|
|
|
Back Nine Course Review - Hawkshead Golf Links
|
Updated: Wed 9/7/2011 10:02 am
|
Hawkshead Golf Club in South Haven, Michigan stands out as an extraordinarily
beautiful links style layout, with outstanding conditioning and
excellent facilities. On
property is a
full service practice facility including a spacious, targeted grass
range, short game area with two sand bunkers, and large putting green.
Group and
individual lessons can be arranged through the pro shop. The Dining Room
features an upscale menu that includes many attractive items plus
an extensive
wine list, and the Grill Room provides more of a casual fare. Dinners
are available dependent upon the season, and lunch is served daily
along with a
popular Sunday Brunch. Accommodations are available in nine unique
rooms, including one and two bedroom suites with kitchen facilities.
The rooms are
located adjacent to the restaurant, in a restored Old English Tudor
Mansion. For more information Hawk's Head accommodations click here.
The golf course is simply beautiful, with manicured fairways lined with
golden native high grasses and fescue mounding. Wind can certainly be a
factor
here, as the
layout is primarily open with few trees shielding the playing surfaces.
The terrain is mildly rolling, with partial cart paths providing easy
access
for golfers
using carts. There is a nice mix of open green complexes that encourage
bump and run chips, with those that are heavily protected by bunkers,
mounding and
swales. Hawkshead is part of the Michigan Arthur Hills Golf Trail -
never met an Arthur Hills course that wasn't appealing. These designs
are built to
satisfy the experienced golfers, while also providing an enjoyable round
for mid and high handicappers.
Four sets of tees provide players with options to choose from distances
and slopes measuring 6984 yards/129 slope, 6576 yards/122 slope, 6242
yards/117
slope and 4960 yards with a slope of 110. As these ratings indicate,
this is a very playable layout. The beginning holes on each side are
pictured
below, and both feature elements found throughout the course - wide
rolling landing areas with intermingling bunkers, layers of mounding and
with
perimeter fescue rough - and worth noting - EXCEPTIONAL conditioning.
Golfers should find Hawkshead a treat to their senses, and walkers will
especially appreciate the fact that the course is walk-able at
anytime...Those using
carts will
find partial cart paths that make for a convenient and efficient round,
as driving is allowed on the fairways and in the rough (not the high
grasses
or near the
greens). With the open terrain, wind can play a significant role here.
This is traditional, beautiful links course, designed in the sand dune
country of
west Michigan - as evidenced by the dunes and waste areas around the
17th and 18 green complexes. Highly recommended! For more info,
visit our
page for Hawkshead, with direct link to their website by clicking here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
