Orchards (RTJ II) c. Detroit

[mark chalfant]

This course features several excellent holes, many with neat strategy and fun greens. the par fives are especially good. the back 9 has some lovely land with nice elevation change.
id probably give Orchards a  6.5- 7.0 on doak scale. Any thoughts... thanks

[Jeff_Mingay]

mark,

I grew up not far from the Orchards, but have never visited. I should stop there in the near future, as I've heard positive reports in the past.

I'm interested to hear from others about the Orchards, too.

[David Wigler]

Mark,

I like the Orchards, probably a little less than you.  It is a solid golf course and I agree with your assessment on the land.  In addition, it is an incredibly hard golf course and for some (Like myself) it gets extra points for being so demanding.

[David Sneddon]

I've only played The Orchards once and didn't care for the course.

The opening hole is a little too tight for a starting hole, aiming through a saddle, then a downsloped fairway to a green with a steep fall off on the left and back side.  Other holes feature bunkers that are not seen from the tee.  Strange thing is I like this feature at St Andrews but not here :-)

I'm perhaps a bit unfair, since I think this course needs to be played a few times to be comfortable with the layout.

That same year I played University Ridge outside Madison WI, by the same architect and thoroughly enjoyed the course - everything was laid out before you - no hidden surprises.

[David Neveux]

I liked the course alright.  Albeit I was unaware that the cold I was playing with ended up being pneumonia, so my recollection is a little hazy.  I do remember thinking the back nine was superior to the front although I felt too terrible to finish the last four or five holes.  I do remember paying a nice fair twilight rate which made it seem well worth it.  I'm not sure how I would have felt paying full price.  I think it's definitely worth a play, especially if you can lock in one of the first couple twilight rates.  


D.P.N

[Brian Cenci]

I thought the course was good, but I played it after really reading about it in the Detroit Newspapers as being the best public course in the Detroit area, and was a little disappointed.  It's a good course but I thought a little hyped up.  I think GD had it ranked in the top 10 or something in the state as well, it's not that good.  Back nine is better that the front though.

Dave, one of the few times I ever felt bad about taking your money, however few times that ever happens anyways.