Looking at playing at an event outside Rockford, Illinois in September with some friends, and now I'm kicking around the idea of going up solo a week or so early and driving over to Michigan and experiencing some of the courses there.

I already had Arcadia Bluffs on my radar, but are there any other recommendations within the state that anyone has?

While Crystal Downs would be awesome, I doubt my club has the pull to get me on there. But if you do have some private options that are open to reciprocity that you'd like to recommend, I'm open to that as well.

Thanks for any insight you can offer.

I'm assuming you are planning on taking the ferry across the lake then? Because driving around it up to the northern side of the LP would be a bit of a hike.

Up that way I've been trying to finagle to a trip to play the Loop at Forest Dunes both ways.

Hell even with the ferry and getting up to the Arcadia area it would still take you 6+ hours. In that time you could get to the UP and play Greywalls and a couple others

Every time I try and plan a Michigan trip it seems there's too much driving between the courses.

The Milkman said:

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If you set up in Traverse City you could play at least half a dozen great ones within 75 minute drive or so

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That's kind of my point. Three hours round trip from Traverse City to Arcadia, Bay Harbor, and Forest Dunes isn't ideal. But that's just for my crew. Others may find that to not be as cumbersome.

Yeah its not as ideal as a one stop shop sure. I guess being from Houston just skews my driving tolerance.

NColoradoAG said:

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Every time I try and plan a Michigan trip it seems there's too much driving between the courses.

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That's me. I really want to hit Forest Dunes and Arcadia but they are a ways from each other.

Check this out:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5vefWGHKLbOUzPqqO1g0S7XM9BLS--oN&si=R3_2k8X3aDsXYDTW

https://gaylordgolfmecca.com/courses/mecca-courses/

Shift the center of your radius to Gaylord and you get all this. Kinda an under-the-radar place because all the coastal areas get the attention.

Definitely out of the way, but Belvedere in Charlevoix is one of my favorite courses I've ever played. Both courses at Arcadia are great as well. Bay Harbor is cool, but nowhere near worth the price. Forest Dunes is great, didn't get to play the Loop when I was there - most people I know that have played either love it or hate it.

Crystal Downs is outstanding, but quirky. No drinking on the golf course. Have to pay for your round with a personal check (or at least that was the case the few times I was there).

Kingsley Club is very close and is quite a bit more accessible, I believe. it is also a fantastic golf course. Probably my favorite in Michigan. Forest Dunes is also good and has lodging on the property.

Another really great option, on the way up or back is Wuskhowan. I believe it is near Holland, and I may have misspelled it, but it is a really good golf course and the couple of times I have played it, it was in perfect condition.

Thanks for the replies so far. This input really has me now thinking of other options than I was initially thinking (both in Michigan and now Wisconsin).

Between the NLU vids that I binge watched and mapping out the courses suggested on this thread, its become evident that there is a lot of good golf in this region that I have to consider. The good thing is this event is becoming an annual thing so if I do it in the future I can plan various areas/courses each year if everything works out.

What is also evident is that its going to have to be a solo endeavor. I have no problem driving between desired courses that I decide on in Michigan, but the guys I know wouldn't go for it.

Once again, thanks for the insight and if there are any other suggestions keep them coming. Once I finalize an itinerary I'll post it.

It may be fully booked, but if you are thinking Wisconsin and you are going to be in Rockford, Sand Valley would be my first thought. Less than three hours away, and fantastic golf.

NColoradoAG said:

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The Milkman said:

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If you set up in Traverse City you could play at least half a dozen great ones within 75 minute drive or so

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That's kind of my point. Three hours round trip from Traverse City to Arcadia, Bay Harbor, and Forest Dunes isn't ideal. But that's just for my crew. Others may find that to not be as cumbersome.

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Get a driver and a van and enjoy it with beverages. That's not much different than what we drive to drop my daughter off at her golf academy twice a week.

Kylechinn said:

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Definitely out of the way, but Belvedere in Charlevoix is one of my favorite courses I've ever played. Both courses at Arcadia are great as well. Bay Harbor is cool, but nowhere near worth the price. Forest Dunes is great, didn't get to play the Loop when I was there - most people I know that have played either love it or hate it.

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I've played Belvedere with my dad - he was a caddie there when he was growing up - great course. His family lived in Charlevoix (where I am at this exact moment.)

There are a lot of good courses within 30-45 minutes of this area. I would recommend A-Ga-Ming Sundance course - my dad and I loved it. Dunmaglas is another good one - fun but tough.

I am thinking of planning a golf trip here next summer with my regular golfing buddies.

Played Pilgrims Run yesterday. I thought it was outstanding.

The condition, fun factor, hospitality, unique story/background and other characteristics all just come together at this place. It was my first round in Michigan, and got my trip off to a great start.

Excited that our Arcadia trip is finally here tomorrow.

• The Mines in Grand Rapids tomorrow
• Arcadia South on Thursday
• Arcadia Bluffs and the Dozen on Friday
• Pilgrims Run on Saturday before flying back home.

Wish it wasnt this heat wave they are having, but we're all pumped.

Ha, I was so tempted to book a flight Saturday and spend the week in Grand Rapids. Ever since I started this thread I've resolved to get back to Michigan each year.

I still haven't done the Mines - despite it being so close to downtown GR it seems to book up pretty quickly.

I did an event in May at Dunes Club and Lost Dunes. That region has so much excellent golf.

Don't come now! It's a double-shot of cyclospora and wildfire smoke we're getting.

Unfortunately when you plan trips 15 months in advance they aren't really up for changes. We played through the smoke. I'll upload some pics tomorrow

Did it several years ago and it was fantastic.

- flew to TVC
- Kingsley the first day Stayed at their lodging. Very nice
- next day was Crystal and Arcadia (just the original course was open}
- drove to somewhere just outside Roscommon and stayed in a ratty hotel.
- played Forest Dunes. Flew back out of tvc that afternoon

Would rank them
1). Crystal - front 9 is one of my favorite 9s ever. Nothing to the clubhouse but that's not why you are there in my opinion.
2). Kingsley - was new at the time but really cool. Much more rugged than most Michigan courses
3). Arcadia - neat property and design. Reminded of Bandon a bit visually. Hotel looked great. But was very slow and experience somewhat corporate and cheesy (kinda similar to sawgrass)
4). Forest Dunes - just played the original but wanted to play the loop too. Really good course. Bugs were terrible. And it was a long drive from the others.

Fantastic trip. Reasonably priced and knocked out most of the better courses in Michigan in a 3 day span. Would probably take out forest dunes or do in a separate trip (maybe with the Gaylord stuff) if doing again due to distance

snowaggie said:

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https://gaylordgolfmecca.com/courses/mecca-courses/

Shift the center of your radius to Gaylord and you get all this. Kinda an under-the-radar place because all the coastal areas get the attention.

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Played a ton of golf in the "U.P.", it doesn't get much more perfect for the price. Great weather May through September.

Between a few days in the smoke and not eating any fruit/veggies (for the sake of avoiding the diarrhea parasite) my body has been treated better.

The courses were awesome, but I definitely feel cheated that we didnt get to experience it with the views. I had always thought the people who said they liked the South better were just being hipsters or contrarians, but I tend to agree. I think the views and the awe of the Bluffs will win most people over. Coming in and out of the giant dunes is certainly a fun of fun, but the decision making and golden age design of the South is more my speed. Shot the exact same on both though with 81s. Group had a ton of fun despite the unlucky weather.

Sucks about the smoke.

I haven't played Arcadia South but I'll have to check it out at some point.

What is your perspective on Pilgrims Run?

Looking to put a trip together in the next few years for a group of 12 of us to go there. We've done most of the big ones and like to move each year. Streamsong, Bandon, Sand Valley, Pinehurst etc so a Traverse City/Arcadia centered trip is on our radar with the other typical destinations. Struggling to wrap my head around an agenda. Any help/suggestions on an itinerary? Doesn't look like Arcadia has enough for a full 4-5 day trip so it would likely be split into an Arcadia portion and then moving elsewhere. Any help?

Pilgrims run was one of the more serene and peaceful rounds I've ever played. Our group kind of naturally fell to a whisper most of the time we talked just to enjoy it even more. It was kind of a Bandon Trails Jr.

I love the fact that each hole kind of existed entirely on its on too.

Special place

If you are looking to make it a 4 or 5 day trip you could easily do 2 or 3 nights at Forest Dunes too. Play the loop both ways, forest dunes and their par 3 course.

What about around traverse city? We're not afraid to get into a little debauchery so the casino etc around there is enticing

Both High Pointe and The Grand Traverse Resort are within shouting distance of the casino. Ag-A-Ming, The Chief and Schuss Mountain are in the area. Take a break from golf and hitch a boat ride out to the Torch Lake Sand Bar. Look it up...you may well imagine the skimpy attire present on a hot day.

Got a VRBO over the week of the 4th last year in Traverse. Awesome city. If you're not scared to have 90 minute drives, as others have already said, incredible golf in the "area". Crystal downs, high pointe, Kingsley are all too notch. Unless you're playing with a member, CD is pretty tough to get on Memorial Day - Labor Day. Other two are easier (relatively to get on). Arcadia, Belvedere, and Forest dunes are all great. Hard to call northern Michigan underrated at this point but it's one of the best places for a summer golf trip imo.

Traverse is fantastic. One of the best beer cities you could ever go to.

Last summer we made a trip to Whistling Straits then on to Marquette Michigan and played Graywalls at Marquette Golf Club. Unreal track.