Hunters Ridge Golf Course

Hidden gem in my mind! RIP Jerry Mathew’s (course designer) has made some of the best affordable links courses in Michigan! Always depends on the current owners but his layouts are great

I have never played this course before. If felt like I was golfing in Northern Michigan. Not the longest course. You are rewarded with good shots but the hazards can sneak up to you. I will be golfing this course again.

I almost don't want to tell other people about this place, but it is too good not to share.

This is a nice, moderately challenging course that's just a few steps from being a real hidden gem. The fairways and greens were in excellent condition. Greens are small and undulating, so you'll have to be on with your short game. Unfortunately, the rough had just been mowed down for some reason, really eliminating much of the links-style feel. I wouldn't really call this a links-style course, anyway. For the price paid, the carts really need to have GPS. Most courses I regularly play now have GPS and lower greens fees. There's really no excuse at this price range.

A couple of the fairways are so narrow and close together that they're somewhat dangerous. You have to really keep your eye on other golfers out here on certain holes. The pace of play was agonizingly slow, and the ranger was nowhere to be found to push slower golfers.

Unfortunately, the indifferent staff and gruff service left a lasting negative impression. My party was completely ignored by the starter at check-in. We had to interrupt his chat with the ranger, which seemed to irritate them both. The ranger was nowhere to be seen on the course, despite the painfully slow play. When we made the turn at #10, he was right where we left him at the clubhouse, still chatting with the starter.

Overall, it's a course with plenty of potential but so unwelcoming it leaves little reason to return. There are a lot of great courses within 20 miles of here that offer a much better overall experience.

First, this isn’t really a links-style course. There were few traps and greens are very small. The rough had been recently mowed, which negatively affects the impression of a links-style course. Don’t get me wrong, though. You’ll be playing plenty of target golf with narrow fairways and landing areas, and the course was in very nice condition. Play was agonizingly SLOW, and rangers were nowhere to be found to keep play moving. This brings me to the worst part of the round, and why we won’t be back. The staff here ranged from ambivalent to just plain rude. From check-in to cart return; it just feels like you’re a nuisance to them. Shame, too, because it really is a decent course, if a bit out of the way, but the servicié experience matters as much as the play, and it leaves a negative impression that’s hard to overlook with so many nice courses in the area to choose from.

I’ve been playing this course for 20 years and the ownership has changed a few years ago. While the owners updated the clubhouse, the course itself has not.

There is no water to drink on the course.

There are ball washers and garbage at about every third hole.

Distances are not well marked.

I played on Saturday and they have people spraying the fairways and cutting greens in the morning slowing down the pace of play.

They don’t have rakes in the bunkers

The course has a nice layout but it seems that golfers are a nuisance instead of being the customers

Links style is cool & the course was in great shape but boy was it tough. Be prepared to keep that ball straight or else you will be sifting through natural grassy areas and cat tails all day! Only reason for 3 stars is that I thought this was way more difficult than I anticipated.

Staff is super friendly. Course was in excellent condition all around. Can’t wait to come back!

nice golf course, nothing special, very good condition

Really enjoyed the course. Great for casual players a little challenge but very enjoyable.

Got invited by some buddies to play Hunter's Ridge and had a 8ish AM tee time on a Sunday. It was a bit of a drive for me at just under an hour, and $5.00 a gallon gas prices had me wondering about the decision. We'd just played a course in Pinckney 2 weeks before that was awful. This was anything but!

Okay, first, the course. Loved it. It's proof that a layout doesn't have to be long to be an honest test of golf. The 4 sets of tees (we played the whites, which card at just under 6000 yards) help that greatly. But the course sets a tone from the start. From an aesthetic perspective, it pleases the eye. The shaping and contours of the holes and greens make you think, which I like. From a low skipping 7 iron on thirteen to a back pin from a hundred yards out, to pulling out a 3 wood on 14 because of the huge oak tree guarding the left side. Not to mention the numerous strategic bunkers that are definitely in play. Good shots are rewarded. Errant ones can create interesting choices to keep your score down.

The fairways are well defined, and in great condition. The rough added about a half-shot on average to a score... manageable, but enough to effect spin and hold. Flyer lies are lurking if you're not careful. The tees were in great shape, and had a lot of character. The pin placements were defined by red, white and blue flags, and were all fair.

The greens were slow. That would be my biggest critique. Much slower than the average for the area. They don't have to be glass, because the undulations would be unreal... but there were characteristics that I play to that didn't happen. Twice I hit shots into what I thought would be a natural backstop that would have the ball come back to the hole and they stayed put. It was a tough adjustment for me. The good news is the practice green is exactly like the course. That's become a rarity. (I'll get back to that in a bit).

The layout could be confusing, but the signage was excellent. There were indicators all over to point you to the next tee. Also liked the diagrams at the tees.

The bunkers... wow. I'm not in a lot of them. Most courses have them placed poorly, are poorly maintained and have inconsistent sand depth. Especially the difference between fairway and greenside. Not Hunter's Ridge. I was in three. The first I plugged, but still got it out. The other two reacted like I expected based on the first. That's exceptional. An odd quirk of the course became one we liked. The rakes are on each cart. Much better than picking up a wet one from morning dew or sprinklers and combining that with sand. Unusual, but I warmed to it quickly.

The amenities were top rate. The clubhouse was clean, including the restroom. It was small, but quaint. I wouldn't say there was a pro shop, per se, but they have the essentials. The kitchen/bar area is also nice (the after round hot dog was outstanding.). I didn't take advantage of the range, but it is a very nice set up between the 1st and 10th holes. Saw a lot of players warming up.

The staff? Professional, polite, pleasant, engaging, The starter made sure we were checked in, told us where we were on the tarmac, and made sure we had a smooth takeoff. He also assured us that the practice green was indeed the same as how the course would play. That proved true. The beverage cart girl was on her game... saw her three times in 18 holes. The cart attendant was cleaning our irons as we putted out on 18. I know of only one other course I've played the last two years (in the neighborhood of 20), and it costs double to play for not as good of an experience. All three people in the clubhouse, including the gentlemen I told would be getting this review, were the reason I love golf. Happy, involved, trying to make the day as great as they can for their players. My only other critique would be to have a ranger out on the course monitoring pace of play. We were behind a group that stalled a couple of times toward the end. I've also seen a course that stationed a second starter on the 10th hole would will tell you you're put of position. Either would help. We toured 18 in about 4 1/2 hours, which is good... but it could easily be improved with one more person.

All in all, Hunter's Ridge was well worth that drive. I'll definitely be making it again!