Playing Arcadia Sunday pm..what other course should I play with it

[odshot68]

Playing Arcadia at 2:20pm on Sunday..looking for another course to play on way up. What do you recommend thats close by or on the way up. (coming from Grand Rapids) Want another good track (just don't want to dish out prime rates for 36 at arcadia). Please advise. Thanks.

[odshot68]

anyone?

[Mich Nick]

You want one on the way up, or near arcadia itself?

[odshot68]

looking for one within 30-45 minutes if possible..

[Mich Nick]

My family and I vacation in that area. This track is pretty nice, near Arcadia, and has reasonable rates. I am not to fond of the resort courses, Crystal Mountain etc around there. Over priced.

[url="http://www.heathlands.com/photogallery.htm"]http://www.heathlands.com/photogallery.htm[/url]

[odshot68]

I was just looking at heathland course..looks decent but short. How is champion hill? Isn't there another one too?

[Mich Nick]

Yea there is champion hill, and another course owned by same people. Pinecroft I believe. All good courses. Pine croft being the shortest.

Champion hill is more of a links style. It is a nice track, but doesn't have the "up north" feel of the Heathlands. Can't go wrong with either. Just depends on what style of course you want.

[itw419]

Champion Hill isn't a bad track. It is sort of a links style but also some some elevation change. Highest point in Benzie county. Your can't go wrong with the price either.

[odshot68]

we have made a time at heathlands in am ...then playing arcadia early afternoon. it will be a good warm up track. Hopefully the weather cooperates. Then forest dunes next Friday for 36..great way to finish the year!

[Mich Nick]

Sweet! Let me know what you think about Heathlands.

[odshot68]

Alrighty..yesterday was a perfect fall day for golf. Sunny with 5-10 mph breeze off the lake. Arcadia was phenomenal. Actually played the white tees versus the tips (the other 3 guys wanted to play there) and it was much better. You could hit it high enough to stick in the right spots on the greens. The greens were so tough..but got a couple inside tips prior to playing and it made a huge difference. Had one unfortunate shot that appeared perfect yet noone found the ball (was weird because right at the stick and well struck) so had to go back and hit again and made double. Otherwise pleased with the 75 (73...LOL..) with 3 birdies. Really good for me on those greens. I will say Arcadia is more scenic than Pebble Beach. I'm sure I will get crap for saying this. But loved it!!

In the am we played Heathlands. Here's my honest review. It feels like an old style links course with added distance only on the front 9. I loved the layout on the front I could play that 9 many times. There was one goofy hole (dogleg right but a blind 2nd shot over trees to green). The course was in decent shape (fairways were longer, rough was fine, bunkers needed edging and some work; the greens were AWESOME THOUGH). The back nine was ..horrible. Really goofy holes. Would not want to play this again..and that par 3 that is way downhill has a ridiculous green as well. All in all it was well worth the $29. I did buy a bucket or range balls and 15% were cut up and not even hittable. I would not ever pay full price I think he said $49 in peak season. I would play it again and play the front 9 twice. There is a lot of local knowledge on where to hit certain tee shots but is a fun layout. The only other caveat was the greenskeeper didn't tap down the new holes so many were mounded. If you didn't hit dead center with some speed it would roll off.

[3_Jack_Par]

[quote name='odshot68' timestamp='1285612717' post='2716431']
Actually played the white tees versus the tips (the other 3 guys wanted to play there) and it was much better.
[/quote]

Don't think you're getting away with that on Friday.

[odshot68]

LOL...this is great! We are definitely playing the tips Friday on both rounds. Jeff is only playing the 2nd so he can muscle up for one 18. Its funny I don't care for the track from the 2nd box (driver is too much on a lot of holes). In the morning I will be the shortest hitter with you and my buddy Paulie. Hopefully, the weather cooperates..either way it will be great as always. It will be a great way to close the year. Arcadia then Forest Dunes...the only thing better would be Crystal Downs then Oakland Hills. See you in a few days.

[Mich Nick]

Very nice review. Sounds about how I remember the Heathlands. The hard part about playing Arcadia is the lack of other courses of equal quality in the area. But for 29$, not a bad warm up.

If your ever up there and want a unique, but not challenging course. My family and I have fun here. [url="http://www.manisteegolfandcc.com/"]http://www.manisteegolfandcc.com/[/url]

Built in 1901, it is not long at all. If you want the make it more challenging leave your woods in the car. But sometimes it is nice to play unique old places. The greens are small, its cheap, and right on lake Michigan.

I would imagine the course was wicked back in the days of Hickory.

As fir Arcadia, these are my two favorite holes.

[url="http://www.arcadiabluffs.com/course_hole_13.php"]http://www.arcadiabluffs.com/course_hole_13.php[/url]

[url="http://www.arcadiabluffs.com/course_hole_11.php"]http://www.arcadiabluffs.com/course_hole_11.php[/url]

The first year Arcadia opened, getting to play from the golds, made these the two hardest holes I have ever played. Both into the wind.

[odshot68]

My favorite two holes are 10 and 11. I missed an eagle putt on 11 but tapped in for birdie. I really like 14 as well..short little par 4. Probably pretty close to Scottish golf...great risk reward driving hole with tough green. What made it great was there were no pins on the very edge with all those false fronts like they have been known to do from time to time.

[3_Jack_Par]

I didn't find it to be all that much like Scottish links, based on my (limited)
experience. Arcadia has a lot more elevation change than the (3) courses I
played over there. Some similarities in the bunkering and the way the holes are
routed through the dunes, but definitely an Americanized version of links golf.

On the subject of the bunkers, I hit my career bunker shot at Arcadia -- I think
it's the second par 3, I came up short in the front bunker. That nasty thing
has a lip that hangs over part of the sand, so you can actually be under the lip
with absolutely no shot. I was very close to being under it, but I probably had
about 6 inches of clearance. I remembered seeing guys trying to get out of the
Road Hole bunker at the Open, and I just opened my 58* wedge as far as I thought possible, and swung down and through about as hard as I could. It somehow managed to clear the lip and made it onto the green. Even though it ended up about 15 feet away and I missed the putt (misread it -- imagine that:rolleyes:), it could have been much worse.

#11 is probably the most beautiful hole I've ever seen.

[chickenpotpie]

Very jealous....hope I get a chance to get out that way...sigh

[BadBilly429]

I have a cabin and property up in the area and play alot of golf up there. Arcadia is by far the best course in the area, but champion hill and pinecroft are both nice tracks as well. Crystal's mountain ridge course is worth the money I think of course you do get a much better deal if you stay there. Another good deal up that way is emerald vale in cadillac, and the crown on the outskirts of Traverse. On a private course tune if you can find a way to get on Kingsley club or Crystal Downs then your in for a real treat! I have been lucky enough too play both and these experiences along with the ones at Arcadia Bluffs are ones I will never forget in my life!

[3_Jack_Par]

[quote name='BadBilly429' timestamp='1285645114' post='2717420']
I have a cabin and property up in the area and play alot of golf up there. Arcadia is by far the best course in the area, but champion hill and pinecroft are both nice tracks as well. Crystal's mountain ridge course is worth the money I think of course you do get a much better deal if you stay there. Another good deal up that way is emerald vale in cadillac, and the crown on the outskirts of Traverse. On a private course tune if you can find a way to get on Kingsley club or Crystal Downs then your in for a real treat! I have been lucky enough too play both and these experiences along with the ones at Arcadia Bluffs are ones I will never forget in my life!
[/quote]

Kingsley is very open to guest play (contact their director of membership -- great guy), but you should know that if you're unaccompanied, it'll cost you $150 for the greens fee and you also have to take a caddie, so that's another $60-80. Great track -- better than Arcadia, IMO -- but be prepared for a bit of sticker shock.

[chickenpotpie]

Bill, just curious, what were the putting tips you picked up? I "may" have a chance to play there in a week or two if the weather holds up and I can ring up enough goodwill with the wife.

Curious if it's like Torrey....no matter what the break looks like, it breaks to the ocean (or in this case Lake Michigan). I swear that I had gravity defying putts at that place.

[odshot68]

My huge tip was..the pulls rolls a lot faster toward the lake then it does away from the lake!! Trust me this is a huge difference, whether its uphills or downhill it still applies! Also, play the whites..much more enjoyable! Trust me on this.

[BadBilly429]

[quote name='odshot68' timestamp='1285718365' post='2718885']
My huge tip was..the pulls rolls a lot faster toward the lake then it does away from the lake!! Trust me this is a huge difference, whether its uphills or downhill it still applies! Also, play the whites..much more enjoyable! Trust me on this.

[/quote]

+1 on this the greens are tough at arcadia but they run great, Crystal Mountain has some gravity defying greens as well local knowledge is always good when playing courses like these!