With all the recent talk about “shot distortion”, I wanted to share my experience at Little Traverse Bay – a course in Northern Michigan that has its share of elevation changes. Hopefully the group is not too spoiled by the pics of Sand Hills and the wonderful British course writeups of Mark Rowlinson to read this thread.
I recommend this course if you are venturing to the area and have some time outside of playing at Arcadia, Kingsley, or Crystal Downs. LTB is relatively unknown but I believe it is as enjoyable, if not more than, any Treetops, Boyne, or any other big resort course. Here are a few tidbits about the course:
- Course opened in 1992, designed by Grand Rapids-based architect Jeff Gorney.
- The greens are very interesting and roll true at a speed that fits the contours (JakaB – I would say middle-aged men & women were in charge here
)
- The course has a few holes that will interest the players who only enjoy strategic challenges (notably holes 2, 5, 6, 8, 11, and 14).
- LTB does not shy away from the uphill holes – there are no less than 5 holes than run at least 40 feet uphill – but at no point do they feel cumbersome since they are shorter par 4s and one medium length par 3. Most of the largely elevated tees are on longer par 4s; only the par 3 16th would be called a “drop shot” par 3.
- Most of the holes have ample landing areas, with holes 6 & 14 the only exceptions. Their placement in the round is appropriately spread out that it works well.
- From the tips, the course is 6900 yards, CR 72.7, slope 136.
A few photos…
#1 – par 4 (411) LTB starts with a dramatic downhill tee shot – you can see the bay from the tee beyond the treeline. Though you can’t tell from the tee, there is plenty of room right, while tee shots hit left are dead…don’t ask me how I learned that. The tree on the right of the green discourages the player from hitting it too far right. Note that there are no greenside bunkers, but the green slopes hard from left to right, making recoveries from the left very difficult.
#2 – par 5 (508) Possibly the best strategic hole on the course and one of the most dramatic. The tee shot on this (slight) double dogleg par 5 is relatively straight forward and favors a draw. This picture is taken from about 225 yards out – you can play it safe to the left, or attempt to hit the green in two and take on the ravine. This green is one of the more interesting greens on the course – possibly you can see that the left corner of the green is elevated and kicks shots towards the center. There is a similar ridge to the right of the pin location to kick balls back towards the right side of the green. An approach from the left is ideal with this pin (or the right side location), but a left hole location would require an approach from the right to get the ball close – a major consideration if the player needs to lay up his second.
I saw a 4, 5, and an 8 made here...the 8 was in the best position off the tee, left his second in the ravine and hit his third shot over the green (which is dead)
#4 – par 4 (414) This tee shot is different from the garden variety elevated tee shot. The hole bends around the lake to the left and the approach requires a carry over the lake’s corner. The player can hit a shorter drive straight at the lake with a fairway wood and have a very tricky approach, or can hit a 3 wood or driver with a slight draw to make the approach simpler. The green slopes angles from gently from left to right around the lake, accepting shots better from the left. Did I mention that the hole is beautiful?
#11 – par 4 (429) After a thrilling downhill tee shot, the player is left with a delicate approach to this 3-tiered green.
#15 – par 5 (626) The only par 5 with a downhill tee shot, you get one more chance to let out the shaft.
Another charm of the place is its relative isolation (no resort within a couple of miles) & the mom-and-pop feel...no need for a ranger during your round. Plus, at $40 for twilight after 3:00, the price can't be beat in N. Michigan (peak rate of $80 is still quite reasonable for the area).