GROSSE ILE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
🇺🇸 Grosse Ile, MI, USA
Designed by Donald Ross


Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club occupies a distinctive setting on Grosse Ile, the largest island in the Detroit River downstream from the city. The course was designed by Donald Ross and opened in the 1920s, part of the prolific architect's extensive portfolio of work throughout the Midwest. The island location provides a relatively flat terrain with mature tree-lined corridors, characteristic of parkland courses in southeastern Michigan. The routing takes advantage of the property's natural features while reflecting Ross's principles of strategic design, with greens that typically feature his signature crowned and subtly contoured surfaces.
The club serves as a traditional private country club for families on the island and from the surrounding Detroit area. Grosse Ile itself is a residential community connected to the mainland by bridge, and the club functions as a social and recreational center for its membership. The course layout moves through established neighborhoods of the island, with holes framed by hardwoods and offering a quiet, secluded atmosphere despite the proximity to metropolitan Detroit.
As with many Ross designs from this era, the course emphasizes precision over length, rewarding accurate iron play and thoughtful course management. The greens remain the primary defense, requiring careful attention to pin positions and approach angles. The club maintains its character as a classic American country club, balancing golf with family amenities and social traditions typical of private clubs established in the early twentieth century.
Reviews
Incredible piece of land and great routing to make the most of the two North-South valleys that run through most of the property. Greens are borderline crazy with today’s speeds but I think it’s part of the charm. Club is carts only before 3pm (which is criminal IMO).
Donald Ross layout. Tough greens but fairways are wide open.
FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Grosse Ile at Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club has a Course Vaults score of 7.7 out of 10 based on 8 explicit golfer ratings.
Grosse Ile was designed by Donald Ross.
Grosse Ile at Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Grosse Ile is 71.
Grosse Ile plays 6,828 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Grosse Ile is 130.