Belle Isle Golf Course (Belle Isle, MI)

The First Tee of Detroit sits on the eastern tip of Belle Isle. It’s a six hole pitch n putt course with a driving range, short game practice area and lovely view of the Detroit River. Unfortunately, the original nine hole course that was located across the street which played along Lake Muskaday closed in 2008. What a shame! It was an Ernie Way design that opened in 1924. It was said to be the course he was most proud of. It opened despite city council’s opposition. Belle Isle is such a grand place that I’m sure he was overjoyed to bring golf there and introduce the game to the public. As for the First Tee, is a pitch n putt course enough? I think not, but this concept is being pushed as a good introductory. Personally, I’d like to see more of the views opened up. Canada is on the other side of the water. 

This is a diagram of the original layout. Note Lake Muskaday is one of three drainage lakes on the island. The Detroit skyline is in view from western end of the lake. 

(Bert Way, who designed Mayfield, Akron Goodpark, and Firestone South, was Ernie’s brother.) 

Cadiz Country Club (Cadiz, OH)

For a course that is routed over the rolling Appalachian foothills of southeast Ohio, Cadiz is very playable and avoids the severe topography that often times dominates these type of locations. It still has all the uphill and downhill shots one wants, but it’s never out of control or feels gimmicky. In fact, the width from the tees accepts every shot shape, and only on the short uphill par four fifteenth is one challenged to be exceptionally precise. 

Built in 1927, Cadiz is consistent with that era,  promoting the ground game with open entrances and sides to the greens.The putting surfaces are extensions of the fairway with several sloping front to back with micro contours defending the best pin positions. If there’s one drawback, it would be the lack of drama, especially on the par threes where topography such as this should create exciting moments, but instead advance the player along. 

(The 180/152 yard par three second hole is the only forced carry and even then there’s plenty of fairway short. The terrain slopes to the left where a bunker will save your ball from going any further.) 

While most of the course flows either up or down the slope, the ninth and twelth play across it. Typically on this type of terrain these are the best holes and it is no different here. Nine is a cool tee shot across a curving valley and twelve has the biggest elevation change as the green sits below you. Meanwhile, the par five fifth is nearly 600 yards long and plays even longer as it climbs up the hill. Both the opening and seventeenth holes tee off close to the clubhouse and boast fun downhill tee shots. Finally, the eighteenth plays uphill to a semi punchbowl green where the player can use the back left to bring his ball to the middle of the putting surface. 

(The 380/375 yard par four ninth plays across the sloping terrain before going uphill to a two tiered green. Golfers should take heed not to get too aggressive since a hook will definitely lead to a big number.) 

(The 439/428 yard par four twelth is the longest two shotter on the course and demands a draw off the tee before playing downhill to this green banked into the hillside. I think the hole would be even better if they trimmed back the trees on the left.) 

Cadiz is not a place you stumble upon. It takes effort to get there. (The drive on state route 250 beside Tappan Lake is gorgeous) Starting at Zanesville and traveling towards Wheeling, I feel there’s some really cool golf to be found. Anyone who has played Salt Fork, Wheeling CC, or Oglebay Jones knows how eccentric golf can be in this region. However, if quirky is not your cup of tea and you’d rather play a more traditional hilly course then I’d recommend playing Cadiz. I give it a 5 (good)(worth driving an hour to play). The restaurant attached to the clubhouse serves really good food too.

(I played the white tees at 6,412 yards. I carded a fine 78 but that’s deceiving. I only hit three greens in regulation but I was close enough on several others to have simple up n downs. The short game is so much easier in the spring. Even the 30-50 yard pitches I was able to get close. 10(!) one-putts would usually mean a low 70s score.)

(Sidebar for all the movie fans. Clark Gable was born in Cadiz and you can visit his childhood home. It’s a museum with some of his prized possessions.) 

Raymond Memorial Golf Course (Columbus, OH)

Designed in 1954 by Robert Trent Jones Sr, Raymond Memorial showcases “twin par threes,” an interesting concept that was meant to speed up play by having faster players use the “twin” hole, and play through slower groups. It’s the only time I’ve ever seen an architect tackle the pace of play issue. Obviously the idea never gained traction, I’m guessing because it requires more land, or it could possibly be a safety issue, but the fact the city of Columbus maintains all eight par threes makes the course an architectural anomaly. 

Raymond occupies a flat piece of property with minimal elevation change. A creek winds through on the western half, influencing play on 11-13. While the course is wide open, making it a favorite among all levels of players, the greens are downright treacherous with bold internal contouring. Many of the putting surfaces are defined by mounds with deep, gaping bunkers cut into them. For the high skilled player, it’s an examination of ball striking, and for better or worse, lag putting. There are some confounding slopes where putting even from twenty feet can lead to a three putt. 

(The 175/162 yard par three fifth is pretty straightforward. The twin hole is to the left and has its own tee, fairway, bunkers, and green. Nowadays, they just alternate them to give golfers variety.) 

(The 447/422 yard par four seventh is a great hole that angles to the right off the tee. A good drive leaves a long iron shot to green guarded by two cresting bunkers. An extra club is recommended for the approach.) 

Raymond Memorial is one of the busiest public courses in Ohio with over 60k rounds per year. Wilson Road, an executive nine holer, is literally next door. Like Big Met and Little Met here in Cleveland, they’ve been growing the game of golf for decades. I love these kind of pairings where players can graduate from a lil course to a big course and vice versa as they get older. I give Raymond a 4 (above average)(worth driving 30-45 minutes to play). 

(The 420/405 yard par four tenth only requires one doesn’t hook it left into the trees. There’s plenty of room down the right side to drive the ball. An open entrance allows a run up shot.) 

[I played the front nine on a mild 50+ degree day in March from the white tees at 3,177 yards. The par fives were pretty simple but 2,3,7 were bruiser par fours, especially with the soft conditions. I shot a modest 42 with three pars and six bogeys.]

(The 489/481 yard par five first hole is easy until you get to the green. A steep slope in the front climbs up to the center where a pimple like feature forms opposing pin locations back right and left. The pin in pic is on the very top.) 

(Notice how the mounding defines the perimeter of the green, housing the bunker on the outside, and creating a big slope on the inside for the ball to work back to the middle of the green. RTJsr created some really cool greens here.) 

Jekyll Island Club - Indian Mound Course (Jekyll Island, GA)

An exceptional value, the $30 I paid to walk eighteen holes more than offset any shortcomings Indian Mound might have had. Joe Lee designed it in 1975, and while it’s a solid course with a beautiful setting, his unimaginative style lacks memorability except for a handful of holes. Still it’s a challenging course with well bunkered greens that place a premium on ballstriking.

Jekyll Island Club is the biggest golf facility in Georgia boasting 54 holes, Indian Mound, the recently renovated Pine Lakes, and the reimagined and soon to open Great Dunes Course (more on this later). The property flows through ocean hammocks with hardwood trees lining each hole. The flat terrain is an easy walk and the isolated corridors will make you feel like you’re the only group on the course. 

(The 343/330 yard par four fourth plays straightaway with a water hazard off the tee to the left. Accuracy is most important so hit the club that will find the fairway and the large bunker that fronts the green will be less in play. It should be a good birdie opportunity.) 

(The 381/363 yard par four fifth is my favorite hole on the front. A large set of trees encourage a drive down the left half of the fairway to open up the angle to the green. It reminded me of Harbour Town where such strategy is present on many holes.)

Indian Mound is the easiest course at Jekyll Island Club. The wide fairways give the player ample room to drive the ball. Most of the fairway bunkering is out of play, and while there are several ponds, they are kept towards the outside of the playing lines. The greens are typical Joe Lee, pushed up pads with bunkers guarding the sides. I found it puzzling when run up shots never made it to the putting surface, but a quick examination revealed a touch more slope than one realized. It should be noted that hitting off Bermuda grass, playing at sea level, and playing up to these slightly elevated greens makes the course play much longer. I pointed out to my playing partner that many of the greens have shrunk, and you could actually see the mowing line moving away from the greenside bunkers. The best two holes are both on the back, and at the twelth and fourteenth, you’ll have to formulate a strategy on your attack. Twelve is a great par three (opening photo) where a water hazard guards short right and the terrain slopes away into the hammocks long and left. Depending on wind and pin position, the proper shot can be a cut or a draw. Fairway short is an option if it doesn’t suit your eye. Fourteen is a short par four that doglegs left around a natural pond. Three bunkers guard the outside elbow, forcing players to either lay back or squeeze their tee shot into the narrow neck. Long hitters can drive it but will have a significant carry over the hazard. 

(The 527/514 yard par five seventeenth is the longest hole at Indian Mound. The hole bends a tad more at this point in the picture and those trying to get home in two shots will have to determine if this pine can be avoided. The green is one of the more interesting ones, as the back upper tier slopes away.) 

Indian Mound is probably the third best course at the club although Pine Lakes is nearly identical except with newer bunkering and greens. Remember the Great Dunes Course I mentioned earlier? It’s scheduled to open at the end of the year and will make its way out to the dunes with views of the ocean. Andrew Harvie mentioned it as the course he’s looking most forward to seeing in 2025. (The original was designed in 1927 by Walter Travis.) Put that in your memory banks because it’s going to open with a splash. As for Indian Mound, I give it a 4 (above average)(worth driving 30-45 minutes to play). The biggest draw is one doesn’t have to leave the island to play and that makes it popular with locals and visitors alike.

(From this angle, a back left pin should be difficult to attack, however, the lost of putting surface prevents it from even extending that far.) 

[This is the 30th state I’ve played golf in, a goal that I haven’t been pursuing the past few years, but will resume this summer. At Indian Mound, I was paired with a gentleman from Ontario, Canada. He was 73 and told me he walks nine holes several times a week. How great is that?!! And really that’s what it’s all about! My winter game is in shambles so no score to show.]

Ibis Landing Golf and Country Club (Lehigh Acres, FL)

If you like playing among houses, then Ibis Landing is the course for you. The trend of the 1980 housing market is coming back, and big developers like Lennar see an opportunity to market their homes by packaging them with a golf course. With rounds of golf being up and the national population projected to be 400M by 2050, this proactive business model may be the future of another golf boom. 

Ibis Landing was designed by Gordon Lewis in 2001. It has several interesting green sites where Lewis stretched the putting surface across a platform, making very wide but shallow targets. The short par four fifth illustrates this perfectly. It climbs up a hill with the green just on the other side of the apex. It spreads across the entire backside, high left to low right. It’s semi blind with only the top of the flag visible. The short par four fifteenth has the same type of green except this time, the right half extends out into the water like a peninsula while the left side is wide open and entices long hitters into driving it. 

(The 310/295 yard par four ninth has a center bunker that divides the green in half for your pitch shot. Water short right of the green (out of view in this pic) persuades the long hitter to go up the left side, and creates an awkward angle for today’s pin location.) 

(The 249/223 yard par three fourteenth is all carry over a sensitive area. There is a buffer between the green and the hazard. Just pray they move the tee up if this is into the wind.) 

I found the short par fours to be interesting and they were well placed in the round. Three of the them were under 300 yards, and these holes were driveable for the long hitter. (One gentleman in our group drove four par fours. We were playing in a strong wind which shortened all of the downwind holes. He birdied the eighth but three putted the others.) Other notable observations included back to back opening par fives to start the round, something I haven’t seen since Hinckley Hills, and greens that extended further up the mounding they were set in, creating awkward chips and putts. Also, I’ve never seen housing construction as prominent as here. This development is going up fast! How close will they be? That’s a good question. There were several holes where I thought they were in danger, the eighth being the biggest offender. That said, the course was in great condition. Added up together, I think it’s a 4 (above average)(worth driving 30-45 minutes to play). 

(The 308/293 yard par four sixteenth has a very wide green and only the right half is visible in this picture. The green actually slopes away from the golfer, making for an awkward and difficult short iron shot.) 

[Ibis Landing hosted the Sunday singles matches for our Ryder Cup. The wind was blowing a steady 20 mph with gusts in the 30-35 mph range. If I said my first shot of the day was a dead top into the water and I shanked two on the par three sixth, then you’d summarized that I probably lost my match, but I somehow fixated on one swing thought and won six holes between 8-14. The crazy wind didn’t do my high ball hitting opponent any favors. On the par five thirteenth, my double bogey beat his triple. Oh the thrill of match play! I won the war of attrition 2&1.]

(The 375/349 yard eighteenth hole for most people is a simple metal wood and pitch when played straight away at the bunker, but longer hitter has the option to carry over the entire lake, bringing the front edge of the putting surface into play.) 

(#3 139/126 yard par three)

Heron Creek Golf and Country Club (North Port, FL)

Putting golf aside, the wildlife and natural vegetation found throughout the round made this a great experience. Besides alligators, which are always cool to see, we came across a bald eagle, a blue heron that was four foot high (!), a wide assortment of birds, and even some huge paw prints in the sand trap from a bobcat. The landscaping was fantastic too. The whole place was just a delight to play. 

As for the golf, it has 27 holes, Oak, Marsh, and Creek, all designed by Art Hills in 1999. It’s a true representation of residential golf community with long, and sometimes very long, cart rides going to the next tee. Walking is out of the question. Water is everywhere. Or at least on every hole. It’s typical Florida golf. The only thing unusual about Heron Creek is the large hill by the clubhouse, and the owner placed the driving range and several practice greens on it, making it the centerpiece of the club. The views can be enjoyed by everyone using the facilities. (And it’s great place to work on your game!) 

(The 366/341 yard opening hole on the Creek is a tough first shot of the day. Pick your line and trust your swing.) 

(The 544/514 yard par five Creek sixth bends to the right with water guarding the entire side. The angle of the green forces nearly every shot to carry the water when the pin is right of the central bunker. This #1 handicap hole has multiple ways to to inflict big numbers.) 

Believe it or not, Florida has the most Art Hills courses in the country. I would speculate this is due mainly to the housing market in the sunshine state. Hills does an excellent job making playable, fun courses, but more importantly on the marketing side, he designs with pizzazz. All the water and cape style holes make a splash, and golfers are drawn to that type of architecture. It’s almost psychological. I’m sucked into it too. However, when the swing isn’t responding like you want it, this brand can be difficult and expensive. 

(The 400/368 yard par four Oak seventh has this grassland sensitive area carving in front of the putting surface. The green is bunkerless and will accept shots hit high or low.) 

(The 536/515 yard par five Oak ninth is a big reverse C where the aggressive golfer can really cut off a lot of distance…
…another sensitive area cuts short of the green but there’s a lot of fairway right of this picture. It was the most birdied hole of the day as several guys were able to reach it or just be short in two shots.) 

I view Art Hills as a good architect even though I find his designs to be hit or miss in regards to my expectations. Here, he pieced together a strong golf course, and “pieced” is an appropriate word since the holes basically stand alone. I was more impressed with the landscaping, especially on the Creek nine as the cart path wound through the palmettos, and under a canopy of palm trees. The amount of detail given to the look set it apart from many other courses I’ve seen in the past. For this reason, my rating is a 6 (very good)(worth driving 1-2 hours to play). 

[we played the Creek and Oak nines as our eighteen holes. It was the beginning of our annual Ryder Cup match, with this round being a two man best ball. I have always viewed this as the most difficult match to win, often times giving too many strokes, and one of our opponents was getting nine blows. Needless to say, he made four putts between 10-15 feet for net birdies, and saved bogey another three times to halve holes. I was not surprised to be on the receiving end of a 5&4 thrashing.]

(The opening tee shot on the Oak nine is right over the bunkers where a strong drive will catch the speed slot and roll another forty yards, bringing the green into reach on this 515/477 yard par five.) 

Bobby Jones Golf Club - Ross Course (Sarasota, FL)

Welcome 2025! My first blog of the year is Bobby Jones Golf Club, another example of the “Munaisance”  movement which seems to be gaining traction across the nation as more cities invest in their public courses. Here in Sarasota, Richard Mandell pared 45 holes down to 27, reintroducing the Donald Ross’ 1926 design by using detailed plans from the Tuft Archives and then adding an original par three course that can be played in five variations. 

Bobby Jones is a great example of a smart restoration providing quality golf while still maintaining affordability. Last year, my first blog was The Park in West Palm Beach, a high end restoration that began its pricing at $230. Granted it was being courted by every major golf publication as one of the best new courses in America, but how many people can pay that hefty price tag? At Bobby Jones, the city of Sarasota invested $20M, but the $99 green fees is still comparable to many of the public courses in January (peak season). (Locals are paying less than $60) 

(The 207/190 yard par three third has this large bunker creating dead space between it and the putting surface. Depth perception is an issue for golfers trying to judge the exact carry to the front edge. The two tiered green has many interesting pin positions, making par a solid score.) 

(The 342/310 yard par four seventh can be played in many different ways. The water in view pushes up the left side and awaits the tiger golfer who pulls his ball past the bunkers on the left. Most will prudently lay back and hit a short iron in…
…this is the view of seven green from five tee. The front nine plays in a counterclockwise loop, giving the player a preview of holes to come.)

Everyone is very excited about the new Bobby Jones Golf Club. It’s inclusion in Golf.com’s Best Courses Under $100 has seen the tee sheets fill up with golfers wanting to see this restored Donald Ross. The course is in excellent condition with wide fairways guarded by mounding and bunkers, and greens that roll at a brisk pace. It has a wide variety of holes with tough pars balanced out by good birdie opportunities. The four short par fours at 7,10,12,17 are the key to a good round, especially if one does well on the three par fives. 

(The 340/308 yard par four tenth is a good opportunity for a birdie. Note the rolling fairway to the right. Golfers must be able to contend with various lies and stances.) 

(The 190/171 yard par three sixteenth is a classic Ross. The high back right to low front left green sets up for a draw that should work it’s way to the middle. Missing pin high to either side leaves a very challenging recovery for par.) 

Richard Mandell was quoted as saying he just wanted to make everyone happy and give them a course they deserve. I think it’s mission accomplished! The course is a lot of fun, and the width should allow golfers to find their ball in most situations. The lack of housing enhances the experience too. This course is what I believe true municipal restorations should be. Let’s get back to good, affordable golf. I give Bobby Jones a solid 5 (good)(worth driving an hour to play). This summer they’ll add a new clubhouse, solidifying it’s position as the best public course in Sarasota. 

(This view of twelve green from seventeen fairway shows all the trouble long hitters take on should they risk driving the green on the 342/317 yard par four.) 

(I was paired up with Mike, a retired gentleman from the Detroit area, and we paired up with two young guys named Joe and Jack. We all played the blue tees at 6,061 yards. The temperature was only 46 degrees for our 7:52 tee time. The cold weather and lack of playing made the first five holes a difficult start for both of us, but we warmed up in the middle of the round, and Mike even played the last six holes in -1 under. The two young guys reminded me of myself at their age, enjoying a new course even if their skill level made breaking 90 a tall task. Note the circled tee markers on the card. If you wanted to play the original Donald Ross course, then you’d play that tee box which includes teeing off from the tips eight times.)