The Thorne at Pontiac Oaks
168 reviews (showing 1–20)
@aurkarm
August 2025: so the course has been redesigned and seems to be here to stay. The front 9 are effectively all new (save for hole 4 which is just the old hole 5 and hole 8 which is as before), and most of the back 9 have seen new pin placements, shifted tee locations, etc. The terrible 10' tall basket for hole 10 with the BS steps is gone with a nice landscaped green in its place. New tee pads abound, and they're all good size and well poured. The new holes are interesting and fun. Signage tells you where to go now. Tee signs are just the hole number though. Overall, the changes are overwhelmingly positive, and there's not an old hole I find myself missing. Restrooms are fixed, and the park seems to be seeing a lot of improvements as well. Overall I have no negative to say about the redesign; quite the opposite actually- they've done a nice job. I think once this new layout gets some traffic it'll be a real winner. January 2025: I've seen the entire arc now, the rise and fall of The Thorne at Hawthorne. Well, the county took it over and stood yet another round of clearing to manage Oak Wilt, whatever that is. At this point, the course is unrecognizable from what it once was. Holes that used to require specific and challenging shot shapes are just kinda there now. The paths that used to be really the main way to figure out where the next hole is are gone, and it was only by way of tracks in the snow I found my way today. I've been trying to decide if I found it as-is and played it if I'd enjoy it, but it's so hard to separate my knowledge from before the front 9 was even cut through the woods I can't say. All this waxing poetic might be pointless anyway, as the county has announced their plans to pull the course and replace it with one on another county property in the area. At this point, it might be for the best anyway. It used to be a special trip up here to play it, but at this point I don't know that I'll make the trip to play this one again. As for the course, signage still stinks. Tee pads are already crumbling apart. But! They did build nice steps to aid retrieval of discs from 10's elevated basket. Some of the OG shots are still there, and the layout here had some really cool shots to throw and holes to play. The park itself has seen a lot of work done to it, and the restrooms look like they've been fixed. So, there you go. Might still be a fun track if you've never been here. If you've played it before 2024, be prepared, 'cause you won't recognize it. June 2024: the big tree clearing has made a mess of this course. Several holes play 1-2 strokes easier now, but honestly the bulk of it is still intact. But, they made a hell of a mess when they did it. Watch your ankles while walking! Tee pads are already breaking up, and if you don't know the layout you're gonna be lost. Still some fun holes and a variety of shots, but what a letdown after not having been here since 2023. Updated July 2023: Course is challenging, but fun and does not feel unfair. Rough is brutal. A ton of different shots required. The builders have done a ton of work to clean up, and only those that saw it in October 2020 can appreciate how much work has gone into clearing the trash. Signage could be better. Not in love with the sketchy steps to get discs out of 10's 10' high basket. Overall fantastic course, definitely recommend.
@hrydde
Not the longest course even from the long tees but very technical and one of the nicest courses I have played in US so far. Very well planned and thought out lines in the front nine. The back nice is more open park but with a lot of different shots needed. When the grass has grown in the front nine and in a couple of years this will be absolutely awesome! Front tee nine not yet installed. Really enjoyed it!!!
@benoloughlin
Udisc layouts still need to be updated with the new front nine.
@cl300stick
Fun Tracy. Short term pads. LOTS of leave, watch your shots.
@discfinder
Room for improvement BUT great course
@albatross88
This course has come so far in the past year. Thanks to anyone who has put time and effort into it. 8-17-25 update: After the construction and reworking of most holes on the course, I'm pretty damn impressed by what I see... still some clean up to go, but I've got a feeling this place is going to shape up to be a gem.
@mattlions17
The cleanup on the park was incredible from where it was and the baskets are great. But, the upkeep of the course is a problem. Many fairways are very overgrown and it can be easy to lose discs. Some pads have some of the worst cement I’ve seen poured and are very uneven. Lots of potential if there was TLC.
@drummerlegend97
Course is OK. Front 9 is very fun and challenging, back 9 is OK at best. Not my favorite course
@bml68222
Nice use of city park land. Demanding shots, not easy. Good luck breaking par.
@brainfreeze1462
The park is currently undergoing renovation, while still maintaining a playable 3/4s course. Greatly looking forwards to the refreshed layout!
@sanchezd12
They are renovating the course and it all torn up but it was still a blast to play!
@jruuu3
First time at Hawthorne today. Great course with brand new Chainstar Pro baskets. Needs some upkeep with downed trees and whatnot due to recent winds. Otherwise a beautiful course. Will definitely be back.
@mtmfitness
Baskets & Tee pads are amazing! Unfortunately the signs at each hole don't include distance. There could be better markers indicating the next hole but overall I enjoyed this course!
@lordphelgar
Fun tough course. I like it a lot, good mixture of tight wooded holes and some more open shots to end with. Will be a 5 star in a few years once it gets played and beat in a bit more.
@qzhdad
Skeeters are out
@mfcakeparty
I’ve seen the progression in this course and the people who have designed it have put a lot of love into the creation and upkeep of it. Sure you’ll see some trash, but it’s a city park, and assholes exist everywhere. I’m always happy to throw at Hawthorne!
@bentleyv
Has the potential to be a good course but with the layout it’s in not sure if it will ever happen even finished!?
@jaketheczar
Great course so far. Excited to play the play the other 9 when they are finished.
@jmdoran
The course unfortunately had to go through some changes due to Oakland County taking over management of the park. While it doesn’t offer the same challenge as before, it is still an enjoyable experience.