Help me choose-Forest dunes vs Bay Harbor/Belvedere

[exgolfpro]

Just beginning to plan a trip for me and my wife to go to Traverse City next July (travelling from Missouri).  Traverse City will be the home base, but will plan on playing Arcadia Bluffs and South Course, but looking to add a few others.  (fwiw, this is not specifically a golf trip, but will play a few rounds as a single, wife doesn't play).  But if I were going to spend another day away from Traverse City, should I head north and play Bay Harbor and Belvedere, or head southeast and play Forest Dunes and Loop?  Just wondering what you guys would choose.

 

On an additional note, how for in advance can I make tee times as Arcadia Bluffs if I am not staying on site?

[BG5]

You probably cannot go wrong with either.  If you play Bay Harbor and Belvedere you have Petoskey, Harbor Springs, and Charlevoix to cruise around and enjoy.  These are amazing towns with a lot of nice places to eat and some amazing scenery.

 

Forest Dunes is also fantastic but its basically in the middle of nowhere....but you have it all in one location so if you plan on partying like a rockstar then its nice to not have to drive.

 

 

[Fellaheen51]

Depends on how much road time you want to put in.  Bay Harbor and FD are both 1.5 hour drives one way from TC.  Maybe more depending on what side of TC you're staying and the amount of traffic in July.  FD gets a lot of pub, didn't do it for me when I played there 5 years back.  Not my style of golf course, found it kinda boring.  Very challenging though.  Peak black fly season made for a miserable experience.  NTM, it's in BFE.  Nothing else worthwhile in the general area.  

 

Belvedere is a great old school parkland course, a personal "Up North" favorite.  Would recommend.  There are other courses in and around the TC area, that are very good, and would significantly reduce your road time.  Bellaire (~25 miles) has Shanty Creek Resort (Legend, Cedar River, Hawk's Eye and 2 others).  Short's Brewery and Pub downtown Bellaire is good for after round refreshments.  North on US-31 at Kewadin is A-Ga-Ming Resort (Sundance and two more).  To the northwest of TC in the Leelanau, might consider Manitou Passage in Cedar.   Go to Dick's Pour House in Lake Leelanau, a quintessential northern Michigan saloon, for a smelt basket.  To the SW, in Thompsonville, is Crystal Mountain Resort.  The Mountain Ridge course is very good.  

 

Arcadia for sure.  About 50 miles from TC.  The Bluffs are a must play.  Haven't played the South Course.  Doubt I ever will.  The last time I played there, we booked over a year in advance.  To take advantage of Senior Tuesday discounts for the twelve of us.  

 

Enjoy your time in NW Michigan.  Be prepared, July is slam time.  Everything is crowded.  Dining is a wait.  Lots of traffic getting around.  Shopping downtown, jammed.  To many people everywhere.  We spend a fair amount of time in the general vicinity (Beulah, to the west) and avoid heading to TC during the summer.  Also note, the TC Cherry Festival is scheduled for July 2nd - 9th.  Which brings in even more touristas into town.  If you have options, plan accordingly.