[Chris DeToro]

I played Pilgrims Run this past weekend on a cold, windy fall day in mid Michigan and found it to be not only in fantastic shape, especially for this time of year, but couldn't have enjoyed the course more.  How is this course not more highly rated?  It's currently ranked 19th in the state on GolfWeek's best of rankings of public access courses.  Having played most of these courses, I would put Pilgrims Run in my top 5 in the state behind only Forest Dunes, the UofM course (which isn't really that public), Black Forest and Belvedere

[Richard Hetzel]

I have yet to experience Pilgrim's Run, but have heard nothing but good things about it. I played U of Mich (it was easy for Jon Heise and I to get on BTW), Belvedere (with JC) and others in Michigan. So far Arcadia Bluffs is untouchable for me, not matter how contrived it may (or may not) be in spots...

[Mike Schott]

I've not played this course but have played most every top public course in Michigan.My top 5 (in no order) are:

Forest Dunes
Lakewood Shores Gailes
Donald Ross Memorial
Thousand Oaks
Hawkshead.

I would put Lochenheath on this list but I believe it's once again gone private.

I have not played Tullymore, Shepherd's Hollow, The Mines, True North and a few other highly regarded courses. Belvedere should probably be on this list but I have fond memories of Hawkshead so I added it instead. I don't think of the U of M course as public. Another favorite and fun course is Eagle Crest in Ypsilanti.

[Sven Nilsen]

Greywalls. 

That is all.

Sven

[Mark Saltzman]

I continue to not understand the dislike amongst this group for Arcadia.

Edit: here are my thoughts on Arcadia... http://onegolferstravels.blogspot.ca/2012/01/arcadia-bluffs-golf-club-review.html

[Chris DeToro]

Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike Arcadia, I just feel that there are stronger courses in the state of Michigan.  I know that location matters and matters a lot when it comes to a great site, but I feel that if you moved Arcadia inland, it wouldn't be nearly as well regarded

  

[Matthew Lloyd]

Big fan of all the courses being discussed in this thread.  Have not played Pilgrim's Run yet but will make that a priority in 2014. 

My top 5 Michigan public courses would be in this order probably:
(1) High Pointe -- I don't care if it's closed -- the memory of is that good
(2) Forest Dunes
(3) Sundance (A-Ga-Ming)
(4) Tullymore
(5) Belvedere

I'm just relieved nobody has mentioned The Bear or the original Treetops ---- it is a miserable experience playing The Bear and Treetops barely maintains that course anymore and the pace of play can drive you to the brink of insanity.

[Bill Seitz]

Greywalls. 

That is all.

Sven

Seconded.  Just an amazing place.  I don't quite have the pedigree of many of the people in the DG, but this is arguably the most visually stunning golf course I've ever played (moreso than Arcadia), and an absolute blast to play.  

[Ken Fry]

From the courses I've played:

Forest Dunes
Pilgrim's Run
Arcadia Bluffs
Lochenheath
Black Forest


Close to consideration were also Harbor Shores, Angel's Crossing, Treetops Fazio, The Mines, Cedar River and Tullymore.

Courses I'd like to see but haven't gotten to but would probably be in dicsussion:  Greywalls, Belvedere, Lakewood Gailes, Black Lake, Eagle Eye and Sweetgrass.

Ken

[Chris DeToro]

You've all convinced me to check out Greywalls first chance next season...

Sundance is an underrated course in my opinion.  It's one of the few courses up north that demands and deserves a spot in the rota for me every time I'm up there

[cary lichtenstein]

Greywalls and Arcadia

[Jason Connor]

Does the Mackenzie Course at UM count?

It's not always in great shape, but there is a gorgeous golf course under there.

Though i haven't played some of the others people have mentioned.

[Chris DeToro]

I think we've agreed that it counts.  I played it in August and it was in fantastic condition.  Of course that's before they turn it into a parking lot for football season...

[Mike Schott]

The U of M course is not a public course. The general public cannot play unless accompanied by faculty, student or alum. The only times I've played are as a guest of an alumnus.

[Brian Hilko]

Greywalls!!!

[Bill Seitz]

The U of M course is not a public course. The general public cannot play unless accompanied by faculty, student or alum. The only times I've played are as a guest of an alumnus.

Yeah, but if you're in the Midwest, Michigan alums are pretty easy to come by.  They're like roaches in this part of the country. 

[Jim Tang]

Greywalls has got to be one of the most underrated courses in the country.  I love that place.

[Andrew Lewis]

In looking through my course notes, I apparently have played quite a bit of public golf in MI.

My top five would include the following -- in alpha order with Confidential Guide rating noted, if available:

--Arcadia Bluffs
--Boyne (Heather) – 6
--Forest Dunes
--Marquette (Greywalls)
--Treetops (Par 3 course)

Courses that are generally discussed as "good public courses in MI" that I have played but would not include:
--Bay Harbor
--Black Lake
--Boyne (Hills)
--Boyne (Moor) -- 5
--Boyne (Ross) -- 6
--Elk Ridge -- 5
--The Mines
--St. Ives
--Treetops (Fazio) – 7
--Treetops (Jones) – 5
--Treetops (the Smith courses)
--Tullymore

And courses I have not played that might be able to bump the Heather or Treetops Par 3 course from my list:
--Belvedere -- 5
--Black Forest – 6
--Lakewood Shores (Gailes)
--Pilgrim’s Run
--Sweetgrass

[Mike Schott]

The U of M course is not a public course. The general public cannot play unless accompanied by faculty, student or alum. The only times I've played are as a guest of an alumnus.

Yeah, but if you're in the Midwest, Michigan alums are pretty easy to come by.  They're like roaches in this part of the country. 

  I'm an MSU grad and this brings up a story. I was in the Spartan Marching Band and one of our members commented that the UM marching style when playing their fight song is akin to stomping on cockroaches.

By the way, one of these days I need to hit up one of my UM alum buddies and get back out to that course. Some terrific holes with a few great greens.

[Bob_Garvelink]

My top 10
1.  Arcadia - course is just visually stunning
2.  Forest Dunes - best conditioned course I have ever played
3.  Black Lake - I love this course even if there are a bunch of R. Jones haters on this site
4.  Treetops - Fazio - amazing views and a great golf trip area for your golf group
5.  Otsego Club - Tribute - a perfect example of what Northern Michigan golf is all about
6.  Bay Harbor - Links 9 is tough to beat
7.  Hawkseye - if Tom Izzo golfs here frequently it's good enough for me
8.  Treetops - signature (Rick smith) - a+++++ on the views
9.  Eagle Eye - you get a crack at TPC Sawgrass
10.  Tullymore - a challenging yet relaxing round

[Steve Lang]

  Greywalls...

and take the money it'd take to play Arcadia and use it to stay overnight and play Greywalls again!  .. and have a whitefish sandwich

[JC Jones]

I've played around 100 public courses in Michigan ranging from really good to pretty darn bad.  If I had to list the 5 courses that I'm most interested in playing again, they'd be the following (in no order):

Greywalls
Belvedere
Forest Dunes
Arcadia Bluffs
Bucks Run

Honorable Mention: Pilgrims Run

[Richard Hetzel]

I have played about 80 courses in Michigan and if I had to list the top 5 publics they would be:

1. Arcadia Bluffs
2. Belvedere
3.  Forest Dunes
4.  Red Hawk
5.  Boyne Hills Course

Blacklake a VERY close 6th

[Jim Tang]

Richard, I'm curious if you've played Greywalls.

[Jim Tang]

1.  Arcadia Bluffs
2.  Greywalls
3.  Black Lake
4.  Treetops - Masterpiece
5.  Forest Dunes

[Tags:]

Tags:

[Tags:]

Tags:

Call to undefined function theme_linktree()