Golf in Farmington

In 1917, famed golf-course architect Donald Ross carved New Rogell Golf Course out of an urban plot along Grand River Avenue, adding yet another gem to a portfolio of courses that also includes Pinehurst No. 2 and Oakland Hills. Today, players enjoy the fruits of Mr. Ross’s labor as they cruise over a bentgrass path that stretches to 6,075 yards from the farthest tees. Two additional tee boxes start off each hole as well, allowing golfers to tailor rounds to their skill level or forsake tees completely and start in a bunker.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 70 course
• Total length of 6,075 yards from the back tees
• Course rating of 70.2 from the back tees
• Course slope of 129 from the back tees
• Three sets of tees per hole

A sunny afternoon's work of putting putter to ball does more than bring up latent emotions about middle-school health class—it also brings up a hunger for fine dining. The lunch and dinner menus at the newly opened Fountain View Restaurant feature freshly prepared provisions that pair perfectly with the restaurant's view of Tanglewood's verdant greens. As you gaze at the links and begin to strategize through Fountain View's windows or bat lashes at the landscape from the outdoor patio, appease your grumbling food box with an order of scampi-style shrimp ($9), served over capellini in a mushroom-tomato broth, or a flatbread pizza and grilled veggies ($8), with fresh mozzarella and toasted oregano. With your mouth woken and wide eyed, direct its attention to a Fountain View specialty, the salmon roulade, a decadent buttery fish feast stuffed with shrimp, lobster, spinach, and jack cheese and served with mushroom risotto and asparagus ($14 for lunch, $19 for dinner). If you're collecting bones from your meals to complete your Rube Goldberg machine, order a bone-in “cowboy” rib eye—16 succulent ounces of Angus beef smothered in a bourbon demiglace with pearl onions and mushrooms and served with a jumbo baked potato and broccoli ($34 for dinner only).

In 1977, David Schwartz had to get his tennis racquet re-strung. Disappointed to find that the service would take three days at the local sporting goods shop, David did what anyone would do: he opened his own place to stock high-quality tennis gear and offer same-day racquet re-stringing.

That original 750-square-foot shop has since turned into the 19,000-square-foot sporting goods emporium that is The Tennis & Golf Company. Over the years, David has expanded his store's inventory beyond just tennis goods—these days it includes golf gear, running shoes, and general fitness apparel from the industry's top brands. The store also features demo areas, where customers can try out new racquets and clubs to make sure they feel comfortable and are not made of plutonium.

Hickory Creek's championship-style course challenges golf aficionados and soothes senses with manicured greens and a verdant landscape rife with vegetation. Among the rolling 18 holes is the island green of hole 17, which dares players to conquer its watery defenses before demonstrating their victory-break-dancing skills. Gently rolling hills dotted with trees, traps, and the course’s namesake creek abound throughout the scenery, honing the skills of golf novices and expert club tamers alike. Clinics from fairway veteran Tami Bealert enhance the developing techniques of aspiring PGA winners, customizing curriculum to match each individual's goals, expectations, and collection of argyle socks.

Use of this Groupon is transferable; it can be redeemed individually across several visits or all at once by a group.

Working at the 1996 Summer Olympics and the 1994 World Cup are a few of the sporting events on camp director Shelly Watkins's resumé, which she draws on to run a summer camp for kids of all ages. A mother herself, she believes in giving each child individual attention, recognition, and respect, rewarding campers with high-fives and compliments for jobs well done. Together with assistant camp director Cortney Spiegel, she runs fun-packed day camps focused on arts, sports, field trips, and specialty programs. Professional counselors work with pintsize Pacinos in the Lights, Camera, Action class to make short films; kick off Nerf-themed sports events in the Nerf Extravaganza class; or venture out to bowling, movies, rollerblading, and laser tag during the Mega Adventure Field Trip. Shelly and her friendly crew also lead precamp and aftercamp activities for early-morning and evening supervision, and junior camp for campers aged 4¬–7 or 10-year-olds having their pre-preteen life crisis.