Grand Rapids Weekend - Suggestions

[suaviter]

A buddy who lives in Europe now will be in the states and has a weekend off so we're going to get out of the southern heat for a weekend and head to Grand Rapids for golf and great beer. I have only heard great things about MI golf.

 

Flying into OHare Friday the 22 at Noon or so, and have a bit of a drive but would like to get in a confidence-building round here, somewhere nice but not super fancy (maybe Highlands, although condition is a concern? I'm also a big Ross fan).

 

Then looking for suggestions for next two days on better tracks, we're both mid-cappers but want to play some nice courses and we'll have a car. I also belong at a private club so could possibly back us into a private club. Look forward to any and all suggestions golf wise and any other recs (food/bars) in downtown Grand Rapids as we'll stay there (we are both early 30s).

 

Thanks in advance.

[MI517]

There are some nice private clubs people will chime in on, but I'm a huge fan of Pilgrim's Run. I'd make it a part of any GR trip.

[knickerbocker]

Golf:

Pilgrim's Run - feels like Northern Michigan and only 30 minutes

Eagle Eye - about 45 minutes from downtown in Lansing.

Thornapple Pointe - Solid track and not too far

The Meadows at Grand Valley - Solid course and not too far.

 

Thousand Oaks is really good, but Private. Same with Egypt Valley.

 

For downtown GR, Founders and Hopcat for sure for the Beer.

Greenwell, Stella's, San Chez, Electric Cheetah are all good for food.

Skip Brewery Vivant

[Cspackler6]

Highlands is a good pick for a starter round. They have a new "turf guy" this year. Have not played there yet this season, but it is usually decent. quail ridge would be another good value starter round. After that I'd play pilgrims's run. Then either meadows or thornapple whichever is closer. Finish off with a private round. Finish off with a private round. Thousand oaks is solid choice but the only private I've played in GR. If flying out of o'hare I would try to play dunes club on your way out of Michigan.

[VNutz]

I've not played Highlands, but that people I know who have were underwhelmed, just my .02. Pilgrims is my favorite course in the GR area and I try to play it whenever I'm up there, very unique course and completely in the trees. The Meadows and Thornapple Point are the other two I've played and both are good plays IMO.

 

Food and drink has changed so much the past 5-10 years, for the better, I've got no idea on that but knickerbocker's suggestions above echo places I've been told from friends.

[kalamazoo]

Id echo Founders for sure, but I definitely would not skip Brewery Vivant. Very cool renovated church vibe to it. Must love Belgium beer though. The food at Vivant is far superior to any brewery in the area...not often do you see gastronomy mixed with farm-to-table food at a brewery. Founders has the better beer though.

 

I second votes for Pilgrums Run (and Thousand Oaks if you can get on). Thornapple is solid but has an odd urban layout.

[dozer996]

Go to the Mitten Brewery and Perrin Brewery.

 

Pilgrims Run, Egypt Valley, Wuskowhan Players Club (Holland)

[Cspackler6]

I've not played Highlands, but that people I know who have were underwhelmed, just my .02.

 

Highlands is an old school design with nothing spectacular about it for sure. At $35 18/cart prime rate I've played much worse. It is just a course to hit some balls and get some practice in.

[thebigrig]

The road that people typically take to the Meadows is under construction. If you choose to go there just head through campus and you should be fine. I'm guessing the construction means there would be less people at the course as well. The downtown market would probably be a pretty good place for a lunch. As far as brewery's I would recommend founders and Brewery Vivant. If you haven't tried many and want to give a few of the beers a try there's a cool shop called Siciliano's about ten minutes from downtown. They carry a lot of craft beer from Michigan in single cans/bottles so you could try a variety from the area as well.

[VNutz]

I missed the part about being a private club member with potential reciprocals. I worked at Egypt Valley for a summer, they've got 2 nice 18 hole courses there, both are fun plays and they used to hold a Senior Tour event there.

 

Great deal for The Meadows popped up today. I'll be buying one of these for my coming vacation for sure. If it doesn't immediately go to the Michigan page you might have to navigate to it. Complete bargain. https://www.groupgolfer.com/

[suaviter]

I missed the part about being a private club member with potential reciprocals. I worked at Egypt Valley for a summer, they've got 2 nice 18 hole courses there, both are fun plays and they used to hold a Senior Tour event there.

 

Great deal for The Meadows popped up today. I'll be buying one of these for my coming vacation for sure. If it doesn't immediately go to the Michigan page you might have to navigate to it. Complete bargain. https://www.groupgolfer.com/

 

Great call! Thanks.

[Cspackler6]

Perfect. I would play pilgrims, meadows, then whatever private rounds you can get in. Would really try to get a round in at dunes club. Last I knew they reciprocate....not lost dunes but dunes club.

[bcawley01]

I don't know how far you're willing to drive but Harbor Shores is a great Jack Nicklaus design that's about an hour southwest of Grand Rapids. I've really enjoyed it both times I've played it, the condition is very nice but it is a little pricey

[Newbs24]

Stay away from The Highlands... Owner is trying to see it to real estate developers... Hasn't sunk a dime into it the past two years and the course is the worst my father has seen it in 50 years (grew up on it)... Really sad to see it burned up and the greens are a wreck... Bunkers are comparable to gravel... Club house has a shrinking list of available food and drink... Our league manager got a steal of a price for our league dues and I think we are still getting the short end of the stick... Play Quail Ridge, Boulder Creek, Thornapple Pointe or Kauffman... If you are on the west side Alpine and The Mines are better choices than the Highlands unfortunately

[Dpavs]

Drive a bit and hit the Macatawa Legends course, you'll be glad you did.

[suaviter]

OK guys quick update as the trip is this weekend ....

 

Here's the gameplan, I'll let you guys tell me where I am erring.

 

Arrive ORD Friday AM. Link up with buddy and get rental car and head to GR. Meadows (on group golfer deal!) as warm up round, followed by lots of awesome beer in downtown Grand Rapids.

 

Saturday: (heading up to my club for a board meeting tomm and going to have my guys try to get us on at:) 1. Egypt Valley 2. Thousand Oaks

If really feeling it hope to stick around there for a replay depending on how friendly they are to some southern boys ;)

 

Sunday: Maccataw Legends on way out of town? If we can't get on either of the private courses Saturday we'll play there or Pilgrims Run.

 

Not going to shoot for Dunes Club unfortunately as we will be single bagging it (buddy is in from Europe for work for 2 weeks). Will definitely get up there when I am with more of my serious golf friends.

[knickerbocker]

Sounds like a great time. You can't go wrong with either EV or Thousand Oaks. If you are doing 36, Egypt has two courses.

 

If you want to play on the way back to ORD, then I recommend stopping at Hawks Head in South Haven or Harbor Shores (more pricey) in Benton Harbor over Mac Legends.

[VNutz]

For Egypt Valley, the 2 18s are the Ridge and the Valley. I always thought the Valley was the better course, but the Ridge could be really fun with some risk/reward holes. Valley IIRC was longer, but Ridge had some dogleg holes that you could play multiple ways. Can't go wrong with either IMO.

 

For Sunday, even though it's 40 minutes in the opposite direction to Chicago, I'd do Pilgrims in a heartbeat over Macatawa Legends. After the courses you'll be playing, ML simply doesn't match up, and Pilgrims is a great setting.

[golfortennis]

Maybe it was because it was October, but I don't think Thousand Oaks is all that special. There is some nice scenery, but I found the holes to be meh. I can barely remember any of them, and I can remember golf holes for a long time. I guess these guys have played it more recently, but I don't know that I would be all that gung ho for Thousand Oaks. Pilgrim's run is much, much better. I'd do 36 there before the other.

[suaviter]

Is it worth it for $125 / ea at Thousand Oaks? I guess alternative would be Pilgrims Run as I was unable to get us on Egypt Valley on Saturday.

[dozer996]

Is it worth it for $125 / ea at Thousand Oaks? I guess alternative would be Pilgrims Run as I was unable to get us on Egypt Valley on Saturday.

 

Pilgrims Run

 

If you really want to get on EV, I think I can make that happen. PM me if your interested.

[Cspackler6]

I would not pay $125 for thousand oaks. It is a very solid course. I have not been there in 2-3yrs but that sounds like the "we get enough play without you" price. I would play pilgrims everyday of the week and 2x on Sunday before paying $125 @ 1k oaks.

[Dpavs]

Is it worth it for $125 / ea at Thousand Oaks? I guess alternative would be Pilgrims Run as I was unable to get us on Egypt Valley on Saturday.

 

Nope, not really.

 

Just as a comparison, you'd have as much fun at TullyMoore in Stanwood for 85 bucks

[O.D.underpar]

Is it worth it for $125 / ea at Thousand Oaks? I guess alternative would be Pilgrims Run as I was unable to get us on Egypt Valley on Saturday.

 

Nope, not really.

 

Just as a comparison, you'd have as much fun at TullyMoore in Stanwood for 85 bucks

 

I don't think you can get Tullymore for 85. Unless you are talking after 3

[Dpavs]

Is it worth it for $125 / ea at Thousand Oaks? I guess alternative would be Pilgrims Run as I was unable to get us on Egypt Valley on Saturday.

 

Nope, not really.

 

Just as a comparison, you'd have as much fun at TullyMoore in Stanwood for 85 bucks

 

I don't think you can get Tullymore for 85. Unless you are talking after 3

 

yeah forgot their rates vary so much with the time of year, so right now it would be more

[Cspackler6]

How was the trip?

[Joselo]

Hi everybody,

I'm going to be in GR the following 2 weeks and will try to play 36 on sat/sund 08/20 & 08/21

 

Where can i get the best for my buck? Any recommendations on something good?

 

Im a 22 hcp and will probably be playing by myself... Thanks!

 

[Cspackler6]

Bang for buck I would choose pilgrims run and quail ridge. Pilgrims is about 30-35 mins north of gr but best quality $ for $ in the area. LE Kaufman and Scott lake are 2 more that come to mind but I have not played either of them. Scott lake has 27 holes I think.

[Joselo]

okay so i have a supplier in the area and i have been invited to play pilgrims on thursday... we have a tee time at 4 pm.... looking fwd to it....

no idea if we would be able to play 18, but we will try...

 

not sure but i've heard Kaufman was flooded?

i've heard good things about Kaufman too... maybe if its available on the weekend i could give it a try

[dozer996]

okay so i have a supplier in the area and i have been invited to play pilgrims on thursday... we have a tee time at 4 pm.... looking fwd to it....

no idea if we would be able to play 18, but we will try...

 

not sure but i've heard Kaufman was flooded?

i've heard good things about Kaufman too... maybe if its available on the weekend i could give it a try

 

You will get 18 in at Pilgrims.

 

Kaufman could be flooded a bit as we did get a bunch of rain lately.