Seasonal Membership or National Membership Northern Michigan

[CHRISTOPHER DESANA]

Growing up in Metro Detroit, but spending the last 20 plus years in New Jersey for employment reasons. We finally pulled the trigger and purchased a lake home up on Lake Charlevoix a few years ago, so the next step is finding places to play.... Thinking a Seasonal Membership or National Membership would be the best option until we are able to spend more time there post retirement. 

 

I have done some research and it appears the best options on the table appear to be The Kingsley Club for a National Membership or Shanty Creek for Seasonal. 

 

Any feedback or other suggestions out there?

[Chanceman]

Have you considered Belvedere? It comes highly recommended by Mike Devries. And right in Charlevoix.

[Duncan8190]

Can you join Belvedere if you don't have a home in the Belvedere or Chicago Club's?  I honestly don't know

[cassel191919]

On 1/4/2021 at 9:29 PM, CHRISTOPHER DESANA said:

Growing up in Metro Detroit, but spending the last 20 plus years in New Jersey for employment reasons. We finally pulled the trigger and purchased a lake home up on Lake Charlevoix a few years ago, so the next step is finding places to play.... Thinking a Seasonal Membership or National Membership would be the best option until we are able to spend more time there post retirement. 

 

I have done some research and it appears the best options on the table appear to be The Kingsley Club for a National Membership or Shanty Creek for Seasonal. 

 

Any feedback or other suggestions out there?

Might want to check out the Country Club of Boyne.  I think you have access to 7 different courses and probably deals at bay harbor.

[CHRISTOPHER DESANA]

Belvedere has limited times for the public, which are few and far between with so many working from their vacation homes in the Belvedere/Chicago Club neighborhood.

 

Love the course just very little access. 

 

Boyne comes with a heavy price tag, for some reason they do not offer a different rate for those that would call the Boyne Mountain Courses (which are most local) as their home course.

 

Big question is what kind of condition are the courses at Shanty Creek day in and day out?

[knickerbocker]

If you want a truly private experience, then Kingsley is best option.  Once you spend more time there, they will ask you to be full-time member.  They have rules around national vs local as far as number of days you live in Northern Michigan.

 

Walloon Lake CC is also private, but not a great layout.

[3_Jack_Par]

From a proximity perspective, True North or Lochenheath might be worth consideration -- they're a similar distance from Charlevoix compared to Shanty Creek, and quite a bit closer than Kingsley (though from a golf perspective, Kingsley is the best option, IMO). I have no idea what their membership offerings are, but they'd be worth looking into.

 

I also saw this, which seems like it might be interesting if they're still doing it this year: https://boynegolf.com/media-room/prospect-memberships

 

[Schley]

Never golfed in N Michigan, but will this coming summer as I have a couple rounds to use via charity auctions. I know a friend who is a national member at Kingsley and he raves about it for going 3-4 times a year. Not overly expensive IIRC and he is very happy there.

 

I'm sure they would provide info to a perspective member.

[putterboy75]

LochenHeath is a great course, very tough, par 3's are notably difficult and memorable. Also has one of the best practice facilities anywhere and super friendly staff.

Agree, Belvedere is a gem, not sure about residency requirements. I've never had any trouble playing in the afternoons in the summer though.