Michigan golf trip: Sat 6/26 - Sat 7/3

[oliversax]

Need your advice

Me and 2 other intrepid Texans are planning a week long golf trip to Michigan to escape the heat down here. We will arrive in Detroit ~ 2pm Sat 6/26, then depart the following Sat from Detroit as well. We're looking to make the most of our week, renting a car and planning to make the drive to upper MI. Since we are used to the flat layouts of the Texas plains, we're looking for good layouts w/ lots of elevation to spice it up a bit. Our top priority is to play:
Forest Dunes
Arcadia Bluffs
Bay Harbor (nervous that some WRX'ers have said it's overrated for the price)
Treetops/Gaylord area (Tribute?)

Here's our itinerary so far:
Sat - arrive - drive to Sheperd's Hollow and play as many of the 27 holes as possible. Stay in motel
Sun - early AM - play the Orchards, then drive to Boyne for their Gr8 Escape pkg (unlimited golf, breakfast and dinner, 3 nights)
http://www.boyne.com...r8_Escapes.html
Mon - Bay Harbor
Tue - Arthur Hills
Wed - play some other Boyne course in the morning, play twilight at Arcadia Bluffs, hoping to finish (cuz it's dang expensive). Drive to Gaylord that night to rent hotel.
Thur - play Tribute in AM, play Treetops par 3 in PM (heard it was the best par 3 in the country). Not sure where we should stay tonight.
Fri - play Forest Dunes (any chance some generous member could get us on at guest rate?), drive back to Detroit that night
Sat - fly back to Houston TX

2nd priority is to do some reconnaissance of some of the resorts so the next year we can bring our families, let them do their thing and we golf till we drop.

We've never been to MI before, so any suggestions would be great. We're in our early 40s. My 2 buddies shoot in the 80s and I'm a high single hdcper. We are bona fide golf nuts (uh, 9 rounds in 7 days?!). I'm not even sure my body can take such a packed schedule, but we're gonna try.

Thanks in advance for all your input.

[cwglum]

I'll be at Boyne that weekend Fri 6/25 - Sun 6/27.

Coming from Texas ... I'd tell you to be sure and pay attention to the weather. You can get 3 seasons in a day anytime during the summer in Northern Michigan.

Bay Harbor is a great course to play, especially if you're already staying at Boyne. We are always able to add it on to our weekend trip for $100 or less, which is a steal. I've paid more than that at several in-land courses and none have ever come close. It is an incredible course, just be sure that you're playing the Links / Quarry 9's (in that order). The 3rd nine there isn't worth the money.

Include the Heather course or Ross course for your 3rd stop there, in addition to the hills as you mentioned below. You should be able to squeeze in 36 a day easy this time of the year. The sun won't set until 9:30 or 9:40pm or so.

We went to Gaylord/Treetops last year, wasn't all that impressed to be honest. Every hole was either straight uphill, or straight downhill. Cool for a one off round but not an entire weekend. I'm sure the horrible weather last year influenced my opinion of that place as well.

As far as the Family scouting goes ... stick with Boyne. Done, saved you a lot of time :-). The greater Petoskey area (where Bay Harbor is located) is fantastic. Another 10 min down the road and you're in Charlevoix, also fantastic in the summer. Harbor Springs is only 10 min down the road from the main resort at Boyne Highlands, where the Heather and Hills are located. All of the towns mentioned above overlook Lake Michigan and cater to tourists. I'm sure that there are plenty of neat places to stay in Gaylord, but if you're looking for a great place to keep the family overwhelmed with ideas and distracted enough for them not to notice you're golfing your 8th round of the week, ha ha, that's your best bet.

[oliversax]

Thanks for the awesome reply, CW. I like the opinionated advice. Should we skip playing near Detroit in the early part of the week and head up to Boyne immediately after we land, then play Forest Dunes and Detroit courses on our way back? I was thinking that if liked Boyne area, we may extend stay up there and skip Treetops altogether, as you suggested.

I wouldn't mind going way north to stay at www.grandhotel.com on Mackinac Island, where they filmed "Somewhere in Time." Heard good things about True North GC.

I assume you go up there w/ your family, let them do whatever and you sneak off for golf.

Anyway, thx for the input.

[chrisbellaire]

oliver,
I live in northern Michigan and have played them all. Any questions regarding golf, lodging, dining, drinking, non-golf attractions, drive times, etc., feel free to ask. There's a geographic impossibility in one of your itinerary days you'll need to correct!

[k5kumma]

If this is strictly a golf trip i would forget about gaylord and play more around the Boyne Highlands area, maybe even true north. I would also advise against driving from harbor springs to arcadia bluffs if you want to play 2 rounds in a day and have them be enjoyable, lots of country roads. If you want a scenic course check out Indian River golf and casting club, a lot closer. Maybe make arcadia bluffs on the way up and forget about detroit area golf. Im not a big fan of driving a long ways to the course the day of play, which is what is so appealing about the courses at boyne highlands. Bayharbor is fine with the boyne package, great views of the bay. Have fun , ill be up there in early june but ill be playing the Highlands courses, Bay harbor and in Gaylord at Black Forest on the way up.

[kkrenzke]

You are getting great advise from fellow Michiganders. I would add however to put a course call "True North" on your list of possibilities. It is in Harbor Springs and located in the general area of most of your travels... Pretty special. You will enjoy Bay Harbor and Forest Dunes as well.

Have fun and enjoy the great bent grass fairways. We need your $$$ is our state! The break from Houston's traffic will also be welcomed and I would suggest you get to upper Michigan and forget the Detroit courses.

Safe travels!!!

[rlheiman]

Arcadia is a must play, but, I'm not sure I try to get that much in on that day, alot of driving, as suggested it might be best to hit Arcadia on day one, it is a few hours from Detroit, but should be able to get there in time for twilight. Also it is light until 10PM that time of year so getting done won't be a problem. But if you play arcadia first, you might be bummed since the rest of the courses aren't that nice.

Boyne is nice I played much of the same courses you are playing. There is another course not far from Boyne, it is really hilly and lots of fun. Dunmaglas. Very very different from TX. Reasonable too.

Also on your way around, on I75 the Nightmare and the Dream are two fun hilly courses and easy to get to.

I'm not sure on lodging, I stay with realtives in the area, but Boyne is nice, we did stay there.

[federerfan23]

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/335305-michigan-golf/

Look here. Pretty much covers everything

[OneBowTie]

[quote name='oliversax' date='11 May 2010 - 07:56 AM' timestamp='1273578983' post='2434319']
Me and 2 other intrepid Texans are planning a week long golf trip to Michigan to escape the heat down here. We will arrive in Detroit ~ 2pm Sat 6/26, then depart the following Sat from Detroit as well. We're looking to make the most of our week, renting a car and planning to make the drive to upper MI. Since we are used to the flat layouts of the Texas plains, we're looking for good layouts w/ lots of elevation to spice it up a bit. Our top priority is to play:
Forest Dunes
Arcadia Bluffs
Bay Harbor (nervous that some WRX'ers have said it's overrated for the price)
Treetops/Gaylord area (Tribute?)

Here's our itinerary so far:
Sat - arrive - drive to Sheperd's Hollow and play as many of the 27 holes as possible. Stay in motel
Sun - early AM - play the Orchards, then drive to Boyne for their Gr8 Escape pkg (unlimited golf, breakfast and dinner, 3 nights)
[url="http://www.boyne.com/Golf/Gr8_Escapes.html"]http://www.boyne.com...r8_Escapes.html[/url]
Mon - Bay Harbor
Tue - Arthur Hills
Wed - play some other Boyne course in the morning, play twilight at Arcadia Bluffs, hoping to finish (cuz it's dang expensive). Drive to Gaylord that night to rent hotel.
Thur - play Tribute in AM, play Treetops par 3 in PM (heard it was the best par 3 in the country). Not sure where we should stay tonight.
Fri - play Forest Dunes (any chance some generous member could get us on at guest rate?), drive back to Detroit that night
Sat - fly back to Houston TX

2nd priority is to do some reconnaissance of some of the resorts so the next year we can bring our families, let them do their thing and we golf till we drop.

We've never been to MI before, so any suggestions would be great. We're in our early 40s. My 2 buddies shoot in the 80s and I'm a high single hdcper. We are bona fide golf nuts (uh, 9 rounds in 7 days?!). I'm not even sure my body can take such a packed schedule, but we're gonna try.

Thanks in advance for all your input.
[/quote]

Hey, the Bay Harbor course's are really nice, I don't think anybody would be disappointed after playing, even though they are proud of them (rates).

However, you can play some really nice courses in that area for less and wouldn't miss Bay Harbor........ but I'd give up the Boyne Arthur Hills and replace with True North.

If you are looking for a really good value package on some fabulous northern Michigan courses..... take a look at the www.bigfore.com and The Loon offers some good stay and play packages.

If your looking for economics for you and the family next year check out those above, you'll be very pleased with both courses and accomadations.

[odshot68]

Shepard's Hollow is a great track..good luck getting 27 holes in..its a 5 hour round..too many hacks playing the wrong box on a tough track. But a great track. My advise for up north golf...Forest Dunes, Arcadia, True North, and Kingsley Club (if you can get out). Do you have any connections through high end country clubs if so...try Oakland Hills in Detroit and Crystal Downs. If not, hit the Otsego Club or Manitou Passage. I would play 36 at the above tracks and limit your driving.

Avoid Treetops (played their top 3 courses...nothing special) and Boyne's gem (Harbor Springs) is overrated and overpriced. Mackinaw is horrible for golf ...not worth your day.

[oliversax]

Thx for the input, everyone. I will definitely check out the stay and play offer from Bigfore and the Loon. I belong to a pedestrian golf club in Houston, Sweetwater, so not sure the vaulted Oakland Hills and Crystal Downs folks will let us on, but will try getting my pro to call them.

One other Wrx'er also mentioned Kingsley, so I will try that one too.

Getting excited! Can't wait!

[federerfan23]

No way are you getting on on Crystal that time of year
Oakland Hills is not too hard to get on though.
Arcadia is awesome but be prepared for a 6 hour round unless you have the first tee time or play way later in the afternoon.

[itw419]

Whatever you decide to do just make sure you play Arcadia Bluffs, Forest Dunes and True North. When I played Arcadia two years ago it was under 5 hours. About 4 1/2 hours. Summer golf in Northern Michigan is great. Towns like Harbor Spring, Charlevoix, Traverse City and Frankfort are nice stops along your way. Your are getting good advice and I'm sure you'll have a good time.

[SLB_Golfer]

Arcadia is the crown jewel in my opinion. A must play and a round you will always remember. I've always played first thing in the morning so it's never been more than 4.5 hours. But you'll be so awed by the views you probably won't even notice the time. It really is that amazing. Make sure you get some time in on the practice greens, they're fast and hilly.

[golfortennis]

You definitely want to play Shepherd's Hollow. Try to make sure you play 10-27. 1-9 are pretty good, but 10-27 is where the money is.

The Orchards is a pretty good course, but it in no way compares to the courses you are planning on playing. From SH, you're looking at probably 4 hours to Gaylord, 5-6 to Boyne. Given the trip you are on, you might be better to make your way to Saginaw after SH is done, and pop over to Forest Dunes in Roscommon in the morning. odshot68 can tell you more about that place. You can get to Boyne in a couple of hours from there if I'm not mistaken. What I've understood is that the Heather, Hills and Monument course at Highlands are great. Bay Harbor is quite expensive, and you have seen mixed reviews....

For Gaylord, Otsego Tribute is an excellent course. Black Lake is about 30 miles north, which may be too far. Black Forest is supposed to be a good layout as well.

Your biggest thing is the route you are looking to take. From Boyne to Arcadia and then back to Gaylord is quite awkward.

SH is right on I-75, so you can jump right on. I think it's about 100 miles or so to Roscommon, but I don't think there is much in the way of accommodation, so you would probably not go past Saginaw.

[odshot68]

I have been reading some great things on here..we are blessed with great courses in michigan..for 6 months anyhow. Nonetheless, as a high single digit and buddies that shoot in the mid 80s..avoid Black Lake. One of the toughest tracks if your not driving it straight..wooded on both sides and long. Shot upper 70s and was happy with it under the conditions we played it...rain and wind from the tips with no roll.

Arcadia is very scenic and can be very windy off the lake...so dress appropriately. I think the course layout is cool but the greens are ...well ridculous IMO. Excessively sloped and quick. Many false fronts and if you get above the pin you can literally put it off the green 20 yards down the fairway by just tapping it...

Forest Dunes...my favorite course I have ever played..(I have played a few greats) is the best manicured course you will ever play..bar none. The layout and conditions are perfect. I'm not sure anyone would disagree with this. I think this is great..I have 3 rounds planned next week..but thats another post .

Kingsley front nine is great. The opening hole is the best opening hole in the state nor anywhere I have ever played. I wish the back nine had some more character to it. A few goofy shots mixed up with some basic holes, but I would not pass it up.

I played the top 3 courses at Treetops and they all seemed very similar. The greens were rock hard and nothing would hold. Nothing special. We stayed at the lodges down below...very outdated...like late 80s.. avoid this!

[odshot68]

my advice would be to play Arcadia on sunday because the twilight rate begins at 2pm (much earlier only on sunday)..so you have plenty of time to finish. My advice is get their early..have lunch on the deck ..play golf and when your done have a cocktail while sitting on the adironack chairs with a stogie and enjoy the sunset...

[odshot68]

My itenary would be:
Sat: Shepard's Hollow (10-27)..and first nine if time
Sun: Pilgrim's Run (stop at a church and bring in a church bulletin for free cart) then twilight at Tulleymore
Mon: 36 at Arcadia
Tue: 36 at True North
Wed: 18 at Manitou Passage, 18 at Otsego Club (play Kingsley if you can instead)
Thu: 36 at Forest Dunes
Fri: 18 at Bucks Run 18 at Eagle Eye..grab a local beer at MSU pub
Sat: Departure

This would give you a great idea of Michigan golf. Not the cheapest way but you have played one of the best selections of golf in lower michigan....Would be a very memorable trip..

[MichMan123]

Awesome trip. I've played a few of the ones you are playing. Even though I only live a few hours away, I haven't played them all yet inc. Forrest Dunes and Arcadia.

Good luck at Sheppards - I found it difficult from the tips - Great course but hard if you can't keep the driver straight.

Michigan has some of the best if not the best golf in the US. Good luck.

[oliversax]

Man-o-man! I'm salivating at all the great choices. Meeting w/ my 2 buddies tomorrow to firm up the plans. Thanks again for all the input. I can tell you guys from Mich are proud of your golf. Too bad your season is only 6 months.

[Openwater22]

Welcome to northern Michigan! Lot's of good advice so far. Here is my 2 cents, with a focus on quality golf, and great opportunity to recon for 2011 with wives/families. IMO, there are 4 absolutes, everything else is interchangable.
Absolute #1: Play Forest Dunes
Absolute #2: Play Arcadia Bluffs
Absolute #3: Do a replay at Forest Dunes
Absolute #4: Do a replay at Arcadia Bluffs

I've eliminated the stay and play at Boyne, a great price, but other than The Heather, average golf, average food, average ambience. The Links/Quarry is nice, but save the $100.00 surcharge and spend it to prime time Arcadia with a replay, way better golf and scenery. Not bashing Boyne, it serves a market, but you are traveling all the way from Texas, spend a little more. You'll be glad you did.

This itinary revolves around a 72 hole stay and play at Forest Dunes only available on Monday and Tuesday: {yeah, i'm a FD ho' everybody on here knows it and i'm proud of it.lol}
Saturday 6/26; take the advice of others and skip S. Hollow and Orchards. Not that they are bad golf courses, quite the contrary, both are nice tracks, but metro detroit courses on Saturday and Sunday in prime season= 5 plus hour rounds. I understand you will be anxious to get playing as soon as you step off the plane, but get your asses on I-75 and get headed up north, destination West Branch, about 3 hours from airport. Check in to one of the hotels at exit #212, relax, eat, drink, your adventure begins tomorrow.
Sunday 6/27; Play The Nightmare in West Branch in the morning. For your afternoon round play The Dream {sister course} or drive 1/2 hour to Houghton Lake and play The Quest {shameless plug here, I'm a partner/owner}. Drive to Forest Dunes, 45 mins. from The Dream or The Quest, and check in to your on site house at Forest Dunes.

Monday 6/28; Play 36 at Forest Dunes. Dinner at Forest Dunes Monday night, 2nd night of lodging, and 36 more on Tuesday. All for $319.00 per person!
Tuesday 6/29; 36 at Forest Dunes, drive 1 hour to Gaylord check in to Otsego club.
Wednesday 6/30; Play 36 at The Tribute drive to Petoskey. Check in to the Perry hotel downtown.
Thursday 7/1; Play 18 at True North and 18 at Little Traverse Bay.
Friday 7/2; Take a senic 2 hour drive on US 31 thru Charlevoix and Traverse City, destination Arcadia Bluffs. 36 at Arcadia. Stay for the sunset over Lake Michigan. Plop down in one of the adirondack chairs on the lawn with your beverage of choice and have a camera ready. Drive an hour or so, get a room. Depart for airport in morning.

Alternative; Skip The Tribute and drive to Petoskey Tuesday night. Do the boyne thing or 2 nights at The Perry with 36 at True North and Little Traverse Bay.
Alternative #2; Skip The Tribute and Petoskey/boyne. Drive to Traverse City Tuesday night and check in to Grand Traverse Resort. Play The Bear and The Wolverine in any combo that is price friendly on their stay and play.

Whatever you decide, enjoy, welcome to Michigan!

[bill p]

[quote name='federerfan23' date='11 May 2010 - 04:09 PM' timestamp='1273608568' post='2435231']
No way are you getting on on Crystal that time of year
Oakland Hills is not too hard to get on though.
Arcadia is awesome but be prepared for a 6 hour round unless you have the first tee time or play way later in the afternoon.
[/quote]

A quick note about this comment, I don't know where this info is coming from, but Oakland Hills isn't the easiest course to get on being a private club that hosts Majors. Crystal sure seems like it would be easier to get a tee time on.

I am going to chime in on the Harbor Springs golf as my family has a house there and I spend a lot of time up there in the summer. 3 courses that are extremely enjoyable there are True North( great track and gorgeous but use your yardage book as there are some blind shots and bring your wallet) Little Traverse Bay (great course with some of the best views of Little Traverse Bay more reasonably priced) Hidden River Golf and Casting Club is another one that is enjoyable and normally not super crowded.
Here is a link to a website called Lessons on Golf that depending on when you hit it can have some great deals on Michigan Courses:
http://less.mediawebconnect.com/

Also I played Shepherds Hollow on Wed and they were in pretty good shape they are working with 2 temporary greens right now but look to be pretty close to opening them back up shortly. I played 19-27 then 1-9 and did it in 4:30 with a foursome and it wasn't super crowded the course is just kind of spread out a bit so plan on spending some time there. I'd play al 27 if you're there.

The orchards is always a good round, I will be playing there in the next week so I will update after that. Those are 2 of my favorite public courses in northern suburbs.

Enjoy your trip Harbor Springs is one of my favorite places in the world! I hope you have good weather have a sweatshirt on hand for the nights or early mornings.

[odshot68]

[i]I hear Oakland Hills takes singles for open tee times [/i]

[oliversax]

I want to 1st of all thank all the great Michigan golfers who gave us invaluable insight into the great offerings you guys have up there. No doubt, your input influenced our decisions greatly. So here's a tentative itinerary. Please feel free to make suggestions and comments:
Sat - arrive at 3:30pm at Detroit Airport
Sheperd's Hollow - try to play a few holes since we may not make it there b/f 6pm
Drive 4 hrs to Roscommon area and look for place to stay the night
Sun - Forest Dunes - play 36 holes
Drive 3 hrs near Arcadia Bluffs and look for place to stay the night
Mon - Arcadia Bluffs - play 36 holes
Drive to 3 hrs Boyne and check into their resort for their Gr8 Escape pkg ($555 for 3 nights + unlimited golf)
(should we opt to do the 3 day deal from www.bigfore.com instead of Boyne? Dummaglass, Black Lake, Little Traverse Bay)
Tue - Arthur Hills - play 18 holes, get some massages
Wed - Bay Harbor - play 18 holes, Links and Quarry (if we're not too tired, maybe play 2nd 18)
Thur - Heather Course - play 18 holes early morning
Drive 3 hrs to Tullymore and play late round (question: should be stop at Little Traverse Bay and play there instead?)
Drive 2 hrs to Lansing and look for place to stay the night
Fri - Eagle Eye - play 18 holes. Get a massage.
Sat - 7am flight home to Houston, TX

Sheesh. My buddy said he may have to bring some cortisone injections so he can make it through the week. I may need some of that myself!

[Jimmy Mac]

Sounds like an awesome way to spend a week.

Only thing I might change is to work out my geography to be more of a loop instead of zig-zagging around the state. i.e. Sheperds to Forest Dunes to Boyne to Arcadia to Tullymore to Eagle Eye.

Enjoy Northern Michigan, it's definitely one of the most pleasant areas in the country.

[odshot68]

sounds like a blast..I would definitely opt for the bigfore (over boyne). Little traverse is nice, Black Lake is one tough track (bring your A game and play the right tees..or even one up of what you think). Funny you schedule messages (you sure no women are going ). Have a blast!

[odshot68]

another change would be play 2nd 18 at tullymore on Tuesday..stay in Big Rapids. Then play Wednesday am at Pilgrim's run then drive to Eagle Eye for 18 in the afternoon.

[oliversax]

J Mac. good idea on changing route to more circuitous rather than zigzag, but I fear by the 3rd day, I will be too pooped to fully enjoy Arcadia. I want to make sure I play the best 1st, just in case any unforeseen injuries or fatigue takes over. That way, if I miss a few rounds near the end, at least I got to play Forest Dunes and Arcadia. Thx for your suggestion.

Odshot, middle age brings so many nice things to life, but with it comes the decline in physical prowess. You may be too young to know what that feels like.

Nowadays, if I have just 4 drinks, I may expect some puking the next 24 hrs. When I was in college, I used to win drinking contests by night and make it to class the next morning. Times, they are a changing.

So, no women are coming, but we ninnies are sober enough to know our limits. So yes, bring on those massages and jacuzzi soaks.

I may take your advice and switch from Boyne to Bigfore. Only star of the Boyne resort is Bay Harbor and we can just pay for it outright.

Any other comments? Please chime in.

[NUKE56]

WOW! What a fantastic golf trip. I wish you and your buddies good luck and good golfing. As already said the weather can change at any moment.

I lived in southwest lower Michigan (Kalamazoo) for about 25 years, but never got to play any of those courses so can't give any advice. I did play a few courses in northern west MI which were very nice.

Anyway have fun!!!

[itw419]

Your trip looks great. The only suggested change I would make is during your time at Boyne you should try to play True North instead of one of the Boyne courses. Maybe do the big 4 and add True North.