Hawk Hollow Golf Club in Bath plays second fiddle to nobody in mid-Michigan
BATH, Mich. -- Think of Hawk Hollow Golf Club this way: Typically, when a new baby arrives, he or she gets all the attention and becomes the darling of the family. Hawk Hollow is that overlooked older sibling.
Eagle Eye Golf Club across the street, which opened in 2003, certainly deserves all its rankings and high praise. Even so, there's no reason that Hawk Hollow -- which opened its original 18 holes in 1996 and another nine several years later -- takes a back seat.
The only thing Hawk Hollow doesn't have is a famous replica hole (an island green at Eagle Eye mimics the 17th hole of the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Florida). Otherwise, Hawk Hollow, a water-logged Jerry Matthews design, lines up one fun challenge after another.
All four par 3s are an aquaphobe's worst nightmare. The finishing par 4s on the first and second nines tests both nerves and skill. Only big hitters should try to carry the pond on the ninth hole. The 18th fairway pinches tight with a bunker left and Hawk Lake all along the right side. Don't attempt any hero shot from the thick, juicy rough.
Golf Advisor user "cstiff" is one of many players who rate Hawk Hollow Golf Club five stars. He wrote: "(I) love the view, the area, gorgeous course! Absolutely the best maintained course around the area. I can't say enough good things about the course."
![The final hole at Hawk Hollow Golf Club wraps dramatically around Hawk Lake.](/departments/photo-galleries/images/small/58781.jpg)
![The first hole at Hawk Hollow Golf Club eases players into the round with a solid par 4.](/departments/photo-galleries/images/small/58782.jpg)
![The pond on the par-3 seventh hole at Hawk Hollow Golf Club seems to swallow more balls than it should.](/departments/photo-galleries/images/small/58783.jpg)
![Only the big hitters can carry the lake on the ninth tee at Hawk Hollow Golf Club in Bath, Mich.](/departments/photo-galleries/images/small/58785.jpg)
![Water protects the 10th green at Hawk Hollow Golf Club in Bath, Michigan.](/departments/photo-galleries/images/small/58787.jpg)
![If you play the tips on the par-3 12th hole at Hawk Hollow Golf Club, there's a 233-yard shot over water waiting for you.](/departments/photo-galleries/images/small/58788.jpg)
![Hawk Hollow Golf Club's 13th hole, a long par 5, plays over wetland, leading to a green guarded by more water.](/departments/photo-galleries/images/small/58789.jpg)
![If you can avoid the water, the par-5 15th hole at Hawk Hollow Golf Club might offer a shot at birdie.](/departments/photo-galleries/images/small/58790.jpg)
- Destination Guide: Plan and book your southeast Michigan golf with MichiganGolf.com
- Head to the middle of Michigan's mitten for great golf at Eagle Eye and Hawk Hollow