Best Course Anywhere in Michigan?

[1puttTUT]

OW comin' with the Treetops slander lol

[knickerbocker]

I have played all the Treetop courses at least twice. I could not walk you through any of the courses 1-18 and describe each hole.

 

I have played Forest Dunes once - 6 years ago - and I can describe every hole in decent detail.

 

But golf courses are like art, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I have started to get a lot more into Golf Course architecture and even within that business, there are many schools of thought.

[tjblue]

How about Black Forest, Little traverse bay, The Tribute....not just treetops. When you think Northern Michigan golf you think big hills and towering vistas. I personally was surprised how flat FD was and some may be disapointed in that aspect of the design.

[Mi-Golfer]

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.

 

Thanks OW - I'm printing this out and taking it with me this summer when I play there!

[Openwater22]

How about Black Forest, Little traverse bay, The Tribute....not just treetops. When you think Northern Michigan golf you think big hills and towering vistas. I personally was surprised how flat FD was and some may be disapointed in that aspect of the design.

You are correct, lots of folks equate NM golf with dramatic elevation changes. If that is the style someone desires, we certainly have plenty to choose from. My point is simply, FD is not flat unless compared to courses with dramatic elevation changes.

[Openwater22]

OW comin' with the Treetops slander lol

That obvious? Ooooops.

[tjblue]

How about Black Forest, Little traverse bay, The Tribute....not just treetops. When you think Northern Michigan golf you think big hills and towering vistas. I personally was surprised how flat FD was and some may be disapointed in that aspect of the design.

You are correct, lots of folks equate NM golf with dramatic elevation changes. If that is the style someone desires, we certainly have plenty to choose from. My point is simply, FD is not flat unless compared to courses with dramatic elevation changes.

 

It's been a few years since I've played Forest. Stayed in one of the houses and enjoyed all you can play that day. I don't believe I would even describe it as rolling.

[Openwater22]

How about Black Forest, Little traverse bay, The Tribute....not just treetops. When you think Northern Michigan golf you think big hills and towering vistas. I personally was surprised how flat FD was and some may be disapointed in that aspect of the design.

You are correct, lots of folks equate NM golf with dramatic elevation changes. If that is the style someone desires, we certainly have plenty to choose from. My point is simply, FD is not flat unless compared to courses with dramatic elevation changes.

 

It's been a few years since I've played Forest. Stayed in one of the houses and enjoyed all you can play that day. I don't believe I would even describe it as rolling.

I surrender. Forest Dunes is a pancake.

[BG5]

Forest Dunes does have a fair amount of elevation change. As OW mentioned it’s not dramatic but the course is def not flat.

 

Openwater has played that course more than anyone else on this forum. He knows what he is talking about ?

[PuttCurseRepeat]

Which course is LTB?

 

EDIT: LTB= Little Traverse Bay. Got it.

 

Arcadia's greens may have the most undulation of any course I have played, but they are large and afford plenty of fair, pinable locations. Maybe I've been lucky in the 3 rounds I have played there, but I never faced a hole location that I considered unfair. Along with the views and the bunkering, the greens add a third high quality element to the unique experience that AB provides. I really don't get the criticism of this course. Finishing my round as the sun dips into Lake Michigan while the bagpiper plays Amazing Grace from atop a dune is the best golf experience of my life. A day at Arcadia Bluffs is a pilgrimage all Midwesterners who love the game should make.

[Jose c.]

Arcadia for me can't wait to check out South course this Sept. played forest dunes once ,definitely the best greens ever played on

loved the course. Black lake is a gem also.

[tjblue]

How about Black Forest, Little traverse bay, The Tribute....not just treetops. When you think Northern Michigan golf you think big hills and towering vistas. I personally was surprised how flat FD was and some may be disapointed in that aspect of the design.

You are correct, lots of folks equate NM golf with dramatic elevation changes. If that is the style someone desires, we certainly have plenty to choose from. My point is simply, FD is not flat unless compared to courses with dramatic elevation changes.

 

It's been a few years since I've played Forest. Stayed in one of the houses and enjoyed all you can play that day. I don't believe I would even describe it as rolling.

I surrender. Forest Dunes is a pancake.

 

Meh...one guys pancake is another guys waffle.

[games]

Work is taking me to Green Bay on Thursday. Was going to drive up to Iron Mountain Thursday afternoon, hang out at Famers Sports Bar and the UP Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday night, then play 36 on Friday.

 

Apparently, mother nature has other plans for me...

[ferrispgm]

I totally forgot about Forest Dunes as I have only played it once back before it was totally public. I would certainly add that to the list as well. Black Forest was pretty good but they always seemed to struggle with conditioning when I played it years ago which is why I wouldn't include it personally. But I did hear they are under new ownership so who knows.

[Openwater22]

How about Black Forest, Little traverse bay, The Tribute....not just treetops. When you think Northern Michigan golf you think big hills and towering vistas. I personally was surprised how flat FD was and some may be disapointed in that aspect of the design.

You are correct, lots of folks equate NM golf with dramatic elevation changes. If that is the style someone desires, we certainly have plenty to choose from. My point is simply, FD is not flat unless compared to courses with dramatic elevation changes.

 

It's been a few years since I've played Forest. Stayed in one of the houses and enjoyed all you can play that day. I don't believe I would even describe it as rolling.

I surrender. Forest Dunes is a pancake.

 

Meh...one guys pancake is another guys waffle.

Here's a waffle, link to U.S Geological survey Topo map. https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/StagedProducts/Maps/USTopo/1/19810/6814664.pdf

[tjblue]

https://media-cdn.tr...le-traverse.jpg

 

My kind of waffle!

[Openwater22]

And, back to regular scheduled programming. Sorry for the hijack OP.

The best course in Michigan, unfortunately has an hour drive between nines. As originally conceived by Odshot,

The front nine at Crystal Downs and the front nine at Kingsley.

[kgeisler13]

And, back to regular scheduled programming. Sorry for the hijack OP.

The best course in Michigan, unfortunately has an hour drive between nines. As originally conceived by Odshot,

The front nine at Crystal Downs and the front nine at Kingsley.

 

I have not played Kingsley but I agree the front 9 of Crystal Downs is awesome. I love how he sculpted it through the natural landscape.

[Jayshaft]

Hands down - True North! Absolutely amazing, but so tough to get on.

 

LTB is absolutely amazing for views

[BG5]

Dont think True North is that tough to get on.....If your willing to pay $250 your pretty much on. I have yet to play it but have made the call a few times and it was not going to be an issue as long as your flexible. I would love to hear more about True North. What makes it such a great track?

[mgoblue83]

Oakland Hills South

- followed closely by Brookside GC in Saline

 

How is there no love for this? I'm dying over here...

 

 

BTW, while it doesn't have the views, conditioning, or hype of the courses already mentioned one of my favorite tracks in SE Michigan is Calderone off I-94 near Jackson. Super interesting and fun.

[KAndyMan]

You HAVE to check out Eagle Eye in Bath just north of Lansing. The sister course Hawk Hollow is pretty decent too (and decent price). The 17th at Eagle Eye is is very similar to the 17th at TPC Sawgrass stadium course you will either love it or hate it depending on your tee shot haha. I dont think the 17th is the best have they have to offer either. Definitely worth checking out

[Frohlich]

You HAVE to check out Eagle Eye in Bath just north of Lansing. The sister course Hawk Hollow is pretty decent too (and decent price). The 17th at Eagle Eye is is very similar to the 17th at TPC Sawgrass stadium course you will either love it or hate it depending on your tee shot haha. I dont think the 17th is the best have they have to offer either. Definitely worth checking out

 

Not sure I would put it as top in state with so many great courses (Arcadia, Forest Dunes, Kingsley, True North,etc..) but I did play 36 at Eagle last year on a golf weekend up from Ohio and really enjoyed it. The staff, the layout, the conditioning were all great. I would certainly like to play it again sometime. On the other hand I thought Hawk Hollow was nice but nothing special at all.

[chickenpotpie]

For all around golf, I’d say Forest Dunes, hands down.

 

But my favorite is still Arcadia Bluffs. Such a great course, though I’d disagree about the greens being fair. Case in point is #5, which might be my favorite hole except for the green. Last time I played it, I was able to reach it in 2 (passive brag), but had to so that I could drain a 4 footer to 3-putt par it.

[postfold]

I can't say that I've played too many courses listed in this thread, especially the privates.

 

Muskegon CC is a very nice track that I'd like to play more often.

Arcadia Bluffs is most scenic course and I thought it was a good test though I didn't care for the greens - Hemlock had better greens.

I haven't loved Tullymore the handful of times I've played it. Nice, sure. But top course in the state, nah.

[hybrid25]

I have played many courses in Michigan, but not all the nice ones. Although, I did play Arcadia Bluffs in September on a 70-degree beautiful sunny day. The views were spectacular, unrivaled by much of anything else in Michigan.

[Jose c.]

Oakland Hills South

- followed closely by Brookside GC in Saline

 

How is there no love for this? I'm dying over here...

 

 

BTW, while it doesn't have the views, conditioning, or hype of the courses already mentioned one of my favorite tracks in SE Michigan is Calderone off I-94 near Jackson. Super interesting and fun.

 

I'd bet you haven't played Calderon this year.

[ckates7]

Heading up Labor Day Weekend to play Forest Dunes and Arcadia. If you had to choose between Eagle Eye or Pilgrims Run, which would you choose based on bang for buck? We’re coming from Central IL, and it would be played on the way up. So if you have any other input other than those 2, please make sure it’s not North of FD/AB

[O.D.underpar]

Heading up Labor Day Weekend to play Forest Dunes and Arcadia. If you had to choose between Eagle Eye or Pilgrims Run, which would you choose based on bang for buck? We’re coming from Central IL, and it would be played on the way up. So if you have any other input other than those 2, please make sure it’s not North of FD/AB

 

Pilgrims

[Openwater22]

Heading up Labor Day Weekend to play Forest Dunes and Arcadia. If you had to choose between Eagle Eye or Pilgrims Run, which would you choose based on bang for buck? We're coming from Central IL, and it would be played on the way up. So if you have any other input other than those 2, please make sure it's not North of FD/AB

 

Pilgrims

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