Lives
Bay City, MI
Handicap
10-14
Age
35-44
Gender
Female
Skill
Intermediate
Plays
Once a week

Review Statistics

Average Rating

3.1
3.1
Total 7 Reviews

Rating Breakdown

7 Reviews
5 Stars
1
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
1
Recommended Courses
5
Not Recommended Courses
2
Helpful Votes Count
2
Not Helpful Votes Count
0
First Review
05/19/2014
Last Review
07/02/2019

Reviews Map

Reviews

3.1
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First time playing this course
Recommended
Review has

Saginaw Valley Public Golf Course

Played On 06/30/2019
2.0
Previously Played

One trick pony

If you play from the appropriate tee boxes, it becomes clear that the course architect only knew one way to make the course tough - put bunkers in the landing zone of nearly every tee shot. If you lay up short of them, you're stuck with long iron after long iron for approach shots. It gets old, FAST. It's the same 400 yard par 4s over, and over.

Since going public, the condition of the course has also suffered. Get more than a few yards off the fairway (as most amateurs often do), and it's weed city. Good luck finding your ball!

I hadn't played here in a few years, and now I remember why.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Poor
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor

Bay Valley Hotel & Resort

Played On 08/01/2016
1.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Walked

It's the Toby Keith of golf courses - not as good as it once was.

It's worth noting that in terms of layout this is, by far, my favorite course in the area. But, it seems the years of mismanagement has finally caught up with this once great course.

The course itself has fallen to shambles. Three seasons ago there was hope, as a new greens-keeper/superintendent had the conditions of the course approaching those of other "premier" courses in the area. Two seasons ago, suddenly the course was in rough shape again. I play it a couple times every year in hopes that the conditions improve, but to no avail. There is drainage tile sticking up out of half-a-dozen bunkers, and many others need sand desperately. There are weeds throughout the fairways, will poorly maintained fairways and first cuts. To top it off, the greens have gone from some of the best in the area, to easily the worst. You'll step onto a green and it's smooth, fast and hard, then the following green is like walking on a wet sponge, where a 7-iron "bump & run" shot will check, stop, and barely roll out at all.

The staff isn't much better, with most of the "Pro" shop staff barely acknowledging you are there. Eric is particularly stuffy and rude, and comes across as arrogant and pretentious.

Then there is the pace of play/treatment of players.....

There seem to be 2 extremes at this course. It's either a ghost town, or it's overbooked to the point of 6+ hour rounds, with long stretches of waiting on the groups in front of you. In the 100+ times I've played this course over the last 5-10 years, I've not once seen a ranger out keeping the pace of play going.

While I understand that single golfers can be difficult to fit in during peak hours, Bay Valley has stopped offering reasonable tee-times for single golfers altogether. Sure, I can call the clubhouse and schedule a single tee time for early in the AM, but then I don't get the GolfNow rate, and was told it would be $45 for 18 holes with a cart. I can play Apple Mountain for $55, so why would I spend $45 on a course in as bad of shape as Bay Valley when I can play Apple Mountain for only $10 more, with true greens, fast pace of play, and a fantastic atmosphere?

This brings me to my final point - Price. The course is not worth what they are asking anymore. The tee-time prices have gone up, while the course conditions have gone down significantly. I mean, I can play Swan Valley in Saginaw for $35 and it's in FAR better shape.

I have little hope that this course will turn things around. I'll keep going back a couple times a year, just like I continue to watch the Lions. "Maybe this will be the year."

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Poor
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Red/Blue at Mistwood Golf Course

Played On 07/27/2015
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Overall a pleasant experience...

Overall, this was a pretty pleasant experience. I ended up playing "White" to "Blue" the day I played, and enjoyed both nines. Course was in OK condition; quite a bit of clover on some fairways and greens. There were some incredibly scenic spots, and others that were a little more "rough", including the teeing grounds for the (now) par 3 7th on the white course. The layout was fantastic, and the overall scenery even better; but with some serious TLC, this course could rank as one of the best in the state. Grown in bunkers that were never filled, a VERY sloppy teeing area for the 7th hole, and dead patches spotting MOST of the greens.

The two nines that I played were similar overall, but played like two unique courses. My favorite was the last par 3 over the ravine on the Blue Course. The elevation changes make for some interesting shot choices!

Pace of play wasn't an issue. I never encountered another group the day I played, and I played alone.

Overall, I would play this course again and rate it 4/5 stars. Would easily be a 5/5 if they spruced up the course a bit. As good or better LAYOUT as other courses in the area, but very very below average with the conditions compared to others in the area...... but worth playing due to it's proximity to downtown Traverse City (approx. 25 minute drive).

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Started as a 1-Star review, ended as a 5!

Let me start by saying that the "West course" at Currie is gorgeous. Wildlife abound, and it's enclosed enough that you never feel like you're playing a municipal course alongside a highway. It offers everything you could want in a Michigan golf course, including forced carries/layups, well bunkered and fast greens, and nice terrain.

I had the opportunity to play this course on May 2nd, 2015 for the first time. I had an early morning tee time, and teed off right on time. However, I was chasing sprinklers all the way through the 13th hole around 9:30. I had to wait on multiple occasions for the sprinklers to be turned off in order to proceed. The course was drenched, making many areas unplayable, and making the round altogether very unpleasant. I waited for more than 10 minutes at the 13th tee before someone came around offering to shut the sprinklers off if I was "in a hurry", otherwise they would turn off automatically "pretty soon". I told this guy not to worry, that I would not be returning after the completion of my round.

If this had been the end of the story, I would be leaving a 1 or 2 star review. But it was NOT the end of the story. Apparently the gentleman I spoke to was the course superintendent, who communicated my displeasure to the general manager, Paul Milholland. After my round, as I was loading my equipment into my car to leave, Mr. Milholland came out to my vehicle, introduced himself and personally apologized for my experience. He explained the sprinkler issue to me, and offered me a rain-check to come back and give them another opportunity.

Mr. Milholland went ABOVE AND BEYOND to make sure that I didn't leave dissatisfied. I was only one player, and the course surely wouldn't go under by losing the business of one person, but he took the initiative to take care of me anyways. Businesses take note, THIS is excellent customer service! This is how you make your guests feel good about coming back.

In doing all of this, Currie has earned a repeat customer with me. I WILL be going back, and I will be sharing this story with others. One simple act of great customer service turned a 1-star experience into a 5-star experience!

Thank you, Mr. Milholland!

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate

Bay County Golf Course

Played On 06/20/2014
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Used cart

Flat with no hazards

I can see why the Bay County Executives like this course.....it's a hacker's paradise. You can spray the ball all over and there's nary a water hazard or bunker to be found. The county is far too proud of this course....it plays short and VERY easy. The best things this course has going for it are the greens. They are very well taken care of and play fairly true. Overall, for the money you pay here you could find a more challenging and better course elsewhere.....but the county execs like to use it to boost their egos and make themselves look like pros :-)

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good

Bay Valley Hotel & Resort

Played On 05/26/2014
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Favorite Layout in the area

While not the best in terms of course conditions, I can't think of a better, more challenging layout than Bay Valley. The ability to move the ball in both directions in essential. Forced carries, lots of water and well placed bunkers.

This is a great value for the money. Late in the year this course can get tore up fairly badly...but this time of the year it's in great condition! Weather was perfect!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Saginaw Valley Public Golf Course

Played On 05/18/2014
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Nice, but long

The course is in GREAT condition, and the greens are true, true, true. But the layout is challenging. Not a lot of water or hazards to get lost in, but even from the white tees, many of the par 4's play as long as a Par 5. The layout of the course also is such that the wind is almost always either in your face, or straight across. Only a couple holes with the average wind direction actually helping.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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