Brookside Golf Course Tests Golfers While Being Learner Friendly

Opened as a nine hole course in 1965, expanded to an 18-hole course in 1984. It offers a natural surface driving range, leagues that are open to the public, lessons for all ages and camps for younger golfers. 

“Golf has changed a lot in the last twenty years. (Brookside) has a kind of old-school feel, how golf used to be,” said manager Mike Johnson.

The “original” front nine is a throw-back to the 1960’s golf style, with smaller greens and long, somewhat narrow fairways. There is a creek that runs through the course, and Brookside uses it magnificently. It appears first on hole 2, just in front of the tee boxes, but grows into an obstacle that may or may not be just in range; sometimes, it is hard to judge and you will find yourself ruing a wet ball.

The “new” back nine is a much more modern course. The greens are substantially larger, but also substantially more challenging; they have more plateaus and valleys than the front nine. The back nine also features more ponds as well as the occasional visit from the creek from the front nine. The 10 and 17 holes feature one pond that is just on the far side of the respective greens; a long shot is a wet shot.

Two of the more interesting holes are on the back nine. Hole 13 has a pond in the middle of the fairway within driving range for most golfers. You can skirt it, or lay-up, but good luck going over it on the drive. The green on 15 is almost completely surrounded by water. This par 5 plays as the hardest handicap hole, and between the length of the hole and the well-entrenched green, it earns it.

When you make the turn or are done for the day, Brookside has a grill to whet your appetite. It also offers an outdoor patio to continue enjoying the weather while you eat or talk about your round.

“We’re just a good community course. We try to keep the prices low so people can play a couple times a week where maybe they can go to another course and play only once,” said Johnson.

Who:  Brookside Golf Course

Where: 6451 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd

Prices:  Available here.