Course recommendations?

[ramylson]

Michigan Golf Trip.

EDIT: plans have changed a bit. Basically, we'd rather play golf and go out for dinner and drinks each night versus driving from destination to destination. Look down further for an updated itinerary with questions..

Click me to go right to the updated post.

A few years ago, a few friends and I started making a "early" (Memorial Day) golf trip across our pond (Lake Michigan). Spurred on by great golf, weather, and friends.. we're making another trip. This one even more important since we had to cancel last years due to a "lack of interest" (a pregnant wife will do that).

Anyway, the last trip we stayed over in Grand Rapids, where we played the courses of St Ives, Tulleymore, Arcadia Bluffs, Pilgrams Run, Hawks Head, and the Ravines. This year we're looking at opinions to other courses that we should try, as well as opinions towards ones that we're considering. Currently, there's talk about still going back and playing at Arcadia and Tulleymore, but we'd really like to try other courses. Here's the list we've come up with so far:

• Timberstone
• True North
• Hidden River
• High Pointe
• Forest Dunes
• Arcadia
• Tulleymore
  

Once again, I'm looking at opinions towards these coures, as well as others that might have been missed and shouldn't have been.

[JNewsted]

You have good choices.

 

If you go to the UP, you HAVE TO PLAY GREYWALLS. Play it twice. Combo that with Timberstone.

 

Tullymore and its neighbor St Ives is a nice day. 1 mile apart. Two different styles, Tully is a better course. Cant beat that.

 

Forest Dunes is amazing. I am not fond of the actual course at Arcadia, but the experience is fantastic. duh.

 

I havent played True North, High Pointe or Hidden River. I hear High Pointe is pretty special.

 

If you want to go east of Gaylord, look for Elk Ridge or Black Lake. Or just stay in Gaylord and go crazy at Treetops.

 

Another good suggestion... and Im just saying since these 3 courses are HIGH on my "to play" list, Belvedere and Dunmaglas near Charlevoix.

 

 

There's sooo many....

[itw419]

If you wanted to head over to the east side of the state you could stop at Eagle Eye on the way over. Then play Red Hawk and the Lakewood Shores courses( Gailes, Blackshire and Serendella). I really liked Eagle Eye and posted some pics in the midwest course review section. I am a huge fan of Tulleymore but not really St. Ives. I am supposed to play Forest Dunes and Arcadia this spring and have heard nothing but good things about them.

[Bubb]

Hidden River is very nice. So is Eagle Eye in Lansing. Treetops and Garland are great as well. Nothing in Michigan is better than Arcadia in my opinion.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

pics of Arcadia and HIgh Pointe from 2006 are here:

 

http://www.hetzelfamily.org

 

 

That day we played 9 holes on the Wolverine, then 18 at High Pointe and then hi-tailed it over to Arcadia and played 18! A GREAT DAY OF GOLF.

[stevepoz]

If you want to play Arcadia Bluffs, try to get an early tee time. We played last fall and had an almost 6 hr round.\

 

If you have any private connections, try Kingsley Club and, of course, Crystal Downs.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I had just the opposite experience. We teed off at 4:00 pm ($100 instead of $185) and the ranger MOVED the groups along at all times. We finished up at 8:45 just as it became twilight....

[cross]

From your list, I've played Arcadia Bluffs, Forest Dunes and True North. That is the order I would rank the courses. Unless distance is a factor, Arcadia Bluffs and Forest Dunes will always be on my Michigan golf itinerary. Arcadia Bluffs is my favorite course on the planet, and Forest Dunes is up there with the Whistling Straits courses and the Orange County National courses on my playlist.

 

True North is an excellent course with some dramatic holes and elevation changes. It was in very good shape when we played, and the clubhouse was very nice for the post round drinks. In fact, we played it the day Michigan lost to Appalachian State. It was a great place for 3 Buckeye fans to watch that game unfold.

 

In any event, True North is going private, as is Forest Dunes. If you want to play them before they completely go private (I have no idea how long that process will take), I suggest playing them sooner rather than later. You won't be disappointed with either course.

[diehardgolfer32]

I live in Grand Rapids. It sounds like you've played a lot of the big name courses in Michigan. That's great and I think you should play some of those again. However, if your interested we do have some hidden gems here in Michigan. If you stay near GR again there's a few great courses around here. Thousand Oaks and the Mines are a couple of my favorites. Thousand Oaks was ranked 4.5 out of 5 stars in Golf Digest in 2002, 2004, and 2006. Lots of Trees, doglegs, quick and rolling greens and fairways. Bring the bugspray though, at times the bugs are horrible. Lots of wildlife to see along the way. The Mines was ranked in the top ten best public courses for under 75 dollars in 2006. This is a sweet course and it's not very expensive. It's built over built over old gypsym mines. It has two consecutive par three's (very unusual). Also, we have a cottage up in Cadillac MI. Eldorado Golf Course is just one of the great courses to choose from in Cadillac. I havn't played Bay Harbor but I've heard good things about it. I hope this helps.

[Bubb]

I second Thousand Oaks. Very solid.

[bcvizina_2]

• Timberstone
  
• True North
  
• Hidden River
  
• High Pointe
  
• Forest Dunes
  
• Arcadia
  
• Tulleymore
  

Tulleymore in my opinion is not as nice as some of the other courses in Michigan, don't get me wrong it is a nice course. Hidden River is 15 minutes from my house and is definately does not belong with the rest of the group mentioned. Forest Dunes is awesome and the greens are super fast. Get on Arcadia on a windy day and you'll have some fun... High Point is all right. True North is 20 min from my house also and is nice because on a saturday morning your the only one on the course, and it is also nice. The only course I can see in the area that you are missing and is worth while is Black Lake G.C. It is the UAW course in Onaway and is very nice. For a challenge play it from the back tees, which for most is a little too much.

[ramylson]

So, the plans have changed. We're not just going to stay in Rapid City again. Bottom line, we're more interested in playing golf w/ dinner and drinks each night. Versus driving from destination to destination each night. So, here's what we're thinking now, and I'm interested in hearing what people have to say. I know there have been a few comments on a few of this courses, but I'm looking for additional comments/info on things to help set our plans. Here are the courses we're considering(in no particular order):

• Thousand Oaks
  
• Angles Crossing
  
• Yarrow
  
• The Mines
  
• Tullymore
  
• GVSU
  
• Quail Ridge
  
• Warren (Notre Dame, IN)
  

Thanks guys.

[JeffreySpicoli]

I'd consider swapping out Quail Ridge and/or the Mines for Pilgrim's Run.

[ramylson]

Anyway, the last trip we stayed over in Grand Rapids, where we played the courses of St Ives, Tulleymore, Arcadia Bluffs, Pilgrams Run, Hawks Head, and the Ravines.

 

Great course. One of my favorites from our last trip. But, this time around we're looking at new courses this time around. I know that we're playing Tullymore again, but I believe each of us need a second chance at it.. not to mention, it's a beautiful track.

 

Need some advice on these, or others in the area not listed, as a lot of the courses don't show a lot through their respective websites..

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Ramy, when are you going to be in Michigan?

[diehardgolfer32]

You can't go wrong with Pilgrims Run, Thousand Oaks, Quail, or The Mines. Out of these four, I would have to say that Thousand Oaks and Pilgrims Run are my favorites. I've played all 4 this year and they are all in very good condition. Keep us updated.

[ramylson]

Ramy, when are you going to be in Michigan?

 

May 22nd through the 25th (I believe). You interesting in joining in somewhere? We only have three guys going.. IM me if you have any questions.

 

You can't go wrong with Pilgrims Run, Thousand Oaks, Quail, or The Mines. Out of these four, I would have to say that Thousand Oaks and Pilgrims Run are my favorites. I've played all 4 this year and they are all in very good condition. Keep us updated.

 

Right now the list is looking like The Mines, Tullymore, Angles Crossing, Yarrow, and Thousand Oaks. I'd really like to get the Notre Dame course in there, but there's only so much time. We'd just like to play the best courses that we can, hence the initial question. I don't want to "waste" the time at a course that is in poor shape, layout, etc. Sure, it's still golf, but time's limited. And, with a community like WRX, we should be able to get the best value..

 

And, I'll definitely keep everyone updated.. along with pictures/reviews when we're back. I do it for just about every other course that I've played (some I've posted here at WRX as a resource), I would definitely want to post these.

[postfold]

Another recommendation for Thousand Oaks. I had a terrible day there, but it is a nice course.

 

Your list looks pretty solid to me - especially if you're not going to replay anything except Tullymore. I would probably add Grand Haven and would choose that over GVSU (which looks like it's off your list anyway).

[ramylson]

Played Grand Haven several years ago on the tail end of the business trip, while we had excess time when waiting for the high-speed ferry. Great course, even though we played it when that portion of the state was in a bit of a drought, along with a faulty hydration system (which has since been updated). Very tight, but typical old school design. Which, of course, I loved. We actually debated on trying to play that our first day, but opted for others since the Mines and Thousand Oaks have been so highly reviewed. GVSU is currently on the list since it's a Hudson/Fry design (same as Erin Hills and Wild Rock in Wisconsin), so we know that it should be a decent layout even though their website doesn't necessarily show it.

 

At this point, I really think that these courses are locked and loaded: Tullymore, Thousand Oaks, The Mines, and Angles Crossing. I'd still like to hear opions on Angles Crossing, but everyone going on this vacation seems to be interested in playing it. What's still up in the air would be GVSU, Warren GC, and Yarrow GC for our final option.

 

Thanks for the help so far guys, and keep the info coming!! :man_in_love:

[ramylson]

Well, things are set. Here are the courses:

• The Mines
  
• Tullymore
  
• Eagle Eye
  
• Thousand Oaks
  
• Yarrow
  

Thanks for the help. And, be looking for some quality pictures/reviews when I'm back and in one piece again.

[tonyd99]

Me and my future wife are going to Northen Michigan for our wedding, yes she plays too and were thinking of playing Dunmaglas or Black Lake on Tuesday before the wedding. Should we make tee times now or do you thknk a 3 or 4 some could walk on?

[tonyd99]

Any locals or past experinces?

[Ninja]

Anyone know if Eldorado GC is worth playing? It's just east of Arcadia Bluffs.

[odshot68]

[quote name='Ninja' post='1818288' date='Jul 14 2009, 01:20 PM']Anyone know if [b]Eldorado GC[/b] is worth playing? It's just east of Arcadia Bluffs.[/quote]
its okay..nothing great...and not upnorth golf. Much better choices...IMO