Where should I play in NW Michigan on this year's trip?

[DCCarpenter]

I'm headed to NW Michigan for a week again this year and trying to pick where to play. I'll be staying in the Manistee area again.

 

I've played Arcadia Bluffs course already and for the cost will probably skip it this year.

 

I'll do at least one round at Manistee Country Club, love that course for the price and fun factor.

 

New courses I'm considering for this year:

The Bear

Sugarloaf  - The Old Course

The Manistee Resort Courses

Manitou Passage

Mountain Ridge at Crystal Mountain (worried it might be cart only, I prefer to walk)

Bestie Valley at Crystal Mountain

Arcadia South Course

 

Any favorites among these or other suggestions I'm happy to have them. Willing to drive up to 90 minutes if the course merits it.

 

 

[Jose c.]

21 hours ago, DCCarpenter said:

I'm headed to NW Michigan for a week again this year and trying to pick where to play. I'll be staying in the Manistee area again.

 

I've played Arcadia Bluffs course already and for the cost will probably skip it this year.

 

I'll do at least one round at Manistee Country Club, love that course for the price and fun factor.

 

New courses I'm considering for this year:

The Bear

Sugarloaf  - The Old Course

The Manistee Resort Courses

Manitou Passage

Mountain Ridge at Crystal Mountain (worried it might be cart only, I prefer to walk)

Bestie Valley at Crystal Mountain

Arcadia South Course

 

Any favorites among these or other suggestions I'm happy to have them. Willing to drive up to 90 minutes if the course merits it.

 

 

Your not walking Manitou passage either. Arcadia south is a solid choice,close to manistee.

[MichiganGolf83]

On 6/16/2025 at 7:07 PM, DCCarpenter said:

I'm headed to NW Michigan for a week again this year and trying to pick where to play. I'll be staying in the Manistee area again.

 

I've played Arcadia Bluffs course already and for the cost will probably skip it this year.

 

I'll do at least one round at Manistee Country Club, love that course for the price and fun factor.

 

New courses I'm considering for this year:

The Bear

Sugarloaf  - The Old Course

The Manistee Resort Courses

Manitou Passage

Mountain Ridge at Crystal Mountain (worried it might be cart only, I prefer to walk)

Bestie Valley at Crystal Mountain

Arcadia South Course

 

Any favorites among these or other suggestions I'm happy to have them. Willing to drive up to 90 minutes if the course merits it.

 

 

I can only comment on the courses I’ve played, but they are really different experiences in my opinion. 
 

The Bear is beautiful and difficult. Worth a play. Feels like you’re the only one out there, although I do recall some houses. Pricey if not staying at the resort, but I enjoy playing it every few years if in the area. 
 

Manitou is also scenic, quiet, and has a mix of elevation. Again, feels like you’re the only one out there. 
 

Arcadia South is flat and in front of you. Great course and tons of fun, definitely worth playing. Definitely do not feel like you’re alone. Haven’t looked this year, but could probably get on cheaper here than the Bear non resort fee. Probably the best maintained. 
 

Sufarloaf is great, but not like the others.   Not as scenic, but a mix of elevations and wooded holes. Definitely the cheapest, but not sure I would travel for it. 
 

I would choose between Arcadia South and the Bear…depending on what you’re looking for. 

[cassel191919]

I would personally choose Arcadia South, I think it has some of the best greens around. If the wind is up its quite the challenge, but I love the course.

[Pepetito]

On 6/16/2025 at 7:07 PM, DCCarpenter said:

I'm headed to NW Michigan for a week again this year and trying to pick where to play. I'll be staying in the Manistee area again.

 

I've played Arcadia Bluffs course already and for the cost will probably skip it this year.

 

I'll do at least one round at Manistee Country Club, love that course for the price and fun factor.

 

New courses I'm considering for this year:

The Bear

Sugarloaf  - The Old Course

The Manistee Resort Courses

Manitou Passage

Mountain Ridge at Crystal Mountain (worried it might be cart only, I prefer to walk)

Bestie Valley at Crystal Mountain

Arcadia South Course

 

Any favorites among these or other suggestions I'm happy to have them. Willing to drive up to 90 minutes if the course merits it.

 

 

 

Arcadia South

Crystal - Mtn Ridge (I wouldnt walk this one)

Crystal - Betsie

The Manistee Resort Courses

 

Of your list what I have played I'd rank them like this.

 

In that region if you havent played the new Wolf River Golf Park in Bear Lake I'd put that just under Arcadia South.  Loads of fun.  And cheap.

[tjblue]

12

[VNutz]

On 6/16/2025 at 6:07 PM, DCCarpenter said:

I'm headed to NW Michigan for a week again this year and trying to pick where to play. I'll be staying in the Manistee area again.

 

I've played Arcadia Bluffs course already and for the cost will probably skip it this year.

 

I'll do at least one round at Manistee Country Club, love that course for the price and fun factor.

 

New courses I'm considering for this year:

The Bear

Sugarloaf  - The Old Course

The Manistee Resort Courses

Manitou Passage

Mountain Ridge at Crystal Mountain (worried it might be cart only, I prefer to walk)

Bestie Valley at Crystal Mountain

Arcadia South Course

 

Any favorites among these or other suggestions I'm happy to have them. Willing to drive up to 90 minutes if the course merits it.

 

 

You're definitely walking only at Mountain Ridge as there are a few longer rides and up and down switchbacks on the back. 

Betsie Valley might be walkable, but it's not as fun of a course. Neither are on the level of Arcadia though.

[DCCarpenter]

8 hours ago, Pepetito said:

 

In that region if you havent played the new Wolf River Golf Park in Bear Lake I'd put that just under Arcadia South.  Loads of fun.  And cheap.

 

 

I’m actually staying really close to that Wolf River course. Going to try and double up and play 36 holes some days so I will definitely check it out. Could easily do one of Manistee courses in the AM and Wolf River for twilight 

[mrfitz]

On 6/18/2025 at 1:52 PM, VNutz said:

You're definitely walking only at Mountain Ridge as there are a few longer rides and up and down switchbacks on the back. 

Betsie Valley might be walkable, but it's not as fun of a course. Neither are on the level of Arcadia though.

Horses for courses... I always liked Betsie Valley more than Mountain Ridge. Used to be a member out there, so I played them a bit. I think the Valley might be a touch harder.

 

The Wolf River course is the old Bear Lake County Highlands course with some updates. The tribe bought it to go along with their casino.

 

If you haven't considered it already you could zip up US31 to Beulah and play either of the Pinecroft or Champion Hill courses. Both are walkable. More challenging than the Wolf River, but a big step below Arcadia or the Bear. 

[cross]

I go to that area around 5 times per year and golf is always a part of the spring, summer, fall visits.  I haven't played Sugarloaf or one of the Manistee National courses, otherwise have played them all.  All of the courses on your list are fun, including Wolf River.

 

Arcadia South is the best from your list, IMO.  Arcadia is opening a 12 hole course 7/1 with all par 3s and 4s.  I'm sure it's worth a look as an extra addition to a round or if you are pressed on time.

 

I enthusiastically second the suggestion of Champion Hill and Pinecroft, in that order.  Both are really nice courses with fun golf and outstanding views/surroundings.  After the Arcadia courses, they are my favorites in the area.  The value quotient is off the charts for the price to what you get.  I would agree a step below Arcadia courses, but I'm not sure about the Bear (other than cost).  It's been quite a few years since I played the Bear though and I'm due for another visit there.

 

If you are considering driving all the way to Traverse City or Leelanau County to play, you could also drive south in the same travel time to Hemlock Golf Club.  It's just north of Ludington and I have always enjoyed it as well.

 

Finally, if you want a rugged, adventure golf, almost homemade golf course feel, Chestnut Hills north of Bear Lake is the ticket.  It won't win any awards and is below anything discussed in this thread.  Fairways/greens may be a bit shaggy.  The cart "paths" are like offroading experiences.  But, it has some very pretty views and northern Michigan terrain and I have enjoyed it for what it is.  It would be another add on "experience."

[SnowbirdTom]

On 6/18/2025 at 4:32 PM, DCCarpenter said:

 

I’m actually staying really close to that Wolf River course. Going to try and double up and play 36 holes some days so I will definitely check it out. Could easily do one of Manistee courses in the AM and Wolf River for twilight 

My son and I doubled up with Wolf Creek (9 holes) and Arcadia Bluffs (18 holes). Loved them both.

[DCCarpenter]

On 6/26/2025 at 5:46 PM, mrfitz said:

 

 

If you haven't considered it already you could zip up US31 to Beulah and play either of the Pinecroft or Champion Hill courses. Both are walkable. More challenging than the Wolf River, but a big step below Arcadia or the Bear. 

 

@mrfitz do you have a preference between Pinecroft and Champions Hill?

 

I haven't had much chance to play this summer so I think I'll save the Bear for next year now that I've played my 3rd and 4th rounds of 2025 to fairly poor results. I played Arcadia Bluffs 2 years ago and with my game in rough shape probably won't spring for it this year. Might play the South as a twilight.

[DCCarpenter]

7 hours ago, cross said:

 

If you are considering driving all the way to Traverse City or Leelanau County to play, you could also drive south in the same travel time to Hemlock Golf Club.  It's just north of Ludington and I have always enjoyed it as well.

 

Thanks for the tips, I'll check out Hemlock's website as well and see what the course looks like. I've had it in my head that if I go further south things will be more crowded, I visited the town in Penwater once and it was bustling like one our east coast vacation areas...being from the DC area that is always traffic clogged and over crowded the thing I love about my Michigan trip is some freedom from the crowds including on the golf course.

[mrfitz]

23 hours ago, DCCarpenter said:

 

@mrfitz do you have a preference between Pinecroft and Champions Hill?

 

I haven't had much chance to play this summer so I think I'll save the Bear for next year now that I've played my 3rd and 4th rounds of 2025 to fairly poor results. I played Arcadia Bluffs 2 years ago and with my game in rough shape probably won't spring for it this year. Might play the South as a twilight.

Champion Hill is an open, windswept course, where Pinecroft runs through the woods. They're run by the same folks so the conditions are the same, and usually pretty good. Champion Hill is one of those courses that fit my eye, so I usually play pretty good there. They are both a "serious" walk, with a lot of up and down. If I could only play one it would be Champion Hill.

[DCCarpenter]

1 hour ago, mrfitz said:

Champion Hill is an open, windswept course, where Pinecroft runs through the woods. They're run by the same folks so the conditions are the same, and usually pretty good. Champion Hill is one of those courses that fit my eye, so I usually play pretty good there. They are both a "serious" walk, with a lot of up and down. If I could only play one it would be Champion Hill.

Thanks for the input, I play mostly tight tree lined courses here in Maryland. Champion Hill sounds like a departure from the norm so would be more likely choice.

[VNutz]

On 6/28/2025 at 8:08 PM, DCCarpenter said:

Thanks for the input, I play mostly tight tree lined courses here in Maryland. Champion Hill sounds like a departure from the norm so would be more likely choice.

Champion Hill is a cool little course with some quirks, but some neat rolling terrain. Fried Egg used to have an in depth review of it somewhere, but appears gone. They have a short blurb here now. Very up north privately owned vibe. Clubhouse won't impress, but it's a really good play.

 

https://www.thefriedegg.com/articles/affordable-golf-michigan

[VNutz]

On 6/26/2025 at 4:46 PM, mrfitz said:

Horses for courses... I always liked Betsie Valley more than Mountain Ridge. Used to be a member out there, so I played them a bit. I think the Valley might be a touch harder.

 

The Wolf River course is the old Bear Lake County Highlands course with some updates. The tribe bought it to go along with their casino.

 

If you haven't considered it already you could zip up US31 to Beulah and play either of the Pinecroft or Champion Hill courses. Both are walkable. More challenging than the Wolf River, but a big step below Arcadia or the Bear. 

As a regular I could see enjoying Betsie Valley more so than Mountain Ridge. It was always a getaway weekend for me, so the grandeur of the views, elevation changes and setting in the trees won out for me.

[cross]

I also would pick Champion Hill if you only have time for one.  Pinecroft is really good, but I like the linksy feel of Champion Hill. 
 

Regarding Hemlock and Ludington, I think you’ll run into more crowds at the Traverse City venues. I fully understand your desire to avoid crowds. I don’t play Hemlock every year, but I’ve never believed it to be a hassle.   
 

This morning, I played the new course at Arcadia Bluffs, The Dozen. Very fun with all par 4s and 3s. Typical Arcadia quality. Definitely good to round out a trip. 

[DCCarpenter]

Some car trouble has restricted me so far while I await repairs but have gotten out to Wolf River twice so far.

 

Very fun course and far more challenging than I expected. Several greens that are tough to hold and while not a lot of water you can roll off fairway into fescue fairly easily. 


Hoping to do Champions Hill and twilight Manistee CC  on Thursday. Playing Wolf River again tomorrow since I can walk over.