Northern Michigan Golf Trip

[fyavaraski]

I'm planning a trip up to Northern Michigan 9/9 - 9/11 (9/12? if i can talk my buddy into it), and wow. I'm really finding it to be a bit overwhelming. It's 2 of us, and I'm a true golf addict (9 hcp) who's played at about 25 of the U.S top 100 courses, my buddy (24 hcp) values the nature aspect of golfing. Anyhow, I was hoping to pick your brains on where to go. With the limited time we have, I don't want to spend too much time in the car, and would like to have a few drinks on the course (if possible), but still play the golf trip I've been dreaming of making since I caught wind of NM 10years ago. Arcadia is booked until 3pm everyday, so I'm hoping to catch that on the way home since we're coming from Chicago. Treetops was a great price but almost no availability on the top 3 courses those days. We're not so much concerned with the nightlife, but it's a bonus if there's a watering hole within walking/uber distance.

 

I'd like to keep the budget between $500-$1000 pp. I inquired at Grand Traverse about playing Lochenheath day 1, then the wolverine and the bear day 2, and hitting arcadia on the way home. Think I'll be satisfied with those places? To give you some context, Wolf Creek in Mesquite is probably the favorite course I've ever played. Will the bear be too hard on my buddy?

 

I've been dying to go to Traverse and experience the golf they have to offer. I just don't want to screw it up because I'm not sure when I'll have the chance to return. Any advice/suggestions you could offer would go a long way.

 

Thanks in advance!

[Mick554]

My buddies and I just finished a trip to Northern Michigan and stayed in TC. We played The Wolverine, The Bear, Cedar River at Shanty Creek and Lochenheath.

 

They're all great courses, but Lochenheath is the one I'm dying to play again, by far. The course is in impeccable condition and wasn't crowded at all, especially for a Sunday. The greens are extremely challenging but roll beautifully. Don't miss it.

 

The Bear lives up to its reputation as an extremely difficult golf course, but it's more fair than I expected. My biggest gripe was the pace of play. The course was absolutely jammed, though it was a Saturday.

[GoldenBearCub]

+1 to Mick's recommendation. Sounds like a great trip, not to mention if you add Arcadia to the end of it.

If you stay at/near GT Resort you'd be close to PLENTY of awesome watering holes in downtown Traverse City. The only thing I'd maybe swap from what was mentioned above is scratch Wolverine and make the twenty minute drive from Grand Traverse to A Ga Ming to play Sundance. I think you'd like that if you like Wolf Creek.

[fyavaraski]

Thank you guys for the input. I was considering Sundance but this solidifies it. Appreciate the help!

[JPG44]

That's Michigan. Northern Michigan is across the Mackinaw ?

[Fellaheen51]

“Up North” is south of the Straits. Where it begins is open to debate. North of the bridge is ‘da U.P. (aka the Yoop). They are not the same.

 

And it’s the Mackinac Bridge.

[cwglum]

The Grand Traverse resort golf and addition of Locenheath will be very user friendly. Locenheath is 10min drive from resort. You'll also be north of Traverse City proper so you wont' have near the amount of traffic to cut through if you were staying more south in the bay area. Enjoy the golf and your get-a-way from the City.

[JPG44]

> @Fellaheen51 said:

> “Up North” is south of the Straits. Where it begins is open to debate. North of the bridge is ‘da U.P. (aka the Yoop). They are not the same.

>

> And it’s the Mackinac Bridge.

Pronounced Mackinaw

 

[Openwater22]

Up North begins at M55. Some say US10, they'd be wrong.

[00steven]

Forest Dunes in Roscommon is a popular course up here.