If you’ve spent any time driving down Clinton River Road in Clinton Township, you’ve seen it. The sprawling greens of Fern Hill Golf Michigan sort of just appear out of the suburban landscape, tucked between the Clinton River and the bustling Macomb County traffic. Honestly, most people who live nearby think of it as "that wedding place" or "the spot with the great Friday fish fry."
But there is a lot more to this place than just rubber chicken dinners and golf carts.
Fern Hill is a bit of a local anomaly. It’s a par 70, 18-hole public course that somehow manages to feel like a private country club without the stuffy $5,000 initiation fees. You’ve probably heard people complain about the pace of play on a Saturday morning, or maybe you’ve heard a bride rave about the gazebo.
The truth? It’s a workhorse of a golf course that serves a massive community.
Why Fern Hill Golf Michigan Is More Than Just a Course
Most golfers in Metro Detroit are looking for two things: a fair price and greens that don't look like a minefield. Fern Hill hits that sweet spot. It isn’t a "bucket list" course like Arcadia Bluffs, and it doesn't pretend to be.
It’s accessible. Basically, it’s the kind of place where you can show up with a mismatched set of irons and nobody’s going to give you a side-eye.
The layout itself is surprisingly scenic. You’ve got these small, winding hills and the Clinton River snaking nearby, which adds a layer of "don't lose your ball" stress to what is otherwise a very playable round. Wildlife is everywhere. It’s not uncommon to have a deer staring you down while you’re trying to line up a birdie putt on the back nine.
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The Wedding Machine
You can't talk about Fern Hill without talking about the banquets. They handle events ranging from 75 to 750 people. That is a massive range.
If you’ve lived in Macomb County for more than a week, you have likely been to a wedding, a sports banquet, or a fundraiser here. They have this recently remodeled indoor chapel that looks slick, but the outdoor gazebo is the real draw for summer weddings.
They have multiple rooms:
- The Grand Ballroom: This is for the "I invited my entire family tree" weddings, seating up to 550+ comfortably.
- The Princess and Crown Rooms: Better for mid-sized stuff, like high school reunions or big anniversary parties.
- The Regal Room: For the intimate 75-100 person gatherings.
The food is handled by Floodz Bar and Grill, which is the on-site culinary heart of the operation. Unlike some golf course snack bars that just flip frozen burgers, Floodz actually tries. Their Italian heritage shows through in the catering menus—think Chicken Siciliano with ammoghiu sauce and those heavy, delicious pasta stations.
The Reality of the 18-Hole Layout
Let's get technical for a second. The course plays around 5,810 yards from the back tees. For the big hitters, that sounds short.
But it’s a par 70.
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The challenge here isn't raw distance; it's the tight fairways and the water. You have ponds and creeks popping up where you least expect them. If your driver is acting up and you're slicing everything into the trees, Fern Hill will eat your lunch.
The greens are usually kept in decent shape, though by late August in Michigan, any public course is going to show some wear and tear. One thing most regulars will tell you: the ground can get pretty hard if there hasn't been rain. You'll get plenty of roll on your drives, but holding the green on a long approach shot becomes a bit of a guessing game.
Pricing and Value
Honestly, the "best bang for your buck" reputation isn't just marketing fluff. On weekdays, you can often find rounds with a cart for under $30 if you play at the right time. Even on weekends, it’s rarely the most expensive tee time in the area.
They don't require fancy dress codes beyond the basics—no tank tops or cutoffs—which keeps the vibe relaxed. It’s a "jeans are probably okay if they’re nice" kind of place, though most people still rock the polo shirt.
What Most People Miss About the Experience
People forget that Fern Hill is a year-round operation. When the snow hits and the golfers go into hibernation, the banquet side stays slammed. Their Sunday brunch is a bit of a local legend.
You’ve got the omelet stations, the waffles, and the carved meats. It’s the kind of place where families go after church or for Mother's Day. It’s loud, it’s busy, and the coffee is always flowing.
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Another thing? The leagues.
Fern Hill is the hub for local golf leagues. Men’s, women’s, and co-ed leagues dominate the late afternoon slots during the week. If you're looking for a quiet, solitary round on a Tuesday at 5:00 PM, you're looking in the wrong place. But if you want to join a community of people who drink a beer in the parking lot after nine holes, this is your home.
Practical Tips for Your First Visit
- Book Ahead: Don't just show up on a Saturday morning and expect a slot. This place gets booked solid by leagues and outings.
- Watch the Water: Especially on the back nine. There are a few spots where the creek is hidden by brush.
- Eat at Floodz: Seriously, even if you aren't golfing, the bar area is a great spot to watch a game. They have six big screens and the drink prices are actually reasonable.
- Check the Event Calendar: If there's a 500-person wedding happening, the parking lot is going to be a nightmare. Plan accordingly.
The "Secret" to Scoring Well at Fern Hill
The biggest mistake people make at Fern Hill is over-swinging. Because the yardage is shorter than some of the "championship" courses in the area, people try to drive every green.
Don't do it.
The fairways are lined with trees and the rough can be grabby. A 4-iron off the tee that stays in the short grass is infinitely better than a 300-yard drive that ends up in someone's wedding photos by the gazebo. Play for the center of the green and don't get greedy with the pin placements.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're planning a visit to Fern Hill Golf Michigan, start by checking their online tee time portal rather than calling—sometimes the web rates are slightly better for mid-day slots. If you're looking at the venue for an event, ask for a walkthrough of the "Floodz" menu specifically, as their strolling dinner stations offer way more variety than the standard plated chicken dinner.
For the golfers, grab a bucket of balls at a nearby range first. Fern Hill doesn't have a full driving range on-site, though they do have a short-game practice area. Warm up your putting and chipping there, as the greens are often faster than they look.