Can You Play Oakland Hills on GSPro? Here's How
Oakland Hills, the 'Monster' that Ben Hogan tamed in the 1951 US Open, is available on GSPro as a LIDAR community build.
Oakland Hills, the 'Monster' that Ben Hogan tamed in the 1951 US Open, is available on GSPro as a LIDAR community build. Here is how the South Course plays.
The Short Answer
Oakland Hills, the 'Monster' that Ben Hogan tamed in the 1951 US Open, is available on GSPro as a LIDAR community build. Here is how the South Course plays.
Oakland Hills earned the nickname “The Monster” in 1951 when Ben Hogan shot a final-round 67 to win the US Open, then called it the greatest round of his life. Donald Ross designed the original course, but it was the 1950s renovation by Robert Trent Jones that made it one of the most feared courses in American golf.
The South Course at Oakland Hills underwent a massive Gil Hanse restoration completed in 2021 that softened some of the Trent Jones edges and restored Ross’s original bunkering. The LIDAR build on GSPro is based on the pre-renovation layout, which means you get the version Hogan played.
Finding Oakland Hills on GSPro
Search for “Oakland Hills” or “Oakland Hills South” in the GSPro course database. The LIDAR version is available in the community section.
The LIDAR Quality
Oakland Hills sits on rolling Detroit suburban terrain with significant elevation changes for a Midwestern course. The LIDAR data captures the hills, the valleys, and the raised green sites that define the course.
The bunkering is the standout feature. The Trent Jones bunkers were deep, flashed, and visually intimidating. The LIDAR places them correctly, and they serve the same strategic purpose – force you to challenge the hazard or take a longer route.
How It Plays
Oakland Hills is a second-shot course. The fairways are generous but the approaches are demanding. The raised greens reject anything short, and the bunkers catch anything that leaks off line.
The par-4 9th hole is a classic. It plays uphill to a green that sits on a plateau. The approach requires a club more than the yardage suggests because of the elevation, and the green slopes from back to front.
The 16th hole, a par-4 with a creek running down the left and bunkers right, is the toughest driving hole on the course. The LIDAR captures the water hazard and the narrow landing zone.
Verdict
Oakland Hills on GSPro is a must-play for anyone who wants to understand why this course was called The Monster. The LIDAR build is solid, the course is a brute, and the history is all over every hole.
For a full guide on everything GSPro offers, read the best courses on GSPro guide.