Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Oakland Hills South is a course that commands respect—restored to its roots, yet unflinching in championship rigor. Expect a historic Michigan setting built for legendary shot-making and a demanding walk among the game’s most storied green complexes.
Oakland Hills South is the archetype of American championship golf, combining Donald Ross’s genius for routing and strategic variety with the muscular challenge tailored by Robert Trent Jones and modern refinement from Gil Hanse. Every hole appears simple until the player confronts the actual shot—creeks snake, bunkers threaten, and the greens loom as works of art and defense. The recent Hanse-led restoration brought back the elegant lines, risk/reward creeks, and the fiercely contoured green complexes that demand the right angle as much as the perfect strike, creating a continuous mental and physical challenge. The overall feel is one of historic gravitas where every decision, from opening drive to closing putt, matters.
Donald Ross’s vision is fundamental, but the course’s modern identity owes much to Robert Trent Jones and Gil Hanse, whose hands have kept The Monster at the cutting edge of major golf.
A true championship risk/reward par 5, the 2nd winds with subtle movement and a green complex loaded with internal contours. Attacking in two is enticing but unforgiving.
Choose angle over brute force; play to your preferred yardage for the best approach.
Anything short or on the wrong side leaves a cruel recovery; bunkers and slick contours punish greed.
Championship manicured fairways, fast yet fair greens, and major-level bunkering throughout the season.
Serious, focused, and not for dawdlers; efficient pace maintained under private-club expectations.
Historic, polished, and steeped in championship tradition—great seriousness, with a touch of reverence.
Traditional private club standards—collared shirts, no denim, and classic attire required.
Practice controlling ball flight and distance—these greens demand pinpoint approaches from the correct angles.
Spend time on speed putting and breaking reads—expect quick surfaces with major slopes.
The course is best experienced on foot, but the terrain will test your stamina; caddies recommended.
Study yardages and strategic hole shapes—local knowledge is a huge advantage at Oakland Hills.
South Course opens, designed by Donald Ross
Hosts Western Open, its first national championship
Robert Trent Jones modernizes course; Ben Hogan dubs it 'The Monster' after U.S. Open win
Rees Jones renovates for PGA Championship
Hosts U.S. Amateur, last major before restoration
The South Course’s enduring nickname, 'The Monster,' was coined by Ben Hogan after his grueling victory in the 1951 U.S. Open. Hogan’s win cemented both his legend and the course’s reputation as one of golf’s most fearsome championship tests.
When first viewing the land, Donald Ross is said to have declared, 'The Lord intended this for a golf course.' His reverence shaped every hole, especially the revered stretch at 10 and 11, which he called his finest work.
Gil Hanse’s recent restoration peeled back decades of change, reviving graceful lines, restored creeks, and classic Ross strategies while maintaining championship teeth. The result is a masterful reinvention of a true major venue, ready for a new era.
Major champions Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and more have battled at Oakland Hills, adding to the rich tapestry of moments and memories found in every corner of the South Course.
Ben Hogan’s 1951 U.S. Open win pioneered the phrase 'The Monster' after a single fairway hit in the final round.
Donald Ross believed so strongly in the land that he cited it as being destined for golf—club lore ever since.
The club’s grand clubhouse was designed by Detroit’s famed theater architect, C. Howard Crane.
Oakland Hills South is one of few courses to have hosted six U.S. Opens, three PGA Championships, and multiple other USGA events.
Gil Hanse’s restoration uncovered creeks and green shapes long hidden beneath modern changes, reviving Ross’s original strategy.
Historic venue with PGA Tour pedigree and classic architectural features.
Easily bookable, modern resort golf with flexible access—pairs nicely with a private club anchor.
Strong public-access course with ample challenge and available tee times.
Historic, affordable muni option in the Detroit region—valuable for a group with mixed access needs.
Birmingham or Bloomfield Hills—upscale hotels, short drive to Oakland Hills, and dining options nearby.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Aronimink Golf Club's own setting.
Why it matches: If Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course) is your kind of course, Blackwolf Run (Meadow Valleys) is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Why it matches: Philadelphia Cricket Club (Wissahickon Course) is a natural next stop after Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course): it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
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