Briar Ridge Golf Course Review

Briar Ridge Golf Course
Montrose, Michigan
Grade: B-
Teacher Comments: Great value. Design makes the most of the flat landscape.

Briar Ridge falls into the category of agricultural lands common in central Michigan. It is flat, mostly open, and runs around several large ponds and streams that I imagine were once part of a drainage or irrigation system.

I’m having a hard time determining where the ridge is in ‘Briar Ridge’ because it’s as flat a course as I’ve encountered in Michigan. That said, architect Joe Roeske (Roeski?) did a good job of integrating the natural features present to create a trail that piqued my interest.

Sixteen of the holes at Briar Ridge include the property’s ponds and streams. Four had a short carry off the tee, but had tees on the opposite side for slower swingers. Five of them had small streams/ditches crossing the channel at points. A good tee shot and/or a solid second takes these out of play. At worst, a top tee shot would force a decision between a practical layup in front or a brave shot across.

I found the most interesting holes featured the ponds on the edges, which creep in and out to shape the fairways.

Four is a dogleg with water flowing down the inside left side. Eight has an interesting dogleg around a pond – it’s possible to go too far left and lose a ball, as I discovered. I wouldn’t make that mistake on a second playthrough. The water is closer to that side than it looks.

Elf’s fairway is pinched by water in two places on the left. Fifteen has water to the right of the green, which also appears to the left of eleven green.

And so it goes.

Adding to the interest, especially on the difficult open holes, are fairway bunkers, mounding and elevated greens.

The rear of the property has a number of beautifully wooded holes, particularly two, three and fourteen.

That said, I preferred the more open, lefty holes, with their mounds, bunkers and winding lines.

My favorite hole was the par four sixth. It starts in a wooded alcove and then opens up as it curves to the right around a pond. The left side has a low ridge (is this the eponymous “Briar Ridge”? I doubt it) that runs the length of the hole, starting open and ending with a stand of trees near the green.

A fairway bunker on the left is located approximately 180 yards from the tee.

One of the course’s many drainage creeks/ditches surrounds the fairway a hundred yards from the elevated green. It shouldn’t cause any problems, but leaves something else to think about.

The pond on the left should only come into play with large slicers, but again, it was something to think about.

The only downside to this hole for me was that the cart path across the creek was an ugly, hard-packed dirt that I initially mistook for a bunker.

From the back tees, Briar Ridge plays to a very respectable 6,695 yards. I thought it was an interesting and honest course.

The conditions on the day I played – in full autumn color towards the end of the season – were really good. Other than my home course, Washtenaw Golf Club, this was the best conditioned course I played at the end of 2025.

Briar Ridge gets good marks for an enjoyable and interesting golf experience at a fair price. I paid $25 to walk; A cart costs $10 more.

I will note that I played the back nine first because the pro sent me there to avoid a reportedly slower group at the front. This is always a much appreciated gesture and a sign that the professional knows his regular customers and his course. I finished the back nine without a break, was graciously allowed to jump for a foursome on the first and finished without waiting.

I imagine Briar Ridge gets a lot of play from the locals, and like many small town courses I’ve played in Michigan, I think they’re lucky to have it. Since it’s not far from I75, it wouldn’t be too hard to convince me to play it again.

The Briar Ridge Golf Course Review was published on February 12, 2026 from notes and photographs taken during a round played in the fall of 2025. Follow the link for a list of all of GolfBlogger’s golf course reviews.

Below is a photo tour of Briar Ridge Golf Course:

Related