Midwest Golf Trip Suggestions

[BROD3]

Myself and 7 others are looking to do a golf trip in July/ August on weekend. Last year we did French Lick and it was awesome but want to do something different. Forest dunes is fully booked. I know this topic has been discussed a million times but would love just some different locations we can look it

 

Would love to keep it within 5-6 maybe 7 if it’s worth it driving from central OH. Budget would be around $1,000-$2,000. Thanks!

[cassel191919]

28 minutes ago, BROD3 said:

Myself and 7 others are looking to do a golf trip in July/ August on weekend. Last year we did French Lick and it was awesome but want to do something different. Forest dunes is fully booked. I know this topic has been discussed a million times but would love just some different locations we can look it

 

Would love to keep it within 5-6 maybe 7 if it’s worth it driving from central OH. Budget would be around $1,000-$2,000. Thanks!

Boyne in Northern Michigan is never a bad choice with the amount of courses they have to choose from. Not sure how far it would be but you could create a really good trip in the upper peninsula with Greywalls, sweet grass, sage run, and Timberstone but that requires some driving. I haven't been to Kohler in a couple of years so I don't know the pricing, but that is one of the best resorts in the country the shower alone is worth the price.

[ChipNRun]

If you're willing to drive a bit more, you could go to Branson, MO.

 

Although the zone is better known for Table Rock Lake boating and fishing and Silver Dollar City, Branson has seen quite a growth in golf courses and resorts.

 

Several famous golf pros have taken a hand in the developments. Tiger Woods has completed the Payne's Valley course, Tiger's first public course offering. Other courses drew upon Arnold Palmer, Tom Fazio, Gary Player and Ben Crenshaw for their design.

 

 

Plus, Bass Pro Shop owner Johnny Morris developed the Top of the Rock golf course and lodge. The course was designed by Jack Nicklaus. Besides golf, the lodge includes underground natural history and frontier era museums, a full day adventure on their own. Morris is also a nationally respected conservationist.

 

 Here is the Branson Golf website for links to specific courses.

 

Note: If you wanted to fly in, Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF) is located 50 miles to the north.

 

Edited January 6 by ChipNRun
Reset photo.

[ND2005]

1 hour ago, ChipNRun said:

If you're willing to drive a bit more, you could go to Branson, MO.

 

Although the zone is better known for Table Rock Lake boating and fishing and Silver Dollar City, Branson has seen quite a growth in golf courses and resorts.

 

Several famous golf pros have taken a hand in the developments. Tiger Woods has completed the Payne's Valley course, Tiger's first public course offering. Other courses drew upon Arnold Palmer, Tom Fazio, Gary Player and Ben Crenshaw for their design.

 

 

Plus, Bass Pro Shop owner Johnny Morris developed the Top of the Rock golf course and lodge. The course was designed by Jack Nicklaus. Besides golf, the lodge includes underground natural history and frontier era museums, a full day adventure on their own. Morris is also a nationally respected conservationist.

 

 Here is the Branson Golf website for links to specific courses.

 

Note: If you wanted to fly in, Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF) is located 50 miles to the north.

 

not exactly in the OPs 1-2K budget. Big cedar in the summer is crazy expensive 

[sabram]

I've not been there, but Gull Lake View Golf Resort near Kalamazoo, MI fits your requirements. It has 6 courses, on site lodging and should be within your budget and drive time. Their newest course, Stoatin Brae, is supposed to be excellent.

Edited January 7 by sabram

[Argonne69]

Lake Geneva, WI isn't bad. You have two resorts with five golf courses between them, Geneva National (3), and Grand Geneva (2). Quality golf, but certainly not Earth Shattering. You also have a handful of other decent courses in the area, e.g. Hawk's View, Abbey Springs. 

 

[Springsteennut]

If you’re looking to not break the bank. The western burbs of Chicago have some great choices. Cantigny, Prairie Landing, Preserve at Oak Meadows, Highlands of Elgin/ Bowes Creek and Blackstone. All are within about an hour of each other. Plenty of places to eat/drink and stay that won’t break the bank. Not exactly a resort trip but great courses and not a long drive for you and your friends.

[StudentGolfer4]

As mentioned earlier, Geneva National will be budget and is a true stay and play. Haven’t played their courses but it’s been discussed as an option with my group several times. 
 

Treetops is another popular one that will definitely be in budget. 
 

 

[akronswitness]

Boyne, Michigan. Many super scenic courses right next to each other and you can stay at the lodge since its also a ski resort in the winter. Its about a 6.5 hr drive from Columbus. Check out Alpine, Memorial, Crooked Tree and if your able to swing it--Bay Harbor. The courses are essentially carved into the side of the ski hill so they are really fun (and hard) to play with a bunch of elevation changes.

 

Alpine/Memorial are right next to the lodge built on the same mountain the skiing is on so you also get the benefit of the restaurants/bars/shopping that are at the resort in the evenings which IMO is a huge factor in booking any golf trip. In the summer they have a lot of live music and lawn games setup to have fun with at the lodge after your done golfing. 

 

Highly highly highly recommend 

 

Edited January 18 by akronswitness

[spdrcrx]

On 1/7/2024 at 4:20 PM, Springsteennut said:

If you’re looking to not break the bank. The western burbs of Chicago have some great choices. Cantigny, Prairie Landing, Preserve at Oak Meadows, Highlands of Elgin/ Bowes Creek and Blackstone. All are within about an hour of each other. Plenty of places to eat/drink and stay that won’t break the bank. Not exactly a resort trip but great courses and not a long drive for you and your friends.

I would add Stonewall Orchard to this.  More northern burbs, but one of the best in the area

[MattSTL88]

42 minutes ago, spdrcrx said:

I would add Stonewall Orchard to this.  More northern burbs, but one of the best in the area

I'm going to be in Barrington in May, would you say this over making the further drive to Elgin, Cantigny, Cog Hill, etc? Assuming I can't get on at Kemper Lakes which is right where I will be.

[Springsteennut]

2 hours ago, MattSTL88 said:

I'm going to be in Barrington in May, would you say this over making the further drive to Elgin, Cantigny, Cog Hill, etc? Assuming I can't get on at Kemper Lakes which is right where I will be.

Barrington has Makray which is a really nice course and some of the most challenging greens you’ll ever play. Cog Hill is a really long drive from Barrington. Cantigny is probably at least around an hour depending on traffic. It is a very nice course. Both Elgin courses are very nice also and about a half hour away. I live there and have driven to Makray many times and it’s not a bad drive. Cog and Cantigny are much more expensive than the Elgin courses or Makray. You won go wrong going to any of them.

[supergriff34]

As mentioned.  Boyne in northern michigan is an ideal spot for golf + budget.

id recommend also looking at a lake house on burt lake or mullet lake. split between 8 guys should keep you in budget. But can play the boyne courses.  Bay harbor.  You could even make the trip to mackinaw island and play and spend a day in the island.
a few other courses to check out would be hidden river, black lake golf club or true north (may need a call from your local pro to get on)

its about 7 hours driving to mullet/burt lake from columbus. But a fairly easy drive.  Made it many times.

Edited February 4 by supergriff34

[supergriff34]

On 1/6/2024 at 9:19 PM, sabram said:

I've not been there, but Gull Lake View Golf Resort near Kalamazoo, MI fits your requirements. It has 6 courses, on site lodging and should be within your budget and drive time. Their newest course, Stoatin Brae, is supposed to be excellent.

Ive heard very mixed reviews about gull lake.  But havent heard anything about the new course yet.  Hearing the hotel is pretty dated and some course conditions leave a lot to be desired

[ChrisATL]

For Michigan - Boyne or centering yourself around Grand Rapids (plenty of good options around there).  Outside of Michigan, I'd go Sand Valley.

[StudentGolfer4]

Sand valley is great but nothing budget about it. Well that’s not true, Craig’s porch is great lol.  The 50% off replay rate is helpful but rounds are $300 and the lodging is pricey and limited. 

[spdrcrx]

On 2/2/2024 at 5:16 PM, MattSTL88 said:

I'm going to be in Barrington in May, would you say this over making the further drive to Elgin, Cantigny, Cog Hill, etc? Assuming I can't get on at Kemper Lakes which is right where I will be.

Makray is a really nice course in Barrington always is great condition.  Cog Hill is great.  Personally I think Stonewall is one of the best in the area and probable about 40 min drive from Barrington.  Cog Hill is a good hour plus and you could place twice at Makray or stonewall for the price of Cog Hill

[Chanceman]

Re our upcoming trip in September, still have not decided whether to play Thunderhawk or Stonewall Orchard on our way back from Wisconsin. They seem fairly similar to an outsider. Can I get some idea of how WRXers feel about them? We will be tired after some constant golf.

(Playing Cog Hill the next day then flying out).