increasingly popular. These allow
players to add more finesse to their
short game. Gone are the days of
making do with a pitching wedge and
a sand wedge.
Understanding the differences and
choosing the right clubs can be a
complicated process. Often, players
find themselves overwhelmed by too
much information. However, ma-
chines like the swing analyzer can be
used by trained personnel to custom
fit clubs to any player. The analyzer
gives the distance, trajectory, club
speed and face angle of every shot
you take. You can find them at places
like golf shops or you can buy your
own, for $8,000.
The process of outfitting yourself
for a round on the links is a matter
of personal taste. Here, too, there are
some high-tech developments. One of
the newest producers of golf wear is
Gore-Tex. Rainsuits lined with this
warm, breathable fabric allow players
to ply their passions under the worst
of conditions.
The new apparel includes insulated,
waterproof golf shoes. They may be
an advantage even in summer to
those who have problems with the
water hazards.
Speaking of which, for less than
$20, a ball retriever is the ticket for
saving those hard to reach, often
submerged balls. You may still get a
penalty, but at least you can save
some money on lost balls.

Comparing Courses

■ BY RUTHAN BRODSKY

located on West Nine Mile Rd. in
South Lyon. The 18 hole, par 72
course includes tree-lined fairways,
rolling hills and several areas of scenic
wetlands. The facility also includes a
driving range.
Tanglewood Golf Club is another
new 18-hole course that opens this
spring. Located on 10 Mile and
Chubb roads, South Lyon, the course
offers a driving range and snack bar.
Green fees are over $14.
The nine-hole Pebble Creek course,
also in South Lyon, is one of the
favorites for Seymour Bistro and wife
Toby for their Saturday afternoon
golf outtings. The short course has a
special rate for seniors and offers a
restaurant. (313-437-5411)
Official home of the Michigan PGA
(Professional Golf Association), The
Links at Pinewood in Walled Lake
requires accuracy and planning with
its well-bunkered, elevated greens
and fairways lined with pine trees.
Losing a few golf balls is not unusual
at the Links which also houses a pro
shop. Green fees are between $9-$14.
(313-669-9800)
Next door to the Links is El Dorado
Golf Club, a short nine-hole executive-
type course located on Pontiac Trail.
The course has a driving range and
offers special rates to seniors. Green
fees are under $9. (Call 624-1736)
One of the nicer municipal courses
is Sylvan Glen Golf Club says Ian

Although everyone has his
own favorite, several courses
and holes were repeatedly
mentioned as being difficult.

Harris of Southfield, who sports a 4
handicap. Located at Rochester and
Square Lake roads in Troy, Sylvan
Glen is an all-around good course
with several long par threes. The
facility has a driving range, offers
special rates to seniors and juniors
and green fees are between $9-$14.
(313-879-0040)
Pontiac Municipal Golf Club,
located between Telegraph and
Bagley, is well-known for its annual
three-day, 54 stroke play tournament
for amateurs. The competition come
from all over the state to enter the
tournament. Green fees are under $9
and there are special rates for seniors,
juniors and twilight times.
(313-858-8990)
Another course east of Woodward
is Rochester Golf Club, located at
M-59 and Rochester Rd. It's an old
course with large, old trees on almost
every fairway. The first hole, one of
the toughest, is divided by a creek
requiring two almost perfect shots to
the green. The facility has a restaurant
and green fees are $9-$14.
(313-852-4800)
Within minutes away is Pine Trace
Golf Club in Rochester Hills located
on South Blvd. between Adams and
Coolidge.
"The course is usually in country-
club condition and reminds me of the
course up north," says Harris, "with
tree-lined fairways and elevated
greens. Every hole is very picturesque
and it is just fun to play."
The restaurant at Pine Trace is open
year-round and golf lessons are

P hotog rap h by Tony Roberts

Golfers who live in Michigan are
very fortunate because this state has
more courses open to the public than
any other. Michigan is ranked second
in the nation, according to the
National Golf Foundation, in the
number of new golf courses under
construction (42), third in the nation
for the number of new courses being
planned (35), fourth in the nation in
the number of female golfers that
play (364,000 out of 1.3 million
golfers), and fifth in the nation in
terms of the number of total courses
(749), four of which are rated among
the top 75 in the United States by Golf
Digest.
In Oakland County alone there are
over 40 public golf courses. One of
the newest is Cattails Golf Club

SPRING '91 I-3