Vacationing in Frankfort,MI late summer 2010 and 2011 my son and I played Crystal Downs, Arcadia Bluffs, the Heathlands and Pinecroft Golf Plantation.
Crystal Downs is just awesome, although it would be difficult to walk, especially the back. I did not see anyone walking. Likewise, Arcadia Bluffs is a spectalur setting and a very interesting layout, albeit overpriced. Both can be very windy.
However, there seems to be a ton of solid golf at great value prices. Both Heathlands and Pinecroft had some interesting holes and some dull holes, but were in decent shape and very affordable. A local made the comment that the farmers switched to farming grass.
Frankfort & Traverse City areas are wonderful places to go with super beaches, vineyards some quaint towns and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is just spectacular. Huge dunes going to the Lake Michigan, some are 800 feet vertical. The bluffs/dunes continue well south of Frankfort, certainly below Manistee and probably much further, I did not get down that far. It is very BIG country with loads of open space, inland lakes, forest and farms left. A long drive from central NJ for sure.
Super area to take a family or couples vacation and be assured that there is solid golf to take advantage of, even the local publics.
Wm Flynnfan