The Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe

I play this course regularly but I have noticed a few things in the past couple of years that I find troubling. The carts are way too restrictive, they control the cart like it is being driven by a 5 year old. The clubhouse now has the worst country music blasting from the outdoor speakers (if you like country, you will love it). The course used to have sand traps, they are now gravel pits. Do yourself a favor, take a penalty, save your club head and pull your ball out of the trap. If you like a clean ball, bring your own wet rag, I think there are 4 ball washers for the entire course.

Now for the good. This is a beautiful course year around. It is a challenging course and a good test of skill and course management. The club house has been remodeled and has great food. They do keep the course in very good shape (just not the traps, they suck).

Great walk on a perfect weekday morning round before the crowds came in. Walked 9 holes and it was delightful. Course is in great shape, long prairie style grass seems like in deep summer length already likely due to the early heavy rains. If you spray the ball or can't carry a few hazards off the tee you'll be stomping around in it. A few things you need to mentally prepare for here:
1. First 9 par 3 are on hole 6 and 8. So you have to go 5 holes of driver off the tee before you get the luxury of a par 3.
2. For walkers, the walk in between 2 green and 3 tee and 8 green and 9 tee are under the train tracks. Scary looking one way tunnel but the walk lets you clear your head a bit so be ready for it and enjoy the views and wildlife.
Always liked the course and wouldn't have played it unless it was on GolfNow so glad to see their inventory there, the prepaid tee time made it easy to go from parking lot directly to first tee. For covid golf conditions, that was easiest experience I've had yet.

The course seem nice, but there were no drinking fountains. Also, the trash cans were hidden behind the whole markers. To top it all off, the course is located between two busy freeways, a train track runs through it, and it’s right near the airport. Let’s just say that it was pretty noisy the entire 18 holes.

Read the reviews on the course prior to playing and had mixed emotions about playing the course for the first time. We started right on time for our 10 am tee time and let a two some play through on the front nine. Starter was an elderly lady and quite pleasant. As I reflect on our day, the tees were the only area that needed a little attention and they weren’t bad. Greens we awesome, fast and true. I’m a 10 handicap and shot 79. To me, this was one of the best values and a quality course in Michigan. Played in 4 hours on a Friday with a 10 am tee time.

Used to be my favorite course in GR. The owners decided to put screens in the carts that play nonstop ads. You cannot mute them, you cannot turn them off. Never in my life am I coming back to that. Rediculous.

We took a group of 53 golfers for an outing to Thornapple Pointe along with two other course in the Grand Rapids area. As the group leader I can not say enough good things about the support from the course superintendent as well as the entire staff at Thornapple Pointe. They went above and beyond for the entire group and it did not go unnoticed by anyone in our group.
The course was in excellent shape. Fairways and greens were perfect in every way. The course I demanding but at the same time very playable. We try to make sure our group enjoys our outings so we do not choose to play the longer tees but if you do bring your total A game.
Yes you encounter some fun modes of transportation throughout your round due to the course proximity to the local airport as well as some railroad tracks and a river that on a hot day can be busy with boaters. Our group found all of those things added to the charm of the round.
I can't pick a favorite hole as they all ust standout. You need to work and think your way around Thornapple Pointe. It's not a bombers course but also not one you would consider bullseye shot making as it just makes you use your bag and skills. Stay below the hole of have a very delicate touch when on the greens.
I would strongly recommend playing this course and if you are a group outing organizer then contact them for a Grand Rapids time to remember. We look forward to going back if they'll have us.

Course was in great shape. Despite a youth tournament going on on the other nine, the course was wide open and seemed uncrowded. Greens were fairly difficult but in great shape. Lot of sand and some very narrow fairways at points off the tee. GPS carts definitely add to the experience. Planes, trains and automobiles is a cute nickname, but there were no distractions on this course. Even a few boats passed by on the river. A little pricey at $65 on a weekday afternoon but worth the trip.

Top local course, especially when it comes to condition. For the amount of play it gets, Thornapple Pointe is consistent when it comes to upkeep. The greens are some of the truest rolling you can find in the area (non-private). However, it is very busy at peak times and can get a bit slow moving on occasion, I've had to trudge through a few 5+ hour rounds in the past. And some dislike the "transportation" theme of it beings located next to an airport, two highways, an active river and split by train tracks. I'll admit it can be a bit distracting, but the consistent conditions and nice layout outweigh the cons in my opinion. Play it.

Dont`t let the Title fool you, This is a great course to play always in good condition, Greens are on the faster side but receptive to good shots. The course plays between 5700 yards for seniors all the way to 7000 from the back tees.

One of the best courses in Grand Rapids. Great conditions from tee to green. Great layout.

We had a great time at Thorn Apple Point. The fairways show that the course has been played but are cared for quite well. The greens roll quite true and have good speed. The over head air traffic from the airport is unique. We found it as a great distraction to observe plane traffic as we have never observed it before. The beverage cart made it's pass by an welcome number of times and was in no way obtrusive, some can become. The food at the grill following the round was more than satisfactory. The carts, GPS were extremely nice and were very helpful in making our round very enjoyable.

I'm normally willing to forgive a course if a snafu happens during my visit. Maybe I'm on the wrong side of an aeration, or something. But my tee time at the end of an outing on a delightful Sunday afternoon felt like a money grab. As a reviewer, I didn't pay, but I felt bad for the groups behind me who did. We got jammed behind a massive outing. The pace of play was brutal. My partner and I walked off after 12 holes unable to stomach any more. It's too bad, too, because we drove the remaining holes and admired their beautiful and natural curves in the late afternoon light. The setting along the river is very nice, despite its noisy proximity to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, the I-96 highway and a set of train tracks. No wonder locals call the place "planes, trains and automobiles", a hilarious nod to the John Candy movie. The rough was a little thick for my tastes as well. My final thoughts? I'm willing to wager that, on most days, this is a four-star experience worth your time and effort to play. Just make sure to ask about any outings before you book.

For the money the greens are sparse and ball marked. While this condition is due to the golfers not repairing pitches and ball marks it is the responsibility of course management and greens keeper to keep course conditioned.

beautiful course with great views of the Thornapple River. Well maintained. The rough can be punishing, with long fescue in places. Greens tend to be firm and fast. Several sets of tees to accomodate golfers of all ability. Many greens allow for bump and run, which makes things easier.