 WEST BRANCH COUNTRY CLUB (989-345-2501)
Michigan Golf Course Review
West Branch Country Club - located just off I-75, is a perfect round for golfers heading up north on their way for a Gaylord or Northern Michigan golf vacation. This par 72 William
Newcomb design has been rated 4 stars out of 5 by Golf Digest Places to Play, and features a rolling terrain with a nice mix of ample and tight, tree- lined fairways. It is a good
course for walking, which is allowed at all times.
The clubhouse features a pro shop plus the Golfers Grill and Lounge, with hot and cold sandwiches, drinks and snacks on the menu. There also is a quick pick up window for
golfers making the turn and a barbeque grill is also located outside for outings and special events. New for 2005 is - beginning on Father's Day - a complete restaurant,
wonderfully furnished and open for lunch and dinner seven days a week (pictured above). Outdoor dining on the adjacent patio is also available.
There is a grass range and 2 practice greens on property, and the course is well marked with color coded stakes at 100, 150 and 200 yards plus sprinkler heads that are
measured to the center of the green. Pin placement is indicated by color coded flags for front, middle and back hole locations. Golfers will encounter a variety of green complexes,
with the front side providing putting surfaces that are round in nature and mild in undulation with slopes often running from back to front. The undulations and green designs are
more varied on the back.
Three sets of tees play to distances and slopes measuring 6480 yards/ 123 slope, 6163 yards/118 slope and 5426 yards with a slope of 120 for women. There is ample room on
most of the fairways, which are quite rolling with some elevated tees and greens. The front side opens quite simply with a set of three very score-able par fours, but the back side
begins in a challenging fashion. Numbers ten through 13 provide the most interesting terrain of the layout, with the par four tenth doglegging uphill to the right, and the par five 11th
snaking back and forth along an undulating landscape.
Throughout, players will encounter nice conditioning on the bent grass fairways and greens, and good service from the bag drop to the restaurant. There are some tricky doglegs,
but only 1 hole with water in play and the bunkering is understated with 31 sand traps present along the fairways or greenside. This is a pretty, and non-intimidating layout which
can be enjoyed by players of all skill levels. For more info, visit our page for the course, with direct link to the West Branch website by clicking here.
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