Lynx Golf Course a Natural
High-end public golf found in Allegan County
By Tom Lang
Since relocating to west Michigan a couple years ago, I have had the chance to sample more courses outside of the metro Detroit area.
The Lynx Golf Course is one of those pleasant surprises.
Nestled on land high above and down along the mighty Kalamazoo River, the Lynx is a beautiful course in a very natural setting, sans two holes and one cart ride with condos along the way but which are pushed back from the playing area.
Hole No. 1 leads off with a great example of what golfers will find on their day. The fairway first appears flat and boring, but hit it to the end of the fairway and you’re faced with a 75-foot elevation drop to the green. Beware, however, that going long over that green, and many others and you’ll find big trouble.
The second hole, also a par 4, has a nicely elevated tee box starting the hole which has a large tree left that can cause some headaches.
Get to hole number 3 and the view widens to the more open part of the golf course – tree lined but more appropriately called tree outlined on holes 3-6.
Holes 4 and 7 each have a large tree just right of center of the fairway that has to be factored in with your tee shot to make sure the way is clear for the approach to the green.
The two par 5s on the front (holes 5 and 8), are both uphill to elevated greens, so from the tips at 526 and 488 yards, respectively, they are a little more beastly compared to the other holes.
In general, the Lynx has a fair number of blind shots, so playing it a couple times will make golfers more aware of the intricacies of the layout.
I played the front nine with Cathy Ptacek (and her husband) of Allegan and couldn’t have had more fun – a classic definition of how golfers can meet at the first tee as total strangers but during the round have a very enjoyable time together.
“I think the Lynx is very lady friendly,” Cathy told me. “Especially from the forward tees. I think it’s around just 4,450 yards, so as long as you have a good tee shot, the holes play pretty well.
“I think it’s very peaceful here,” she added. “I like that there’s not a lot of condos or houses around, except for a couple holes on the front, and the rest is pretty much just nature, so I like that a lot. I like the back nine the best. I think it’s a little bit more picturesque, with the river running through it. There’s a couple dog leg lefts but they play really nice and it’s laid out well.”
Unfortunately, I had to call it a day after nine holes but based on Cathy’s comments and what I saw on the front, I’d say a return trip to experience all 18 will be well worth the drive.
