Norther Michigan joins the golf boom.

[BG5]

Well....the golf boom continues to just go crazy.  Northern Michigan is home to some of the best golf courses in the country and what makes Michigan unique is the fact that it is an peninsula which basically isolates it in many ways. Because of that one can usually get crazy golf deals early in the season as weather is always a risk in May

 

May is a month that you can usually get absolute steals at places like Arcadia Bluffs, Forest Dunes and Bay Harbor.  Not so much anymore and like all major golf courses they are booked like crazy in May.  What is unique about May in Michigan is that its hit or miss with weather and especially in Northern Michigan as you can still have snow.  On top of that those courses are charging anywhere from $130-$300 a round and they are booked like crazy.  The trees have not always bloomed.....snow is possible and weather can be good but can also be terrible.

 

On top of that the second tier resorts (still really good golf) like Treetops, Boyne, Shanty Creek, and Garland are also slammed in May and they are also charging an arm and a leg for that time of year.  Most courses are now north of $100 and some at $140 in May and the good old days of getting $45 rounds in Northern Michigan in May seem to be over.  These are early season rates....and they are just slammed

 

Good for the golf courses, good for the game.....bad for my pocket book 🙂

 

I am just amazed and how many people are traveling during these times where the economy is not excatly doing as good as it was 2 years ago

[cassel191919]

I am curious if when this boom ends if they will regret pricing out their regulars, I think the prices at Boyne and Forest Dunes right now are crazy high.

[BG5]

 

I agree....early season rates at Forest Dunes are $165 which is out of control.  The crazy thing is I called for the middle of May and they are fully booked and I cannot get us a place to stay or play even if I wanted to.  The girl said they and are booking out until May 2024

 

Treetops is the same.  I tried to get a package in May for 1 night and 36 holes for two days and was quoted over $600.  It wasnt that long ago you could go to Treetops for $129 for one nights stay and two days of unlimited golf in May.

 

Boyne quoted me over $700 for a package in May that included Bay Harbor and there was basically no tee times as well.

 

Its booming up there.....its booming everywhere.....but at some point I would think the bubble will burst....maybe I am wrong as I figured it would a while ago but it appears to just keep getting busier. 

[ND2005]

8 minutes ago, BG5 said:

 

I agree....early season rates at Forest Dunes are $165 which is out of control.  The crazy thing is I called for the middle of May and they are fully booked and I cannot get us a place to stay or play even if I wanted to.  The girl said they and are booking out until May 2024

 

Treetops is the same.  I tried to get a package in May for 1 night and 36 holes for two days and was quoted over $600.  It wasnt that long ago you could go to Treetops for $129 for one nights stay and two days of unlimited golf in May.

 

Boyne quoted me over $700 for a package in May that included Bay Harbor and there was basically no tee times as well.

 

Its booming up there.....its booming everywhere.....but at some point I would think the bubble will burst....maybe I am wrong as I figured it would a while ago but it appears to just keep getting busier. 

 

I mean I get that it is a change, but $165 for Forest Dunes seems like a deal to me. I have to pay that much for mediocre public tracks here in TX.

 

I do miss the days of my all-season pass at Radrick Farms/UM for $1300...

[cassel191919]

23 minutes ago, ND2005 said:

 

I mean I get that it is a change, but $165 for Forest Dunes seems like a deal to me. I have to pay that much for mediocre public tracks here in TX.

 

I do miss the days of my all-season pass at Radrick Farms/UM for $1300...

I get that is just where the prices of golf are at the moment, but Forest Dunes is a $150 golf course. It also hurts that I once paid $15, but over $200 prime season is crazy to me

[tjblue]

Remember when the golf magazines use to have best courses under 50$?

 

That number in now 75-100$.

 

I've played Forest dunes a few times and would like to play again but will never pay 165$.... let alone in May. Instead I'll play hidden jewels like Pilgrim's run or even the Lynx for much less.

 

[StudentGolfer4]

5 minutes ago, cassel191919 said:

I get that is just where the prices of golf are at the moment, but Forest Dunes is a $150 golf course. It also hurts that I once paid $15, but over $200 prime season is crazy to me

Love the loop, like forest dunes.  Curious what you think makes it a $150 golf course? I’m guessing this is based primarily on location? Destination golf is booming right now and Forest Dunes is no exception. 
 

In PHX or South Florida it’s a $350 golf course. In Pinehurst it’s probably a $250 golf course. In my area, midwestern state capital with a million people or so, I think you’re probably right that it’s a $150-175 golf course. 
 

I would enjoy the resort even more if prices were lower but after spending a weekend there I never once felt anything was overpriced. 

Edited March 10, 2023 by StudentGolfer4

[cassel191919]

1 minute ago, StudentGolfer4 said:

Love the loop, like forest dunes.  Curious what you think makes it a $150 golf course? I’m guessing this is based primarily on location? Destination golf is booming right now and Forest Dunes is no exception. 
 

In PHX or South Florida it’s a $350 golf course. In Pinehurst it’s probably a $250 golf course. In my area, midwestern state capital with a million people or so, I think you’re probably right that it’s a $150-175 golf course. 
 

I would enjoy the resort even more if prices were lower but after spending a weekend there I never once felt anything was overpriced. 

I have a cabin in the area and I see a lot of open tee times especially during the week, I just don't personally see the value when I have played it so many times many time under $60. If they can fill the tee times it makes sense, just wondering what happens when the boom ends and they priced out all of their regulars who went when they were struggling to stay afloat.

[Gdane]

Over the past few years I've resorted to booking my summer golf trip in December/January.  For my 2022 trip to Arcadia I booked in December '21 and even then they were booked for the first 3 Fridays that my group wanted to play.  Ended up finding a window in August where 36 was available between the 2 courses but we barely finished our 2nd round due to daylight.

 

The secret seems to be out with regards to how great Northern Michigan golf is with recent profiles by major social media golf brands. 

 

My opinion is that demand/higher pricing is here to stay for the premier golf resorts as they cater to the clientele who have that disposable income, as well as those looking to fulfill a bucket list trip.  If/when this boom dies down it should be the lower tier resorts that feel the pinch. 

[cassel191919]

17 minutes ago, Gdane said:

Over the past few years I've resorted to booking my summer golf trip in December/January.  For my 2022 trip to Arcadia I booked in December '21 and even then they were booked for the first 3 Fridays that my group wanted to play.  Ended up finding a window in August where 36 was available between the 2 courses but we barely finished our 2nd round due to daylight.

 

The secret seems to be out with regards to how great Northern Michigan golf is with recent profiles by major social media golf brands. 

 

My opinion is that demand/higher pricing is here to stay for the premier golf resorts as they cater to the clientele who have that disposable income, as well as those looking to fulfill a bucket list trip.  If/when this boom dies down it should be the lower tier resorts that feel the pinch. 

For sure the big resorts will not suffer much, but they may not book out 2 years in advance like they are right now. I also wonder with Northern Michigans courses being so spread out if they will keep up. Arcadia has been extremely booked for years, Forest Dunes on the other hand has really become very busy the last few seasons.

Edited March 10, 2023 by cassel191919

[Bonneville85308]

Forget unemployment figures, Jerome Powell should be looking at golf tee sheets when determining how much raise interest rates to combat runaway inflation. We need a recession to flush out all of this froth in the golf market. Still too many upper middle class people out there with disposable income to burn.

[StudentGolfer4]

2 hours ago, cassel191919 said:

I have a cabin in the area and I see a lot of open tee times especially during the week, I just don't personally see the value when I have played it so many times many time under $60. If they can fill the tee times it makes sense, just wondering what happens when the boom ends and they priced out all of their regulars who went when they were struggling to stay afloat.

I get this thought a bit, but to my knowledge FD was never intended to be a course that relied on support from locals and it’s never really been that way, has it? Started out billed as an exclusive country club with a heavy portion of national members and that never really materialized. Now the clientele seems to be the golf groups making weekend and multi day trips. The whole premise of the loop (besides a Doak passion project) was to get out of town guests staying on property longer. 
 

I would think if the demand drops off they just lower the rates again and maybe start a resident rate.
 

With you having a cabin up there you know the area much better than I do. There doesn’t seem to be any meaningful population to support the course within 20-30 minutes of there even if they were after support of the locals? The couple of towns we did drive through didn’t seem like they would really support 60-80 rounds of golf anyway. Right or wrong, the general thought is probably that people who have a second residence near the course are able to pay higher fees if they desire. 
 

For the record, peak rates are only up $10 at FD compared to 2022. That ain’t bad. 

[cassel191919]

3 hours ago, StudentGolfer4 said:

I get this thought a bit, but to my knowledge FD was never intended to be a course that relied on support from locals and it’s never really been that way, has it? Started out billed as an exclusive country club with a heavy portion of national members and that never really materialized. Now the clientele seems to be the golf groups making weekend and multi day trips. The whole premise of the loop (besides a Doak passion project) was to get out of town guests staying on property longer. 
 

I would think if the demand drops off they just lower the rates again and maybe start a resident rate.
 

With you having a cabin up there you know the area much better than I do. There doesn’t seem to be any meaningful population to support the course within 20-30 minutes of there even if they were after support of the locals? The couple of towns we did drive through didn’t seem like they would really support 60-80 rounds of golf anyway. Right or wrong, the general thought is probably that people who have a second residence near the course are able to pay higher fees if they desire. 
 

For the record, peak rates are only up $10 at FD compared to 2022. That ain’t bad. 

Right away it was an exclusive club and it failed very quickly. It was never going to be supported by locals it was just to expensive for the area. I would say there are a lot of golfers within a 45 minute drive, but they are not a group who is spending over 50 consistently.

 

I would agree with your thoughts on us vacationers, but for me who has played they course 30 or 40 times over the years it’s really hard to drop 210 or whatever they are asking anymore. I love forest dunes, but when there is great golf for under 75 all over I just can’t justify it anymore.

Maybe I just miss the early days when I had the course to myself and I could get a hot deal for $15 bucks and they would ask me to not to tell my playing partners lol.

[postfold]

I'm not surprised by the rates at the top tier courses, that seems to be the way a bunch of places are going - pure destination golf, maximizing revenue per round and not counting on regulars/frequent replayers.  It's definitely possible to make that work, at least as long as you have a product that's sufficienly in demand.  Of course it drives some of us crazy seeing half-empty tee sheets.

 

More surprising that the mid-tier courses can bump up their fees so much.  I suspect they'll be the first to be offering deals if demand dips at all.  Which will happen at some point.

 

I didn't note too many >$100 fees at good courses around SW Michigan last summer, other than American Dunes which is a destination.  Fees were definitely up but I wonder if well get another bump this summer.

[Mike_C]

These prices are insane.

 

I grew up playing Belvedere in Charlevoix, I remember one year after a bad winter the course didn't even open until May 15.  May at the resort courses like Boyne were pretty empty.

Edited March 20, 2023 by Mike_C

[So_Cal]

On 3/10/2023 at 9:10 AM, BG5 said:

 

I agree....early season rates at Forest Dunes are $165 which is out of control.  The crazy thing is I called for the middle of May and they are fully booked and I cannot get us a place to stay or play even if I wanted to.  The girl said they and are booking out until May 2024

 

Treetops is the same.  I tried to get a package in May for 1 night and 36 holes for two days and was quoted over $600.  It wasnt that long ago you could go to Treetops for $129 for one nights stay and two days of unlimited golf in May.

 

Boyne quoted me over $700 for a package in May that included Bay Harbor and there was basically no tee times as well.

 

Its booming up there.....its booming everywhere.....but at some point I would think the bubble will burst....maybe I am wrong as I figured it would a while ago but it appears to just keep getting busier. 

It is expensive but much better courses than some of the public dog tracks we pay for in CA.  From what I understand golf has really slowed in Europe, especially compared to the US.  Who knows when it will happen here but when it bursts it will be massive. 

[klebs01]

5 hours ago, So_Cal said:

It is expensive but much better courses than some of the public dog tracks we pay for in CA.  From what I understand golf has really slowed in Europe, especially compared to the US.  Who knows when it will happen here but when it bursts it will be massive. 

There is a lot of missing context there with the disastrous situation of the economy in Europe and energy prices. We’ve been pretty sheltered from that in the US. 

[cassel191919]

22 hours ago, postfold said:

I'm not surprised by the rates at the top tier courses, that seems to be the way a bunch of places are going - pure destination golf, maximizing revenue per round and not counting on regulars/frequent replayers.  It's definitely possible to make that work, at least as long as you have a product that's sufficienly in demand.  Of course it drives some of us crazy seeing half-empty tee sheets.

 

More surprising that the mid-tier courses can bump up their fees so much.  I suspect they'll be the first to be offering deals if demand dips at all.  Which will happen at some point.

 

I didn't note too many >$100 fees at good courses around SW Michigan last summer, other than American Dunes which is a destination.  Fees were definitely up but I wonder if well get another bump this summer.

I think you hit it right on the head, I don't blame these places for taking all the money they can get while its hot. As a part time local looking at quarter full tee sheet Monday-Thursday I just can't figure out why the price doesn't match the demand and its just hard to drop that kind of money when you've played it so many times.

[CHRISTOPHER DESANA]

On 3/12/2023 at 8:40 AM, Mike_C said:

These prices are insane.

 

I grew up playing Belvedere in Charlevoix, I remember one year after a bad winter the course didn't even open until May 15.  May at the resort courses like Boyne we're pretty empty.

I am a seasonal member at Belvedere, best golf value I have ever seen. Less than $2500 for the whole summer on a world class course that has hosted 40 something Michigan Ams.

 

[CHRISTOPHER DESANA]

I have purchased my retirement home on Lake Charlevoix, and am a seasonal member at Belvedere. I get that golf is expensive... but in comparison to many places in the country Northern Michigan is really not bad. The Boyne courses are almost always in close to perfect condition. Forest Dunes and The Loop the same.

If anyone is planning a trip to the area, I would suggest checking out The First Tee of Northern Michigan discount card. For a $100 donation you get some pretty good deals on some very nice courses.

[BG5]

1 hour ago, CHRISTOPHER DESANA said:

I have purchased my retirement home on Lake Charlevoix, and am a seasonal member at Belvedere. I get that golf is expensive... but in comparison to many places in the country Northern Michigan is really not bad. The Boyne courses are almost always in close to perfect condition. Forest Dunes and The Loop the same.

If anyone is planning a trip to the area, I would suggest checking out The First Tee of Northern Michigan discount card. For a $100 donation you get some pretty good deals on some very nice courses.

 

Wow...I hope to be like you someday and retire in Northern Michigan.  Lake Charlevoix is stunning and Belverdere is indeed a fantastic deal.  I dont have a huge issue with those prices in prime-time but as you know Northern Michigan in May can be hit or miss so they seem pretty steep to me but the resorts must have it right because they are all jam packed.

 

On the other hand I dont want any of them to go out of business so I guess if you have the demand like they do then they would be foolish not to take advantage of the profits now as its a short golf season.  Belvedere, Black Lake and even a place like Kingsley which I think is $4800 a year is a steal.  

 

I continue to save like crazy in hopes that someday I will have a place to retire up in the north woods.....beautiful place and I have a feeling more and more people will be moving there with all the water shortages in the West

[Mike_C]

11 hours ago, CHRISTOPHER DESANA said:

I am a seasonal member at Belvedere, best golf value I have ever seen. Less than $2500 for the whole summer on a world class course that has hosted 40 something Michigan Ams.

 

When I first got a season ticket at Belvedere, it was $200.  I think by the mid 80s it was up to  $500.  The members used to complain how much my friend and I played when we were in high school, we would play 36 holes almost every day.  

[CHRISTOPHER DESANA]

14 hours ago, BG5 said:

 

Wow...I hope to be like you someday and retire in Northern Michigan.  Lake Charlevoix is stunning and Belverdere is indeed a fantastic deal.  I dont have a huge issue with those prices in prime-time but as you know Northern Michigan in May can be hit or miss so they seem pretty steep to me but the resorts must have it right because they are all jam packed.

 

On the other hand I dont want any of them to go out of business so I guess if you have the demand like they do then they would be foolish not to take advantage of the profits now as its a short golf season.  Belvedere, Black Lake and even a place like Kingsley which I think is $4800 a year is a steal.  

 

I continue to save like crazy in hopes that someday I will have a place to retire up in the north woods.....beautiful place and I have a feeling more and more people will be moving there with all the water shortages in the West

 

Not sure if Kingsley is still a value after the sale? That said if it becomes part of ICON golf it will be awesome. Never played Black Lake as it is not very close and have never been a fan of Rees Jones courses. Just buy take, but he seems to better on re-design over original design. My pet peeve is long par 4's and par 5's that you have to lay up due to fairway anding. He seems to have a fair amount of both on most of his courses.

[Naptime]

Have played various places in the northern part of lower Michigan.  Have friends and family with vacation and golf homes in the region.  Not much else going on population-wise so other activities seem more focused on hunting and fishing etc.  Tons of decent courses beyond the name resorts but not much else to do IMHO.  The MI golf season is brief unless you love cold overcast days.  A bit of a hike to fly to DTW and drive 4-6 hrs more.  You can fly to Traverse City but will likely be a connecting leg.  

 

 

[HackerDave]

Buddy and me drove up to Forest Dunes mid week for a round.  Including us, there were 4 people on the tee sheet for the entire day.   Crazy empty.  Starter said have a great time.  Play as long as you want.  

 

I'm wintering in Hilton Head and we are seeing the same thing here.   Prices increased to peak season a full month early and tee sheets are full.