Traverse City area

[Howard Riefs]

The wonders of Northern Michigan golf await.

My better-half and I are heading up to the Traverse City for a long, four-day Labor Day weekend, and I’m busy making plans to play in the surrounding area.  

Unfortunately, 36 holes/day aren’t in the cards. Instead, the more likely equation is 1 round/day, with Forest Dunes and Arcadia already on the itinerary.

I’m seeking recommendations for two additional courses within a 70 mile radius of TC.  There’s no shortage of choices, but current thoughts include Belevedere in Charlevoix and Doak’s Black Forest in Gaylord. (The last time in town, we played True North and Bay Harbor.)

Also, among the private courses, is it difficult to get onto Kingsley? Word has it that it helps if one's not a Spartan.
 

Mark,
They've been known to allow the odd guest.  As long as you're not wearing green&white, a sandbagger or dissing the guy who keeps the finest playing surface this side of GB&I you should be good.

Many thanks for your insight.

[JC Jones]

I would recommend, in the following order, these courses:

Kingsley Club
Crystal Downs
Forest Dunes
Belvedere
Arcadia Bluffs

The first two are private and invitations are not to be turned down.

[Bill_McBride]

I found the folks at the Kingsley Club to be most accommodating in 2007, not sure about now.

Crystal Downs is a different story, very private but wonderful to you once you're on the property.

[Tom_Doak]

Howard:

Labor Day weekend would be a pretty difficult time to gain access to Crystal Downs, Kingsley [I think] or even Belvedere.  It's one of our busiest weekends for golf.

If you are in TC, I'd suggest Lochenheath as one of your two other choices.  It's close by, as opposed to Forest Dunes which is more than an hour each way, or Black Forest which is also a pretty long day.  There are a couple of holes I thought were over the top, but if you factor in the drive and take out the private courses, it would make my top four.  Not sure what the fourth would be, honestly ... with the amount of golf I get to play around home in the summers, I usually don't go very far down the depth chart.

[JC Jones]

Of course High Pointe would have made the list and would have come in somewhere around Forest Dunes, probably tied for 3rd.

I've not played Lochenheath so if you do, please report back.

I'll echo the captain's comments, both Kingsley Club and Crystal Downs are wonderful places with wonderful members and staff.

[Mike_Young]

I could play Belvedere every day.  Don't short change it...

[Tom_Doak]

Mike:

I certainly did NOT intend to short change Belvedere.  I wish it were closer to my house, instead of just as far as the Downs.

However, Labor Day weekend is probably the last time they want to see outsiders.

[Mike_Young]

Mike:

I certainly did NOT intend to short change Belvedere.  I wish it were closer to my house, instead of just as far as the Downs.

However, Labor Day weekend is probably the last time they want to see outsiders.

Nor did I mean for it to sound as if you did.  I saw where JC had it below Forest Dunes.  Forest Dunes is nice but I put Belvedere above it  JMO.

[JC Jones]

Mike,

I doubt fewer people have as much love for Belvedere as I do (outside of the membership).  I play it several times every summer; I could play it hundreds more times and still love the place. 

I happen to think Forest Dunes is that good.  Though if Belvedere would ever restore the course to the way it is in the 1938 aerial it could be ridiculously good.

[Mike_Young]

Mike,

I doubt fewer people have as much love for Belvedere as I do (outside of the membership).  I play it several times every summer; I could play it hundreds more times and still love the place. 

I happen to think Forest Dunes is that good.  Though if Belvedere would ever restore the course to the way it is in the 1938 aerial it could be ridiculously good.

OK...no problem here...

[Howard Riefs]

JC, Bill, Tom, Mike -

Many thanks for the suggestions on the courses in and around (a big radius) the TC area. 

I booked a tee time at Belvedere and, as you surmised, they certainly are in short supply for the busy Labor Day weekend.  I'll also give a look at Lochenheath per Tom's recommendation. 

It's just too bad that I didn't visit High Pointe the last time I was in town.  My loss.

[Jim Thompson]

Lochenheath 2 thumbs up!

Cheers!

JT

[Howard Riefs]

Thanks, Jim, and the others, who recommended LochenHeath.  Hope to swing over there toward the end of the trip.  I'll be sure to report back. 

It's certainly troubling to see the toll the economy is having on courses in N. Michigan: Closures (High Pointe), private-to-public (LochenHeath), for sale signs/auctions (Forest Dunes, Otsego, Black Forest).  Any other examples?

[Howard Riefs]

Is Arcadia Bluffs "walkable"?  I've heard differing opinions and the Walking Golfer website lists it as "tough to walk" (http://www.thewalkinggolfer.com/walkability_ratings_mi.html).

If it is walkable, do you advise taking a caddie? I understand that "local knowledge" is particularly helpful on the course. Any specific caddie you remember by name that you'd recommend?

Thanks.

[JC Jones]

Everything to this crowd is "walkable."

Follow Mr. Cronan's advice, you'll enjoy the Chicago Hot Dog and beer on #7 a whole lot more if you're riding.

[Howard Riefs]

Unless you have a pretty strong history of Sherpa's littering your peronsal family tree, I'd either hop on a cart or get a caddie....

Best laugh I've had in a while. Thanks, David. I confimed with my mother: No relation to Tenzing Norgay and his ilk in the family. Cart it is.

Everything to this crowd is "walkable."

Follow Mr. Cronan's advice, you'll enjoy the Chicago Hot Dog and beer on #7 a whole lot more if you're riding.

Sage advice, JC.  I've never been one to turn down a good dog or brat at the turn -- or now, #7.
 

[Bill Seitz]

Is Arcadia Bluffs "walkable"?  I've heard differing opinions and the Walking Golfer website lists it as "tough to walk" (http://www.thewalkinggolfer.com/walkability_ratings_mi.html).

If it is walkable, do you advise taking a caddie? I understand that "local knowledge" is particularly helpful on the course. Any specific caddie you remember by name that you'd recommend?

Thanks.

I've played it once and we took caddies.  It's defintely walkable with a caddie.  Would have been a tough walk without, but probably doable.  Can't remember the kid's name.  My caddie left my 56 degree wedge on the range.  We realized it when I went to pull it on the first hole.  We didn't get it back until the fourth.  On the third hole, I had a shot that called for it, and was forced to go with the 52 degree instead.  Hit it to about 8 inches.  Smart caddie!

[Ken Fry]

Ironic all the times I've played at Arcadia Bluffs, I've never SEEN a caddie on the course!

While I'm one of those that tries to walk whenever possible, take a cart at Arcadia.  The GPS system on all the carts will steer you where you need to go with relevant yardages listed.  Based on my initial statement, I'm not knocking any of the local kids who may caddie there, but some of the walks from green to next tee are challenging regardless if you're carrying a bag!

Ken

[Andrew Lewis]

My wife and I walked Arcadia last week with caddies - Kyle and Danny, both of whom were good.

The hills aren't really an issue, unless you are really spraying it and have to climb up into the junk. But some of the green to tee distances can be a bit much.

I personally prefer the walking experience over carts. Better feeling of connection to the course, and a better experience given the normally abysmal pace of play...a slow walk is better than quick rides and long waits.

As an aside, we also were the only group to finish our round that morning. A thick fog rolled in around the 13th hole, and all cart golfers were called off the course. The caddies were invaluable in lining up drives and approaches, and the fog and mist made for a quite interesting round.

[Sean_A]

Everything to this crowd is "walkable."

JC

I too have wondered about what walkable is?  I sure am much fussier about the concept of walkable than mnay on here.  One of the key principles of walkable should be time between greens and tees not being much different in a cart compared to walking.   

Ciao

[JC Jones]

Howard, if you normally walk, you will really enjoy a walking round at Arcadia.

A buddy and I walked 36 holes with an enjoyable lunch on the deck overlooking the lake between the rounds...then we headed to the Blue Slipper Bistro in nearby Onekama for a terrific dinner.

Riding in a cart and drinking beer doesn't sound like as much fun...I guess everyone has their own definition of golf.

Nice!  We have a Melvyn protoge!

[Jud_T]

I've never seen a caddy on the course and I never will...

[Mark Pritchett]

Howard, if you normally walk, you will really enjoy a walking round at Arcadia.

A buddy and I walked 36 holes with an enjoyable lunch on the deck overlooking the lake between the rounds...then we headed to the Blue Slipper Bistro in nearby Onekama for a terrific dinner.

Riding in a cart and drinking beer doesn't sound like as much fun...I guess everyone has their own definition of golf.

You walked 36 at Arcadia, in a day? That's incredible. What did you guys do after dinner at the Blue Supper Bistro? Head into Traverse City and leap the Park Place Hotel in a single bound?

I thought you were impressed they played 36 in spite of rounds there taking so long to complete.