Southfield's Best Golf Course

I’m not good at golf, but I am good at forming strong opinions about places where I embarrass myself. Southfield has more fairways and sand traps than you’d expect for a suburb that’s mostly office parks and coney islands, and I’ve walked enough of them to know which ones deserve your Saturday.

The range here runs from a Pete Dye-designed private club where the lunch alone is worth the schlep to a fifteen-dollar nine-holer where a deer outdrove me. I also know where to find a wrist brace before you swing.

Trust me. Here’s where to tee it up.

Evergreen Hills Golf Course

Highlights
Staff friendly and professional
Great nine-hole golf experience
Course great for iron practice
Beloved by regulars and God
Always accommodating and helpful

Evergreen Hills is the kind of place where I feel like a regular even though I've only been three times. The staff remembers my name, which is either impressive or a sign I need to get out more. It's a nine-hole course that rewards precision over power, so my iron game gets a workout while my driver stays lonely in the bag. The regulars here are devoted, and I get it. The vibe is welcoming, and everyone seems to be having a genuinely good time. If you're looking to practice your approach shots without the pressure of a big course, this is your spot. I left with a smile and a slightly better short game. That's a win in my book.

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Plum Hollow Country Club

Highlights
Beautiful, challenging course conditions
Friendly, accommodating staff
Safe, memorable event venue
Great all-around golf experience

Plum Hollow Country Club surprised me in the best way. The course conditions are beautiful and challenging, which is a rare combination in my experience. I'm used to courses that give you one or the other. The staff was friendly and accommodating from the moment I walked in, which set a positive tone. I played a full round and found the layout demanding but fair. The greens rolled true, and the fairways were in great shape. I also noticed the facilities feel safe and well-kept, making it a memorable venue for events. For an all-around golf experience, this place delivers. I'd be happy to come back, even if just to see if I can finally break 90.

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Glen Oaks Golf Course

Highlights
Well-maintained fairways and greens
Excellent customer service from staff
On-site restaurant and pro shop
Engaging challenge with sand bunkers
Prime Metro Detroit location

Glen Oaks Golf Course is a solid choice for a round in Metro Detroit. The fairways and greens are well kept, which is always a relief. I hit a few wayward shots into the sand bunkers, and they were challenging but fair. The staff provides excellent customer service, so I never felt lost. They have an on-site restaurant and pro shop, which is convenient if you need a quick snack or forgot your tees. The location is prime for getting there from most parts of the area. I had a good time, even with the extra sand in my shoes. It's not the most exciting course, but it's dependable. Sometimes that's exactly what I need.

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Beech Woods Driving Range

Highlights
Early bird gets quiet tees
Perfect for Saturday mornings
Bring your own wrist relief

Beech Woods Driving Range is where I go when I need to clear my head. The early bird gets the quiet tees, which is my favorite perk. I showed up on a Saturday morning, and it was just me and the sound of golf balls flying. It's perfect for that kind of solo practice session. I brought my own wrist brace, though, because my swing is not what it used to be. The range is simple and functional. You hit balls, you leave. That's it. But sometimes that's all I want. No pressure, no crowds, just me and my flaws. I'll be back next weekend, same time, same wrist brace.

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Lincoln Hills Golf Course

Highlights
Friendly staff and members
Great small course
My happy place
Easy to enjoy

Lincoln Hills Golf Course is my happy place. I know that sounds sentimental, but it's true. The course is small, but that's part of its charm. The staff and members are friendly, and I always run into someone who nods hello. It's easy to enjoy because the pace is relaxed and the expectations are low. I'm not going to shoot a career-low score here, but that's not the point. The point is to walk nine holes, feel the sun, and forget about my inbox for a few hours. Lincoln Hills delivers on that every single time. I leave feeling lighter, even if my scorecard is heavier.

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Springdale Golf Course

Highlights
Tiny but well shaded
Enthusiastic golfers and walkers
Hills, creeks, wildlife included
Cheap at fifteen dollars
Great for limited clubs

Springdale Golf Course is tiny, but it's full of personality. For fifteen dollars, you get a shaded, walkable course with hills, creeks, and plenty of wildlife. I saw a deer on the third hole, which was more exciting than my birdie attempt. The golfers here are enthusiastic, and everyone walks, which is refreshing. The course is great if you only have a few clubs in the bag, like me. I didn't need my driver once. The hills will get your heart rate up, and the creeks will test your nerve. It's quirky and cheap, and I love it for that. I'll be back with a water bottle and a positive attitude.

Glen Oaks Country Club

Highlights
Staff handled emergencies with grace
Flexible DIY venue for weddings
Full weekend venue access included
Beautiful festive holiday decorations
Attentive, caring, professional team

Glen Oaks Country Club is more than just a golf course, as I discovered when I attended a wedding there. The staff handled a small emergency with such grace that I was genuinely impressed. The venue is flexible for DIY decorations, which the couple appreciated. We had full weekend access, so the celebration felt unhurried. The holiday decorations were beautiful and festive, adding a warm touch. The team was attentive, caring, and professional throughout. While I didn't play golf that day, the experience left me with a positive impression of the entire club. If their events are this well managed, I'd trust their course too. Maybe I'll come back for a round and see if it holds up.

Warren Valley Golf Course

Highlights
Avoid until maintenance improves
Overpriced for current conditions
Pace of play is slow
Book elsewhere in Southfield

I wish I could say something nice about Warren Valley Golf Course, but I can't. The conditions have gone downhill, and the maintenance seems to be lacking. I paid more than I should have for what I got, which was slow play and bumpy fairways. The pace of play was atrocious. I spent more time waiting than swinging, and that's not a good use of my Saturday. I'd rather drive a little extra to a better course in Southfield. This one is a pass for me until they fix things up. I'm not holding my breath, but I'll check back someday. Until then, I'll take my money elsewhere.

Franklin Hills Country Club

Highlights
Impeccable grounds and clubhouse
Attentive, friendly staff service
Exceptional event food quality
Luxurious, spacious locker rooms
Quick, professional event setup

Franklin Hills Country Club is the kind of place where I feel underdressed even in my best polo. The grounds are impeccable, and the clubhouse is stunning. The staff is attentive and friendly, which made me feel welcome despite my lack of status. I attended an event here, and the food was exceptional. I'm not easy to please, but they nailed it. The locker rooms are spacious and luxurious, and the event setup was quick and professional. Everything runs like clockwork. I didn't play golf, but I'd love to. If the course matches the clubhouse, it's probably a masterpiece. I'll just need to find a member to vouch for my swing.

Red Oaks Golf Course

Highlights
Well-maintained nine-hole layout
Friendly, efficient staff
Flat, walkable course
Comfortable pace of play
Easy access in Madison Heights

Red Oaks Golf Course is a reliable nine-hole option in Madison Heights. The layout is flat and walkable, which I appreciate after a long week. The course is well maintained, and the staff is friendly and efficient. I didn't have to wait long to tee off, and the pace of play was comfortable, not rushed. It's easy to get to, which makes it a convenient choice for a quick round. I played with a buddy, and we finished in good time, leaving us plenty of energy for lunch. It's not the most challenging course, but it's solid. Sometimes that's all you need on a Sunday morning. I'll be back.

Plum Brook Golf Club

Highlights
Great greens, wonderful staff
Historic early 1900s layout
Best in southeastern Michigan
Tight, old-school challenge
Worth a yearly visit

Plum Brook Golf Club is a gem that I almost missed. The course dates back to the early 1900s, and you can feel that history in every tight fairway and cleverly placed bunker. It's a tough, old-school challenge that requires strategy more than raw distance. My driver stayed in the bag more often than I'd like to admit, but that's okay. The greens are great, and the staff is wonderful, making the whole experience feel special. I've played a lot of courses in southeastern Michigan, and this one stands out as the best. It's worth making the trip at least once a year. I'm already planning my next visit, even if my scorecard says otherwise.

Wabeek Club

Highlights
Pete Dye and Nicklaus design
Impeccably maintained fairways and greens
Top-notch staff and service
Outstanding on-site restaurant dining
Exclusive private club atmosphere

Wabeek Club is the private course I dream about. Designed by Pete Dye and Nicklaus, the layout is both demanding and beautiful. The fairways and greens are maintained to perfection, which makes my mediocre shots look better than they should. The staff is top-notch, and the service is attentive without being intrusive. After my round, I had lunch at the on-site restaurant, and the food was outstanding. The whole place feels exclusive, but in a welcoming way, not a snooty one. It's the kind of club where you could relax for hours. I don't have a membership, but I'd love to find a friend who does. My game might not be worthy, but my appetite certainly is.