Kingsley Folk

[Bob_Garvelink]

Gents,

I have heard rumblings that Kingsley is in great shape right now and is really playing fast and firm . I was told its in "Muirfield" condition which has me drooling    can anyone confirm this?  A buddy and I are going over to play Arcadia soon so we may try to sneak over to Kingsley and check it out for ourselves


My favorite holes at Kingsley are as follows......hopefully I got them right as I have only played there once.

# 1 - the best opening hole that I have ever played - Par 5 with a huge set of bunkers in the middle of the fairway.  You will s*** yourself on the tee box and I may have as I was so "jacked" to play KC.  The green complex was outstanding and when I played the pin was low so you could use the slope to bring the ball back.  From what I hear the only hole in the state that rivals KC # 1 is Greywalls # 1 which I have been told by many that its better.

#5 elevated par 3 with a slanted green that allows you to funnel the ball depending on hole location.  Pin was on right side when I played and I yanked one left and figured I was way left.  My host just smiled and said "wait". After 5 seconds I saw my ball rolling towards the pin . That's the best feeling in the world

# 12 elevated par 4 that allows you to let the big dog eat. Just an amazing view of the entire hole.  On my approach shot my host suggested I aim for the left mound next to the green and let my ball funnel towards the pin.  Great hole

#13 probably the best par 4 on the planet.  Big hitters can reach the green and pin location determines what te of a putt you will have.  If I remember right it's a very unique green complex.

Last but not least......whatever hole has the "Bottle" to sip off.  18??

[Jud_T]

Bob,

As of a couple weeks ago the course is in phenomenal shape.  They had a difficult spring aeration as the weather was uncooperative and it took longer than usual to get things up to speed.  But over the course of 2 visits the difference was night and day.  Given Dan and his team's usually high standards I would expect top notch F&F conditions throughout the rest of summer and early fall.  Agree on #13.  You need to give #'s 3, 8 & 15 a closer look....

[Frank Sullivan]

Bob,

I played played 5 rounds at Kingsley this week.  It is in fantastic shape.  Greens running 10 to 11.  I don't think it is playing nearly as fast (nor should it) as Muirfield.  Fairways are not as firm nor as fast.  But, IMO, it is playing as it should...it is about as much fun as I have ever had on a golf course!!!!

I would recommend that you spend more time at Kingsley than Arcadia.  We played Crystal Downs Monday morning and then Arcadia in the afternoon.  This was my second time at CD, and I loved it even more than the first time.  If you told me that I had to live in Traverse City and on play those two courses the rest of my life (CD and Kingsley), I would jump on it in a heartbeat.

Arcadia was a horrible golfing experience.  6+ hour round.  It seems that nobody is in charge of the course maintenance nor the pace of play.  No rangers.  Divots all over the greens.  None of the divots in the fairway were replaced and no sand in the carts (I assume this is intentional???).  Yes, the setting is incredible, but the golf is intolerable.  CD and Kingsley are the polar opposites of Arcadia and are truly "In The Spirit Of The Game" as Kingsley's motto states.  There were maybe 6 other groups the entire day...it felt like our own private piece of golf heaven.  I know there are people who love Arcadia, but I would avoid it like the plague.  It is a public golf factory with very low standards (other than the amazing clubhouse and restaurant).  The highlight of my round there was meeting George Gervin....oh, and heading BACK to Kingsley.

 

[JC Jones]

Kingsley Club consistently provides the best conditioning to match the architecture of any course I've played.  There is simply no better man for fast and firm than Dan Lucas.  Courses around the country should be paying him in the winter time to come and teach them how to properly condition their courses.

Bob,

You can always expect Kingsley to be in fantastic condition and it's ALWAYS worth a trip if one is lucky enough to be invited. 

[Chris_Hufnagel]

You can always expect Kingsley to be in fantastic condition and it's ALWAYS worth a trip if one is lucky enough to be invited.

Bob, I just spent a great four days at the club - JC is right, Kingsley is usually in fantastic condition and in harmony with the design intent of Mike DeVries.  While I wasn't at Muirfield and simply watched the coverage on TV and in the press - I would say that Kingsley was no where near what was presented at the Open Championship - which in my mind is a very good thing...

Continued accolades should go to Dan Lucas, his team, and everyone involved with the Kingsley Club...

[Nick_Christopher]

Played Sunday in 55 degrees and it was ideal!  Dan has the course in fantastic shape as always.  Kingsley has a tremendous number of unique, one-of-a-kind holes.  If you are in Arcadia, don't miss a chance to play TKC as well!  Good route (from Arcadia to Kingsley) to score some world-famous jerky in Karlin too....

[John Kavanaugh]

Why didn't Kingsley make the recent Golf Magazine top 100 in the world?!?  I just don't get it.

[Bob_Garvelink]

I totally agree!!!!

Thanks for the updates guys.....you have me drooling

[John Percival]

Bob,

I played played 5 rounds at Kingsley this week.  It is in fantastic shape.  Greens running 10 to 11.  I don't think it is playing nearly as fast (nor should it) as Muirfield.  Fairways are not as firm nor as fast.  But, IMO, it is playing as it should...it is about as much fun as I have ever had on a golf course!!!!

I would recommend that you spend more time at Kingsley than Arcadia.  We played Crystal Downs Monday morning and then Arcadia in the afternoon.  This was my second time at CD, and I loved it even more than the first time.  If you told me that I had to live in Traverse City and on play those two courses the rest of my life (CD and Kingsley), I would jump on it in a heartbeat.

Arcadia was a horrible golfing experience.  6+ hour round.  It seems that nobody is in charge of the course maintenance nor the pace of play.  No rangers.  Divots all over the greens.  None of the divots in the fairway were replaced and no sand in the carts (I assume this is intentional???).  Yes, the setting is incredible, but the golf is intolerable.  CD and Kingsley are the polar opposites of Arcadia and are truly "In The Spirit Of The Game" as Kingsley's motto states.  There were maybe 6 other groups the entire day...it felt like our own private piece of golf heaven.  I know there are people who love Arcadia, but I would avoid it like the plague.  It is a public golf factory with very low standards (other than the amazing clubhouse and restaurant).  The highlight of my round there was meeting George Gervin....oh, and heading BACK to Kingsley.

 

Frank, the biggest difference between AB and CD/KC is the private-public issue. Private clubs have less play and the members are more informed about etiquette, pace of play and familiarity with their course. The public courses need numbers to survive. Unfortunately, on some famous high end public courses, many players are hell bent on posting a score, even when they blow up on a hole. All it takes is one '18' hdcper who is grinding to par in from 16 to break 110 to put a huge dent into the pace of play.
And yes, it is the club's responsibility to all players to address slow play (even before it starts). Maybe some snakes out in that fescue would cut down on the searches  .

[David Kelly]

Bob,

I've always loved Kingsley and agree with you on your selection of favorite holes with the exception of #13 which is certainly unique but the green has always been a little over the top in regards to speed when I've been there and there are some pins where 3-putting becomes a challenge.

Holes  3-5 is probably my favorite stretch. 9 is definitely my least favorite hole out there.