St. Ives Golf Course
Discover a course that has been crafted from the dramatic glacier-carved landscape of Michigan. Flawlessly combining mystic woodlands, sprawling wetlands, and rugged highlands, spectacular distractions are just par for the course at St. Ives.
Designed by the legendary Michigan golf course architect Jerry Matthews, many consider St. Ives to be his best work. Since opening in 1995, St. Ives has received many awards and accolades including being named among the Top 10 courses in America for women by Golf for Women magazine. Golf Digest has also awarded St. Ives with a prestigious 5-star rating.
The most exciting hole of this par-72 course is arguably the par 4, 14th hole. A straight and accurate tee shot is essential to hit the narrow landing pad. Then to get to the green, a lengthy carry over wetlands is the key to even coming close to par.
The dynamic nature of this course ensures you’ll discover something new each and every time you play it.
St. Ives Practice Facilities
Warm up on the spacious driving range before stepping up to the challenge offered by St. Ives. The driving range can accommodate up to 15 golfers, while a separate practice area for chipping and putting provides opportunity to work on your all-important short game.
Architect
Jerry Matthews is the mastermind who carved the St. Ives course out of glacial till into such an outstanding golf experience with its scenic vistas and dramatic elevation changes of 40 to 80 feet. A past president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, he has more than 40 years of experience in designing and remodeling golf courses. He teamed up with his renowned father in 1960 to form the design firm of Bruce W. Matthews & Son.
Besides designing courses, Jerry Matthews has taught course design and construction at Michigan State University where he earned two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s in urban planning. Over the years he gained recognition and reaped major attention from such national publications as Golf Digest and in 2005 he was elected to the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame. In that same year he received the W. Bruce Matthews Lifetime Achievement Award from the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association and was elected as a Fellow to the American Society of Golf Course Architects.
He is also the author of numerous articles on course design and is renowned for his ability to blend beautiful natural surroundings with his layouts – St. Ives is a perfect example of his skill as a professional golf course designer.
Pro Pointers: Hole By Hole
#1 First of all, enjoy the view of Lake Mecosta. The ideal drive is to aim at the bunker and keep your ball on the top level. Distances to the bunker: Black tee-247 yards, Blue tee-227 yards, White tee-208 yards, Gold tee-163 yards. Your second shot plays 10 yards shorter due to the elevation drop. Be sure to check the wind. Par is a great start on this Par4.
#2 What a Par 3! Believe the yardage and make sure to check the wind and hole location.
#3 When you arrive at the tee take a look back and enjoy the view. The tee shot requires accuracy, not distance. To the fairway bunker form the Black tee is 285-yards, Blue tee-274, White tee-208 yards, and Golf tee-156 yards. Your second shot is to an elevated green that will require one more club. Be sure to enjoy the view looking back.
#4 This is a three shot Par 5. The importance is the positioning of your second shot. If you so not try to get home in two, be sure to leave about 75 yards or more for your approach to this elevated green.
#5 This Par 4 is not long, but can be challenging. To get to the bend form the Black tee is 230 yards, Blue tee-202 yards, White tee-180 yards, and Gold tees-135 yards. Favor the left side of the fairway, it will allow an open view of the green.
#6 A beautiful straight away Par 4. The big hitters can reach the bunkers near the green. The left side of the fairway is the best side to come in from regardless of the hole location.
#7 This Par 5 is a dogleg left. The long hitter can take a chance and hit it over the hill, which requires a big draw or hook. To carry the hill from the Black tee is 260 yards, Blue tee-248 yards, White tee-222 yards, and Gold tee-170 yards. To keep the ball on top of the hill you can hit your tee shot up to 235 yards from the Black tee, 223 yards from the Blue, 196 yards from the White, and 144 yards from the Gold tee. To carry your second shot from the top of the hill to the next landing area is 185 yards. This elevated green requires one extra club to reach.
#8 This downhill tee shot plays 5 yards shorter and is a personal favorite.
#9 This Par 4 is unique in that you can play it three ways. You can play to the first landing area, which is 200 yards from the Black tee, 233 yards from the Blue tee, 130 yards from the White tee, and 65 yards from the White tee, and 125 yards from the Gold tee. Second, you can try to hit the tee shot up the narrow gap. Third, you can carry the corner which is 254 yards from the Black tee, 220 yards from the Blue tee, 185 yards from the White tee, and 125 yards from the Gold tee.
#10 This dogleg left is a nice start to the inward nine. The ideal shot is to aim your tee shot between the bunkers. It is 255, 247,218 and 187 yards away from their respective tees to the right bunker. The shot you want is 225, 215, 190 and 160 yards to the flat area. The second shot is to an elevated green, be cautious that you do not go long.
#11 This hole is a Par 5 that has a slight dogleg to the right. For those of you who wish to try to hit the green in two, your tee shot needs to favor the left side of the fairway. To the fairway bunker from the tee is 217, 257, 234 and 186 yards, respectively. From the back of the fairway bunker to the center of the green is 221 yards. Be aware of the flag position due to the green being 49 yards deep.
#12 This is a straight away Par 4. Your second shot plays longer due to being uphill.
#13 Wind direction is the key to success on this Par 3. Make note of the hazard that is behind the left portion of the green. The green is 30 yards deep.
#14 A hole that is challenging and beautiful. A straight drive is required; it is 264 yards to the wetlands from the Black tee, Blue tee-235, White tee-198, and 151 yards from the Gold tee. The second shot is to an elevated green which requires one more club. If the green cannot be reached there is a landing area to the right of the wetlands.
#15 Risk vs. Reward describes this tee shot no matter what tees you play form. To carry the hazard to the right side of the fairway is 195 yards from the Black tee, Blue tee-175, White tee-135 and 60 yards from the Gold tee. To hit the shot 40 feet right of the tree, the carry is 219, 196, 157, and 94 yards from the respective tee.
#16 A spectacular Par 3. If you are playing from the elevated tee, the hole plays about 5 yards shorter due to the elevation. Wind direction is the key of this hole.
#17 This is a beautifully sculpted Par 5, it will rival Par 5’s anywhere. It is a fair challenge for any player regardless of what their handicap may be. There is plenty of landing area on the tee shot despite the way it appears. A true three shot hole, so place your second shot correctly. The third short plays into a very large green even though it looks small from the fairway.
#18 Shot some strength for this Par 4. The hole requires two very solid shots to an elevated green. The fairway narrows and moves to the right; be aware of this on your tee shot.
When finished with your round, enjoy a beverage and a meal at the St. Ives Grille or on the Patio. Our award winning golf shop offers you the opportunity to purchase clothing needs. Golf Shop: (800) 972-4837 Ext. 226