Alright, so I figured it was high time I got out and actually swung a golf club instead of just thinking about it. My back’s been giving me less grief lately, so why not, right? Decided to check out Heritage Glen up in Michigan. Heard a whisper or two about it, nothing major, just that it was a place that existed. So, I packed up my bag, threw it in the trunk, and off I went.
Getting There and That First Vibe
The drive wasn’t too bad. Found the place without any real drama, which is always a good start. Pulled in, and the clubhouse looked, well, like a clubhouse. Nothing that screamed “fancy,” but not a total dive either. I walked into the pro shop to get sorted. The fella behind the counter, he wasn’t exactly overflowing with joy to see another golfer, but hey, maybe he was having a day. We all have ’em. Paid my green fee, grabbed a cart. The cart was pretty standard, did its job, didn’t fall apart. So far, so average.
Hitting the Actual Course
So, I finally got out there. Stepped up to the first tee. The course, from what I could see, looked… maintained. Yeah, that’s the word. Maintained. The fairways were mostly green, which is a plus. Some patches here and there, but nothing you wouldn’t expect from a place that isn’t trying to host a PGA tour event.
- The greens were a bit of a mixed bag. Some rolled true, others were a bit bumpy. Made putting a real adventure, let me tell you.
- Bunkers. Ah, the bunkers. Some had sand, some had… less sand. And the rakes? Let’s just say finding one was like a treasure hunt sometimes.
- I was playing solo, trying to get in a quick round, but got stuck behind a four-ball that seemed to think every shot required a committee meeting. You know the type. Pace of play wasn’t exactly blistering.
- There were a couple of holes that made me think, “Okay, this is a decent design.” A tricky dogleg here, a well-guarded green there. But then there were a few others that just felt like filler, like they just needed to connect point A to point B.
Lost a few balls too. Not even in crazy spots, just the rough was that grabby kind. Ate ’em right up. Frustrating, because I wasn’t even hitting it that wild. Or maybe I was. Who am I kidding?
Little Things, Big Difference
You know, I’ve played golf all over. Some real fancy joints, some places where you’re lucky if the flagstick isn’t a broken tree branch. And it’s always the small stuff that sticks with me. Like, at Heritage Glen, the ball washers on the course? More than a few were bone dry. Or the water coolers, if you could find one that wasn’t empty. It’s not a huge deal, but it’s one of those things that makes you go “hmm.”
I remember this one time, years ago, played a course down south. Nothing special, but every single thing was just… right. Divots filled, fresh towels, friendly staff. Made the whole day better. It’s not rocket science, but so many places miss it.
So, What’s the Verdict on Heritage Glen?
Look, I got to play golf. I hit some good shots, I hit some truly terrible ones. That’s golf for you. Heritage Glen? It’s a golf course. It exists. It’ll let you play 18 holes for your money. I wouldn’t write home about it, and I’m not rushing to book my next tee time there tomorrow. But if you’re in the area and just need to scratch that golf itch, and your expectations are set to “just a round of golf,” then sure, it’ll do. It’s not a disaster, but it’s not a hidden gem either. It’s just… a place to play. And sometimes, that’s all you’re looking for, I guess. Still, a few more drops of water in those ball washers wouldn’t hurt, you know?
