Help A Texas Guy Out With a Michigan Golf Trip

[North Texas]

Wife and I and 2 other couples are thinking about a golf trip to Michigan next year probably in July or August. We're wanting to stay in a house and play 4-5 different courses without a lot of travel time back and forth. Probably 45-60 minutes travel time at a max one way. And we are definitely wanting to play Arcadia Bluffs for sure. 

 

Not being familiar with Michigan, we're not sure first of all how feasible that is. So I was hoping some of you on here could enlighten me as what kind of possibilities we would have and give me some ideas. What are some suggestions for where to stay and some course options. 

 

Thanks in advance for all and any help. 

 

 

[knickerbocker]

That is a tough one.  Arcadia is not close to much.  

 

Option 1: Manistee

Arcadia would be about 45 minutes from there.

You could play local courses in Manistee (both courses at Manistee National and Manistee Golf and Country Club).

Also good would Hemlock and Lincolns in Ludington which is 30 minutes South. 

 

Option 2: Traverse City

Arcadia could be anywhere from 50 to 90 minutes away depending on where you are staying. 

Better golf options in that area including:

Locenheath

The Bear (very difficult)

Bahle Farms

The Crown

Mistwood

 

Edited November 22, 2021 by knickerbocker

[VNutz]

@North Texas

 

Northern Michigan can be pretty remote, and being in close proximity to lots of things without driving much is not really in line with what that area has. You can stay and play at Arcadia, but as said above there's not much else around the area, just a casino down the road IIRC. If it's a couples trip as you mentioned and the wives don't golf, they could be quite bored. My advice is if you're looking for nightlife and food/drink, stay in Traverse City and make a day trip for the hour+ drive to Arcadia, maybe even do the Bluffs and South course the same day as it stays light out until 10 in the summer. In TC there are plenty of good courses around and food/drink worthy of a destination trip. Or you could stay somewhere like Crystal Mountain with their stay and play packages and be somewhere in the middle within 30 minutes of Arcadia and 45 minutes or so from TC for nightlife, or you can just chill in their houses in the trees.

 

Either way, best of luck. MI west coast in the summer is one of the more underrated places in the country IMO. Everybody in the midwest knows, but outside of that it's pretty overlooked.

[North Texas]

Thanks for the replies so far and reading them I realized it might be helpful include a little more information about our group.

 

All of us, including the wives, are high single digit and/or low double digit handicaps. We're all in our late fifties to late sixties and after a round of golf all we care about doing is heading to the house to relax, cook up good something for dinner, and enjoy some drinks and/or some good wine. 

[Itsjustagame]

Rent a condo at Treetops. Virtually no driving and some pretty good golf.

https://www.treetops.com/

[AzSuperHack76]

6 hours ago, VNutz said:

@North Texas

 

Northern Michigan can be pretty remote, and being in close proximity to lots of things without driving much is not really in line with what that area has. You can stay and play at Arcadia, but as said above there's not much else around the area, just a casino down the road IIRC. If it's a couples trip as you mentioned and the wives don't golf, they could be quite bored. My advice is if you're looking for nightlife and food/drink, stay in Traverse City and make a day trip for the hour+ drive to Arcadia, maybe even do the Bluffs and South course the same day as it stays light out until 10 in the summer. In TC there are plenty of good courses around and food/drink worthy of a destination trip. Or you could stay somewhere like Crystal Mountain with their stay and play packages and be somewhere in the middle within 30 minutes of Arcadia and 45 minutes or so from TC for nightlife, or you can just chill in their houses in the trees.

 

Either way, best of luck. MI west coast in the summer is one of the more underrated places in the country IMO. Everybody in the midwest knows, but outside of that it's pretty overlooked.

I like @VNutz suggestion as well. We stayed in Thompsonville Michigan, rented a VRBO right down the street, walking distance to the Crystal Mt Resort. We played Hemlock on the way up from Detroit. Then played Arcadia South and Bluffs for 36 in one day, (make sure you book the 2nd round soon after the first as we didn't finish thanks to incredibly slow play on the Bluffs course). Then we played Champion Hill and Crystal Mt., Mt Ridge Course for 36 the next day. Quite a few other options in the area as well. Drive up to Bahle Farms, Pince Croft(Champion Hill's sister course), Bestie Course at Crystal Mt. 

 

Another option is Gaylord, you can get over to Forrest Dunes/Loop and then you have the Treetops resort as well.

 

Can't go wrong with much in Northern Michigan, it truly is a special place, we make the trip from Arizona every summer. 

[postfold]

8 hours ago, North Texas said:

Thanks for the replies so far and reading them I realized it might be helpful include a little more information about our group.

 

All of us, including the wives, are high single digit and/or low double digit handicaps. We're all in our late fifties to late sixties and after a round of golf all we care about doing is heading to the house to relax, cook up good something for dinner, and enjoy some drinks and/or some good wine. 

 

If that's accurate and you don't really care about being in an area with lots of non-golf things to do I'd also suggest something in the northwest lower near Traverse City.  I would say any of Frankfort, Interlochen, Bear Lake, Beulah/Benzonia, etc. would put you less than 45 minutes from Arcadia and 30 minutes from several other very solid options.  If you stay in Traverse City itself traffic is worse and it'll add to your drive times.

 

Manistee also solid recommendation, 30 minutes to Hemlock and Arcadia, plus Manistee National's courses.

 

Beach towns will generally be more expensive than not-beach towns, but always YMMV.

 

[cassel191919]

If you are planning on playing Arcadia Bluffs on a weekend I would book soon, they had nothing on weekends all season from what I heard.

[PeteW]

Bay Harbor in Petosky is great and it’s on the top 100 you can play lists. 

[Curmudg3on]

If you travel up I-75, the Dream and the Nightmare near West Branch are very nice.  

[Fellaheen51]

@North Texas  Since you mentioned playing Arcadia as a priority.  It's indeed quite marvelous, especially the Bluffs.  Would give serious consideration to the stay and play options available at Crystal Mountain Resort.  It's a sure thing for getting quality accommodations (rent a condo at the top of the ski hill).  Two very good courses on site, Betsie Valley and Mountain Ridge.  Within a half hour to the two courses at Arcadia.  Nearby are Champions Hill and Pinecroft, lower cost and not of the same caliber as the prior, but still fun to play.  Two courses at Manistee National appx. a half hour away.   Something of a confirmation to what VNutz has already posted.  Don't want to waste a lot of time driving around, I would opt to play a course a second time vs. driving an hour one way to play something different.  

 

If you're flying, Cherry Capital Airport (Traverse City) has commercial flights.  Although you'll likely connect through Detroit or Chicago.  Might be able to get a direct flight into Grand Rapids, leaving a 2.5 hour drive to the area.  

 

We stay with friends that live in Beulah.  So never have reason to rent lodging.  But do know there are a number of house rental options there.  Some on Crystal Lake.  If you are still able to find one available.  They tend to rent out far in advance, not sure if you will be able to book for next summer this late.  Suppose you could use a lodging search tool of your choosing for options in the area.   Use Benzie County in a search que to cover the entire area.  

 

If you decide to do something other than chill, Frankfort is a cool beach town that's close.  Check out the big Lake.  (Come to Michigan, have to go to the lake at least once).  Walk along the harbor, several dining options, shopping for the ladies.   Stormcloud brew pub if you're in to that sort of thing.  

 

It's a wonderful area, we visit often.  Despite the proclamations to the contrary, the locale isn't in the middle of nowhere.  Hope you make it up and enjoy your stay.  FWIW, Crystal Mountain link:

 

https://www.crystalmountain.com

 

 

 

 

[DRonNakita]

I would recommend staying in Frankfort.  Great little beach town.  Quick trip to Arcadia Bluffs which is a must play if you are heading to Michigan.  I have not played the South Course but would expect it to be high caliber.  Mistwood is a hidden gem about 30 minutes away with 3 9 hole tracks and some of the smoothest most consistent greens I have ever played.  You are also able to head over to Traverse City and play the Bear, Gary Players Knight course, Lochenheath.  Crystal Mountain courses are a lot of fun as well.  I used to live in Traverse City but moved down state.  We now go up and stay in Frankfort every year because the town is small and not overrun.  It has great food options and an amazing beach with lighthouse.  If you have access to private clubs, Crystal Downs in Frankfort is one of the top private courses in the world and the Kingsley Club is amazing!!!!  Stay away from Elmbrook and the Crown in TC.  Goat ranches and always super slow pace of play.