Winding Brook

Public

Golf Course Site: http://www.wbgc.8m.com/
City: Shepherd
County: Isabella

Yardages:
Blue - 6735
White - 6152
Yellow - 4932
Red - 4741

Course Rating: 73.3 (from Blue) 70.2 (from White)
Slope:126 (from Blue) 118 (from White)

Difficulty from the Tee: 9
Difficulty of the Bunkers and Water: 7
Course Condition, fairways, greens, etc:  7
Staff Customer Service:  9
Overall Value: 8.5
Overall: 8.1

Fees and Costs:
*On Weekdays*
9 Walking: $10 With cart: $18
18 Walking: $14 With cart: $28

*On Weekends*
9 Walking: $14 With cart: $21
18 Walking: $22 With cart: $35

Two for one Tuesday specials.

Pros:
Winding Brook is it's own river valley course. With holes ranging from flat straight shots to the green to fifty foot elevated tee boxes over tree lined streams. It is unlike most of the mid-michigan courses and was a happy change of pace.

The challenge of this course comes from the tee boxes. If you aren't a big hitter you'll find yourself laying up very often to avoid an awkward second shot. By awkward, I'm saying you'll be directly behind a row of trees sitting on the edge of a stream. The tee box distance is only half of the difficulty. Playing from the blue tees will give the golfer a blind shot on eight holes, two of which include a hidden dog leg. Luckily for the cart riders, each hole has a layout and description in the dash of the cart.

The brook that, imagine this, winds next to the course is only in play on five holes, but it defines each of them.

My favorite hole is their "signature hole" #4. Playing from the blue tees, the golfer is set so far back he/she is two or three yards from the parking lot.The drive is into a narrow swampy valley. Play just to the right of the stream for a straight shot at the green. If you do miss hit, hope it goes right, the rough isn't an awful place on this hole. It creates more distance to the hole more than anything.

Cons:
The course layout left me very puzzled on numerous occassions. There is a great deal of extra walking you'll be doing going from green to tee, if you can find your next hole. Being a first timer on the course and flying solo, I had to drive the cart in circles to find my way. The only help is a single sign reading "Hole #14" with an arrow.

For example, #12's green lines you up with #13's blue tees but the white tees are set another 50 yards back. Once you get to the green on 13, you'll have to walk back up the hill toward and past #12's tee box to get to #14's tee box. If it sounds confusing by just reading it, you can imagine how it is on the course.

Another issue I had were the dandelions. The weeds were scattered in the rough and even found their way onto the fairway on a couple holes. This is unacceptable for a golf course.

The last con, which is out of their control, is the farm located near by which gave off an unpleasant aroma carried on the warm breeze.

Would you play it again, and why?
Being within 10 minute drive from Central Michigan University and the weekday price is very inexpensive, I'll probably play it the next time I'm in town.

19th Hole / Drink Cart?
The club house had various golf items, clubs, clothing, balls, etc. The cart girls are mostly college students from the near by CMU, friendly, and easy on the eyes making for a nice distraction while getting lost on your way to the next hole.

Final Thoughts / Side Notes on the Course:
If you are a fan of elevated tees and difficult drives, this is the course for you.

For a first time visitor, get a cart because navigating the course requires some direction.

Course Reviewer's Golf History:
 Playing for a couple of years, shoot in the 90's.


Author:  Dustin (No Fairway Staff)
Sumitted: 06-13-09
Date Played: 06-11-09