Pheasant Run Golf Club Spring Update: Paul Simpson on Arthur Hills Architecture and Pro Bunker Play
As one of Western Wayne County's standout public golf venues, Pheasant Run Golf Club in Canton delivers championship layout architecture paired with country-club-style practice amenities. In a recent Lesson on Golf segment, General Manager and PGA Professional Paul Simpson joined host Jeff Lesson to discuss the enduring legacy of Arthur Hills' design, competitive summer tournaments, and essential fundamentals for conquering greenside bunkers.
Arthur Hills' 27-Hole Masterpiece in Canton
Pheasant Run operates 27 championship holes designed by renowned architect Arthur Hills across more than 300 acres of rolling terrain, bentgrass fairways, and natural wetlands:
Generous Off the Tee: Hills built wide fairway landing areas that accommodate everyday recreational golfers while creating strategic angles for lower-handicap players.
Target-Oriented Approaches: The layout tightens considerably on approach shots, challenging players to navigate marshes, strategic sand bunkers, and multi-tier greens.
Multiple Tee Options: Five distinct sets of tee boxes eliminate forced carries for beginners while stretching out to a rigorous challenge from the back markers.
Bail-Out Areas: Fairways and green complexes feature strategically designed collection zones to help players recover from errant shots without losing golf balls.
"Arthur Hills is probably one of the designers that kind of gets it a little bit that we don't need to make golf ridiculous,"
Simpson noted during the interview.
"It's fairly generous off the tees, tends to get a little narrower as you get towards the greens, and you have multiple sets of tee boxes so you can play lots of different yardages."
Competitive Championship Pedigree
The championship quality of the layout was on display during the recent Michigan Publinx 54-hole championship, where the tournament winner fired 14-under par. Looking ahead, Pheasant Run continues its competitive schedule by hosting a U.S. Junior Open Qualifier in the coming weeks, drawing the Midwest's top rising talent to test their games against Hills' demanding setup.
Holiday Tee Times & Smart Scheduling
With holiday weekends drawing massive participation across Southeast Michigan, Simpson shared strategic booking advice for golfers targeting Memorial Day and Father's Day:
Play on Saturday: While Sunday morning tee sheets fill almost immediately, Saturday often sees lighter traffic and improved pace of play.
Two-Week Advance Booking: Golfers can reserve prime Father's Day and weekend tee times up to two weeks in advance online.
Online Reservations: Explore open tee times and golf shop specials directly at golfprgc.org.
PGA Pro Tip: Escaping Greenside Bunkers
Wrapping up the conversation, Simpson offered actionable advice for players who struggle from greenside sand:
Lay the Face Wide Open: Open the clubface fully before establishing your grip to allow the bounce of the wedge to glide smoothly through the sand rather than digging in.
Commit to Acceleration: Deceleration is the primary reason amateur golfers leave bunker shots in the hazard. Maintain steady swing speed through impact to splash the sand out onto the putting surface.
Wedge Selection: While 56-degree and 60-degree wedges are both widely used by tour pros like Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler, amateur golfers should choose whichever loft gives them maximum visual confidence.
Dedicated Practice: Take advantage of Pheasant Run’s dedicated practice bunker to build repeatable confidence outside regular rounds.
To view rates or book your next round, visit golfprgc.org or contact the golf shop directly.
Lesson on Golf is hosted by Jeff Lesson and produced by Make The Turn, the team behind Metro Detroit Golfers, one of the largest golf communities in Michigan.
The show highlights courses, destinations, and golf experiences across the state.
👉 Explore more episodes on the Metro Detroit Golfers YouTube channel.
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