the course
Since opening for the 1998 season the golf course at Apple Mountain has been consistantly recognized as one of Michigan's premier courses. John Sanford masterfully designed the par 72 championship course to challenge (and delight) golfers of all ages and abilities. The course offers four sets of tee boxes, generous fairways, true greens and spectacular views.
“The playing conditions are perfect at Apple Mountain.”
Hole 1 - Par 4
381 – 356 – 329 – 288
A relatively easy opening par 4 with a slight dogleg to the right. Make sure you hit the drive left center to have a clear view for the second shot.
Hole 2 - Par 5
527 – 489 – 460 – 405
This hole requires skilled shots from the start to finish. Water runs along the right side of the hole and several bunkers on the left take away any chance of bailing left. Deep bunkers around the green will catch all errant shots.
Hole 3 - Par 4
360 – 343 – 307 – 272
Longer hitters should use a 3 wood or long iron off this tee to avoid pond straight away. Play for the middle of the green regardless of the pin position.
Hole 4 - Par 4
396 – 366 – 295 – 276
Although a good birdie opportunity, this hole requires precision. Avoid wetlands to the right and be sure to select proper club into usual prevailing wind.
Hole 5 - Par 3
171 – 156 – 136 – 114
The first of two holes played from top of mountain. Be careful with club selection, hole will play shorter due to the elevated tees. Many slopes and subtle breaks throughout the green mean no putt is a gimmee.
Hole 6 - Par 4
425 – 405 – 383 – 262
Don’t let the view distract you because an accurate tee shot is a must on this hole. Play to the center of the fairway to avoid second wetland. A forgiving green may result in a rare birdie opportunity with a good second shot.
Hole 7 - Par 3
169 – 139 – 122 – 104
All thoughts here are to clear the waste area, but be careful as shots that are long will role off the back into the pond that rests behind the green.
Hole 8 - Par 4
463 – 410 – 371 – 315
Length and accuracy are demanded on this hole. Be aware of water on the right and water not visible from the tee on the left. Club selection will be crucial because of bunkers surrounding the green.
Hole 9 - Par 4
393 – 348 – 326 – 288
A classic looking hole to finish your first nine. Length off the tee is not as critical as accuracy. Be sure to select enough club for uphill second shot.
Hole 10 - Par 4
403 – 372 – 343 – 298
Welcome to the back nine. A slight dogleg left demands a good tee shot to avoid strategically placed bunkers on the left. Be aware of the creek that runs in front of green.
Hole 11 - Par 3
165 – 139 – 119 – 93
The shortest of the four par 3’s but very demanding. The right side of green sits considerably higher than the left side. A par here is a job well done.
Hole 12 - Par 5
563 – 532 – 509 – 434
Longer hitters should direct tee shots over left hand bunker to take advantage of a down hill roll. Be careful of waste bunkers that run 100 yards long on right side. Check your yardage on the approach because this is an extremely long green.
Hole 13 - Par 4
461 – 415 – 388 – 314
Both length and accuracy are demanded on this hole. You need to negotiate a fairway bunker on the right and a waste area beginning on the left. Long accurate second shots will be needed to reach this large two-tiered green.
Hole 14 - Par 4
353 – 337 – 314 – 269
Many players choose an iron off the tee, since missing the fairway here will most often result in a bogey. Be careful on your approach, as the green is shallow and guarded with bunkers short.
Hole 15 - Par 5
583 – 524 – 498 – 439
Distance off the tee is not important here, as this will be a three shot hole for all players. Large bunkers protect both sides of the landing areas and right side of green. Avoid hidden pond on the left side of fairway when playing second shot.
Hole 16 - Par 3
215 – 167 – 151 – 113
This long, straight-away par 3 may look to be an easy target, but any mistakes could be costly. Take enough club to get there and make sure you’re accurate or you’ll find yourself trying to make par from a bunker, again.
Hole 17 - Par 4
413 – 363 – 336 – 292
The only hole on the course without a bunker. Be aware of water on the left that cannot be seen from the tee box. All shots that miss the green on the right will roll down embankment and possibly into the water.
Hole 18 - Par 5
506 – 476 – 421 – 390
The shortest of the four par 5’s is very demanding from tee to green. The longer hitters will think twice about putting for eagle because of water that sits in front of green. Be careful when laying up, water is directly in front of middle fairway bunker.