Michigan Golf Journal August 2019

shot-making, but they are not overly guarded by bunkers, nor do they have too much undulation. My favorite stretch of holes came on No. 7-9 of the Hills Course. Hole 7 is a downhill dogleg that turns right, with a valley that takes the golfer up again to the elevated green. Hole 8 is a short par four, dogleg left with another significant valley before going up to the perched green, followed by No. 9, a longer par 4 downhill dogleg right to the finishing green. Golden Fox: Designed by Arthur Hills, this 18-hole championship layout is mapped on what used to be a neighboring farm. There are plenty of trees to visually frame the course from a safe distance (except for the lone tree blocking the front of hole 9 green), but the very generous fairways are guarded by large fields of brown grasses that add to a very picturesque setting. My favorite grouping of holes is on the back nine. No. 13 is a modest par four that turns left slightly, with a deep valley to the left that seems like a magnet attracting balls trying to reach the perched green. No. 14 is a par 3 over a pond to a wide but thin front- to-back green, and No. 15 is a short par 4 with a blind approach-shot to the green – which is hiding behind a large mound covering the run up to the putting surface. Strategic Fox: This short course is properly named. The all-par-3 layout does require strategy. It is equal parts a good test for a solid golfer’s short game skills – and yet designed so that beginner golfers can have fun and learn the game in a less- demanding environment. One example is the green complexes. Most have challenges like sand bunkers, but those only come into play on bad shots. Most greens also have well-mown collars that are large and forgiving, so golfers who do miss the green can still pull out the putter and get their ball up to the hole. No. 15 is a fun green, elevated from the fairway and shaped like a 3-leaf clover, which provides some interesting pin location options. From the tips, no hole is over 195 yards long, and both of those are downhill. Early learners can play forward on all 18 holes, where tees range from 50-141 yards (half are less than 100 yards). This course is also utilized for FootGolf. More information at: www. foxhills.com. 19 August 2019 www.michigangolfjournal.com