Dunes Club - New Buffalo Michigan - Is it Worthy?

[Bill Seitz]

Great course that's about to get better with significant tree removal. I'll have a gca day next summer.

Best news of the weekend! 

Seitz, you need to go take some new photos. as Terry has mentioned the look is changing.

Jim, what we need is someone with a real camera, like Matt Schmidt to update that thread.  My little point and shoot wasn't all that great.  Can't wait to see the work, though.

[Jud_T]

I love the idea of a really good 9-holer with different tees for the second nine and this is where the game should be headed, at all price points.  The Dunes club might be the best example of this that I've seen.  It also has the perfect minimalist clubhouse (designed by Larry Booth no less).  Terry, is one of the greens being redone the par 3 with tees at 90-degree angles (forget the hole #)?

[Terry Lavin]

I love the idea of a really good 9-holer with different tees for the second nine and this is where the game should be headed, at all price points.  The Dunes club might be the best examples of this that I've seen.  It also has the perfect minimalist clubhouse (designed by Larry Booth no less).  Terry, is one of the greens being redone the par 3 with tees at 90-degree angles (forget the hole #)?

The sixth hole's green was rebuilt.  The second hole was left alone.  6 is an uphill, but not blind, hole with the average tee being around 155 yards.  It has a vast waste area in front of the green and the green is surrounded by a bunch of trees, but a healthy dose was removed, maybe fifty or so by my rank speculation.  

[Michael George]

Bob:

In answer to your question, it is one of my favorite experiences that I have had in golf.  My golf club likes to say that it is about golf and nothing more.  That may not be more true anywhere in the world than The Dunes Club.   Go play golf and go home...just as a golf club should be.

The course is very good.  I won't get carried away and put it in the Sand Hills, Pacific Dunes and others similar courses that I have played. However, in comparison to others in Michigan, I enjoyed it more than Arcadia Bluffs, Forest Dunes and Oakland Hills (I have not played Kingsley or Crystal Downs).  One of the region's best.

There just is something special about a place that offers incredible golf without all of the fluff and the pretentiousness.  


Terry:

I am happy to hear about the tree removal.  I am sure there is not 1 member happier than you about it  

  

[Michael George]

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[Jim Franklin]

Bob:

In answer to your question, it is one of my favorite experiences that I have had in golf.  My golf club likes to say that it is about golf and nothing more.  That may not be more true anywhere in the world than The Dunes Club.   Go play golf and go home...just as a golf club should be.

The course is very good.  I won't get carried away and put it in the Sand Hills, Pacific Dunes and others similar courses that I have played. However, in comparison to others in Michigan, I enjoyed it more than Arcadia Bluffs, Forest Dunes and Oakland Hills (I have not played Kingsley or Crystal Downs).  One of the region's best.

There just is something special about a place that offers incredible golf without all of the fluff and the pretentiousness.  


Terry:

I am happy to hear about the tree removal.  I am sure there is not 1 member happier than you about it  

  

You only liked it because you got to see my orange shoes.  

[Terry Lavin]

Here's a Mackenzie quote I cribbed from Shack's site. It eloquently supports the rationale for the Dunes Club changes; to make the experience less of a grind and much more fun.

"How often have we known committees, presumably consisting of men of intelligence, receiving the statement that golf is played for fun, with eyes and mouths wide open in astonishment? It is always difficult to persuade them that the chief consideration that should influence us in making any alterations to a golf course is to give the greatest pleasure to the greatest number. Any change to a course that does not do this is manifestly a failure. " ALISTER MACKENZIE
 
There are no committees at Dunes Club. Mike Keiser makes the calls, aided by Josh Lesnik, whose company manages the club. They're looking for more fun. That's all good.

[Michael George]

Jim - just like Spike, "its got to be the shoes".  If you ever get that Augusta National invite, I hope you wear those shoes.  All of that green of Augusta against those orange shoes....Hurricane colors at their best!

Terry - certainly sounds like they are making the right changes to the course.  In addition, having such a limited membership allows a great group of members, which I is awfully important.  You can have the greatest course in the world, but if you are playing it with a bunch of idiots (ie. me), no chance you have any fun!    I really regret not staying overnight and having drinks all day.  Now that would have been fun.

[Terry Lavin]

Jim - just like Spike, "its got to be the shoes".  If you ever get that Augusta National invite, I hope you wear those shoes.  All of that green of Augusta against those orange shoes....Hurricane colors at their best!

Terry - certainly sounds like they are making the right changes to the course.  In addition, having such a limited membership allows a great group of members, which I is awfully important.  You can have the greatest course in the world, but if you are playing it with a bunch of idiots (ie. me), no chance you have any fun!    I really regret not staying overnight and having drinks all day.  Now that would have been fun.

Well, you shouldn't make that mistake next summer when I have the next Dunes Club gca day.

[Michael George]

Terry - No chance of that happening again.  I will be visiting all of the best New Buffalo establishments that night!

[Matt Glore]

Its worthy to say its one of the coolest golf experiences when you get the chance.
I would never get board with a day full of golf at Dunes ever.  It's 100% just golf.  My in laws live 15 min from New Buffalo and my father in law golfed for 30 years in the area and never heard of the place. 

Terry, I'd be the first one to commit to your outing, its a special club.

[Bob_Garvelink]

Bob,

In 1958 the majority of golf courses in the US were of the 9 hole variety. A Green Section report from the period stated that there were an estimated 5,745 golf courses in the US, 3,308 of which were 9-holers and 2,437 were 18.  If a majority can be considered 'the norm', you'd have to say that 9s were it, at least 5 1/2 decades ago.

The same report also stated that about 10% of all new construction was in golf/real estate developments, and given the economics of 9s and 18s it was almost a sure bet that the tables would be turned in favor of 18s in the upcoming decades.

Those tables have a good chance of turning once again, given all the constraints placed on modern-day golf, and it's very possible we'll see more 9s being built (or carved out of failing 18s), along with 6s, or 12s, or perhaps some 3s, in the future. 'The norm' has changed in the past, and if a wider vision of normal is to be achieved it will require people with foresight and funds. The whole process of change would get a shot in the arm if the present GHIN system were modified to accept scores from any number of holes.
      

Jim,

Thanks for the info as I was not aware that in the the 1950's nine hole courses were the norm so I guess my age has been exposed  . It will be interesting to see where the game goes.  I'm guessing that many high end courses will fold in the next 100 years as it appears to me that there in not enough support with younger generations to keep the game going strong.  Maybe I'm wrong and hopefully so but it will be interesting to watch all of this unfold.

[Bob_Garvelink]

Gents,

I recently had the opportunity to play Dunes Club and was blown away from my experience. The atmosphere was amazing and the course was simply out of this world.  My round at Dunes Club was the most enjoyable round I have ever played and I played terrible so that says a lot about the club.

I was shocked at how playable the course was as I figured it was going to be extremely tight but was pleasantly surprised how often I could pull out driver.  I understand some trees were removed which probably helped but there is room to shoot a low score at the Dunes Club.  The greens were outstanding and rolled pure and I loved my options on approach shots as many greens had unique contours but not overly ridiculous as many modern courses have become.

Additionally, the bunkering at Dunes Club was outstanding and as a minimalist I was pleasantly surprised how little earth was moved when the course was built.  I had plenty of shots out of the sand and the sand itself was like nothing else I have played in Michigan.  The approach shots and backdrops are fantastic and the simply clubhouse was as good as it gets in my book.  The unmarked tee boxes make for an exciting experiences and I could of spent 3 hours on the putting greens as the setup was phenomenal.

A few quick notes about some of the holes and hopefully I don't get these mixed up.

#1 - long par 4 but the opener gave me little problems even though it was the #1 handicap hole.  I really like the right size fairway bunker as its huge and gives shorter hitters like myself something to think about.  I also loved the view of Lake Michigan from the green.

#2 outstanding par 3 that is visually intimidating with a huge bunker area in front of the green.  The par 3's were the best pair I have ever played and I enjoyed hitting from a shorter distance.

#3 par 5 that really gets your blood flowing.  The waste area in the middle of the fairway was unique and well appreciated and the multiple tiered green was very cool.  The approach shot for guys that lay up was one of the better back drops on the course in my opinion.

#5 a wonderful par 4 with the only water I remember on the course so you have to decide how greedy you want to be.  The pin was on the left side and this is a hole that I dream about at night because you can use the slope of the green along with the inclined fringe to help "funnel" the ball towards the pin if the pin placement is lower left.  Very cool hole with a lot of options.

#6 the par 3 I have ever played with 8 different tee boxes.  The new tee box that is being built looks like a hoot and the new green is simply awesome.  I loved the huge bunkers on the left hand side and if you hit those good luck.  The pin was front left so a little false front adds to the excitement of this hole.  I think Keiser should build a damn putting green in between all those tee boxes

#8 elevate par 5 with a lot of options.  Funny story......I yanked my drive left onto #5 so my second shot I played the 5th fairway and left my second shot 10 feet in front of sand.  That left me about 195 yds out and was able to hit a miracle shot within a few feet of the pin.  Don't ask if I made the putt .  When you play the hole the way it's meant to be played you better stay on the right side or that darn tree lim will get you although I heard it used to be a lot worse. A great approach shot with fringe that funnels toward the green so being short is not always bad when the course is playing firm.

#9 one heck of a closing hole with the best back drop of the, all.  A wonderful par four with a massive bunker eating for approach shots that come short.  This hole really reminded me of pictures I have seen of Pine Valley.

Dunes club was amazing and I have not yet seen an atmosphere the matches what this club has to offer.  I was in a group that had the course to themselves all day and we had a blast.  Dunes Club members should be extremely proud of their club and the atmosphere that guests are treated to.

Cheers!

Bob

[Jon Cavalier]

Jim, what we need is someone with a real camera, like Matt Schmidt to update that thread.  My little point and shoot wasn't all that great.  Can't wait to see the work, though.

Thanks to the exceptional generousness of Terry Lavin, I played a round at Dunes Club yesterday. In a word, it is spectacular. Like Merion or Maidstone (among those I've played), it's a place that really needs to be experienced in order to understand how great it really is.

As requested, I took a boatload of photos with a real camera and will post them shortly along with more details about the day. If you guys would like, I'll do it as a photo tour.

Thanks,
Jon

[Terry Lavin]

Jon,

Glad you had a great day.  I like to tell people that Dunes Club is not a Top Ten golf course, but it can be a Top Ten experience.  Pretty unique.

[George Pazin]

Bob, you may find this book interesting:

http://www.amazon.com/To-Nines-Anthony-Pioppi/dp/1587262746

Jon Cavalier, please share pics asap, thanks.

[Brian Finn]

Jim, what we need is someone with a real camera, like Matt Schmidt to update that thread.  My little point and shoot wasn't all that great.  Can't wait to see the work, though.

Thanks to the exceptional generousness of Terry Lavin, I played a round at Dunes Club yesterday. In a word, it is spectacular. Like Merion or Maidstone (among those I've played), it's a place that really needs to be experienced in order to understand how great it really is.

As requested, I took a boatload of photos with a real camera and will post them shortly along with more details about the day. If you guys would like, I'll do it as a photo tour.

Thanks,
Jon

Great to hear you had such a good time, Jon.  I am even more excited now to play here next month (the day before ND-Michigan).  Looking forward to your photos.

[Terry Lavin]

Brian,

I'll be there the morning of that game with a couple groups. Are you playing Friday or Saturday?

[Brian Finn]

Brian,

I'll be there the morning of that game with a couple groups. Are you playing Friday or Saturday?

Friday, mid morning. 

[Terry Lavin]

Brian,

I'll be there the morning of that game with a couple groups. Are you playing Friday or Saturday?

Friday, mid morning. 

I'm playing Lost Dunes that afternoon. I'll try to stop for a pop beforehand.

[Jon Cavalier]

I squeezed in a quick round at Lost Dunes immediately following my round at Dunes Club.  Even following right on the heels of Dunes, I was extremely impressed with Lost Dunes. Beautiful, fun to play, and challenging without being a grind. So far, these two are the best of this trip.

[Jon Cavalier]

Dunes Club Photo Tour

These photos are from my visit to Dunes Club on August 11, 2014.  I'll keep the commentary to a minimum for now (though I might add some in later), but if anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask. I also have many other photos of the golf course, so if you want to see something specific, just let me know.  Enjoy.

The Entrance (as you can see, it is as understated as it gets; no sign, no markings save the street address):


The Clubhouse (also understated; Carl, the jack-of-all-trades who runs Dunes, is worthy of his own Best Of Golf entry):


1st Hole - Par 4 - Tee View (this is a gorgeous opener; I love that the practice green bleeds seamlessly into the first tee):


1st Hole - Green View (the player's first look at the outstanding greens and greenside bunkering at Dunes):


2nd Hole - Par 3 - Left Hand Tee View:


2nd Hole - Par 3 - Right Hand Tee View:


The 2nd Hole at Dunes Club has two tee boxes separated by about 75 yards or so.  The hole plays entirely differently from each tee.  This is the view from behind the green back to both tee boxes:


3rd Hole - Par 5 - Tee View (a reachable par 5):


3rd Hole - Par 5 - Fairway View (note the mounding separating the two fairways, reachable by long tee shots):


3rd Hole - Par 5 - Green View (one of the prettiest green complexes on the course; note that when the pin is in its current location on the top of the rear shelf, any misses long are dead as the green slopes substantially from back to front):


4th Hole - Par 4 - Tee View (tough dogleg left par 4):


4th Hole - Par 4 - Green View (note the mounding short left of the green, which adds a very interesting element to this hole; running shots can be played up the left side of the fairway away from the right bunker, and if properly struck, they will catch the mound, roll down and to the right off the back side, and on to the green):


5th Hole - Par 4 - Tee View (perhaps the easiest and prettiest hole on the course, a short par 4):


5th Hole - Par 4 - Approach View (simply gorgeous; the green again slopes significantly back to front):


5th Hole - Par 4 - Reverse View (the view back up the 4th fairway, with parts of the 8th hole in view to the right; one of the best views on the course):


6th Hole - Par 3 - Main Tee - Right View (as explained below, this hole has a LOT of tee boxes):


6th Hole - Par 3 - Blueberry Tee View:


6th Hole - Par 3 - Main Tee - Left Rear View:


The 6th at Dunes Club is an amazing hole. There are at least 9 separate tee boxes by my count, and the hole appears to play differently from all of them.  The photo below is a view from behind the green showing the main teeing area, which includes at least 8 boxes.  The so-called "Blueberry Tee" is out of frame about 60 yards to the left.


7th Hole - Par 4 - Left Tee View (once again, this hole has two distinct teeing areas that are about 30 yards apart; the choice of teeing ground completely changes the characteristics of this hole; from this, the left tee, the dogleg left is much sharper, but the corner can be cut and the hole shortened):


7th Hole - Par 4 - Right Tee View (from here, the hole plays more straightforward and the dogleg is softer, but the hole is also lengthened):

7th Hole - Par 4 - Green View (this green possesses a pronounced reverse Redan characteristic; a cut shot up the left of the green will kick on to the green and towards the pin):


8th Hole - Par 5 - Tee View (one of the great par 5s in golf; this tee box also affords one of the best views on the property; the Dunes' version of Hell's Half Acre looms):


8th Hole - Par 5 - Fairway View (the second shot here requires the player not only to negotiate Hell's Half Acre, but also to position himself so that the overhanging tree short of the green does not affect the third; one of the more demanding second shots on a three shot par five that I can recall):


8th Hole - Par 5 - Approach View (the surface of the punchbowl green is not in view for this uphill third shot; I can't describe how great this green complex is):


9th Hole - Par 4 - Tee View (a solid par 4 finisher, the tee shot requires the player to position himself to have a proper angle for the approach depending on the day's (or in the case of Dunes, the morning's/afternoon's) pin position):


9th Hole - Par 4 - Approach View (challenging the 9th pin when it's tucked in behind the Dunes' tribute to the Devil's Asshole, as it is in this photo, is lunacy, but beware bailing out long -- the green slopes hard to the front, and it is extremely easy to putt into the bunker from anywhere on the back of the green):


As I hope these pictures show, Dunes is a must play for both the golf and the experience.  I can't recommend it highly enough.

[Jon Cavalier]

Some of the wildlife at Dunes.

[Carl Nichols]

Looks great -- but also looks tighter than I was expecting, between the trees and the long grass.  Is that just a function of photos vs. being there?

[Jon Cavalier]

Looks great -- but also looks tighter than I was expecting, between the trees and the long grass.  Is that just a function of photos vs. being there?

Partially. The fairways are, for the most part, wider than they look in the photos. Over the course of 20 holes, I didn't lose a single ball and never hit a ball into the woods, and I didn't play stupendously well (the closest I came was a doublecrossed second shot on 8 my first time around that went left and ended up on the 5th tee). So there's room. I never felt smothered all day, and I never thought, "damn this is a tight alley." 

That being said, if you're spraying it, you're going to have a long day.  Make no mistake - the course is tough. 75.6/149 from the back and 74.0/145 from the member tees (I played both). It's far from a cakewalk, and if you're off the fairway by more than a couple yards, you're hunting.