1939 Aerial of the UofM course.
The University of Michigan Golf Course would be considered the purest example exemplifying the unique blend of Maxwell and MacKenzie if not for the famed Crystal Downs Golf Club some 240 miles north of Ann Arbor. While working at Crystal Downs Maxwell submitted plans for the Michigan design. It is my belief that MacKenzie subsequently made important alterations which included an additional 350 yards, the quirky par 5 third hole and the horse-shoe shaped 6th green. Maxwell then stayed in Ann Arbor during the summer of 1930 to oversee construction of the course which opened in 1931, about two years prior to the full opening of Crystal Downs.
The course, often referred to as the Blue, is set in an enviable position on the University of Michigan campus and offers wonderful views of the city centre. The devilish greens and their clever locations dotted around the hilly property more than make up for the relatively short length of 6700 yards. The middle of the property is the highest point which means 6, 10, 11 and 17 greens and 7 & 18 tee are on the high ridge. The remainder of the course simply fans away from the ridge. For instance, 3 & 8 greens and 4 & 9 tees are on the ridge shoulder leaning toward State St. Because of this ridge and in similar fashion to some classic heathland courses such as Swinley Forest, the Blue plays longer than its listed yardage due to several uphill approaches.
Despite the controversial renovation of the early 1990s, the variety of holes and rhythm of the routing, which are testaments to Golden Age principles of design, have been preserved very well. Until recently the Blue was reserved for students, staff, alumni and guests. These days, visitors are welcome to play but must pay a premium. It is an effort well worth making because after nearly 90 years Michigan is still considered one of the best university courses in the country.
#1 is a fairly non-descript short par 5, but the green, like all the greens on the course, is interesting. It was immediately apparent that the bunkers are still being worked on, or so it seemed to me. Many seemed bigger and bolder than previously. The up n' over second is a difficult hole to place the drive in an optimally long spot without leaving a downhill lie. Its important to keep the approach below the hole.
The 3rd is one great short par 5. The hole turns hard left just out of the tee ball range of most players. To reach the ledge green in two many will have to hit over tall trees to a severe and blind target.
A look at the third greeen prior to the advent of trees. Given that big hitters would blast away at this hole, one would hope there is a happy medium between old and new. It would be interesting if DeVries could come up with a "solution".
The 4th is another blind drive to a downhill green which is huge and very difficult to figure out the slopes. Large greens laid beautifully on the land is the hallmark of the course. Unfortunately, compared to the original layout, some of the greens are drastically reduced in size, #s 4 & 6 being prime cases. Because the greens are tied so well into the surrounds, they are far more severe than they appear. On the flip side, the fairways are virtually defenseless in terms of bunkers.
#5 is a shortish, domed green par 3. This back to front running green is a terribly small target. Recent tree removal has greatly improved the aesthetic of this hole.
#6 is a wonderful short par 4. However, as is the case with many areas, the rough around the green should be cut to better reward a good shot.
Rear left of the green.
For an archie who didn't care for blind holes Michigan features several on the front 9 alone. The 7th is a blind downhiller which turns gently left and has a sharp fallaway to the right. The green looks like its fairly flat, but it runs away from the player.
The short 8th has another severe green running left to right and back to front...terribly easy to three putt if the tee shot is pin high.
The 9th is a good hole otherwise marred by very poor tree plantings (so true for many holes). #10 heads straight up the hill that #9 descended. The green is massive, but it is imperative to keep the ball below the hole! The eleventh takes us out near the new practice ground and is the final par 5 of the day. The green is a particularly difficult target to hit in two as it sets at an angle to the fairway with bunkers guarding all but a narrow approach gap.
The very long par 3 12th sports a very hard to putt killer green.
A drivable par 4, the 13th had dramatic tree clearing by A Hills, but as can be seen trees remain an issue.
The 14th is sort of a mini version of #6. The hole can play quite easy if the pin is up front and very difficult if the pin is back. This is another huge green.
The next two holes feature blind drives. The 15th swings hard left with the green following the same pattern.
#16 is the one hole that looks strange to me. Its sort of perched up and not like any other green complex on the course. The lower bunker looks a bit weird as well. Its a good hole, but stands out as odd. The 17th comes back on the 16th and features a tricky drive to a fairly narrow fairway, however, this par 4 isn't very long.
The 18th takes us back to the house over a large pond which is surprisingly not often in play because the green sits so far back from it. Originally there was a creek where there is now a pond. Looking at aerials, it is clear the pond was created sometime between 1951 and 1961.
The use of the hilly land really is very good without being ott. The greens are generally much more severe than they appear, but all are very good and perhaps with an exception or two, one couldn't say they are out of control. I would personally like to see a much better balance of fairway and greenside bunkering because the oft repeated left/right scheme quickly gets old despite some great deceptive bunkers due to their scale. This combined with continued tree removal and green expansion would greatly improve the outlook of U of M. Despite these misgivings, I believe the course deserves some praise and most should be able discern the quality of the course despite the shortcomings. 2012
Nearby Barton Hills CC
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