole bananas to the left with trees along that side blocking a clear entrance to a green that is well
protected by a deep bunker short left. The tee shot on 14 must carry more wetlands, and land right of the tree past the 150 area for a good shot at the green. The pond situated
short left of the putting complex makes this one of the most difficult approaches of the day. Golfers must carry another marsh to a two-tiered green on 15, which precedes an
extremely challenging five par. The 16th presents loads of trouble on the left, but can be played effectively with a long tee shot aimed right of center. Long hitters can attempt to
reach over the water hazard in two, and all others will need to lay up on the right near the 100 yard area. The approach to a rock walled green complex is a beauty. Be mindful of
the natural area along the right on 17, although this section opens up considerably past the 125 yard area. The green is perched between two long bunkers with mounding on
either side. Tullymore closes with a beautiful finishing hole - a short par five that can play long for the average golfer. Cut off as much as possible while carrying the water hazard,
with the area just right of the tall oak the preferred landing area. There is not much room for error on the second shot, as the fairway narrows to a pinch past the 150 yard marker.
The safest method for par is to lay up along the right side (careful - the fairway slopes towards the hazard) on the second shot, and play a short iron or wedge to the putting
complex that is about as tight as it gets.
What more can we say – Named as one of the Top 15 in the United States... This is one spectacular layout, with conditioning and service to match. As a 13-14 handicapper, I was
able to record an 81 from the 135 sloped blue tees - which is proof that although sloped highly - this course can be played well by any golfer. Regardless of your score, one cannot
help but enjoy the serenity and natural beauty of this property. With no parallel fairways - this is one course that totally rebuffs Mark Twain's famous quote about golf being "a good
walk spoiled". Walking or driving - have fun hitting the little white ball in a golfing environment that will rival your best golfing experiences. Highly recommend - and completely
worthy of the upscale pricing structure! Visit our informational page for Tullymore Golf Club by clicking here.
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