Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club

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.