(The 380/341 yard par four tenth shows off it’s rolling green complex with the two bunkers on the left higher than the putting surface. The dark area just beyond the flag in pic must be avoided at all costs...
...otherwise it’s a long walk down the steps to hit from this sand pit.)
Blackheath is mainly on a treeless piece of land. A hill in the middle of the property is the defining feature. Aldridge’s routing takes the golfer to it several times as multiple tees and greens make their way to some part of the hill.
The two par threes that access it are really good!
(Like all good heathland courses, the par threes are strong holes. The 214/164 yard twelfth is all carry to a well defended green. The deep bunker on the left and pot bunker on the right make hitting enough club the primary goal.)
(While the twelfth tees off from the hill, the fifteenth green sits on a corner of it. It’s a short par three playing only 149/143 yards, but it’s over the valley with a large bunker guarding it. There’s plenty of fairway after the trap, so players should feel confident and make an aggressive swing.)
The hill offers nice views and engaging shots, but Aldridge revolved a little too many holes around it. One has to be aware of golf balls being hit. Plus the first five holes play along the perimeter and the slice side is toward hill. Several times during our round we had balls hit towards us. A better routing could have alleviated this issue.
(The tee shot on the 314/293 yard second hole is partially hidden by the hill and tall grass...
...the green is pitched right to left while falling away to the rear. It’s very difficult to hold, and controlling the spin is vital to keeping it on the putting surface. It reminds me of Riviera’s tenth hole. Long hitters will be befuddled chipping or pitching from the right. Multiple plays is the only way to decide the best mode of attack.)
(This is the view of fourteen green from fifteen tee. It’s a short par four measuring 341/312 yards. The water comes into play from the tee and on the approach, but overall it’s a good birdie opportunity.)
I choose Blackheath because I wanted to see Aldridge’s work. He only has four courses to his name, and they are all owned by family. His father Stan bought Indianwood in the ‘60s, and it’s considered one of the best in the country. Playing there and being familiar with the links style layout surely had an impact on Aldridge.
(The 468/424 yard eighteenth hole plays to a large punchbowl green. Using the side slopes to feed the ball towards the flag is advisable. Note the hill in the background. That’s the seventeenth playing up it.)
I thought Blackheath was an enjoyable round of golf. Aldridge’s greens had a lot of variety to them. The first and tenth were in the base of the dunes; two had its Riviera -esque angled green; eighteen ended with an immense punchbowl. A half dozen of them were small shaved down putting surfaces with fairway encircling them. A couple even sloped away from the line of play. I loved the bunker work when he decided to be bold. This was done sparingly as more than half the greens are bunkerless.
(The short par five eighth is not toothless as this bunker can attest. Golfers looking for an easy birdie must deal with this hazard first.)
There’s a good supply of courses in the greater Detroit area , and Blackheath offers something that many cant, which is open fairways where it’s hard to lose a ball. Beginners and high handicap players gravitate here. (My girlfriend had one of her lowest rounds) I’ve already discussed the routing problems. That said, there’s enough good architecture to make me put the Gailes on my list for next year. I give Blackheath a 4 (above average)(worth driving 30-45 minutes to play).
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