Recommendations around Traverse City, MI

Anyone have any experience in this area?  

I played the 3 courses at the Grand Traverse Resort this past October.  Of the 3, I would recommend The Bear (Jack Nicklaus Design).  It was challenging, made good use of risk reward and optical illusion.  There a few holes which use slight elevation change and high grass marsh area to trick your eye from the tee box.  The forced carry over the marsh looks much longer than it is.

Spruce Run (William Newcomb Design) is pretty straight forward, nothing special.  It was a good course to play with my wife who just recently picked up golf.

The Wolverine (Gary Player Design) is right between the two.  More challenging than Spruce Run, but I wasn't overly impressed.  All 3 courses were very well maintained.

I stayed at the resort and played these 3 out of convienience and lack of knowledge about how many courses were in the Traverse City area.  I talked with a few locals and they recommended many courses around the area.  Most within 30 min drive of downtown Traverse City.  I really liked the area and will definitely make a trip back to play other area courses. 

There is a lot of great golf up this way. How far of a drive do you want to play? Lochenheath is very nice as well as The Bear. Also check out Ag-A-Ming Sundance. Great track. Also looks at the Crystal Mountain courses, Hawk's Eye, and Shanty Creek. If you want to drive a little TreeTops, Otsego Club, Boyne courses, The Natural, Bay Harbor and Arcadia Bluffs. PM me if you want some more info. We have a cottage on Crystal Lake in Frankfort and my dad lives in Elk Rapids in the summer so play quite a bit of golf up that way.

Arcadia Bluffs is only about 90 minutes from Silver Lake (60 minutes from Traverse City) - well worth the drive and the fees.

There are plenty of other choices, but Arcadia is a destination course.

I would highly suggest either A-ga-ming (sundance) or Hawkseye in Bellaire.  Both the Cedar River Course and the Legend at Shanty Creek are awesome as well.  Hit em straight!

IMO Lochenheath is the best course in the TC area. I haven't played any of the Grand Traverse courses but they look flat and manufactured to me, especially The Bear. I second the Shanty Creek courses which are not too far away. There are a dozen or more great courses as you get closer to Petoskey. If you can finagle your way on, the two best courses in that part of the state are Crystal Downs and The Kingsley Club. Both are private. Crystal Downs is high on the list of best courses in the world. It's near Frankfort.

Anybody played Kingsley Club or Dunmaglas????  I heard the Kingsley Club is allowing public play but its $150 a round.

I've played Dunmaglas a few times. Very nice course with some tough holes. I'd be surprised if Kingsley was open to public play but if so from what I read about this course, $150.00 is a bargain.

Found this in an online review of Kingsley..."The private club allows non-members to play if a PGA Professional calls to make the arrangements. Greens fees are in the $150 range, plus a forecaddie fee."....Not sure the validity, but worth a shot. I've heard the place is off the charts!

Quote:

Originally Posted by showtime583 

Found this in an online review of Kingsley..."The private club allows non-members to play if a PGA Professional calls to make the arrangements. Greens fees are in the $150 range, plus a forecaddie fee."....Not sure the validity, but worth a shot. I've heard the place is off the charts!

This usually means a reciprocal agreement with another private club doesn't it?

If you're looking for something cheap and challenging, surely check out Elmbrook!

Give Manitou Passage a look, Lochenheath, and Interlochen are in your price range as well.

Hawkseye is nice, and like another person said Arcadia Bluffs in an hour away and IMO of of the top 3 courses in the state.

How about Gaylord? It's a nice place anyway plus less expensive. I've heard these place has wonderful world class lodging facilities. You can check this out. http://www.golfzoo.com/-gaylord-michigan-golf-vacation-packages-.htm

When I visit Traverse City, I play Arcadia Bluffs at least 2 times. It is a challenging course but well worth the experience. Many of the holes follow the lake (which looks like the ocean) and the views are spectacular! There is a senor discount day (Tuesday maybe?)   Not to be missed!   http://arcadiabluffs.com/