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3.0
77 Reviews (77)
5 Stars
9
4 Stars
25
3 Stars
17
2 Stars
9
1 Stars
17
Conditions
2.5
Value
3.5
Layout
3.6
Friendliness
3.8
Pace
3.1
Amenities
2.8
64.9%
Recommend this course
50 out of 77 reviews
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About

Holes 18
Type Private
Par 72
Length 6519 yards
Slope 133
Rating 71.5

Editor's Note: Course closed for business in Feb 2017.

Course Details

Year Built 1908
Fairways Bent Grass
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season Open: 3/01 Closed: 12/01
Architect Donald Ross (1916) Tom Bendelow (1908)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes
GPS No
Pull-carts No

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker No
Caddies No
Golf School Academy Yes - "Highlands Golf Academy"
Golf Simulator No
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes
Practice Hole No

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code Shorts shall be no shorter than mid-thigh - no cutoffs, "short shorts," running or athletic shorts, or swim trunks. Denim jeans and athletic or sweat pants are NOT permitted.

Food & Beverage

Bar, Snacks, Grill

Available Facilities

Clubhouse

Reviews

3.0
77 Reviews (77)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 8
Watching the Game 6
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 7
Narrow Fairways 6
This course/club is great for:
Locals 7
Junior Golfers 6
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 12

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Course is unplayable

Im from Chicago and went up to Michigan to golf with my uncle. We set up a tee time for The Highlands cause my uncle said 4-5 years ago he went to an outing at this course and loved it. Upon arriving to the course the pro shop was completely empty. Everything in the pro shop was for sale. Benches,displays, stands absolutely everything had a price tag on for sale. The staff member there told us we can tee off ( on the tee box )from wherever we wanted to. Later upon arriving to the first tee we realized why he made that statement. There were no tee markers on any of the boxes and the grass on the tee boxes was longer than some rough I've seen on other courses. After teeing off we get to what we are thinking is the fairway to find there is no fairway. It was just thick grass all across the course. No signs of a fairway being cut here. Just terrible. We get to the green the bunkers were abandened. The bunkers had patches of grass growing in them and the grass around the bunkers was growing so long it was hanging over the bunker lip. The greens were patchy and like cement. This was the first time I've experienced such bad maintenance on a golf course. We didnt even get to the 2 tee box before we turned back to the clubhouse to complain and get our money back. After having a discussion and slight disagreement with the only staff member on the course he finally admitted that he was selling the course and didn't care. And then told us for the price we paid (under $20 per player) we shouldn't be complaining about the conditions. I honestly wouldn't care if the course was free I still would have left because I so disgusted with the course and the staff. Needless to say we got our money back and left. I've played close to 100 rounds of golf this year on probably 30-40 different courses and this was the first time I actually didn't want to golf That day due to the absolutely disappointing experience at this course. SO I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT NO ONE ABSOLUTELY NO ONE GOES HERE AND GOLFS. save your money and time and book your round at another course in the area. Michigan has plenty of beautiful golf courses this one is definitely not one of them. After I left I called GolfNow immediately and explained to them my issues and concerns and they refunded me my fees that were paid thru them for booking the course.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Poor
Amenities Poor
Response from on 01/10/2017:
Thank you for your feedback and we apologize for your poor experience. We assure you this is not the standard we strive to achieve and will address it at the course. Look forward to having you back soon and making up for this experience.
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Sold

The course has been sold. Reflecting that fact, owner Steve is reducing maintenance to mowing the greens and, presumably, mowing the fairways occasionally. I have enjoyed the course and friendly, helpful staff and am sorry the course has been sold.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
527bba7f-de68-56a8-835a-1011e03e839a
Commented on 10/10/2016

Thank you for your feedback. We are happy that you have enjoyed our friendly and helpful staff. Thanks for coming out!

Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Terrible condition

Put a white line around this course. The whole place is ground under repair. The grass on the tee boxes was 2-3 inches long. Worse conditions I've ever played under. It is quite obvious that this place is closing.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
527bba7f-de68-56a8-835a-1011e03e839a
Commented on 09/26/2016

Thank you for your feedback. We are always looking to improve course conditions and take your comments very seriously. Look forward to having you back soon and making up for this experience.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

This course is suffering from severe lack of maintainance.

It is obvious that the owners are not willing to invest anything in maintenance. Fairways, greens, signs, cart paths, parking lot, all of it needs work. The cart GPS system worked well and was a nice unexpected amenity.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Previously Played

Course is in such bad shape we walked off after 9

Upkeep is nonexistent - the parts of the green that aren't dried up and cracked are overgrown to fairway length. Plugged pin placements are dried and shriveled - not watered. Parts of the fairway are longer than the rough and the rough... I have never lost balls in the fairway before today due to grass length. No matter how good the price, don't buy it. This course appears to be closing with the conditions we found today.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
527bba7f-de68-56a8-835a-1011e03e839a
Commented on 09/19/2016

Thank you for your feedback. We assure you this is not the standard we strive to achieve. We are constantly working on course conditions and hopefully we can have you back to make up for this poor experience.

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

poor

very poor experience way overbooked, way under maintained

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
527bba7f-de68-56a8-835a-1011e03e839a
Commented on 09/19/2016

Thank you for your feedback. We assure you this is not the standard we strive to achieve. We are constantly working on course conditions and hopefully we can have you back to make up for this poor experience.

Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Dying Donald Ross design...

Great old track, designed by Donald Ross. Hosted numerous Senior PGA Tour events, and was the Elks Club of GR's home course. The course apparently has been sold to developers, and housing appears to be its fate. Course conditions were poor, as it looks like not much $$ is being spent on maintenance. Shot values are still there, however. She's a great old girl. Play there while you still can.

Conditions Fair
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
527bba7f-de68-56a8-835a-1011e03e839a
Commented on 08/05/2016

Thank you MGoBlue100 for the review. We are so happy you had an enjoyable experience on the course and we hope you will continue to golf with us throughout the season. Come back and see us again very soon!

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course is done

They are selling and putting no money into the course. Greens are awful, fairways are brutal and the pace of play is horrid

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
527bba7f-de68-56a8-835a-1011e03e839a
Commented on 08/05/2016

Thank you for the review. We are currently working on course conditions and hope to have the course back up to par very soon. Please come back and see us again very soon!

Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Falling apart.

What was once a gem, is now a rock. Sadly, this place probably will not be around to long. Greens are in sad shape, as are the fairways, thistle weeds are out of control. Carts paths are crumbling asphalt. Sand traps are dirt, weeds everywhere. Entryway to the clubhouse needs landscape face lift, as does the parking lot. Sorry to hear leagues are leaving, doesn't surprise me though.
Nice people, good carts with GPS , the only positive things I can say.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Moderate
527bba7f-de68-56a8-835a-1011e03e839a
Commented on 08/01/2016

Thank you for your feedback. We are so sorry that our course conditions did not match what they once were in your opinion. We would like to speak further about what you saw. Please send us an email to highlandsgrand@gmail.com and hopefully we can convince you to give us another chance.

Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Run down

They have spent zero money on this course. No water and greens full of weeds. We payed 20.00 and that was to much.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
527bba7f-de68-56a8-835a-1011e03e839a
Commented on 08/01/2016

We are so sorry you feel this way about our course. Please send us an email to highlandsgrand@gmail.com regarding what you saw on our course in more detail. Thank you!

Played On
Reviews 6
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Good time

The course was a little rough in spots. It used to be in better shape but it's still a lot of fun to play. The weather was great and I didn't have to wait thru the whole round.

Conditions Fair
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
527bba7f-de68-56a8-835a-1011e03e839a
Commented on 07/22/2016

Thank you for your review! We are glad to hear you had fun and will take your feedback into consideration. We are constantly looking for ways we can improve our course, so your words are very helpful. Hope to see you again soon!

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
1.0
First Time Playing

Played here last week, and I'll never be back.

The course was extremely dried out to almost drought conditions. Management should spend money turning the sprinklers on instead of on gps systems on the carts. It was inexpensive but not at all worth the headache of playing through hard packed dirt on the fairways. Also beware of the old cranky regulars that like to play ahead of their tee time and then complain when politely asked to allow an earlier tee time to tee off.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
527bba7f-de68-56a8-835a-1011e03e839a
Commented on 07/22/2016

Thank you for your feedback. Please send us an email at highlandsgrand@gmail.com so we can further discuss your situation and make things right with you. We apologize that your experience with us was not up to our usual standard.

Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Hard course

Challenging fairly long course. Not in the best shape, sucks cause it could easily be the best course in Grand Rapids. Either way course presents a good challenge and can't beat it for the money.

Conditions Fair
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
527bba7f-de68-56a8-835a-1011e03e839a
Commented on 06/29/2016

Thanks for the review! We will take your feedback into consideration as we are constantly working to make a better course for our golfers! Hope to see you soon.

Played On
Reviews 51
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Michigan Advisor
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Always enjoyable round at The Highlands

Group made it out for a late 9 hole round and while I knew they had leagues going on the pace of play on the opposite 9 was awesome. I played pretty good and I feel like I've played here about 4 times now and am starting to know a few tricks about where the trees overhang in the fairway but I wish I could hit it where I want it.
We had lunch and burger was great, beers were cold and weather was perfect. Course was in better shape than I've heard in previous years but not yet pristine. Some patches on the green and in the fairways you could tell were still being tended to to rebound but it was very playable. I never had course conditions get in the way of making a golf shot.
If I had to add 1 item on the wish list the cart path was rough in a few areas so you can tell the grass in those areas is taking an extra beating. I'm sure it's on the staff's list as well. Go out and play, would be a very enjoyable walk which would eliminate your cart path issue all together.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Fairly Easy
527bba7f-de68-56a8-835a-1011e03e839a
Commented on 06/20/2016

Thanks for your review, Dan! We will take your feedback regarding the cart path into consideration. Glad to hear you had an enjoyable round with us!

Played On
Reviews 1
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

HORRIBLE

TOOK 3 HOURS FOR 9 HOLES. DONT GO ON A THURSDAY BECAUSE FOR SOME REASON THEY BELIEVE ITS OKAY TO HAVE 5 LEAGUES ON ONE NIGHT AND STILL ALLOW INDIVIDUAL TEE TIMES

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
527bba7f-de68-56a8-835a-1011e03e839a
Commented on 06/20/2016

Matthew,
We are so sorry that you were put in this situation! Usually this is not the way we book tee times. We would like to make this right with you. Please email us at highlandsgrand@gmail.com to further discuss your situation. Thank you, and again, we apologize.

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Used to be great!

I'm a fan of Donald Ross courses in general. The first time i played the course it was private and in phenominal condition from top to bottom. The course had hosted several PGA Tour events and was fun to attend. It has drastically deteriorated over the last several years. Not well maintained by any stretch of the imagination. It's sad to see perfection turned to unkept and weeds taking over. Even the old hole markers have been downgraded to the cheaply done. All i can do these days when i play is shake my head and think Donald Ross would be disappointed with the place. The underlying former great course is still there but needs some SERIOUS attention to detail. I would start with the greens and get them back to nice shape and work my way back from there. With a good location there is no doubt it will get plenty of play. But gone are the days i first remember of a nice Elks Lodge golf course and social hangout.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
527bba7f-de68-56a8-835a-1011e03e839a
Commented on 05/20/2016

Thank you so much for your review and feedback. With your help and suggestions we can make additional updates to the course and we truly appreciate your comments. Please let us know if you ever need anything and come back and soon!

Played On
Reviews 4
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good Experience

Good Course. I would recommend.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
527bba7f-de68-56a8-835a-1011e03e839a
Commented on 05/10/2016

Thank you for your review and feedback of The Highlands Golf Course. Please come back and see us again soon!

Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Average weather
Used cart

Golf in December?

It was great to be able to golf 2 days in a row in Michigan in December. The Highlands made that even better.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
527bba7f-de68-56a8-835a-1011e03e839a
Commented on 12/08/2015

We are happy the weather has been holding on for us! Thanks for choosing to golf at the Highlands

Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Got a great rate at Golfnow.com

Nice course, nice people, but don't kid yourself, nothing like it used to be.
Still nice to play. Nice tribute to my former golf mate Bill Hieble..Davenport College '66-67.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
527bba7f-de68-56a8-835a-1011e03e839a
Commented on 11/17/2015

biggeejack, Thanks for reaching out and leaving us your feedback. We appreciate your business and welcome you back in the future!

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Horrible conditions .

Horrible condition .Drove 1 1/2 hrs to play this course. Never again. The superintendent should be ashamed. Don't think they have run the sprinkler system all year. Rock hard and tore up. Don't waste your time. There are far better courses for the money in the Grand Rapids area.

Extremely Disappointed .

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Friendliness Poor
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
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