Diamond Springs Golf Course

$31 (cart included), played on Friday, August 2018 at 7:40 AM

After reading the write-up on "Grass Conditions" and talking to the Pro at Clearbrook GC, my son and I decided to try it out.

Yes, the fairways/rough are cut to one (1) length which is about like the 1st cut on the rough or 7/8 length. The one nice thing about the longer grass is the ball does sit-up and there are no burn/brown spots anywhere. The fairways have good landing areas and being that the grass is the same, you relax a bit and just hit towards the center.

This Par 36/36 course plays from 6,803yd / 73 / 137 down to 4,520yd / 65.9 / 118 with the four (4) tee box selections. We mixed them up between Blue/White and played 6,455yds making some short Par 4's/5's better challenging lengths. Every tee box has a carry distance/placement plate that was very helpful on choosing your landing areas. I can't say enough of what that adds to 1st time players and speeding up pace of play in making decisions. Yardage sticks and sprinkler heads were easy to find wherever you landed, in the fairway. All sand bunkers were soft and recently fluffed as the ball settled the same when we landed in them. It seemed that every green had a trap in front with some a 2' - 4' lips to blast over and land on the quick rolling (9-10) smooth greens.

The front 9 was mostly open with no real forced carries that made your hands shake or second guess where you needed to land.

The back 9 is where things tighten up and making good landing choices can keep scores in check. Holes 10-13 are fairly normal layouts and then #14-18 the "Ravine" comes into play........and your head. We played them from the Blues today and should have moved up to the Whites on those last four (4) holes as it could have lowered my score by seven (7) shots. With the greens tucked behind at least a corner of the ravine requires full carry or OB awaits you, this I know on #16 and #18. If I play these holes again from the Blues, I'll play for bogie (Big Tip) and be happy.

We paid $32 18/cart and finished in 3.5hrs with the course was loaded up for a great rate on this good conditioned but challenging track. I ended up shooting 41/46 w/36putts and Barry having 47/47 w/36putts also on this sunny but windy morning.

The jury is still out on this one length grass cut (tee boxes too) for me, but it did keep the pace of play moving right along.

$31 (cart included), played on Wednesday, August 2014 at 2pm

Diamond Springs is one of my favorite courses and I have made the 30+ mile drive to it, at least 10 times, this year. Diamond Springs is a uniques Mike Devries layout, which accompanies two of his other great designs in West Michigan, The Mines and Pilgrims Run. One can see similarites in the designs of these 3 courses, but each has it's own identity and Diamond Springs may be the most unique of the 3 courses. Wide fairways with a minimum 1st cut rough, makes this course fair for all skill levels, and still delivers a great challenge for the more skilled player. Most of the tee boxes are built right into the fairways and pronounced with mounding, allowing one to drive right up next to their tee. The greens are true and usually in great condition, but sometimes a little shaggy. The bunkering is links style and fit nicely into the holes, only presenting a true challenge on several holes. The four par 5's are fair, with at least 2 of them being reachable in 2, for the long hitters. The final 3 holes are some of the hardest you will find in West Michigan and can remind one of the final 3 holes at Pilgrims Run, also 3 quite difficult holes. I am a big fan of this course and tranquility of the location. Good scores can be had if your game is on, but if it isn't, this course can be quite difficult.

$16 (cart included), played on Sunday, May 2014 at 2pm

Fun and challenging course in excellent condition. Loved the greens-- no flat surfaces and all ran true. Last three holes intimidating and required more accuracy than I could muster. Would definitely play again if break on rates like we got through group golfer.

$31 (cart included), played on Saturday, May 2011 at 6am

Good course, but a long drive.