Don't Let the Open Look of Indian Springs Fool You

Editor's note: This following the third and final installment of our White Lake golf course reviews.

Larger greens, open fairways — particularly on the front side — and smaller trees are features at the Indian Springs Metropark Golf Course in White Lake, the longest of the three golf courses within the township limits. 

The front nine offers an open layout, but the back nine is more challenging off the tee with some tree-lined fairways. It has a number of long par 4s that are about 400 yards from the white tees. The greens are typically sloping with plenty of undulation, said Golf Superintendent Anne Loncar. A couple of the greens have two tiers, and most of the greens are sizable, leaving the potential for some long putts. 

Loncar is directing a few enhancements to the course this year. Green-side bunker renovation will continue on many of the 22 sand traps on the course. More “natural” areas have been added, such as a pheasant habitat, and some of the green sprinkler heads will be replaced this year to help upgrade irrigation. 

“We’ve created several wetlands areas on the course by the No. 10 green and in rough that separates No. 13 and No. 14,” Loncar said. 

The course’s signature hole is the 600-yard (from the white tees) par-5 13th hole, with trees, sand traps and a difficult green. It is a straight shot, but the average golfer will still be hitting a full iron into the green in three. 

Overall, Indian Springs offers a nice mix of straight holes and doglegs, short par 3s and lengthy par 5s. There is a minimal amount of out-of-bounds hazards, no houses bordering the perimeter and some poor cellphone coverage. So make your phone calls before you arrive and concentrate on your game.

The front nine

Following a simple and short par-4 first, holes 2 and 3 offer sharp doglegs to the left and right, respectively. The third is around 30 yards longer from any of the three tee boxes, with large traps protecting the green on both sides in the front, making an accurate iron shot necessary. That gives credence to the third being the course’s No. 1 handicap hole. 

A short par-3 fourth hole to a large green is next, where a three-putt is a distinct possibility. The fifth hole offers little trouble outside of some fairway bunkers, but the sixth and seventh holes offer somewhat narrow fairways. A drive to the right side of the seventh hole will give golfers a better view of the green on their approach shot. 

The front nine ends with a couple of interesting holes, including the scenic eighth, a 189/179/140-yard par-3 that features water to the right that rarely will come into play. But traps and a slope on the green guard approaching shots. The finishing hole on the front does include some out-of-bounds danger and a slight dogleg that makes this par-5 play a bit shorter than it looks. 

The back nine

It’s rare for golf courses to have exactly the same yardage on the front and back nines, but that is the case at Indian Springs. There are many similarities to holes 10 and 11, with both taking slight right-hand turns around the 200-yard marker and similar distances from the tees. There is more danger around the 11th green. 

A short par-3 12th and the mammoth 13th holes follow before three holes that offer makeable par opportunities. But don’t be fooled by the short 16th, where tee boxes range from 117-129 yards. Traps protect all sides of a small green, and depending on the wind, you could experience the need for one more or less club. 

Get ready for a tough challenge on Indian Springs’ final two holes. The 17th, a short par 5, gives golfers a sizable landing area in the fairway, but that fairway quickly narrows as you get closer to the green. Stay right if possible, as trees and sand traps guard the left rough as you approach the green. The final hole ends with a long par 4 and sand traps that are positioned on either side of the common landing area for many drives. It may be one of the most difficult greens to putt on as well, with many putts breaking more than you may realize. 

Indian Springs will make you feel like you’re getting away from everything for a few hours with its remote and quiet setting. But in reality, you’re just a short car ride from home.