Michigan golf trip options

zer0 · July 1

Putting together a Michigan golf trip for next year with 12 guys, none of whom have ever played in Michigan. Talking about a Wednesday to Sunday type of trip.

Arcadia Bluffs is the big draw, but I was wondering what other courses are in the area (less than hour drive) that are worth playing?

What are the reasonable options in terms of course groupings for a trip?

I was wondering if it makes more sense to do a trip around Boyne and Tree tops vs going to Arcadia.

Or is there a trip with Forest Dunes that makes sense?

N8dogg2669 · July 1

2 hours ago, zer0 said:

Putting together a Michigan golf trip for next year with 12 guys, none of whom have ever played in Michigan. Talking about a Wednesday to Sunday type of trip.

Arcadia Bluffs is the big draw, but I was wondering what other courses are in the area (less than hour drive) that are worth playing?

What are the reasonable options in terms of course groupings for a trip?

I was wondering if it makes more sense to do a trip around Boyne and Tree tops vs going to Arcadia.

Or is there a trip with Forest Dunes that makes sense?

Forest Dunes is 2 hours from Arcadia. I've done that trip, in fact I am doing it again this August. I'd spend the 1 extra hour and do both. You won't regret it. I'd do the Bluffs, South, The Dozen, and then Forest Dunes and the Loop both ways and spend a day or two on the Bootlegger.

PS, plenty of onsite lodging options for that size group at these places.

Edited July 1 by N8dogg2669

Chanceman · July 6

On 7/2/2025 at 4:54 AM, N8dogg2669 said:

Forest Dunes is 2 hours from Arcadia. I've done that trip, in fact I am doing it again this August. I'd spend the 1 extra hour and do both. You won't regret it. I'd do the Bluffs, South, The Dozen, and then Forest Dunes and the Loop both ways and spend a day or two on the Bootlegger.

PS, plenty of onsite lodging options for that size group at these places.

I totally agree with this. Arcadia plus Forest Dunes is a great combo. We also played a round at Crystal Lake which was fun but not in the class of the others.

SnowbirdTom · July 6

About 90 minutes south of Arcadia and a bit north of Grand Rapids, I'd recommend Pilgrim's Run as a fine addition. Great course conditions and fun. If you're not interested in driving a bunch, Manistee National is a fun option. Two courses that are pretty different in style of play. Retreat is pretty open playing and Revenge is *tight* fairways. Great northern Michigan golf.

All these are pretty easy to get a group on vs trying to get on the high demand courses that fill up real fast when booking times release.

Pepetito · July 7

On 7/6/2025 at 5:52 AM, SnowbirdTom said:

About 90 minutes south of Arcadia and a bit north of Grand Rapids, I'd recommend Pilgrim's Run as a fine addition. Great course conditions and fun. If you're not interested in driving a bunch, Manistee National is a fun option. Two courses that are pretty different in style of play. Retreat is pretty open playing and Revenge is *tight* fairways. Great northern Michigan golf.

All these are pretty easy to get a group on vs trying to get on the high demand courses that fill up real fast when booking times release.

And if you book a package thru Manistee National they will book your Arcadia rounds for you.

zer0 · July 8

On 7/7/2025 at 8:45 AM, Pepetito said:

And if you book a package thru Manistee National they will book your Arcadia rounds for you.

On 7/6/2025 at 4:52 AM, SnowbirdTom said:

About 90 minutes south of Arcadia and a bit north of Grand Rapids, I'd recommend Pilgrim's Run as a fine addition. Great course conditions and fun. If you're not interested in driving a bunch, Manistee National is a fun option. Two courses that are pretty different in style of play. Retreat is pretty open playing and Revenge is *tight* fairways. Great northern Michigan golf.

All these are pretty easy to get a group on vs trying to get on the high demand courses that fill up real fast when booking times release.

How is Manistee? Seems like a very appealing option since they have cottages on site that will hold our party. Plus being able to book Arcadia through them is a bonus.

Any other really nice courses in the general area if we are based at Manistee?

Pepetito · July 8

1 hour ago, zer0 said:

How is Manistee? Seems like a very appealing option since they have cottages on site that will hold our party. Plus being able to book Arcadia through them is a bonus.

Any other really nice courses in the general area if we are based at Manistee?

We did 18-36-18 in 2023 being Arcadia Bluffs-36 at Manistee national (both courses)-Arcadia South. We stayed at MN in the Mackenzie Cottage. The cottage is fantastic and is pretty unanimously our groups favorite lodging we've gotten. The MN courses I'd call "fine/solid". Nothing offfensive but nothing to really write home about. We booked our package about a year in advance. We dealt with Cyrilla who is great.

Your definition of "really nice courses" might differ than mine but Wolf River Golf Park is 30 minutes away and its one of the most fun courses i've ever played. And cheap.

I know people that like Hemlock a lot, thats about 20 mins away.

SnowbirdTom · July 8

5 hours ago, zer0 said:

How is Manistee? Seems like a very appealing option since they have cottages on site that will hold our party. Plus being able to book Arcadia through them is a bonus.

Any other really nice courses in the general area if we are based at Manistee?

Like I mentioned, Pilgrim’s Run north of Grand Rapids is very nice. About a 60-75 minute ride south from the MN Resort.

Make it a 36 hole day and play The Mines either before or after. 😁