Golf Course Overview: Arthur Hills Thoroughbred Golf Club

Local and traveling golfers love to research courses before playing them, whether it is to gain some local knowledge or to set an expectation before their upcoming round. Below is an interview with Chris Cullen who shares some valuable insight about the property, its most talked about holes and the signature dish/drink to consume at the 19th hole.

Provide a brief description of the golf course/property, the terrain and best times of the year to play.
The Arthur Hills Thoroughbred opened in July of 1993. The course is spread out over 350 acres of beautiful rolling terrain. The property has numerous natural water hazards that include a lake, cranberry bog, and marshes. The course has 5 sets of tees to accommodate players of different ability. Fairways tees and greens are bent grass. A must play course and one of Arthur Hills personal favorites

Any tips on playing and reading the greens?
Come prepared to use all of your clubs. I suggest you warm up before you play for sure as the first few holes are tough. Thoroughbred is course you need play a few times to learn how to score on it. Several holes will tempt heroics. (Use caution) The greens are big so proper club selection to improve proximity to the hole would be the greatest benefit to putting

Starting on hole #1, are there any tips to get your round off on the right foot?
If you haven't seen this hole before I suggest you go up and look at the landing area #1 is a sharp dogleg left that is kind of blind. The hole plays downhill to the green. A good drive rewards a right right to left ball flight. Do not automatically grab driver. Depends on which tees you're playing from

What is your favorite par 5, and how would you recommend playing it?
18 is an often mentioned finishing hole. It is one long dogleg left around Carpenter Lake. Cutting the corner is tempting on tee shot. Unless to can drive it past a huge oak on the left there's no advantage because you wouldn't have an angle to the green in two. Play conservative. The player who stays dry on this hole usually collects.

What is your favorite par 3, and how would you recommend playing it?
The 9th hole is a great par 3 that can play 194 from back tee. It is slightly down hill so it plays a little shorter but the green is still elevated so you still need to fly it all the way. One of the trickier greens at Thoroughbred as it is pitched from right to left.

In your opinion, what is the hardest hole and do you have any tips on playing it?
The second hole is the toughest at the Thoroughbred. Maybe in Michigan. You need a well placed tee shot preferably on the left side. From there you're rewarded with 170-200 yards over a cranberry bog with no really good bail out. This par four is tough.

As a golfer plays the final three holes, is there a chance for salvation? (any tips on closing out the round?)
16 is the easiest hole on the course. Straight shortish par 4. The green is very wide and very narrow in depth but should be attacked with a short iron. 17 is a good par three that has a bunker and marsh guarding the right side. Play for center of this green and get out with three. 18 was discussed earlier. Many wagers are settled on 18

Contact Course
Arthur Hills Thoroughbred Golf Club
5900 Water Rd
Rothbury, Michigan, 49452
(231)894-3939
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