The Bluffs & Forrest Dunes

[brockcdavison]

Set to go in May and right now playing the Bluffs & South Course, then heading over to play Forrest Dunes and The Loop.  Was torn on a number of places in Michigan so was curious if there are any recommendations you'd choose over either of these.. 

[edingc]

Nothing I'd recommend over them (having not played either), but I've heard good things about Belvedere GC in Charlevoix. Tullymore and St. Ives are a little further down 131, Pilgrim's Run is also near there.

Truthfully, you could set a budget of no more than $80/round in Michigan during the summer and play some fantastic golf.

[Shankster]

Nothing I'd recommend over them (having not played either), but I've heard good things about Belvedere GC in Charlevoix. Tullymore and St. Ives are a little further down 131, Pilgrim's Run is also near there.
Truthfully, you could set a budget of no more than $80/round in Michigan during the summer and play some fantastic golf.

Belvedere is a classic beauty. Highly recommend!

[edingc]

Just now, Shankster said:

 

Belvedere is a classic beauty. Highly recommend!

 

I would love a trip to go up and play Belvedere and both the classic course and Graywalls in Marquette. Plus whatever courses I feel like stopping at along the way. But then I look at cost, drive time, etc., and there are just so many great courses within an hour of me that I keep chicken'ing out. Some day...

[Shankster]

I would love a trip to go up and play Belvedere and both the classic course and Graywalls in Marquette. Plus whatever courses I feel like stopping at along the way. But then I look at cost, drive time, etc., and there are just so many great courses within an hour of me that I keep chicken'ing out. Some day...

Save your money on Gray Walls. It is a beast, I didn’t enjoy it much at all. Lots of blind shots and hitting over gorges.

The two courses at Sweet Grass in Harris are far superior... hmm, superior. Haha

[Trip D]

I played Pebble, Cypress Point, and Spyglass Hill about 2 weeks after I'd played Arcadia Bluffs several years ago, and the Bluffs were the equal of any on the Monterray Peninsula IMHO. We were able to play the new South Course about a week after it opened a year ago last August.  The two courses are dramatically different, and require two completely different game approaches.  I could play them both every year, and the amenities there are first class.

[HardcoreLooper]

Let us know how The Loop is.  I'm intrigued by it.

[Shankster]

I’ll be back “home” in late June through early July.

Goal is to actually make it to The Bluffs, and back to the Belvedere.

Let us know what you decide.

[brockcdavison]

Thanks guys! The Bluffs has been a bucket list of mine for awhile but the more I read and hear, Forrest Dunes and The Loop is actually what I’m excited more for now.  Don’t get me wrong excited for both and very curious how The South turns out. If you guys haven’t, Erik Anders just did an interview with Doak on his podcast in which he discusses how the The Loop cane about and his vision behind it.  Def  worth the listen (see below). Thanks gents

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5divfj5FxHsup2pJF93jYr?si=4vW4qiMZTvaixokm8UfEsg

[bd_810]

Enjoy Northern Michigan! The golf and hospitality is great. Hopefully you get some nice May weather.

[pingman52]

Just returned from MI. We played Loop(both Red & Black), Forest Dunes and then Cedar River in Traverse City. If you don't have a GREAT short game, avoid the Loop. The greens are all mounded, VERY fast, with severe undulation, and hard as a rock. 2-putting any green feels like a victory. Our 4 players carry handicaps between 11 to 16, and none of us had less than 38 putts. Loop is a true links course and the only way to play it is on the ground. No way to fly your ball onto the greens and expect to hold them. I know the course is very highly rated, but the greens are so punishing for the vast majority of golfers it isn't really playable. The hardest greens I had ever previously played were Pinehurst #2, but the Loop greens are far harder. 

Forest Dunes is a different story. It's more of a traditional layout you can play through the air. Excellent condition, beautiful, and a fair test without being punitive- a good shot there will generally be rewarded, unlike the Loop.

Best of all 4 was Cedar River at Shanty Creek Resort. It is absolutely gorgeous, with elevation changes on nearly every hole. Not a bad hole on the course. When I book next year's trip I won't return to Forest Dunes/Loop. It is in the middle of nowhere and I just don't enjoy being beaten up by the golf courses I play while on vacation.

Looking at Arcadia Dunes, Cedar River, Hawks Eye, and 1 other in Traverse City are for 2022.

[pingman52]

On 2/28/2020 at 5:28 PM, brockcdavison said:

Thanks guys! The Bluffs has been a bucket list of mine for awhile but the more I read and hear, Forrest Dunes and The Loop is actually what I’m excited more for now.  Don’t get me wrong excited for both and very curious how The South turns out. If you guys haven’t, Erik Anders just did an interview with Doak on his podcast in which he discusses how the The Loop cane about and his vision behind it.  Def  worth the listen (see below). Thanks gents

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5divfj5FxHsup2pJF93jYr?si=4vW4qiMZTvaixokm8UfEsg

Unless you're a masochist, or have a short game like Seve, you won't enjoy the Loop.