Arcadia Bluffs or Forest Dunes

[ckates7]

My buddies and I are looking for a top notch course to play this year. We are from Springfield, IL and always look for the toughest courses we can play (might as well get your moneys worth). Anyways I seem to be the only one doing some research, and keep seeing these 2 courses on every site. Those that have played both, or one or the other, what would you choose? Based on course, price, stay, etc...

 

Thanks guys!

Corey

[knickerbocker]

From the course alone, Forest Dunes is better IMO.

Arcadia offers awesome views and experience and a great golf course.

[3_Jack_Par]

[quote name='knickerbocker' timestamp='1358827907' post='6274613']
From the course alone, Forest Dunes is better IMO.

Arcadia offers awesome views and experience and a great golf course.
[/quote]
This pretty much sums it up. Arcadia is beautiful, with amazing views, and it's a pretty good golf course. I find it a bit repetitive, especially on the front 9, where it seems like a lot of the par 4s are the same hole.

Forest Dunes is a great golf course. There's not a throwaway hole out there, and it will really test your game, especially from all the way back. It's also pretty beautiful, in it's own right, though it doesn't have the spectacular setting up against Lake Michigan. The greens at Forest Dunes will also be among the best you'll ever see, which is not the case at Arcadia.

[itw419]

What these guys said is spot on. Forest Dunes is the best conditioned course I have ever played. I like them both but from a pure golf standpoint FD is better

[BG5]

A close call in my opinion but I agree with previous posters as I would lean towards Forest Dunes. The course is always in amazing shape and the greens roll so pure. Here is a thought.....play both as you will be glad you did and throw a round in at the Kingsley Club.

Cheers!

Bob

[bbslurp413]

Not even close. I like Forest Dunes but Arcadia will most likely be unlike anything you've ever played. Arcadia is my favorite course in Michigan and I've played all over.

[mattsam]

A close call but if you are going to pick one round, Arcadia is the choice. FD is awesome, but its not the experience AB is the views can't be replicated in the forest.

[Openwater22]

Climb to the top of Sleeping Bear Dune for the views, then go play Forest Dunes for the golf.

[ckates7]

What's the temperature like around Forest Dunes in mid-late May?

[dozer996]

[quote name='ckates7' timestamp='1359988922' post='6360049']
What's the temperature like around Forest Dunes in mid-late May?
[/quote]

Between 55° - 65°...it can touch 70° sometimes in late May.

[ckates7]

Awesome. We were worried it might be a little too chilly.

[3_Jack_Par]

[quote name='ckates7' timestamp='1359990405' post='6360181']
Awesome. We were worried it might be a little too chilly.
[/quote]
It's not a 100% guarantee -- I plan in an annual outing that is always the weekend before Memorial Day weekend. I've played in 80 degrees and sun, and 35 degrees and flurries (never more than a few flakes, but still).

[ckates7]

[quote name='3 Jack Par' timestamp='1359993773' post='6360527']
[quote name='ckates7' timestamp='1359990405' post='6360181']
Awesome. We were worried it might be a little too chilly.
[/quote]
It's not a 100% guarantee -- I plan in an annual outing that is always the weekend before Memorial Day weekend. I've played in 80 degrees and sun, and 35 degrees and flurries (never more than a few flakes, but still).
[/quote]
[quote name='3 Jack Par' timestamp='1359993773' post='6360527']
[quote name='ckates7' timestamp='1359990405' post='6360181']
Awesome. We were worried it might be a little too chilly.
[/quote]
It's not a 100% guarantee -- I plan in an annual outing that is always the weekend before Memorial Day weekend. I've played in 80 degrees and sun, and 35 degrees and flurries (never more than a few flakes, but still).
[/quote]

Would it be too risky to book a trip during that time?

[dozer996]

Out of the last 5 years, I've had 1 trip that was really cold. The other 4 trips were fine, like 3 Jack says... It can fluctuate and this years weather has been all over the place.

[3_Jack_Par]

Spring has been coming early the last few years, so it should be ok, but you do have to realize that you're rolling the dice a little. You're most likely not going to see snow, but it's possible you could see temps a little colder than you'd like. I wouldn't let that deter you from planning a trip at that time, as you'll most likely be fine.

[ThinToWin1]

[quote name='ckates7' timestamp='1359995353' post='6360633']
[quote name='3 Jack Par' timestamp='1359993773' post='6360527']
[quote name='ckates7' timestamp='1359990405' post='6360181']
Awesome. We were worried it might be a little too chilly.
[/quote]
It's not a 100% guarantee -- I plan in an annual outing that is always the weekend before Memorial Day weekend. I've played in 80 degrees and sun, and 35 degrees and flurries (never more than a few flakes, but still).
[/quote]
[quote name='3 Jack Par' timestamp='1359993773' post='6360527']
[quote name='ckates7' timestamp='1359990405' post='6360181']
Awesome. We were worried it might be a little too chilly.
[/quote]
It's not a 100% guarantee -- I plan in an annual outing that is always the weekend before Memorial Day weekend. I've played in 80 degrees and sun, and 35 degrees and flurries (never more than a few flakes, but still).
[/quote]

Would it be too risky to book a trip during that time?
[/quote]

I don't think it's too risky. However, I would avoid early morning tee times. In May, even warm days start out chilly up there.

Regarding Forest Dune or Arcadia: play both

[HackerDave]

You will love Forest Dunes. You will remember Arcadia forever. It's just that cool. Played both and my vote is Arcadia.

[outlawmichigan]

We booked Forest Dunes for May 12th and it was only $59. I think it goes to $89, then $149 in mid summer. If your schedule allows, you can save some coin by playing a week or two earlier in May.

[Casamundo]

I used to work at Arcadia Bluffs, I've played it well over a 100 times. I've only played Forest Dunes 4 or 5 times. In terms of condition, Forest Dunes is probably slightly better, but they are both spectacular. I've always been impressed with how good of shape Arcadia stays in with as much play as they generate. It's mostly because the whole course is on a giant sand dune and they water the heck out of it and it drains incredibly well. But, Forest Dunes doesn't get nearly as much play as Arcadia does. Arcadia averages over 180 players per day. However, if time is of the essence, Arcadia is not the place to play. They say the avg round is 4:45, it's probably closer to 5:20ish. But, i've seen rounds take as long 6.5-7hrs there (if you get an early tee time it typically moves along though). The problem being so many players on the course at the same time, plus most of them are terrible, and there is SO much heather on the course and they always spend ungodly amounts of time looking for balls. Plus the course is on 350 acer's of property, so it's very spread out.

I love both courses, but I never get tired of watching Arcadia sun sets.

[pgagreg1]

[quote name='ckates7' timestamp='1358827785' post='6274603']
My buddies and I are looking for a top notch course to play this year. We are from Springfield, IL and always look for the toughest courses we can play (might as well get your moneys worth). Anyways I seem to be the only one doing some research, and keep seeing these 2 courses on every site. Those that have played both, or one or the other, what would you choose? Based on course, price, stay, etc...

Thanks guys!
Corey
[/quote]
If your looking for a tough golf course, play Arcadia in the wind and it will be all you want

[dozer996]

[quote name='Casamundo' timestamp='1362396650' post='6543349']
I used to work at Arcadia Bluffs, I've played it well over a 100 times. I've only played Forest Dunes 4 or 5 times. In terms of condition, Forest Dunes is probably slightly better, but they are both spectacular. I've always been impressed with how good of shape Arcadia stays in with as much play as they generate. It's mostly because the whole course is on a giant sand dune and they water the heck out of it and it drains incredibly well. But, Forest Dunes doesn't get nearly as much play as Arcadia does. Arcadia averages over 180 players per day. However, if time is of the essence, Arcadia is not the place to play. They say the avg round is 4:45, it's probably closer to 5:20ish. But, i've seen rounds take as long 6.5-7hrs there (if you get an early tee time it typically moves along though). The problem being so many players on the course at the same time, plus most of them are terrible, and there is SO much heather on the course and they always spend ungodly amounts of time looking for balls. Plus the course is on 350 acer's of property, so it's very spread out.

I love both courses, but I never get tired of watching Arcadia sun sets.
[/quote]

I've played it in the morning....and you are correct, you can fly around the place. Play it at 2pm and forget it about it...6 hours is being generous, but I suppose there could be worst places to be playing golf for 6 hours. Arcadia is a very special place.

[mich_ping]

I finally played FD last year...in early July. The course was fantastic...a great challenge. The one gripe I have is that the mosquitos were OUT OF HAND!!! It really made a few of the holes on the front nine almost unbareable. They actually give you their own "house-brand" bug spray....which I think attracted them!

I am not sure if it is always like that....but it was horrible when we played it. They need to fog that place...badly.

That being said...it was a great course.

I would think that you could set up a better weekend at Arcadia though....better quality courses near by (in my opinion) and the views are much better. The overall experience at Arcadia is superior to FD, even though it is a great course.

[itw419]

Saying that the conditioning at FD is slightly better than Arcadia is the understatement of the decade. FD is the best conditioned course I have ever played. I love Arcadia but not the same conditioning as FD. The greens alone are night and day.

[chickenpotpie]

[quote name='itw419' timestamp='1362409573' post='6544127']
Saying that the conditioning at FD is slightly better than Arcadia is the understatement of the decade. FD is the best conditioned course I have ever played. I love Arcadia but not the same conditioning as FD. The greens alone are night and day.
[/quote]

Imagine combining the greens of FD with the rest of Arcadia? Oh my...

The Arcadia greens are just stupid in some spots.

[mattsam]

[quote name='chickenpotpie' timestamp='1362800018' post='6575281']
[quote name='itw419' timestamp='1362409573' post='6544127']
Saying that the conditioning at FD is slightly better than Arcadia is the understatement of the decade. FD is the best conditioned course I have ever played. I love Arcadia but not the same conditioning as FD. The greens alone are night and day.
[/quote]

Imagine combining the greens of FD with the rest of Arcadia? Oh my...

The Arcadia greens are just stupid in some spots.
[/quote]

I putted 30 yards off number 8 (2nd par three on the front). Thats right hit the ball on the right shelf and the flag was on the slope to the bottom shelf and missed it by inches and it went down the hill and around the green side bunker. Those greens would be unplayable with more speed, totally unplayable by 90% of the guys that play out there.