[Mike Baillie]

Eight of us from the Toronto area are heading to Michigan next May.  We expect to play 7 rounds.

How and why would GCAers recommend the split of 7 between:

Forest Dunes         most have played up to 6 times the last few yrs
The Loop                half have played each way twice the last 2 yrs
Arcadia Bluffs        most played once this year
Arcadia South        none of us have played as of yet
Some other course worthwhile close by

Generally the group:
- is not into GCA to the extent of those on this site.  However, all appreciate a well thought out layout.
- quite liked Forest Dunes
- didn't enjoy The Loop as much by a small margin.  Even most walkers found FD a bit better and more enjoyable
- found the routing odd at Arcadia Bluffs plus was close to a 6 hour round

Thanks for thoughts and any related tips

[Ian Mackenzie]

Given those (non GCA dynamics) then why not go to Tree Tops, Boyne, or one those lodges with Arnold Palmer and Fazio courses..?...


While you’re at it, why go to Michigan in May at all?
Total crap shoot weather-wise. I’ve played there in May when it’s 30s and 40s F and raw...and I’m talking US Memorail Day late May...


 I get that the drive from TO is doable, but still 7-8+ hours.
Sure, you can run into some good weather. But maybe think about it especially since you’ve already played those courses and some seem indifferent....


Go to Sand Valley.


Or, play Kingsley, Loop, Arcadia South then try to sneak on Crystal Downs...

[Kyle Harris]

The Fountains Course at Garland Resort is decidely in the not-bad camp and a good change of pace. It may be the middle ground for your group and is sufficiently quirky to hold the interest of all but the most hipster-douche of the cognoscenti-GolfClubAtlas blowhard.

[Eric_Terhorst]

Arcadia South is worth a visit if you're going to go that direction, but I would skip both Arcadia courses and drive up to Charlevoix for a couple of rounds at Belvedere, see https://belvederegolfclub.com/  It's a terrific Willie Watson classic that would seem to be well-suited to your gang. 


Consider also the Lakewood Shores resort, which has a faux links in the Gailes course and another course called Blackshire that is promoted as a Pine Valley homage.  I haven't played them, but do a search here on "Lakewood Shores" and you can see some comments from others--reviews mixed, but more favorable than not.

[Cal Seifert]

Arcadia South is worth a visit if you're going to go that direction, but I would skip both Arcadia courses and drive up to Charlevoix for a couple of rounds at Belvedere, see https://belvederegolfclub.com/  It's a terrific Willie Watson classic that would seem to be well-suited to your gang. 


Consider also the Lakewood Shores resort, which has a faux links in the Gailes course and another course called Blackshire that is promoted as a Pine Valley homage.  I haven't played them, but do a search here on "Lakewood Shores" and you can see some comments from others--reviews mixed, but more favorable than not.

+1 on Belvedere.  Everyone in my group loved it.  16th hole is one of Michigan's best.

[Bob_Garvelink]

I was lucky enough to play Arcadia Bluffs South course and it cracks my top 5 public courses in Michigan for sure.  The conditions are fast and firm and the green complexes are outstanding with plenty of bump and run options.  The course is in amazing shape for just being opened and if your in the area its a must play.


The #12 par 3 is one of the best par 3's Ive ever played.  There is a hill left of the green that you can bounce your shots off that depending on hole location may funnel right to the hole.  A false front makes this hole very exciting.


The #13 par 4 is outstanding and was my favorite hole.  The punch bowl green makes the approach shots hard to miss and lets you relax for at least one hole.


Bottom line make sure you play the South Course.

[Bob_Garvelink]

If I had 7 rounds to play at the courses you mentioned it would be as follows


Arcadia Bluffs = 2 rounds
Arcadia South = 2 rounds
Forest Dunes = 2 rounds
The Loop = 1 round (prefer the red over the black)

[Cal Seifert]

I was lucky enough to play Arcadia Bluffs South course and it cracks my top 5 public courses in Michigan for sure.  The conditions are fast and firm and the green complexes are outstanding with plenty of bump and run options.  The course is in amazing shape for just being opened and if your in the area its a must play.


The #12 par 3 is one of the best par 3's Ive ever played.  There is a hill left of the green that you can bounce your shots off that depending on hole location may funnel right to the hole.  A false front makes this hole very exciting.


The #13 par 4 is outstanding and was my favorite hole.  The punch bowl green makes the approach shots hard to miss and lets you relax for at least one hole.


Bottom line make sure you play the South Course.

Seems arcadia has quickly gone from a 6hr cartball round that many on here do not recommend to a can't miss with the addition of the south course.  Wish I had more time last summer to get there.  This review by Andy Johnson is a nice summary of the course.

http://www.friedegg.co/golf-courses/arcadia-bluffs-south-course-review

[George Freeman]

Mike -
Those four are a pretty good start for public options in NW Michigan.  Some more options for you below (not all would be loved by this website), roughly listed in proximity to where you'll be playing:


Lochenheath (Traverse City)Grand Traverse Resort - Wolverine; Bear; Spruce Run (Traverse City)Champion Hills GC (Beulah)Pinecroft GC (Benzonia)Black Forest (Gaylord) Treetops Resort (Gaylord)
Belvedere GC (Charlevoix)Bay Harbor (Petoskey)

Footnote:  It has been quite a long time since I have played these courses, so I can't comment on current conditions, etc.
Obviously private clubs, but Crystal Downs and Kingsley Club set the bar in NW MI in my opinion.  Might be worth a phone call to KC - you might be surprised by their hospitality.
Have fun.

[Mike Schott]

Echoing Ian's comments, the weather in May in the Northern Lower Peninsula is very iffy. I used to be part of a group of 16 that went to Garland the second weekend in May. We had some nice days and others where we played in 5 layers and wore ski caps. One year we played through a small snow storm. Late May would be safer.


As far as the courses, for non-GCA'ers, FD over The Loop. I have not played the Arcadia courses. I am a fan of Lakewood Shores. The Gailes does a very good impression of a links course. It plays firm and there are a number excellent holes. Blackshire is nice but a poor cousin to The Gailes. Of course Belvedere is a gem. I would not rule out 3 rounds at Treetops. I would choose the Fazio, Tradition and Signature. Stay away from Tom's Black Forest at Wilderness Valley as it looks like the owners have really let the conditions deteriorate.

[Ian Mackenzie]

Echoing Ian's comments, the weather in May in the Northern Lower Peninsula is very iffy. I used to be part of a group of 16 that went to Garland the second weekend in May. We had some nice days and others where we played in 5 layers and wore ski caps. One year we played through a small snow storm. Late May would be safer.


As far as the courses, for non-GCA'ers, FD over The Loop. I have not played the Arcadia courses. I am a fan of Lakewood Shores. The Gailes does a very good impression of a links course. It plays firm and there are a number excellent holes. Blackshire is nice but a poor cousin to The Gailes. Of course Belvedere is a gem. I would not rule out 3 rounds at Treetops. I would choose the Fazio, Tradition and Signature. Stay away from Tom's Black Forest at Wilderness Valley as it looks like the owners have really let the conditions deteriorate.

I’ve teed off over Memorial Day when it’s been 39 degrees and high of 45 and windy at Aracadia Bluffs.


Would rather take cheap flights to Tampa, drive an hour north, stay at the Best Western Brooksville for $129/nt and play World Woods for $120/day.


Stop at Mons Venus on the way out of town...


Or, go To RTJ Trail in Alabama.

[Mike Schott]

I’ve teed off over Memorial Day when it’s been 39 degrees and high of 45 and windy at Aracadia Bluffs.


Would rather take cheap flights to Tampa, drive an hour north, stay at the Best Western Brooksville for $129/nt and play World Woods for $120/day.


Stop at Mons Venus on the way out of town...


Or, go To RTJ Trail in Alabama.

But skip the Huntsville leg of the Trail. Unremarkable.


By the way, years ago we stopped going to Garland and moved to Gull Lake. Unfortunately over the years the size of the group shrunk and we no longer have this outing. Too bad...Stoatin Brae.

[Chris_Blakely]

I would 100% make an effort to play Arcadia Bluffs South course. I left thinking it plays like nothing I’ve played in a long time and I loved it.  It’s not the best Raynor Macdonald replica course that goes to George Bahto’s Stonebridge course on Long Island. However, they were not attempting to use template holes more architectural style and design ideas.




Chris

[Mike Baillie]

Thanks to all for their input and suggestions.

My own thoughts in how to best cater to the group prior to starting the thread:
Forest Dunes the most rounds.  Virtually all liked it slightly more than the Loop and wider margin Arcadia Bluffs
The Loop at least one round each way.  Even the non-GCAers appreciate several things about the concept
Arcadia Bluffs not sure worth the trip on its own again.  Slow, odd routing, initial awe did not last with all

What I wanted to get a handle on is how good Arcadia South is in the view of those on here.  Golf publications have given it great reviews.  For sure one other in our group knows who Charles Blair Macdonald is but my over / under for the other 6 would be 1.5!  However, if they liked The Loop the sense to me is they will appreciate the ground game, the angles and other things about Arcadia South..

So with the feedback of all especially Bob G/ George F/ Chris B/ Cal S, the likely split will be:
Forest Dunes 3, The Loop 2, Arcadia South 1 and Arcadia Bluffs 1

The notion of Kingsley was interesting.  Is getting 8 on reasonable?  Clearly all would be excited about Crystal Downs but can't imagine 8 unaccompanied guests there. 

Finally, not sure luck or hearty Canadians.  We played at least 9 of 14 rounds in two years around May 20th in shorts!  Temp in the mid to high 60s especially in the afternoon.

Thanks again to all.

[Sinclair Eaddy]

Mike, some friends an I did a northern Michigan trip last September. We played Forest Dunes, Kingsley Club, Crystal Downs, LochenHeath and Arcadia. Our group leader tallied the preferences and it went in this order:

Crystal Downs
Kingsley
Forest Dunes
Arcadia (some had Arcadia higher)
LochenHeath

I would suggest you have your club or local pro call Kingsley Club. They will be more receptive for a professional accommodation as they did for us. The Kingsley pro took a couple of weeks to get back to our pro, but it was well worth it. The unaccompanied rate is not cheap $350 plus forecaddie, I think. We used LochenHeath (a decent Steve Smyers design) as an afternoon 18 after Kingsley. It's fits that role perfectly. You will need a member in each group at Crystal Downs, and that will take some finesse. Happy to answer any other questions about our trip you might have.

Sinclair

[Ian Mackenzie]

Thanks to all for their input and suggestions.

My own thoughts in how to best cater to the group prior to starting the thread:
Forest Dunes the most rounds.  Virtually all liked it slightly more than the Loop and wider margin Arcadia Bluffs
The Loop at least one round each way.  Even the non-GCAers appreciate several things about the concept
Arcadia Bluffs not sure worth the trip on its own again.  Slow, odd routing, initial awe did not last with all

What I wanted to get a handle on is how good Arcadia South is in the view of those on here.  Golf publications have given it great reviews.  For sure one other in our group knows who Charles Blair Macdonald is but my over / under for the other 6 would be 1.5!  However, if they liked The Loop the sense to me is they will appreciate the ground game, the angles and other things about Arcadia South..

So with the feedback of all especially Bob G/ George F/ Chris B/ Cal S, the likely split will be:
Forest Dunes 3, The Loop 2, Arcadia South 1 and Arcadia Bluffs 1

The notion of Kingsley was interesting.  Is getting 8 on reasonable?  Clearly all would be excited about Crystal Downs but can't imagine 8 unaccompanied guests there. 

Finally, not sure luck or hearty Canadians.  We played at least 9 of 14 rounds in two years around May 20th in shorts!  Temp in the mid to high 60s especially in the afternoon.

Thanks again to all.

Well, as a fellow hearty Canadian (who lives in US now), who has played FAR more rounds in Michigan than your group has...;-)...I can assure you that I have "enjoyed" many of them in May in touques, sweaters and two gloves.


Yes, some in shorts for sure. But, youve been warned...;-)
You can catch a 75 degree day in April, too. Can also snow 6".

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