Tullymore Golf Course

Tullymore Golf Course – Played May 2017

• Rankings: Golf Digest Public #45, Golf Magazine Public #83
• Location: 11969 Tullymore Drive, Stanwood, Michigan
• Year: 2001
• Architect: Jim Engh
• Course Access: Public
• Walking Rules: Carts Available

Score Card Information:

• Silver: 7,250 yards, Par 72, 76.4 Rating/150 Slope
• Black: 6,547 yards, Par 72, 72.9 Rating/146 Slope
• Blue: 6,210 yards, Par 72, 71.2 Rating/141 Slope
• Blue/White: 5,897 yards, Par 72, 69.6 Rating/136 Slope
• White: 5,550 yards, Par 72, 67.9 Rating/127 Slope
• White/Gold: 5,168 yards, Par 72, 66.6 Rating/120 Slope
• Gold: 4,668 yards, Par 72, 68.2 Rating/120 Slope

Tullymore Golf Couse represents a duo of firsts for me.  It is the first course I have played in Michigan and the first Jim Engh course I’ve encountered.  I can say that after playing it the introduction to Michigan golf was a good one.  I found my first Engh course to be quirky, but ultimately playable.  It’s always good to see a new perspective of architecture.

Tullymore is part of a resort with accommodations ranging from hotels, condos, and cottages to rental homes.  It also has a sister course called St. Ives.  I didn’t have time to play this one so I can’t comment on it.

That is all I really found on the history of the course so let’s get into it.  I played with a good friend from the area and the wife riding along taking pictures.  The weather was perfect and I couldn’t have asked for a better day.

We played the black tees and all the distances are from those markers.

This model of the community resides in the clubhouse.  It was super intricate so I was quite impressed.

Below is a look at Tullymore Golf Course’s range and practice area.

Hole 1 – 535 yards – Par 5

The first is a very gettable opening hole.  The tee shot has trouble if you go to the left, but is pretty open.

My view on the second shot.

The green is guarded by a bunker in the front, but the green can funnel your ball to the hole with certain pin positions.

Hole 2 – 405 yards – Par 4

This hole plays straight the whole way.  The best shot shape is a draw.

The approach appears flat, but there is plenty of undulation around the green.

You can see the mounding in the photo below.

For reference, I’m 5’7″ and this is me hitting next to the green.  I did not get this up and down.  Shocker!

As you can see below the putting surface has plenty of undulation as well.

Hole 3 – 313 yards – Par 4

Honestly, this is one of the sillier holes I’ve played.  There is a tree in the middle of the fairway that affects the approach.  I hit it dead straight and had tree trouble.  I’m not a fan of that.

A very large, deep bunker guards the front of the green.  You want to avoid that at all costs.

Below is a look at the green.

Hole 4 – 205 yards – Par 3

It’s all guts, no glory on this tee shot.  Any poorly struck shot is likely headed to a watery end.

You can see the direction of the slopes on the green by the change in grass color in the photo below.  There is a good bit more around where the pin is.

Hole 5 – 182 yards – Par 3

The second of back to back par 3’s has a very narrow landing area.  The front of the green is relatively wide, but the overall green is very deep.  The back flag is in a small area of the putting surface.  The overall distance can vary by 30-40 yards depending on pin position.

Below you can really see the unique shape of the green.  The green is two-tiered and distance control is important.

Hole 6 – 337 yards – Par 4

This one bends hard to the right.  In the second photo you can see the green from the tee, but the prudent play is to play is out straight and have a short shot into the green.

Below is a look at the approach shot.

You can see the slope on the left side of the green is quite severe.  Shots at that spot can roll off the green.

Hole 7 – 186 yards – Par 3

This is another all-carry par three.  It was even more dangerous for our round due to the front pin.  There is a backstop behind front pins that provides an opportunity for close shots.

The backstop is pretty big.  Putts from the top level will be nearly impossible to get close to the hole.

Hole 8 – 539 yards – Par 5

This longer hole is most likely going to take three shots to get home.

Here is a look at the long second.

The third shot plays over a hazard that shouldn’t be in play unless you duff one. The green is very accessible.

Hole 9 – 337 yards – Par 4

The ninth is a short hole, but there isn’t much incentive to go for the green because of the dogleg.  The smart play is to hit something 200-220 yards for a short iron approach shot.

The green is protected by mounds and plenty of rough.

Hole 10 – 414 yards – Par 4

The back starts off with a stout challenge.  A long, straight drive is needed to give you a comfortable second shot.  You will want to be as close as possible since the approach is played over a hazard.

Don’t go left on the second shot.

The green is divided by a large slope that only comes into play when back pin positions are employed.

Hole 11 – 364 yards – Par 4

This fairway is fairly wide so you can go with driver, but it isn’t needed.

The approach plays a bit downhill to a green that is hidden behind the slope.

The green has a small false front, but once you get on the surface the ball will funnel to the middle.

Hole 12 – 183 yards – Par 3

This hole is slightly long.  You can see the speck of the flagstick beyond the hazard. The following photo has a closer look.

Here is a look at the green.

Hole 13 – 553 yards – Par 5

This is a fairly long one, but there is ample room to take a big cut with the driver. The bunker is in play.

The green is protected by a large bunker that is quite deep.  If you can get a draw running along the ground you can chase it up the right side of the green.

Below is a look at the green from behind.

I’ve illustrated the depth of the bunker below.  I think it was thoughtful of me to dump my third shot in there for you the readers :).

Hole 14 – 404 yards – Par 4

This tee shot features trouble all down the left side.  You can carry the bunker that you can barely see.  This shot obviously favors a draw.

Here is a look at the approach.

The green is multi-tiered and is protected in the front by the water hazard that runs almost the entire length of the hole.

The green from above.

Hole 15 – 164 yards – Par 3

We have another water hazard to deal with here.  The pin position for us was in a sucker spot.  With this flag, the front bunker is definitely a possibility.

Here is a look at the green from the right side, which reveals the other bunker.

Hole 16 – 560 yards – Par 5

This is just a beast of a hole.  Bear down and hit the best drive you have.

Here is a look at the second.

The third shot didn’t play much over the hazard due to the pin position.  When it is further to the left the water comes into play.

The green is more wide than deep.  You can see the undulations below.

Hole 17 – 375 yards – Par 4

This tee shot is framed nicely by the two trees.  Split the goalposts and you will be in great shape.

This green is very narrow so the approach must be straight.  If you miss your line the chips are difficult on each side.

Once you look from behind you can see that the green is not very big.  If you hit the surface you will have a chance to make your putt.

Hole 18 – 491 yards – Par 5

The final hole at Tullymore is the only par five on the back that gives you a chance to get home in two.  Water is all around, but a slinging draw will leave you in a great position.

These two trees make the shot awkward, but you can still get the ball onto the green.

Here is a look at the green.

The view from behind the putting surface.

Overall I enjoyed Tullymore Golf Course.  Mr. Engh certainly laid down some quirky holes, which is somewhat of his signature.  The course was in great shape coming out of the winter and spring.  It’s always a good time to play with my buddy Tom and it was an extra bonus to have the wife riding along with us.  Tullymore is more than worthy of being on your Michigan itinerary.  Please excuse the pun!