This is the second in a new occasional series that looks at golf courses found along Michigan freeways – those you drive by frequently, or on that annual vacation, but never seem to have time to stop and explore.
Maybe you should.
THORNAPPLE POINTE
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Length: Ranges from championship tees over 7,000 yards, to forward at just under 5,000 yards.
History lesson: Designed by William Newcomb and opened in 1997, Thornapple Pointe is known locally as the “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” golf course – but it should also add watercraft (see Overview below).
Most memorable: What pops out is the majority of par 4s and 5s have a turn in the fairway; not necessarily a major dogleg, but when standing at most of those tees the green is not easily 
visible. Either there is an elevation change, a bend around a stand of trees, or both. The approach shot at No. 4 also stands out as a tough, elevated green with sand traps tight on the left and a huge tree guarding the right, leaving a narrow gap to navigate safely to the putting surface.
Picture this: No. 13 is not unlucky; it’s simply a gorgeous golf hole (photo here doesn’t do it justice). To start, the tees are elevated for a beautiful pause in your round to watch the Thornapple River flow the length of the par 5 and onward to additional holes. If playing the white tees, which are generally pushed far to the right of the others, a stand of trees lay straight ahead about 200 yards out. This forces a drive to the left, toward the river, but with plenty of fairway landing room. The remainder of the 500-plus yard hole is river left, trees right. Walking that hole is best to soak it all in.
Risky business: No. 7 is a shorter par 5 that could tempt longer hitters to go for the green in two. But the entire front of the green has no “run-up.” It’s heavily guarded by grassy swales of rough and cavernous sand bunkers. One pot bunker is barely more the circumference of the rake used for cleanup, so get in that one and good luck having a stance. A bail out area is to the right of the green.
Overview: The course is not just near the flight path of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport; holes 5, 6 and 7 are the flight path. A railroad also splits the course and requires four trips through the tunnel underneath when playing all 18 holes. Also, very close by is I-96 and the huge ramp to M-6 cutting across the south side of Grand Rapids. Then in the warm months, watercraft race around buoys in the river. While some golfers may not like the “busyness” of the surroundings, some find it entertaining and unique, or still others consider it a fun distraction to a bad round. Holes 9 and 18 are less-eventful finishing holes than many designers create, but overall the property has a nice mix of short par 4s, open and tight landing areas, hazards to carry, medium-to-long par 3s and intermediate elevation changes. Several ball-grabbing hazards lay in wait, but good scores are available for golfers hitting it well.
