[Jonathan Decker]

In a few weeks I will be traveling from Green Bay to Detroit and some possible golf decisions to make.

1) Take the ferry across and play Kingsley and drive to Detroit from there.

2) or drive through Chicago to Southwest Michigan and play both Lost Dunes and the Dunes Club.

Looking for feedback from those with experience with those courses or that trip in general.

Thanks,

Jon

[Tom_Doak]

Jonathan:

I'm sure there will be lots of support for Kingsley from the board.

However, reading your question carefully, timing might matter.  If you are going to be playing in late October or November, the golf weather in Traverse City would be iffy, at best.  It's guaranteed to be 5-7 degrees warmer down at The Dunes Club ... which is a minus in July, but a plus in November.

[Anthony_Nysse]

As good as Kingsley is, I'd personally take Lost Dunes alone over it. LD is VERY good-great conditioning, great, private atmosphere and great caddie program.

[John Kavanaugh]

Don't pass up an invite to The Dunes Club. You can always join the other two courses on your list.

[Michael George]

Agree with Mr. Kavanaugh.  The Dunes Club is one of the most unique golf experiences that you can have.  Just outstanding.

[K. Krahenbuhl]

Go with the Dunes duo.  No brainer.

[Zack Molnar]

I will join the list in saying the dunes duo. I played The Dunes Club a little while back with GCAers and it was one of the most amazing golf experiences I have had. And like Mr. Doak said, the weather around TC can be very iffy at that time.

[Sven Nilsen]

Save the Kingsley trip until you have the chance to spend a bit of time in the area.  Traverse golf should not be done in a day.  A 36 hole day of TDC and LD is tough to beat, and for your purposes the travel will be decidely easier.

Questions for Anthony:  Does your comment mean that the conditioning at Lost Dunes is markedly better than the conditioning at KC?  I'd disagree, as they are different styles of courses.   The conditioning at each is very, very good, but different, each suited for the type of grass and style of play.  I personally prefer the rugged look of KC over the manicured look of LD.

While LD does have a solid caddy program, I don't see how anyone could argue that has a more "private" feel than KC.  If by private you mean no expense spared on amenities, you might be right.  However, I'll take the rustic, rugged and remote feel of the club in the woods (which describes KC and TDC) any day of the week over the gigantic clubhouse, 35 different types of whiskey and cart shuttle between tees.  

[Mark Smolens]

Gigantic? Have they put in a new clubhouse at Lost Dunes since May? I mean, Lost Dunes's clubhouse may well be gigantic compared to the Dunes Club's but it's far from gigantic by any stretch of the imagination.

I've never heard a bad word uttered about Kingsley and look forward to the opportunity to get up there and play, but 36 holes at LD and TDC is a pretty amazing day of golf.

[Anthony_Nysse]

Save the Kingsley trip until you have the chance to spend a bit of time in the area.  Traverse golf should not be done in a day.  A 36 hole day of TDC and LD is tough to beat, and for your purposes the travel will be decidely easier.

Questions for Anthony:  Does your comment mean that the conditioning at Lost Dunes is markedly better than the conditioning at KC?  I'd disagree, as they are different styles of courses.   The conditioning at each is very, very good, but different, each suited for the type of grass and style of play.  I personally prefer the rugged look of KC over the manicured look of LD.

While LD does have a solid caddy program, I don't see how anyone could argue that has a more "private" feel than KC.  If by private you mean no expense spared on amenities, you might be right.  However, I'll take the rustic, rugged and remote feel of the club in the woods (which describes KC and TDC) any day of the week over the gigantic clubhouse, 35 different types of whiskey and cart shuttle between tees.  

Nope. Not taking anything away from Dan and the conditioning at KC. Both courses are maintained to near perfection in the way that they were designed.
  LD's cluhouse is not gigantic by any means. Each course/club offers a different experience and cater to their membership equally well.

[Bill Seitz]

Man, that's a tough call.  I'd probably go with the Dunes duo just so you could knock two off of your list, but you really can't go wrong with either option, not accounting for travel and weather.  The whole region is hit and miss at this time of year, but all else being equal, the further you go south, the better off you'll probably be.  Kingsley is probably my favorite single course of the three, but the variety of the two Dunes courses would be tough to pass up. 

[Jud_T]

Jonathan:

 timing might matter.  If you are going to be playing in late October or November, the golf weather in Traverse City would be iffy, at best.  It's guaranteed to be 5-7 degrees warmer down at The Dunes Club ... which is a minus in July, but a plus in November.

I'd say this is the main consideration at that time of year...

[Joe Hancock]

I hope this isn't anyone we know, as the news is already tragic.

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/sw_mich/falling-tree-kills-golfer

Joe

[Ken Fry]

I hope this isn't anyone we know, as the news is already tragic.

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/sw_mich/falling-tree-kills-golfer

Joe

Joe,

I was just about to post the story.  My wife and I just got home from attempting a round at Harbor Shores.  Wind off the lake is crazy.  15"-20" waves coming to shore.  The sand blowing off the lake made it impossible to play holes 7-9.  The sand into the face was very painful.

Tragic event at The Dunes Club.  With the wind we just experienced and the damage being done to the area, it's a risk to even be outside.

Ken

[Sven Nilsen]

Gigantic? Have they put in a new clubhouse at Lost Dunes since May? I mean, Lost Dunes's clubhouse may well be gigantic compared to the Dunes Club's but it's far from gigantic by any stretch of the imagination.

Allow me a little poetic license.  Anything with two stories would be considered massive compared to TDC or KC.

Sorry to read the story about the guy at TDC. 

[Michael George]

That is horrible.  Terry - I hope that this was not someone close to you, as you have had enough bad things recently. 

BTW, Sven, my SUV for my 5 kids is bigger than the clubhouse at The Dunes Club.

[Ken Fry]

Choosing between the three courses is like trying to choose one of Charlie's Angels, no?? (regardless of which show/movie)

Tom raises a great point about Traverse City weather....  On the other hand to go from Green Bay and drive through Chicago to New Buffalo (5 hour drive with no delays).... I'd consider alternatives too.  The Manitowac Ferry ends it's runs October 9th I believe.  That takes out the Northern Michigan direct connection.

Make arrangements for Lost Dunes and The Dunes Club and love every minute of both.

Ken

[Andy Troeger]

I don't think this is a no-brainer. Kingsley is really good, probably the best single option of the three. But, the other two are pretty close behind and together are enough to be my choice. You're not going wrong either way!

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