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On November 8, 2009, dtanen01 of harrison twp (15 handicap) posted:
played 11/04.40 on last minute and first time playing the course. i heard how great of a course it was but its better than i thought it would be. i cant stand homes on the course but the course layout was superb and i didnt mind the homes. the greens held but really fast, even this late in the season. the fairways were wide, the greens tough. i can wait to try next summer. i cant believe i've waited this long to play this course. it has moved right up to my fave course. simply outstanding, layout, condition, greens. my only gripe is that a ranger was on us for 4 holes or so. he said he wasnt worried about us but the 4 regulars behind us. i mean we can only go as fast as the people in front of us right? we did the round in 4 hours. but all in all i cant wait to play next summer. outstanding!!
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On November 3, 2009, lukiesdad of macomb (12 handicap) posted:
Played today and the course was in fantastic shape. Greens and fairways were mowed. Groundscrew were blowing and picking up leaves. Greens held all shots that they should have.Fairways were a little bit wet but thats not the course thats nature. The clubhouse was open like it was July, friendly staff, food and drinks. Did not expect to see a beverage cart on the course so there is no disappointment. Cashed in my yards for the year and I played with my son for $24. total - that's good anywhere but here that's fantastic! This course always treats players with the utmost respect and today was no exception. Take my advice - book the red flag tee time for $26.00 and have the best round of the season in November!
Played the course yesterday, it was in good shape for all the rain we had lately. It was a difficult course but played fair. If you get a chance, get out on this course. Good value.
Played the Orchards Wednesday, September 30. After 3 straight days of rain, the course was in beautiful condition. The fairways were in better shape now then any i'd seen all year. The greens were a little beat up- FIX YOUR BALL MARKS!- but i suppose its to be expected at this point in the season. Layout is challenging but fair. I hit a lot of 3 wood off the tee on the front, but used a lot more driver on the back. If you decide to play here soon, make sure you hit the fairway on the front 9. The combination of long rough and leaves can make a ball just inches off the short grass impossible to find. Overall it was in great condition and i would recommend playing it at least once.
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On September 14, 2009, WizoJoz of Chesterfield, MI (18 handicap) posted:
Great course. For sure one of the best courses in Macomb County. Wouldn't pay the full price to play here, but at the LMG rate it is ok for one time a year. Only complaints was the pace. Waited on every hole. Had a 10:30 tee time, was second off of the group and waited on every hole. 3 hour front, 3 hour back, rangers came by and apologized, but did nothing. Beer cart last call on Sunday was 2:00, kind of early when she can't start selling beers until noon. Fairways great, Greens great, Bunkers great.
Great track as always- the conditions were very consistent and the greens were true. Fairways are in great shape and the rough was cut to a length that was challenging but not impossible. Realy good value for the price we paid - this is really a first class golf course with all the amenities you would expect from a track of this caliber. We will be back!
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On August 5, 2009, Doc of Farmington Hills (26 handicap) posted:
I played in a 4-some for the first time @ this course on my birthday. The green fees were very nice since they only charged $35 for seniors before 11 AM which was a better deal than booking through LMG for a midday tee time. They also allowed my 16 year old nephew to play for the seniors' price. We found the course to be in excellent condition and had nobody in front of us when we started @ 745 AM. The only complaint from any of us was that the greens were not holding consistently when we hit into them with our approach shots. The rest of my foursome were all better players than me, yet I had the only birdie on the Par three #2. I will play here again for the $35-45 price if the opportunity arises even though it is a long drive for me, thanks LMG.
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On August 4, 2009, Jae of Windsor posted:
Played this course for the 2nd time and probably last. I previously played it last year and wanted to try it again. Yes, the course layout is nice, however, when i played it last year, the green were sandy. Surprise, they were sandy again. This combined again with the dew made judging the speed and grain of the greens difficult as the ball accumulated grains of sand while rolling. Some putts i hit hard and they slowed right down or broke where there was no break. Very frustrating day hitting the greens and making them stick. I checked the course and aeration was nowhere near my reservation. For the money, I will golf elsewhere.
I golfed the orchard for the first time in a two man scramble there and thought it was an excellent course. the fairways and greens were in excellent shape. the rangers were very concerned with speedy play which i appreciated because i dont like to constanly wait. the greens fees were a bit expensive but worth it becuase of the challenging lay out of the course.
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On July 22, 2009, Larry of Armada (18 handicap) posted:
Get to play The Orchards at least once a year and it's never been a disappointing experience. As always the course is in fantastic shape. This is the "premier" course in Macomb County and can't think of a better course,Shepards Hollow is close, in the tri-county area. Looking forward to another round in September.
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On July 19, 2009, moose of grosse pte woods (8 handicap) posted:
what can i say about the orchards!!!..one of the nicest courses in southeastern michigan.. fair lay out, tough greens..great par fives, and forgiving off the tee .course is always in good shape but if your not hitting it well it will eat your lunch, wind is a big factor at the orchards..a must play if you have'nt yet..
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On July 19, 2009, Mike of Canton (17 handicap) posted:
Played for the first time on July 18th and enjoyed the experience. From the 1st tee looking down the fairway and seeing the RenCen in the distance was beautiful. Other than Shephards Hollow, I cannot think of another public course in Southeastern Michigan with such a fine collection of holes, not only in beauty but challenge.
The elevation changes, heather, and numerous bunkers create some optical illusions that begin to play mind games on the desired ball flight. The yardage book on the cart does help. Greens were in good condition but not great. Unfortunately, too many people are not repairing ball marks and dragging their feet walking on the green. I really can't blame the greenskeeper.
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On June 15, 2009, zink-pac of Macomb (9 handicap) posted:
This was my first time playing the orchards golf course and I was very impressed. The clubhouse was very nice and we got a great deal from lastminutegolfer.com. The holes were amazing how they were layed out and even had many challenges with all the bunkers they had. I thought the greens could use some improvements but with the economy the way it is, costs must be cut somewhere. Overall the course was great and I will for sure play again.
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On June 12, 2009, Tagme of Rochester Hills (11 handicap) posted:
I usually only play this course in Spring and Fall, as the Summer rates get a little steep, but it is always an enjoyable round. The staff is always pleasant and professional. The course has a great practice facility with a large range (don't go left off the first tee), a huge putting green and chipping and trap practice areas.
The fairways and traps are well kept and the greens roll true and at a good speed. There are significant breaks on many of the greens, but you can read them (trust yourself). The layout is very well done and you only see homes on the outskirts of a few holes.
The front nine plays a little tighter with more holes cut through the woods, and the back nine is more open and affected by the heather and the prevailing winds.
Overall a great course - especially if you can get a good price through LMG!
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On June 3, 2009, Nick of Detroit posted:
Even though the weather was bad we enjoyed ourselves and still had a great time.
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On May 27, 2009, john of Detroit (9 handicap) posted:
The course is in great condition and has dried up from a tough spring. Always a good challenge from the longer tees. The greens were in very good shape. Play was at good pace. What a deal we get in these tough economic times.
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A Message posted on May 26, 2009 by 'tiptom' was removed by a course representative for the following reason: Inaccurate or non constructive criticism
On May 19, 2009, Steve Balboni of Kansas City (11 handicap) posted:
Great course for the $$ on LMG. Layout is good. Hole variety is good. Greens still a little patchy but it's early. I still think Copper Hills is the best course in the area but this is a close 2nd.
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On May 4, 2009, Duffer of Fraser (12 handicap) posted:
One of the finest courses in Southeast Michigan. Still a little early in the year, so the heather has not go in yet, which makes the course a little easier than what it plays like in mid-summer. But still very challenging.
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On April 20, 2009, CMO of MICHIGAN (1 handicap) posted:
OVERALL THE ORCHARDS IS ALWAYS ON MY TOP 5 LOCAL COURSES TO PLAY, THE GOLF COURSE LOOSES MUTCH OF IT'S BITE IF NOT PLAYED ALL THE WAY BACK BUT THE DIFFERENT TEES ALLOWS FOR ANY TYPE OF PLAYERS TO ENJOY. ROUNDS AT THE ORCHARDS ARE USUALLY UNDER 4 1/2 HOURS.
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On November 8, 2008, Eric of Birmingham (6 handicap) posted:
Played numerous times throughout the year, fun challenging course from the tips. Always in great shape, great practice facility's. Worth the price. Really fun layout of unique holes.
Played here on 10/31/08 and the greens were lightning fast and true as always, but unusual for greens that were aerated earlier in the month. Great Job keeping pace of play and conditions top notch considering the fall weather. If you play here under $35 it is a real bargain.
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On October 17, 2008, Threemano of Oxford (16 handicap) posted:
Alwyas in Great Shape and worth the Trip. Leaves are a bit of an issue in the fall. Could probably say that about any Michigan Course.
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On October 10, 2008, LarryBud of Rochester Hills (3 handicap) posted:
I thought I'd give a very detailed review of the Orchards since I don't see anything here.
The Orchards is an upscale Metro Detroit Course that has hosted a variety of events over the years. Once you play it you'll know why. There is a large variety of holes here, from long par 4s to very birdiable par 5s. From wide open holes to very tight holes. The greens are typically medium-large with good undulations. Some local knowledge is required depending on pin placement. It's a great track. The review is from the blue tees.
The first hole is a slight dogleg right with OB way right and left. You go up and over the hill and should have a downhill approach shot with a green guarded by a bunker to the left, and a severe slope over and to the right.
#2 is a good par 3 that can play a variety of ways depending on the tee you play and where they've placed them. Two tee boxes about 80 yards apart give you either a short but more difficult angle to the green, or a longer but a more straight in shot. If the pin is back right it's a hard hole, and the green shallows out and is guarded by a bunker.
#3 is a very fair and scorable par 5. Pretty wide open tee shot and 2nd shot, as the fairway merges with #4. Two decent shots will give you a good wedge in. Note the position of the flag before you hit your 2nd shot, as the angle to this pin is important depending what ridge the hole is placed.
#4 is a shortish par 4. Driver not necessary but will make the uphill 2nd shot much easier. Again, pin placement is important here, as the green is very wide and shallow.
#5 is a medium length par 3 over marsh. Nothing tricked out here, just hit a good shot.
The course tends to tighten up on the last 4 holes of the front side....
#6 is a dogleg right par 5. A slight fade off the tee can get your ball really going down the fairway. If you hit driver, it is possible to drive through the fairway if you hit it too far left, and maybe 250 off the tee. With a good drive it's possible to hit the green in two here. If you can't make it, I would recommend laying up so you can position the ball well for your 3rd. If you hit your 2nd too far right you can be blocked out by some overhanging trees.
#7 IMO is one of the more difficult par 4's on the course. A sharp dogleg left, while you don't have to hit driver off the tee, it's possible to have a 200 yard approach shot if you flair the tee shot off to the right. The approach is probably the most difficult on the course. Miss the green any where to the left and you'll hit the side of the green and probably kick into the hazard. Too far right and you'll find bunker.
#8 is similar to #13 on the back. Dogleg right, you'll probably hit a fairway wood off the tee short of the bunker. Otherwise you'll have to hit a very accurate driver to clear the bunker, yet stay out of the hazard on the righyt.
#9 is a tough par 4, uphill, usually right into the wind. The 2nd shot plays 1-2 clubs longer than you think.
#10 is similar to #9, but not as long. A generous fairway shouldn't be an issue. Picking the correct club for the 2nd shot is the hardest part.
#11 is a wide open par 5. At least it looks that way. The fairway bunkers off the tee could find you in a tricky situtation for your 2nd. Drive up to get your line for your 2nd shot, as more bunkers and long grass could be in the way. However, with 2 good shots you have a good chance at a shorter iron into this gree.
#12 is a short par 3 with a ridge running the width of the green. Pin placement and correct club selection is paramount here, as you'll have a difficult putt otherwise.
#13, similar to #8, dogleg right where everything slopes from left to right, especially on the green. However, you CAN take driver here. This is a great risk/reward hole. The farther right off the tee you hit it, the easier angle into the green. However the right side is guarded by hazard.
#14 is a medium par 3 that plays longer than the yardage. Big green, so pick the right club.
#15 is a dogleg left par 5. Probably not reachable in 2 shots as the green is a bit elevated. Wide open however for the drive and the 2nd shot. Good scoring opportunity.
#16 is a dogleg left par 4. Plays much shorter than the yardage. It's about 220 to the bunkers in the fairway, but I've reached them with a 5 iron. A good tee shot will find you with a short 2nd shot to a narrow green.
#17 is a very difficult par 4. OB left, and a big tree will block your 2nd shot with a drive that favors the left side of the FW. However, hit your tee shot too far right and you might find some bunkers, and you probably won't be getting home in 2 if that happens.
#18 is a fun finishing hole. A driver can place you into the lake on the right (which you can't see from the tee) if you hit it too far right. I usually take a FW wood and try to get it going down the green. The 2nd shot can be intimidating. Lake to the right, bunkers left. Easier if you just hit for the back of the green as it widen up there.
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On October 5, 2008, boston george of farmington hills (16 handicap) posted:
After hearing rave reviews from friends and seeing the reviews below I had to play this course and i have to say its is worth all the hype. got a Red flag rate which made it a very good value.
played 11/04.40 on last minute and first time playing the course. i heard how great of a course it was but its better than i thought it would be. i cant stand homes on the course but the course layout was superb and i didnt mind the homes. the greens held but really fast, even this late in the season. the fairways were wide, the greens tough. i can wait to try next summer. i cant believe i've waited this long to play this course. it has moved right up to my fave course. simply outstanding, layout, condition, greens. my only gripe is that a ranger was on us for 4 holes or so. he said he wasnt worried about us but the 4 regulars behind us. i mean we can only go as fast as the people in front of us right? we did the round in 4 hours. but all in all i cant wait to play next summer. outstanding!!
