White Lake Oaks Offers a Fair Layout With Some Scenic Views

is an oldie but goodie. If you can hit your short irons, drive the ball straight, and don’t mind slower-than-average greens, chances are you will score well. But there are hidden hazards that lurk on every hole, including out-of-bounds threats and some narrow fairways. 

White Lake Oaks was built in 1930 and offers a traditional layout. With water hazards and sand bunkers scattered throughout the course, it is not the longest course in the area. But many holes, particularly on the back nine, force a golfer to hit a relatively straight drive down narrow fairways to have a clear shot at the green.

The above-average golfer might want to play from the black tees, which measure just over 5,700 yards. 

The front nine

Players can spray their drives off the tee more on the front nine without worrying too much about the consequences. A longer par 2 awaits golfers in one of the harder holes on the course from the back and middle tees. The next hole is drivable for players who can pound drives 270-280 holes but the green’s slope and some sand traps can make an up-and-down difficult if you do miss the green on your first or second shots. 

The par 3, 4th hole is a short iron for many golfers, with the tee boxes at 173 and 163 yards. Precision is the key here with the tee shot targeting a small green protected by sand traps. 

The rest of the front nine offers makeable pars. But the greens can be tougher than they first appear. The ninth hole, roughly 320-390 holes from the various tees, is considered the toughest on the course for women. You will want to stay in the fairway on this hole to give yourself a better angle to the green and the opportunity to run the ball up to the green. 

The back nine

The back nine offers a bit more rewards for golfers that walk the straight and narrow. That comes into play first on the 10th hole, where an array of trees await golfers to the left and right of the green on your approach shot.

Narrower fairways also challenge players on the short par 4, 12th hole and the challenging 400-yard par 4, 13th hole that offers water, sand traps and some finesse because of a full drive can get into trouble. 

Finally the short par 4, 18th hole should be one where the driver is put away. Depending on the tee boxes, a long iron or fairway wood should be the proper club off the tee with water hazards and out of bounds on the left. Water circles part of the green which should encourage most golfers to lay up on their second shot, likely with a short iron to an area 80-120 yards in front of the green. Play that hole smart and chances are you’ll be leaving the courses with a strong score, waiting to hit the links again. 

Other amenities

Covering 197 yards acres, there are plenty of tees that can get in the way of errant shots around White Lake Oaks. Wetlands and woodlands are plentiful, but the course plays fair and offers many scenic views.

A few years back, Oakland County, which owns White Lake Oaks, added a new clubhouse, pro shop, club room and garden patio. New banquet facilities for groups of up to 200 individuals are also available. 

Price

Rates are extremely reasonably, ranging from $16-35 this spring and summer. There are many leagues held at White Lake Oaks. Twilight golf, which can start at 3:30, offers a slight discount, $22 for riders and $12 for walkers. Seniors also get discounts.