Best Course Anywhere in Michigan?

I've had the pleasure of playing many nice courses in Michigan. Crystal Downs, Ochard Lake CC, Country Club of Detroit, St. Ives & Tullymore and many more. I am wondering what is everyones favorite course to play in Michigan, whether its because of the views or just because the way the course is setup. Also just wondering so I can add some more course to my list to play.

Aside from Arcadia Bluffs and Country Club of Detroit....my 2 favorites are the Monarch course at Garland Resort and The Masterpiece at Treetops.....both courses are tough from the tips but I have scored very well on both. The really put an emphasis on managing your misses. If you hit a good shot you are rewarded, miss in the right spot and par isn't too hard....but miss in the wrong spot and par is extremely difficult if not impossible. Plus the scenery is amazing without being tricked up and forced. Some holes at the Masterpiece have an Augusta-like feel to them which is cool.

the nicest to set foot on and play=

private= franklin hills country club, albert kahn clubhouse, Donald ross golf course

semi= true north

public= lochenheath

public local= devils ridge, just so many great views

Oakland Hills South

- followed closely by Brookside GC in Saline

courses ive played

privates: Kingsley Club, Indianwood Old, Meadowbrook

publics: Greywalls, Belvedere

I might try to play Belvedere this summer looks like a very nice course and The masterpiece is nice, but I think if they maintained it a little better it would be awesome.

My favorite to play is the new renovation at Meadowbrook CC. Incredible, classic set of greens, lots of ground game options, great rolling terrain. It's very unique for the Midwest. Must play if you get the chance. Close second is Crystal Downs.

Is this the Belvedere you guys are talking about?

https://belvederegolfclub.com/

I might try to play Belvedere this summer looks like a very nice course and The masterpiece is nice, but I think if they maintained it a little better it would be awesome.

Kingsley and Meadowbrook are must plays

Top 5

Kingsley

Bay Harbor

Forrest Dunes

Pilgrims Run

OLCC

Hope to have a good visit this summer and replace a few of these

My personal favorite is Black Lake: cheap, pure and never busy. Bonus pts for being in the middle of nowhere so I can make it back to my dad's place six beers deep without ever seeing a car 13.

I haven't played any of the fancy private tracks up north, or even Lochenheath yet so I can't comment on those.

My personal favorite is Black Lake: cheap, pure and never busy. Bonus pts for being in the middle of nowhere so I can make it back to my dad's place six beers deep without ever seeing a car 13.

 

I haven't played any of the fancy private tracks up north, or even Lochenheath yet so I can't comment on those.

Sucks you never made it to any of the get togethers up at FD/Kingsley. Would have been nice to meet you and sounds like that trip is dead. We’ll have to get a round in sometime

My personal favorite is Black Lake: cheap, pure and never busy. Bonus pts for being in the middle of nowhere so I can make it back to my dad's place six beers deep without ever seeing a car 13.

 

I haven't played any of the fancy private tracks up north, or even Lochenheath yet so I can't comment on those.

 

Sucks you never made it to any of the get togethers up at FD/Kingsley. Would have been nice to meet you and sounds like that trip is dead. We’ll have to get a round in sometime

Absolutely ?

Is Meadowbrook CC private?

Is Meadowbrook CC private?

Yes in the burbs of Detroit can not wait to see the work Staples did there I hear its excellent

My top 5 Public

1. Greywalls

2. Forest Dunes

3. Bay Harbor

4. Arcadia Bluffs

5. Black Lake

My top 5 Private

1. Kingsley Club

2. Dunes Club

3. Lost Dunes

4. Oakland Hills South

5. Lochenheath

I miss my annual trips up to Gaylord, to the Garland Resort, and to Arcadia Bluffs/Traverse City. So many fantastic memories.

You guys in the metro Detroit area are spoiled rotten with good golf courses!

My top 5 Public

1. Greywalls

2. Forest Dunes

3. Bay Harbor

4. Arcadia Bluffs

5. Black Lake

 

 

My top 5 Private

1. Kingsley Club

2. Dunes Club

3. Lost Dunes

4. Oakland Hills South

5. Lochenheath

I've never played any of these! I'm scheduled to play Lochenheath and Black Lake this season though!

1. Best "old school" Private course: Oakland Hills South

2. Best "New" Private: Kingsley

3. Most unique experience: Dunes Club

4. Best course you have never heard of: Hemlock

5. Most over hyped: Tullymore

6. Best views: Arcadia

7. Favorite low key private course: CC of Muskegon

8. Best resort: Boyne Highlands

9. Toughest Greens: Lost Dunes

10. The course I would choose to play if I could only play one course for the rest of my life: Forest Dunes.

Still have not played True North.... really want to as the pics look amazing.... anyone played this track?

arcadia, crystal downs, oakland south are my favorites that are well known. Forest Dunes is overhyped (please don't crucify me for this one). other than that my favorites are Franklin Hills, DGC north, Bloomfield Hills CC, and Oakland Hills North

Forest Dunes is overhyped (please don't crucify me for this one).

You are the only person I have ever heard say this....so help me understand why you think that.

Love Forest Dunes.... the whole place is first class and the best greens and conditioned course I’ve ever played

Forest Dunes is overhyped (please don't crucify me for this one).

 

You are the only person I have ever heard say this....so help me understand why you think that.

Forest is a great course but it's rather flat compared to the more northern courses.

Forest Dunes is overhyped (please don't crucify me for this one).

 

You are the only person I have ever heard say this....so help me understand why you think that.

 

Forest is a great course but it's rather flat compared to the more northern courses.

Forest Dunes certainly isn't flat. The elevation changes are subtle, but they are there.

I am not a huge Forest Dunes fan either fwiw. Haven't played The Loop but I was disappointed walking off the original after so much hype. Only played it once perhaps I need a return trip.

BTW I could get a group out at Meadowbrook if we can fill out a group w people that want to see it. Guest fee is $145 w cart.

Pleased the Michiganders have ceded Iron Mountain to Wisconsin.

Blows my mind no one has mentioned Timberstone...

Forest Dunes is overhyped (please don't crucify me for this one).

 

You are the only person I have ever heard say this....so help me understand why you think that.

 

Forest is a great course but it's rather flat compared to the more northern courses.

Forest Dunes certainly isn't flat. The elevation changes are subtle, but they are there.

Notice I said...."compared to the more northern courses." Even then it's pretty flat. Other than 6 (on the drive) there isn't a hole that needs one more or less club.

Forest Dunes is overhyped (please don't crucify me for this one).

 

You are the only person I have ever heard say this....so help me understand why you think that.

I get how people don't like Arcadia because of the greens can be somewhat like clown's mouths at times, which is a fair complaint. However, to compare Arcadia, which is a truly unique course in Michigan (bay harbor links 9 doesn't remotely compare imo) and in the US as a whole, to something thats quite bland in Forest Dunes seems quite unfair.

Forest Dunes is overhyped (please don't crucify me for this one).

 

You are the only person I have ever heard say this....so help me understand why you think that.

 

Forest is a great course but it's rather flat compared to the more northern courses.

Forest Dunes certainly isn't flat. The elevation changes are subtle, but they are there.

 

Notice I said...."compared to the more northern courses." Even then it's pretty flat. Other than 6 (on the drive) there isn't a hole that needs one more or less club.

So, you're saying compared to something ridiculous like say.....Treetops? For the sake of debate, let's examine FD on it's own.

#1 Somewhere around 30 feet in elevation drop from tee to green?

#2 Slightly downhill off tee, then same amount of uphill approach.

#3 Level

#4 Slight downhill off tee. Level approach.

#5 Significant downhill off tee. Up hill 2nd. Level 3rd.

#6 Slight uphill tee to green

#7 Uphill then downhill off tee, then level.

#8 Level off tee unless you catch speed slot, significant downhill approach

#9 Level

#10 Level

#11 Ever so slight downhill

#12 Another level drive with a downhill speed slot, then mostly level approach.

#13 Level

#14 Slight downhill off tee, then slight up hill approach.

#15 Level off tee, then uphill 2nd, then downhill 3rd.

#16 Significant downhill.

#17 slight downhill tee, very slight uphill approach.

#18 Level off tee, significant downhill 2nd.

In all, interesting balance of elevation changes. Some prefer the "drama" of 70's and 80's NM golf course architecture. If so, there are plenty of options. Some good, LTB, Heather, Alpine. Some lousy, Treetops, Dumaglas, Elk Ridge.