Oakland Hills Country Club

My experience at OHCC was less than I had hoped it would be. But to be fair, many of the circumstances were beyond the club’s control (weather, new clubhouse construction, and the inattentiveness of our Member host). We played the South Course at historic Oakland Hills. As this was one of the last courses to check off the list in my quest to play the top 10 private golf courses in Michigan, I was extremely excited about the day. However, my experience left me sorely disappointed. The day we played was a dull, foggy, drizzly, autumn morning. No fault of the course, but nonetheless, it did color my experience. The course was beautiful, even in its dreariness, with a view which seemed like from every hole, of where the majestic clubhouse once stood. Now an unsightly view of steel girders and construction cranes. The course was immaculately maintained and surprisingly playable on the front nine, as long as you kept your ball out of the rough. The back nine was much tougher. Not only from the difficulty of the golf course layout, but due to the inattentiveness of my member host. He was texting every few minutes all morning, and was so involved with his phone and trying to maneuver the cart through and into the very precise spots dictated by the course superintendent, that he paid little attention to me, his guest. As we made our way to the tenth tee, He suddenly maneuvered the golf cart in a herk and jerk maneuver which ejected me from the golf cart causing me to barrel roll several times onto and over the cart path, which left me bloody, bruised, and dazed. The Member apologized profusely and helped bandage my bloody elbow. He was genuinely sorry and after I agreed to continue, we rode through the next several holes in an awkward silence. As the Member is an attorney, I could imagine what he was thinking, “don’t admit to anything.” LOL Needless to say, I had no game on the back nine, and did not enjoy nor let alone remember (LOL again) the rest of the course. When we finished, the Member invited us to lunch, which due to clubhouse fire, is in a cold, drafty, temporary tent. The Smash Burger was underwhelming as was the temporary pro shop. A fitting way to end an underwhelming day at OHCC.

OMG. Came here to watch a friend pkay in US Junior Amateur. Easily the toughest course I have ever walked. Windy, few trees, heavy rough, skinny fairways and diabolical greens. Pristene conditions for a USGA event. Anyone who loves golf should visit this Donald Ross gem.

Oakland Hills' leadership and membership made a smart choice by hiring Hanse/Wagner. The course is excellent now. Michiganders should be proud to have a major venue like this in their state.

Oakland Hills is big....in every sense of the word. It's a big property. It's a big course, with a big challenge. It has big greens with big breaks. It has big bunkers. And it's a big dream to play such a historic and amazing course. The only "big" thing that was missing was the clubhouse. What an absolute tragedy for that incredible clubhouse to burn down. We've all seen pictures of the facility and we've all seen pictures of the fire that burned it down. What a loss. Everything about the course and the experience are world-class. But the missing clubhouse feels like a HUGE part of the experience....or at least....what the experience should be. Obviously, a new clubhouse will be built. But it's so hard (dare I say, impossible) to replace such treasured history. It will no doubt be a wonderful addition overlooking an amazing property. But something has been lost that will forever change the experience. Still, Oakland Hills is worth every effort to get there and walk those big grounds. Just try to avoid the big bunkers...or you'll likely end up with a big score.

Iconic course which has hosted nearly every major professional and amateur tournaments. Very challenging tee to green with a few holes where you can exhale. They are renovating the course this year (2019) in the fall.