Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Sean_A on October 19, 2022, 10:41:46 AM
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Frankfort, Michigan is a soporific town set on the M-22 in the enviable location between Lakes Michigan, Crystal and Betsie. I guess the town’s main claim to fame is being the self-proclaimed gateway to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Shoreline; hence tourism is a mainstay of the local economy. A few miles to the north is the home of Crystal Downs Country Club. Like the surrounding area, the club is a low-key affair. There is a community of sorts around the club, but traditionally Crystal Downs has been a summer club for Chicagoans, Detroiters…folks from well south of Frankfort. The club was founded in 1927 and a 9-hole course was quickly arranged and opened in the same year. A main driver of the club, Walkley Ewing, soon realized that the hilly property over-looking two lakes had potential to be something out of the ordinary. He decided to contact Robert Hunter who suggested Dr Alister MacKenzie was a good architect and that it would be possible for him to stop by enroute to the east coast. On the trip to Frankfort, it became apparent to MacKenzie and his associate, Perry Maxwell, that much of the landscape they were travelling through was sandy and therefore suitable for golf. After viewing the property, the Good Doctor delayed his Atlantic crossing and immediately began designing a new course. It was agreed that Maxwell would return the following spring to oversee construction. Maxwell spent four summers on property, MacKenzie spent about 10 days…and he would never see the finished product. Crystal Downs feels very much like a collaboration of parts. Much of the compact front nine has a MacKenzie feel, while the spread-out back nine feels more like Maxwell’s work.
For many decades the course was benignly neglected, thus Crystal Downs was fairly well preserved over the years save for several new back tees (3, 6, 13 & 18). Although, in recent years T Doak has been tinkering here and there by expanding greens. Much like Pinehurst #2, in the past several decades top dressing has raised the height of greens perhaps as much as 12 inches. Therefore, the expanded green sections had to be raised to match the existing greens. Despite their reputation (rightfully earned I might add) as sometimes wildly sloped and contoured, there are only a few greens with more than five feet of fall from back to front. The 11th is a different matter. It is this hole which demonstrates that modern green speeds are not suitable for some classic courses such as Crystal Downs. This uphill par three has a three-tier green that required surgery to make the surface even remotely reasonable. Doak lowered the back of the green which makes it possible to stop downhill putts on the tiers. Even with the work, I am not convinced the green works well at the speed we played, which I doubt stimped more than 10. The 11th is the most obvious victim of overly speedy greens, but there are others. I reckon you must play to the front of 1 & 9 regardless of the hole location. There are a few other holes on the front nine where that strategy isn’t a bad play. The bottom line for me is the greens roll too quickly to be properly enjoyed. Scanning my memory, Merion is the only other course I played for which I thought this may be the case.
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The property is shaped like a pipe with the front nine being the pipe bowl. The back nine is the stem of the pipe. The entire property features dynamic land with sizable elevation changes, but it is the tightly bunched holes on the front which stick in the front of my mind. The variety of terrain and outstanding holes slammed into the first nine holes is dream-like golf and it is self-evident why many believe this to be one of the best nines in golf. Even with added tees the course measures less than 6600 yards, not that many should play that far back. I found the course plenty tough at 6300 yards. This difficulty is borne out on the opening hole, a 450 yard par 4 which I didn't reach with two good blows.
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The green doesn't look unreceptive, but this is one of six (1, 5, 9, 11, 13 & 16) openly tiered greens which can wreak havoc on a score if one swallows the aggression pill. Stay right for the approach!
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Just as on the first, one can blow a drive well right on 2. I wouldn't recommend this play, but a five can still be made from these areas.
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Its sounds like a broken record, but this green is savage despite appearances. Sitting well above the fairway, it is easy to hit approaches too deep and therefore the possibility of putting off the green is very real.
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Despite being upfront, the hole is in a thumbprint which is a relatively easy position on this section of the green.
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More to follow.
Ciao
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Sean:
Two notes worth noting:
1. Your pictures show new mowing lines on the course, which were incorporated just this year. There is a lot less native rough in some areas than before. Previously, for example, there was a swath of native between the combined fairway bunker on holes 1-2 and the fairway of the 2nd. The changes have not been without controversy at Crystal Downs; good players lament the course being made "easier".
2. Those back tees on 3, 6, and 18 have been there since before my time; I think they were put in back in the 1950's or 60's.
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Your pictures show new mowing lines on the course, which were incorporated just this year. There is a lot less native rough in some areas than before. Previously, for example, there was a swath of native between the combined fairway bunker on holes 1-2 and the fairway of the 2nd. The changes have not been without controversy at Crystal Downs; good players lament the course being made "easier".
Thanks for this, I thought I was taking crazy pills. I know it’s been 13 years(!), but in just a handful of photos the place looked markedly different than my memory.
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Sean,
Looking forward to following along. That corner of Northern Michigan, extending to the Leelanau Peninsula, is a special area.
Your pictures show new mowing lines on the course, which were incorporated just this year. There is a lot less native rough in some areas than before. Previously, for example, there was a swath of native between the combined fairway bunker on holes 1-2 and the fairway of the 2nd.
Interesting to hear about this change. I have heard that the native at CD can be as hazardous as Prairie Dunes's in regards to the slim odds of finding one's ball. Hopefully Tom can continue pointing out key mowing changes on holes going forward. Already that area dividing 1 and 2 is a dramatic difference.
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Sean:
Two notes worth noting:
1. Your pictures show new mowing lines on the course, which were incorporated just this year. There is a lot less native rough in some areas than before. Previously, for example, there was a swath of native between the combined fairway bunker on holes 1-2 and the fairway of the 2nd. The changes have not been without controversy at Crystal Downs; good players lament the course being made "easier".
2. Those back tees on 3, 6, and 18 have been there since before my time; I think they were put in back in the 1950's or 60's.
Thanks Tom. I recall you saying there are some new mowing lines. The tee shots on 1 & 2 are very inviting for two difficult holes.
CRYSTAL DOWNS TOUR CONT
A bit like the first two holes, the short third doesn't look harsh until trying to putt from the openly accessible right side of the green to the more protected left side. This photo was taken well in front of the tee.
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We climb to the green on the dogleg right 4th. Once again there is plenty of fairway.
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Successfully taking on the right fairway bunker off the tee will open the green. The right bunkers below blend well with the vegetation. After playing the 4th I noticed all the greens up to now moved toward the 8th fairway. I was on the lookout for future holes.
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While a good looking hole littered with the most bunkers on the course, the famous reverse camber 5th doesn't strike me as complicated for a golfer of my abilities...stay right. The Three Sisters lie in wait in the face of the fairway and register the extreme far left line for the tee shot. I suspect for good players the same motto of stay right isn't a bad plan even if that stay right may end up quite near the green. I was looking for the green to break toward the 8th, but the opposite is true. Right rear is the low end of the green and three bunkers on that side must receive plenty of action. Photo courtesy of Doc Hiseman.
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More to follow.
Ciao
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I agree with Tom about the mowing lines. I was fortunate to play there this summer and didn't recognize the place! They have taken all of the charm and bite out of the Downs in favor of less looking for balls and faster play. A huge mistake IMHO!
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I agree with Tom about the mowing lines. I was fortunate to play there this summer and didn't recognize the place! They have taken all of the charm and bite out of the Downs in favor of less looking for balls and faster play. A huge mistake IMHO!
Hard disagree -- I don't see how having weaker players lose balls and look in the native all days adds to the charm. I think #1-2 looks perfect.
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The day I played there was a Monday and the greens were not mowed that day. They seemed a perfect speed for the contours that day - difficult but I felt like I had a chance. I can only imagine those greens freshly mowed and rolled.
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It is too bad that Peter Pallotta has left the site, as CD was one of the (few, I think) top courses that he had the opportunity to play.
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While a good looking hole littered with the most bunkers on the course, the famous 5th didn't strike me as complicated for a golfer of my abilities...stay right. The Three Sisters lie in wait in the face of the fairway and register the extreme far left line for the tee shot. I suspect for good players the same motto of stay right isn't a bad plan even if that stay right is quite near the green. I was looking for the green to break toward the 8th, but opposite is true. Right rear is the low end of the green and three bunkers on that side must receive plenty of action. Photo courtesy of Doc Hiseman.
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Looking from above on Google Maps, it seems the optimal tee ball carries the left edge of the foregrounding tree. Or at minimum splits the difference between tree and beginning of three sisters?
The image of this tee view has always both fascinated and perplexed me, not unlike Cypress 18. Perhaps the connection is the small shock of needing to take on a tree as a strategic hazard, which isn't something you encounter much in 1920s design.
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Honest question, I genuinely appreciate the effort thus far:
I'm assuming that, like photos of Augusta and others, the topography is more dramatic in person than it appears in the photos. I know the photos I've taken of Oakmont pale in comparison to the actual experience.
Does anyone have any suggestions of how to better capture land movement? Hills? Green contours?
Apologies to the haters who will question why I simply don't get out there and experience it myself live..... :)
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It is too bad that Peter Pallotta has left the site, as CD was one of the (few, I think) top courses that he had the opportunity to play.
Pietro left?
Ciao
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It is too bad that Peter Pallotta has left the site, as CD was one of the (few, I think) top courses that he had the opportunity to play.
Pietro left?
Ciao
Same question.
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I had just noticed his "Guest" status the other day.
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Honest question, I genuinely appreciate the effort thus far:
I'm assuming that, like photos of Augusta and others, the topography is more dramatic in person than it appears in the photos. I know the photos I've taken of Oakmont pale in comparison to the actual experience.
Does anyone have any suggestions of how to better capture land movement? Hills? Green contours?
Apologies to the haters who will question why I simply don't get out there and experience it myself live..... :)
George,
IMO, this picture of #5 isn’t too bad in terms of topography.
As for Augusta, IMO it is really television much more than still photos that distort (meaning don’t capture) the topography.
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As for Augusta, IMO it is really television much more than still photos that distort (meaning don’t capture) the topography.
Most of the TV cameras are in towers. Look at Mount Everest from high enough and it will look like a molehill.
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As for Augusta, IMO it is really television much more than still photos that distort (meaning don’t capture) the topography.
Most of the TV cameras are in towers. Look at Mount Everest from high enough and it will look like a molehill.
Yes. The broadcasts haven’t changed much over the years in terms of displaying the golf course. Doubt Augusta has any interest in innovation to display topography better.
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CRYSTAL DOWNS TOUR CONT
The run of 5-7 is entertaining for a few reasons. There is great use of a ridge running through the three holes, which isn't surprising for Dr Mac. What is surprising is the use of trees on these holes. There are six principal trees which to a large extent define the strategy of the holes unless one can bomb the ball. We have seen the right tree on 5. There are three trees on 6; two left and one right. The right tree is particularly important because the fairway leans right. There is a decent chance of a play if the tree does cause problems, but it will usually take a good shot. The Scabs bunker is short of the tree. Somewhat similar to the Sisters on the 5th, I am not convinced the bunkers add much other than beauty. The tee is also cool, it is essentially formed from the high green surrounds of the 5th. I see this sort of design sometimes on old courses, I suspect modern archies think it is a bit dangerous.
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A look at the green from near the tree on the right. The green felt a bit different from the first five. At somewhere near 7500 sq ft, it is the largest green on the course and I detected a bit of Maxwell Rolls. I would like to spend time on this green.
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As this photo looking back to the tee indicates, it takes an exceptional drive to stay left.
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The 7th is a complicated hole. It is one of four half par 4s (5, 7, 15 & 17). The drive is blind between two trees, there are bunkers at the foot of the trees and the boomerang green has two bowls.
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On the drive you can lay back for a view of the green or risk bunkers and rough for a blind approach.
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More to follow.
Ciao
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Tom or Sean,
Are 7 and 8 mown similarly to 1 and 2 now as well? There looks to be more fairway, or at least less native, well left of the left approach tree on 7.
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Tom or Sean,
Are 7 and 8 mown similarly to 1 and 2 now as well? There looks to be more fairway, or at least less native, well left of the left approach tree on 7.
Michael
You will have to ask Tom, but it did feel like left of 7 and 8 were mowed a bit more than previously.
CRYSTAL DOWNS TOUR CONT
The par 5 big league 8th is fierce, formidable and fabulous. Even though the hole is not narrow, it seems like all three shots should be played for position. From the tee the hole looks obvious, but the convex land, uneven lies and uphill nature of the terrain conspire to encourage poor planning. Despite not looking as impressive as some earlier holes, in some ways the 8th is more so. Once again an important single tree is in play for some that venture right on the tee shot.
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The terrain is used exceedingly well.
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An uphill approach off an uphill lie can quickly lead to bogey country.
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There is the famous story of Maxwell going to town to buy provisions while MacKenzie stayed behind to resolve the front nine while being somewhat in his cups. Maxwell returned to find the routing was complete, but noticed there were only eight holes. Maxwell then decided that there should be a green for a par three just below where they were sitting. The hole plays maybe 10 yards uphill along a ridge spine and it is most intimidating. The green is crazily sloped toward the 8th fairway; see 1- 4, 6 and parts of 7 & 8. I had a 10 foot uphill putt toward the pro shop. The hole location was front middle. The putt rolled back to a pocket where the hole was! I don't recall ever seeing that before where it wasn't dead obvious this would happen. I am still stunned by what happened. While very different holes, the strategy is similar to the 5th at the Sacred 9. Play to the front of the green, short is fine.
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An old photo courtesy of Josh Bills.
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A view of the 9th toward Crystal Lake. Photo courtesy of Doc Hiseman.
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More to follow.
Ciao
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5 to 8 is undoubtedly the centrepiece of the course.
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Good to see that Doc is finding the fairways!
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Honest question, I genuinely appreciate the effort thus far:
I'm assuming that, like photos of Augusta and others, the topography is more dramatic in person than it appears in the photos. I know the photos I've taken of Oakmont pale in comparison to the actual experience.
Does anyone have any suggestions of how to better capture land movement? Hills? Green contours?
Apologies to the haters who will question why I simply don't get out there and experience it myself live..... :)
I've found that a longer focal length lens (85mm+), a larger sensor camera, and shadows do the most for capturing the course as we see it in person. An iPhone can capture photos that tell the true story of the land, but it's much harder to achieve.
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Enjoying the tour, Sean. Thank you.
Curious on the new mowing lines. Was the decision to mow down some of the natives due to pace of play (as noted) or was it restorative in nature?
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They have taken all of the charm and bite out of the Downs in favor of less looking for balls and faster play. A huge mistake IMHO!
If Crystal Downs relied on tall rough to supply its charm, it didn't have much to begin with! Fortunately that is not the case.
Surely you don't think golf is better with slower play and looking for balls?? Especially on the first two holes of the round.
Here's what the rough looked like back in 2008.
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CRYSTAL DOWNS TOUR CONT
With the knowledge that we just played one of the the monumental nines of golf, the back nine beckons. As can be seen on the map above, the walk is far more awkward and tiresome than is the case on the front nine. I do wonder if the entire back nine is routed around 13-15. These holes are not only the furthest extent of the course, but also the best stretch of golf on the back nine. Similar to 1, the 10th is a downhill drive which takes some placement to approach the green. Whatever mistakes are made, don't go above the hole. Despite having a straight uphill line to the hole, I completely failed to see the severity of this green. And yes, the green breaks toward the 8th . The 11th was briefly mentioned earlier. An overly severe short hole which is still a head scratcher. I watched and listened to the architects talk and play the hole. I don't exactly dislike the 11th, but I don't think it is worth the harsh hike over a hill from the 10th. This is one of four poor walks on the back nine which demonstrates the difficulty of the terrain. There are long walks to 12, 17 and the proshop as well.
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Behind the green.
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Below is a sketch of the green courtesy of Josh Bills. I don't know if the hole was built to this spec. The hole doesn't feel like a diagonal play over bunkers or grass hollows. That may be partly because the obvious impact of sand isn't there. The green definitely has diagonal orientation with three tiers, but it seems de-emphasized compared to the sketch.
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The 12th was having some work done to the watering system so we played a shortened version. However, I did note yet another lone tree dictating play....ya have to stay right. However, I believe this beech tree is scheduled for removal. Not an attractive hole, but the green running away from play is demanding. The back nine purple patch starts on 13. The fairway is banked on the left which jumps a fade well up the hole. Any length advantage to help cope with this green is most welcome. I played a set of tees too far back and was consistently approaching these exacting greens with fairway metals in hand...not a recipe for success.
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There is a nasty hidden greenside bunker on the left.
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With the hole up front as shown it is almost worth taking the chance of leaving an approach short rather than going long. However, if the hole is near the back, its fine to hit deep into the green. This is a remarkable green which defies description.
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Looking toward the tee.
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More to follow.
Ciao
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CRYSTAL DOWNS TOUR CONT
The seven bunkers give an impression of a very difficult hole. Despite appearances the short 14th is a bit of a breather when compared to the other par 3s. I would like to see trees cleared out to make the hole feel more open and connect the hole to the lovely views toward Sleeping Bear Dunes in the far distance.
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A sketch of the green. Again, I don't know if the green was built to this spec.
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The last of the really good holes on the back nine, #15 features the smallest green on the course and it is raised. There is a rise in the fairway which if carried makes the approach far easier. The bunkers create an odd impression of a funneling effect on this hole.
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A visually non-descript hole, the 16th is a slog par five with yet another cool green. A long walk ensues to reach the barmy 17th. This is the sort of Spion Kop hole I would expect to find on a backwater British course. That is an intended half compliment! Because of the trees, I don't care for this short and brutal two-shotter, yet it deserves respect.
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A sweeping par 4 which reminds me of Wallasey's 17th completes the round. Cutting the corner is tempting, but there isn't much to gain considering the risk. The house is top right. I regret of failing to check it out.
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It looks more dangerous, but staying right may be the better play. The green leans harshly left.
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The long walk back to the proshop for some lemonade was well in order; Crystal Downs is a tough walk! While relaxing with a view of the 10th I couldn't help but to think about a few things. First, the set of greens I just played. Ok, they ran too fast on the day, but that maintenance mishap doesn't detract from their brilliance...and I say brilliance to mainly mean fun to putt. Second, I was taken aback at the disparity of styles and quality of the nines. I don't believe I am unusual in thinking the front nine is much the superior side of golf. If I was a member I could easily see myself playing the front nine on its own quite a bit. Third, the number of holes which feature one or a few trees as critical to the design is highly satisfying. I don't recall playing a course which heavily relies on this type of architecture as does Crystal Downs. Fourth, the relaxed atmosphere of the club is very infectious. There is no awkwardness for guests or caddie requirements. That said, it was probably the case that our host fostered this feeling for the day. Fifth, it is often said, but rarely true, Crystal Downs would take a great many plays to learn the course. The greens are complex, but so too is much of the terrain. Finally, the front side could well be the best nine hole course on the planet. I can easily imagine the front nine and proshop as a perfect day.
Maybe one day I will make it back, it only took 45 years to see Crystal Downs a second time. 1* 2022
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Ciao
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Maxwell did not follow the sketches for the greens on the back nine; Mackenzie did not come back to see that side being built. Maybe he should have followed more closely for 11 as the never-built bunkers on the right would have kept some putts on the green!
There is almost enough space on the walk-off from 14 green for the left lobe of green in the drawing, but I’m pretty sure it was never green there, or else it was abandoned very quickly. I can’t image building up the backs of bunkers behind the green, though. Those drawings almost look like they were meant for a different course.
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Sean,
I’m curious if that player in the bunker on 13 got up and down. Reason being, that appears to be the same player I saw get up and down from the bunker on 9. Surely two of the hardest green side bunker shots on the golf course. Particularly at the speeds you played.
Also, I think I disagree with your characterization of 16 as a slog of a par five. If the hole came midway through the front 9, no one would say that about it. They’d just say it’s a stiff three-shotter. Maybe sometimes it’s okay to ask golfers to “do work”.
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Sean,
I’m curious if that player in the bunker on 13 got up and down. Reason being, that appears to be the same player I saw get up and down from the bunker on 9. Surely two of the hardest green side bunker shots on the golf course. Particularly at the speeds you played.
Also, I think I disagree with your characterization of 16 as a slog of a par five. If the hole came midway through the front 9, no one would say that about it. They’d just say it’s a stiff three-shotter. Maybe sometimes it’s okay to ask golfers to “do work”.
To the pin position of the day, it was almost impossible to keep that bunker shot on the green, let alone get it up and down.
I didn’t think 16 was a slog either. It had the characteristics and topography of a Surrey heathland course for me. A fairly simple looking hole to cover ground until the last 75 yards which housed a beautiful green site.
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Maybe slog is too harsh. Its just that the very uphill 8th didn't feel that way at all and it probably played just as long. 16 & 12 struck me as very average holes, except for the greens, to cover a corridor of very average land. Nothing to write home about, especially relative to many other CD holes.
Tom
Thanks. I didn't think those sketches were too similar to what is the in the ground.
Ciao
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Maybe slog is too harsh. Its just that the very uphill 8th didn't feel that way at all and it probably played just as long. 16 & 12 struck me as very average holes, except for the greens, to cover a corridor of very average land. Nothing to write home about, especially relative to many othe CD holes.
Tom
Thanks. I didn't think those sketches were too similar to what is the in the ground.
Ciao
I agree with that a bit more Sean. If holes like 16 at CD need to be critiqued a negatively for their individual qualities, we should shine that light on other par 5’s that do the same. I view this hole the same as the escalator three-shotters at Friars Head of Tom’s plain-crossing par 5’s at Pacific Dunes. That’s a shallow comparison. But in the context of routing, they do the same thing.
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I am one that likes 16 and really likes 17. It takes a couple of plays to know where to hit your tee ball on 17. I have hit everything from driver to 5 iron. I like the driver and if the pin is left hit the tee ball to the right side of the fairway.
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Terrific tour, Sean, with helpful additional info from Tom D.
The MacKenzie drawings are, unsurprisingly, beautiful. While I do think Maxwell created better greens than Robert Hunter, it's hard to not wish a club like CD could have trademark MacKenzie style bunkers to go with its terrific layout!
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Terrific tour, Sean, with helpful additional info from Tom D.
The MacKenzie drawings are, unsurprisingly, beautiful. While I do think Maxwell created better greens than Robert Hunter, it's hard to not wish a club like CD could have trademark MacKenzie style bunkers to go with its terrific layout!
You are welcome Michael. Incidentally, I was thinking Maxwell bunkers similar to Old Town might be just the ticket for Crystal Downs. The current bunkers with flare remind me of Old Town.
Ciao
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Actually Maxwell’s bunkers were mostly pretty plain looking. I have not seen the restoration of Old Town, but if the bunkers are really pretty, that might be Bill Coore’s work, not Maxwell’s.
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Actually Maxwell’s bunkers were mostly pretty plain looking. I have not seen the restoration of Old Town, but if the bunkers are really pretty, that might be Bill Coore’s work, not Maxwell’s.
Tom
It was my understanding that D White iii found some photos of lovely bunkers at Old Town and they were used as models. He noted that perhaps the bunkering was unusual for Maxwell. But I could be wrong, it's been a while since I last saw Old Town.
Ciao
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An old photo from near the same spot courtesy of Josh Bills.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52455783421_9dc40502f4_b.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52455783421_9dc40502f4_b.jpg)
Thanks for the great tour around my old stomping grounds. I hadn't seen this photo before, which I appreciate your sharing, but I just wanted to chime in with a quick correction that this is a photo taken from the location of the golf shop overlooking the 9th green in the foreground - not the 2nd, which would be hidden out of frame to the right of this photo.
I once spent an hour on the 9th green at the end of a picture perfect day hitting putts from all sorts of directions to a front-center hole location. The last 20 minutes or so was reserved for 60-foot putts from the back shelf, and I didn't leave until I'd made one careening in from the left fringe (working back toward the tee), another straight-on, and a final putt up and off the right shoulder. Most misses for the straight-on attempt ended up several feet off the green into the front fringe. It is simply too much fun, and my absolute favorite golf course.