Michigan Golf Scene: Pontiac Municipal is good bang for the buck

Pontiac Municipal Golf Course located on the south side of the city is a course in transition with an undecided destination. This 5,587 yard course that was once owned by the City of Pontiac and is now managed by Torre Management . The course is well maintained with a modest budget and with modest greens fees and is a value for those that want to score and have a good time without draining your wallet. When you come to the course located off of Golf Drive, you will be greeted by friendly people that will wave, greet you with a smile and Torre posts their philosophy about customers situated behind their staff which will bring you a smile.

First fairway

Years ago I did not think they would do a good job with the redesign which spread the holes out to take advantage of the water and to install condos which run on both sides of Golf Drive. I clearly am a fan of the new design by Michael Hurdzan. The old course used to start off with two long and blind par threes which left golfers over par without seeing how to play either fairway wood shot. There are only three sets of tees at this course and there is no need to have more. At 4,450 yards from the reds and 5,587 out the door, unless you have a note from your doctor, there is no need to play anything than the back tees.
The first hole at the new redesign is a slightly uphill 281-yard par four has almost no danger with a couple of pine trees on the left side in the landing area and a fairway that is fairly wide. While this hole plays longer than 281 yards (for me it’s more like 330 in the era of metal woods) a drive of 250 will still leave you a wedge or pitch and run to the hole.

#1 Green

For me, as much as I appreciate target golf, it is nice to be able to bump up a pitch shot to a green that runs from back to front. The only bunker on this hole is to the left side and is deep but the bunker is well maintained so going into it is better than the sand at many courses in the county. This is a birdie hole and a score of less than par will put you two shots behind the field as bogey just will not get it done.

The fourth hole is one that will test your golf skills. It plays as a 385 yard par four and with the neighbors looking out at you from the right and the woods running along the entire left side, you will need to split the fairway. An unplayable marsh juts in for long hitters and an errant drive will end up there for those pulling the ball to the left. A hook will do you no good either as balls not ending up out of bounds will have to go above a large pine tree.

5th green with water in front and 3 sand bunkers behind

One hole that should be a birdie hole but often has you pulling a second ball out of your bag is the very short 124 yard par three fifth. With a pond guarding the hole in front, trees to the right and three rear bunkers catching golfers trying to take the pond out of play, this seemingly short hole is one that could give you anything from ace to six in a hurry. This is a hole that will have some wind as there are little in the way of trees to keep it from swirling above. After playing the fourth, it looks easy and playing a wedge into the green will bring a smile to you. One disappointing thing is seeing what seems to be an endless series of unrepaired divots. Whether you have sand available in a green side container or on the carts is a matter of money. For me, have both the staff and golfers repair these is necessary.

There were hundreds of unrepaired divots on the 5th

A current member of the Four Tops is on the tee

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The sixth hole is one that will test serious golfers. It plays as a 397 yard par four dog leg right and with Lowe’s just over the fence to the left. To the right on this wide fairway is very high grass and acts as a de-facto out of bounds. The course is a right handers dream if you fade the ball toward the dog leg. A pull shot will make the hole longer and could possibly claim your ball in the high grass. While it is unlikely you will out drive the high grass down the fairway, pulling left will put you long and wrong. Approach shots will run into a gulley with a mid to high iron shot for most players. The green slopes from back to front with three sand traps surrounding the green. How it is rated as only the fourth toughest handicap hole is a mystery.

A view from the hill overlooking the 6th

The green is tough and putts can easily get away from you. Par is a good score here and a bogey is not terrible.

The eighth hole is the signature hole on the front side and perhaps the entire course. It plays at only 326 yards so distance is not the issue. The trouble is with not respecting the space given you. If you play the back tees (middle distance), you will be tempted with bombing the ball over the middle or even going for the pin which is hidden behind the fescues to the left. A series of sand traps that protect a mound will give errant shots a problem. Playing from the back will most likely give you a landing area that will let you see the top of the flag and well positioned shots a wedge to the green. From the back, most likely the sand bunkers will be out of play but the marsh that is pretty and unplayable will catch seriously misplayed shots. It is considered an environmental hazard so do not walk into them.

Go right and a bunker, tree and fence will steal your birdie

The eleventh is another short and drivable hole that plays downhill and is frought with danger for those that whale away without any fear of misplaying a shot. The eleventh is another short and drivable hole that plays downhill and is frought with danger for those that whale away without any fear of misplaying a shot. At only 274 yards and running downhill, many players will be tempted to drive it and it can be done but it better be straight. It is a birdie hole for sure but if you hit the large green on the fly, water runs the entire left side of the green and around the back. Any drive that goes long and right has an enormous sand trap around 240 yards and has a fence behind it to protect golfers going off on number 12.

The water is to the left at the 13th

Skipping to the par five 13th, it is a sloping left experience that will leave most golfers on the fairway as it is wide but some golfers will drive through it into one of the many pine trees on the course. Water will come into play on the left side if you try cutting the bend left and then over pulling it that way.

Beautiful bridge with views of the birds

A long look at the bridge

16th green

A beautiful risk reward hole is the 15th. The tee box is on an island and a long carry of about 180 yards is demanded with an opening cut from trees from the Championship tees. Many golfers will be tempted to go over the trees to the left of the opening and if you hit a lofted club it can be done. Many golfer has lost their ball hitting a nice tee shot but hit on a line. If you do that, you have made a donation to the lake. The trees have matured over the last 15 years since the redesign and there is a generous drop area about 115 yards from the hole.
This review has talked little about the par threes. Heck, they all play short with none being over 176 yards and this is just how I like them. The 250 yard par-three’s are trouble and these have some grit. The 16th is not a troublesome hole with only a bunker left that guards the pin from the middle of the green back. There is s bailout area to the right side of this hole with a fence running along the backside. Most golfers should earn a par at this hole with a green that demands a well-struck putt.
The skinny-
The course is a good bang for the buck experience with many of the par fours drivable. If you want to show everyone you are a player, take driver out a lot, take a shot at most of the holes and run it up to the hole. The back nine is especially good for this at 10,11,15 and perhaps 18. If you really want to work on your irons, hit these off of the tee. That will make this course seem more like a 6,500 yard layout. The winning high school scores this spring were 65 and yes that is not a misprint.
The service at the course is very good. The people including Mr. Ewing are very nice and so is the rest of the staff.
The maintenance of the course is very good. Mowers are out all day and the course is clean. Golfers and Torre might invest in some sand containers at various tee boxes to fill in divots. Perhaps some of the starters could help fill these in. A hint is they do this at
The design is good for the budget they had at the time. Many of the holes do look the same and have a lack of danger. That is a good thing and draws plenty of average golfers to the course and those that want to play a quick round of golf. On heavy play days, those that want to drive the greens will hold up play but you can’t blame those that want to do just that.
Check out Pontiac Municipal. Many area golfers have played this course over the years and I bet playing there will invoke memories. It did for me as I played this course with my grandfather and perhaps you have played it with someone that you shared some great shots and some laughs with.

Make sure you do it.

The opening over the lake on 15

Those that take the back tees can forget this mess but why miss out on the fun. The best thing is those that draw the ball or lefties that fade it can really feel like they have hit a golf shot by watching their golf shots settle a short iron away. The smart play is to simply hit a fairway wood or even a hybrid off the tee and give yourself a mid-iron at worst to the green. There are plenty of ways to play this really fun hole.
This hole has eagle potential with a well struck tee shot and birdie is a pitch and run away for most golfers. Bogey at the 11th will make you shake your head and most likely it is because you goofed up your tee shot in one of the hazards.
Playing at 518 yards, only long hitters will get there in two with most being a short wedge away. There are a series of sand traps that look to keep golfers honest when hitting their second shots to the right and even more surrounding the green with various moguls that will either let your ball sit upright or downward and that is just plain golf. This is a potential birdie hole but after playing 10,11,and 12 you might settle for a par here.

At only 274 yards and running downhill, many players will be tempted to drive it and it can be done but it better be straight. It is a birdie hole for sure but if you hit the large green on the fly, water runs the entire left side of the green and around the back. Any drive that goes long and right has an enormous sand trap around 240 yards and has a fence behind it to protect golfers going off on number 12. This hole has eagle potential with a well struck tee shot and birdie is a pitch and run away for most golfers. Bogey at the 11th will make you shake your head and most likely it is because you goofed up your tee shot in one of the hazards.

It plays as a 397 yard par four dog leg right and with Lowe’s just over the fence to the left. To the right on this wide fairway is very high grass and acts as a de-facto out of bounds. The course is a right handers dream if you fade the ball toward the dog leg. A pull shot will make the hole longer and could possibly claim your ball in the high grass. While it is unlikely you will out drive the high grass down the fairway, pulling left will put you long and wrong. Approach shots will run into a gulley with a mid to high iron shot for most players. The green slopes from back to front with three sand traps surrounding the green. How it is rated as only the fourth toughest handicap hole is a mystery. The green is tough and putts can easily get away from you. Par is a good score here and a bogey is not terrible.

With a pond guarding the hole in front, trees to the right and three rear bunkers catching golfers trying to take the pond out of play, this seemingly short hole is one that could give you anything from ace to six in a hurry. This is a hole that will have some wind as there are little in the way of trees to keep it from swirling above. After playing the fourth, it looks easy and playing a wedge into the green will bring a smile to you. One disappointing thing is seeing what seems to be an endless series of unrepaired divots. Whether you have sand available in a greenside container or on the carts is a matter of money. For me, have both the staff and golfers repair these is necessary.

Whether you go over the tree or not, any ball on that side will most likely be obstructed. The green is very subtle and will require a firm stroke as putts can tail off. This hole is a good test and par is a good score here. Birdies are possible but with a large green and multiple hazards, this is a hole that will keep you honest.