You know that feeling when you pull into a gravel-ish parking lot and realize you aren't at a country club, but you're definitely about to have a good time? That’s the vibe here. The Links at Whitmore Lake isn't trying to be Augusta National. Honestly, it isn't even trying to be the most manicured course in Washtenaw County. But for a lot of us living between Ann Arbor and Brighton, it's basically home base.
Golf is getting expensive. Like, "why did I just spend $90 on a Tuesday" expensive. This place? It stays grounded. It's a Bill Newcomb design, which actually carries some weight if you follow Michigan golf architecture. Newcomb had this knack for making courses feel like they grew out of the dirt rather than being bulldozed into it. He’s the same guy who did the Bear at Grand Traverse Resort (with Jack Nicklaus) and Calderone Hills. At Whitmore, he took a piece of land that probably should have just been a swampy woods and turned it into a 18-hole track that tests your patience more than your power.
It’s a Tale of Two Nines
The front nine and the back nine at The Links at Whitmore Lake feel like they were designed by two people who weren't talking to each other, but in a weirdly charming way.
The front is open. You can spray the ball a little bit. You see the road, you see the fields, and you think, "Okay, I can score today." Then you turn. The back nine is where things get... tight. You’re suddenly encased in hardwoods and wetlands. If you’ve got a slice, bring an extra sleeve of balls. Maybe two.
It’s short, too. From the tips, it’s only playing around 6,000 yards. In the era of 7,200-yard monsters, that sounds like a joke. It isn't. The par is 71, and because it’s so narrow in spots, those 6,000 yards feel a lot longer when you’re constantly hitting 4-iron off the tee just to stay in play.
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Why the Conditioning Matters (and Why it Doesn't)
Let’s be real for a second. If you go to Whitmore Lake looking for tour-quality bunkers, you’re going to be disappointed. The sand can be heavy. Sometimes the rough is a little shaggy. But the greens? They’re usually surprisingly good. They have some decent undulation, and they roll true enough that you can't blame the grass for your three-putt.
We talk about "The Links" but it isn't a true links course in the Scottish sense. There’s no gorse. No ocean. No pot bunkers. It’s a "links-style" inland course, which basically just means there aren't many trees on the front and the wind can absolutely howl across those open holes. When the wind kicks up off the lake nearby, hole 2 becomes a completely different animal.
People come here because it's accessible. It’s the kind of place where you see a father and son out for a quick nine, or a group of guys who have had the same 8:00 AM Saturday tee time since 1998. It has that "municipal" soul even though it's privately owned.
Navigating the Swamp
The back nine is basically built on a wetland. This means two things:
- It’s beautiful in the fall when the maples turn.
- The mosquitoes will carry you away if you don't have DEET.
Seriously. If you're playing a late afternoon round in July, you need to prepare for war. But that’s Michigan golf. The elevation changes on the back are actually pretty dramatic for this part of the state. You’ll hit shots over ravines and down into valleys that make you forget you’re just a few miles from US-23.
One thing that confuses people is the "Links" branding versus the reality of the marshland. You’ve got these holes where you’re forced to carry 150 yards of tall grass and cattails just to find the fairway. It creates a lot of "forced carries." If you struggle to get the ball airborne, this course is going to be a long day at the office.
The Local Context
Whitmore Lake itself is a unique spot. It’s an unincorporated community, so it doesn't have a massive downtown, but it has a massive personality. The golf course fits that. It’s located on 9800 Whitmore Lake Rd, right near the border of Livingston and Washtenaw counties.
Back in the day, this area was a massive draw for summer vacationers from Detroit. Now, it’s a commuter hub. The golf course serves as one of the few remaining "open spaces" that hasn't been turned into a subdivision yet. There’s something peaceful about being out on the 14th hole, surrounded by nothing but trees, even though you know the highway is just over the ridge.
Dealing with the "Short Course" Stigma
"Oh, it's a short course, I'll tear it up."
I've heard people say this in the clubhouse dozens of times. Then they come back in with an 88. The defense of The Links at Whitmore Lake is its greens and its narrowness. You cannot overpower this course. If you try to drive every green on the short par 4s, the woods will eat your Pro-V1s.
It forces you to play "boring" golf. Hit a hybrid. Hit an 8-iron. Chip on. Two-putt. Move on. The minute you try to be a hero on the back nine, you’re looking at a triple bogey. It’s a course that rewards the golfer who knows their limitations.
Real Talk: What to Expect
- The Clubhouse: It’s functional. Don’t expect a five-star locker room. It’s a place to grab a hot dog, a cold Gatorade, and pay your greens fee. The staff is usually local folks who have been there forever.
- Pace of Play: It can be a crawl on weekend mornings. Because the course is "shorter," people think it’s easy, which leads to beginners taking 10 strokes on a par 4. If you want a fast round, go out at 7:00 AM on a Tuesday or late on a Sunday evening.
- Value: This is where the course wins. You can often find deals on sites like GolfNow, or just walk up and get a rate that makes you feel like you aren't being robbed.
- The Practice Range: It exists. It’s fine for loosening up the shoulders, but it’s not exactly a "practice facility" where you’d spend four hours working on your swing plane.
The Bill Newcomb Legacy
Newcomb is a name that doesn't get enough credit in Michigan. He understood the topography of the Great Lakes region. At Whitmore, he utilized the natural drainage patterns to create hazards. Instead of digging artificial ponds everywhere, he used the existing lowlands. This is why the course feels a bit "wilder" than the suburban tracks in Novi or Canton.
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He also designed the greens to be the equalizer. If you look closely, many of the greens are tiered or have subtle "false fronts." If you land short, the ball rolls back 20 yards. If you go long, you’re dead. It’s smart architecture that doesn't require 7,500 yards of grass to be effective.
Common Misconceptions
People think The Links at Whitmore Lake is a "beginner" course. I disagree. While it’s affordable, the back nine is actually quite punishing for a high handicapper. A true beginner course should have wide-open fairways where you can find your ball no matter where you hit it. Here, if you miss the fairway on holes 11 through 16, that ball is gone. It belongs to the squirrels now.
Another myth is that it’s always underwater. While it is a "wet" site, the management has done a lot of work over the years on drainage. Yeah, if it rains three inches on Friday, Saturday will be soggy. But they’ve improved the cart paths and the drainage pipes significantly over the last decade.
How to Actually Play Well Here
If you want to post a score at Whitmore, you have to change your mindset.
- Leave the driver in the bag on at least four holes on the back nine. You don't need it. A 200-yard shot into the center of the fairway is a win.
- Aim for the center of the greens. The pins are often tucked behind bunkers or near slopes. Don't be a hero.
- Watch the wind. On the front nine, the wind is your biggest enemy. It’s an open plain. If it’s blowing left-to-right, aim at the left rough and let it ride.
- Pay attention to the grain. The greens generally break toward the lowest point of the property (the wetlands).
The Future of Local Golf
Courses like this are the backbone of the sport. We need places that aren't pretentious. We need places where you can wear a slightly wrinkled polo and not feel judged. Whitmore Lake provides that. It’s a community asset.
Whether you’re a scratch golfer looking for a quick, cheap round to stay sharp, or a group of friends looking to drink a few beers and enjoy the Michigan summer, it works. It’s not perfect, but that’s exactly why we like it. It’s got character.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Round
- Book Mid-Week: If you can swing a 2:00 PM tee time on a Wednesday, you’ll have the place to yourself and the rates are usually bottom-dollar.
- Check the Weather: If it's been a rainy week, wear waterproof shoes. The low spots on the back nine stay soft longer than the rest of the course.
- Bring Bug Spray: Don't skip this. From June through August, the back nine is a sanctuary for mosquitoes.
- Walk the Front, Ride the Back: The front nine is a very easy walk. The back nine has some distance between greens and tees, and some hills that will wear you out if you aren't in "hiking" shape.
- Stop by the Lake: Since you're right there, head over to the actual Whitmore Lake after your round. There are a couple of local spots to grab a burger that beat any clubhouse food you'll find.
The reality of The Links at Whitmore Lake is that it’s a blue-collar course with some white-collar design elements. It’s tricky, it’s a bit rough around the edges, and it’s consistently fun. Just keep it in the fairway, and you'll be fine. Maybe.