You know that feeling when you're driving up US-23, past Ann Arbor, and you see those rolling hills and think, "Man, I bet there's a killer course hidden back there"? Well, if you’re looking at Whitmore Lake, you’re right. The Links of Whitmore Lake golf course MI isn't just another municipal-feeling track; it’s a Bill Newcomb masterpiece that somehow feels like it belongs in Northern Michigan despite being a stone's throw from the suburbs.
It’s rugged. It’s quiet. Honestly, it’s a bit of a bruiser if you aren't hitting it straight.
The thing about "The Links" is that the name isn't just marketing fluff. While a lot of courses in Southeast Michigan claim to be links-style because they have three trees and a patch of tall grass, this place actually captures that windy, open, fescue-heavy vibe on the front nine. Then, it flips the script on the back. It’s basically two different courses for the price of one.
What Makes The Links of Whitmore Lake Golf Course MI Different?
Most people show up expecting a flat, boring walk. They’re wrong.
The front nine is an expansive, wide-open layout where the wind is usually your biggest enemy. You’ve got these massive, undulating greens that will absolutely wreck your scorecard if you’re on the wrong tier. If you’ve ever played a true Scottish links, you’ll recognize the intent here. There aren't many trees to block the breeze, so you have to learn how to flight the ball low.
Then you hit the back nine.
Suddenly, you’re in the woods. It gets tight. The "links" moniker fades away and you’re playing target golf through corridors of Michigan hardwoods. It’s a jarring transition but in a cool way. It tests whether you can actually control your shot shape or if you’re just a "grip it and rip it" kind of player. Most players I talk to either love the variety or find it maddeningly inconsistent. That's golf, though, isn't it?
The Bill Newcomb Signature
Bill Newcomb is a name that carries weight in Michigan golf circles. He’s the mind behind some legendary spots, including the Heather at Boyne Highlands. When he designed The Links of Whitmore Lake golf course MI, he clearly wanted to utilize the natural marshlands and the significant elevation changes that the local topography offered.
He didn't move earth just for the sake of it. He followed the land.
This results in some truly unique holes. Take the par 3s, for instance. They aren't just "hit an 8-iron and hope" holes. They require carries over wetlands and careful consideration of the slopes surrounding the greens. If you miss, you’re often in a hazard or staring down a nearly impossible up-and-down from thick fescue.
The Reality of the Playing Conditions
Let's be real for a second.
Conditions at any course can fluctuate based on the season and the Michigan weather, which we all know is bipolar. However, for a daily fee course, the greens at Whitmore Lake are usually the stars of the show. They’re fast. If the superintendent decides to get aggressive with the mowers on a Friday morning, you better have a soft touch.
Is it always country-club perfect? No. You might find a patchy spot in a fairway during a July drought, or the bunkers might be a bit packed after a heavy rain. But for the price point, the value is undeniably high. You’re getting a championship-level layout without the $150 greens fee you’d find in Northville or Bloomfield.
The rough is another story. It’s penal. This isn't the kind of rough where you can easily gouge a 5-iron out and reach the green. It’s that thick, grabby stuff that turns your clubhead and leaves you wondering why you didn't just hit a 3-wood off the tee for safety.
Why Locals Keep Coming Back
Whitmore Lake has a specific "vibe." It’s unpretentious. You see guys in hoodies and you see guys in ironed Polos. Nobody cares. The clubhouse is functional—it's got what you need: cold beer, decent sandwiches, and a staff that actually knows the course.
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- The Practice Facility: It’s actually decent. A lot of courses in this price range have a "range" that’s basically a field with some flags. Here, you can actually get some work in before your round.
- The Layout: 18 holes, Par 72. It plays over 6,700 yards from the tips, which is plenty of course for most mortals.
- The Price: It’s competitive. You can usually find "hot deals" on apps, but even their standard weekend rate is fair given the quality of the architecture.
Strategy: How to Actually Score Well Here
If you want to survive The Links of Whitmore Lake golf course MI, you have to respect the transition.
On the front nine, aim for the middle of the greens. The edges are treacherous. Because it’s so open, your ego will tell you to bomb the driver on every hole. Don't. The fescue is a ball-eater. If you lose your ball in that stuff, just drop and move on; you aren't finding it, and if you do, you aren't hitting it out.
Once you make the turn, put the driver away on at least two or three holes. The back nine is about angles. You need to be on the correct side of the fairway to have a look at the pins. It’s a "thinking man's" back nine. If you try to overpower it, the trees will remind you who’s boss.
A Note on the Greens
I cannot stress this enough: look at the grain and the overall slope of the land toward the water features. The greens are huge, but they have subtle breaks that can turn a birdie putt into a three-putt bogey in a heartbeat.
Many players complain that the greens are "unfair," but usually, they’ve just misread the massive Tier 2 slope. It’s a course that rewards local knowledge. The more you play it, the more you realize that a "miss" in the right spot is better than a "good shot" in the wrong spot.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Next Round
If you’re planning a trip to Whitmore Lake, here is how to make the most of it:
Book your tee time early in the morning. The wind picks up significantly in the afternoon, especially on the front nine. If you want to post a low score, you need the calm air of 7:30 AM. Plus, the dew on the greens makes them slightly more manageable before they dry out and turn into glass.
Pack extra balls. Seriously. Between the marshlands on the back and the fescue on the front, this course is hungry. Even low handicappers can lose a couple here if they get greedy with their lines.
Study the 18th hole. It’s a fantastic finisher. It’s a par 5 that offers a "risk-reward" scenario. If you’ve got a match on the line, this is where it’s won or lost. Do you go for it in two over the junk, or do you lay up and trust your wedge game? Most people go for it and end up in the drink. Be the person who plays it smart.
Check the wind direction before you leave the parking lot.
Since the front nine is so exposed, a North wind vs. a South wind completely changes which clubs you’ll be hitting into the par 4s. It can be a two-club difference easily.
Grab a burger at the turn. It’s a local staple for a reason. Don't overthink it.
The Links of Whitmore Lake remains one of those spots that people "discover" every year, only to realize they should have been playing it all along. It’s challenging, it’s beautiful in a rugged Michigan sort of way, and it’s a genuine test of your total golf game. Whether you're coming from Detroit, Ann Arbor, or Lansing, it's worth the drive just to see if you can handle the split personality of the front and back nines.