I got the chance to play the #10 public course in the USA (According to Golf Digest) twice in the early stages of October. This course is located in the northern half of the lower peninsula of Michigan. A little town called Arcadia is the host to this wonderful course. My grandparents have a cottage in Onekama (just south of Arcadia) which we stay at every summer and occasionally the fall and spring. I never knew that this little piece of heaven was 15 minutes from where I grew up during the summer!
Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, this course provides great views and a fun round of golf. A little pricy during the summer ($180 for a round and a cart with gps and range balls), the rates are great during the fall. Only $75 to play an 18 hole round here during the fall! What a deal!
Service is great here, as all of the workers are extremely friendly. Once you get to the course, the drive up to the clubhouse and lodge provides some views of the first hole.
The Lodge offers rooms for people to stay in. The practice putting green is out front and the pro shop is inside.
The practice facilities include a practice putting green (above), a chipping green with a sod wall bunker, and a driving range with free range balls included. My dad and I got there plenty early to hit some balls off the range and putt and chip for a bit.
When you get there, you drop your bags off at the clubhouse and drive back to the driving range to park your car. A shuttle will then take you from the parking lot back to get your bags, which will already be on your cart for the day. You can then take your cart over to the range for some warm ups.
The anxiety began to sink in on the range, as this is easily the best course I will have ever played. I had never played any public or private course in the top 100 in the USA let alone #10!
I got to play this course twice, the first time at 11:00 in the afternoon.
The first tee box.
The first hole was a fairly easy starting hole, a par 5 519 yard hole from the tips. The best part about this course is that their is a view of Lake Michigan from every single hole. Also, this course is a links-style course, so no need to worry about trees very much.
Looking back from behind the green at #2.
The second hole was a par 3, at 189 yards from the tips. there is a huge bunker lining the entire right side of the hole. It was a nice hole, with a 2-tiered green. I the pin was back and I ended putting it in front of the slope to the hole so I had a huge uphill putt for birdie. I ended up 2-putting for par.
The tee shot at #3, with Lake Michigan in the background.
The third hole was a par 5, 530 yards from the tips. This course does not have a traditional start (par 5-3-5-4-5-3). There are three par-5's and three par 3's on the front nine. Either way, this third hole is a very pretty hole with a very nice view from the tee box. There are many fairway bunkers on this hole, so watch out for them on your tee shot and 2nd shot.
The tee shot at the par 5-5th.
The approach shot to the green at the 5th hole.
The par-5 5th is a fairly tough hole, as it is a true 3-shot par 5. Playing at 583 yards from the tips, the second shot will have to carry the native grass and many bunkers. There is a sign on the tee box warning players to play this as a 3-shot hole to keep the pace of play. A very tough hole, as there is a dip in the middle of a very large green.
The par 3 6th. A very nice hole.
This hole was a very fun hole to play, as their is 3 sand traps blocking the front middle of the green, which is fairly large. Playing at 195 yards from the tips, make sur you have enough carry to land and stick it on the green. The green is also a punch bowl type of green, with tall native grass surrounding the entire back and right side of the hole.
In between the 6th and 7th hole, there is a little food and drink stand which will be passed twice during your round. Also, on the 8th tee box, your GPS screen in your cart will prompt you to order food from the grill, which you will receive when you pass the clubhouse between 9's.
In between the 6th and 7th hole, there is a little food and drink stand which will be passed twice during your round. Also, on the 8th tee box, your GPS screen in your cart will prompt you to order food from the grill, which you will receive when you pass the clubhouse between 9's.
The view of the Lodge from the 9th tee box.
The 9th hole is a nice front nine finishing hole, playing at 203 yards from the tips. A downhill par-3, the green slopes down at the front, so make sure you use enough club to carry the downslope.
View from the par-5 11th tee box.
The 11th hole from the fairway.
The 11th Green.
The 11th hole (a 633 yard par-5) starts a stretch of the best holes on the course. 11, 12, and 13 are easily the best. The 11th is a very long, very downhill par-5. Your drive should be aimed towards the left side of the fairway, as it slopes to the right. This hole seems as though you are playing through a small canyon, which is very cool. You will end up 200 ft above Lake Michigan, which is right next to the green.
The view backwards from the fairway on #11.
Personal favorite hole- #12 tee box.
#12 is a 431 yard par 4 from the tips, and easily the best hole on the course. Lake Michigan aligns the entire hole to the left. Your tee shot is to a wide landing area over a a very big sand trap. Make sure you bring a a few extra garbage balls to hit sideways off the tee box into Lake Michigan (Arcadia Bluffs tradition).
Par 3-13th tee shot.
Another awesome hole, the 13th is a 240 yard par three from the tips, which requires carry over a ravine. With a hidden bunker to the left and bunker in front of the green to make this a very hard par 3. Great view though, as it is along Lake Michigan.
The 13th green.
The rest of the course plays pretty tough, with a tight uphill par-3, a very long par 4 with bunkers along the right, and a finishing hole with almost always spectators watching from the Lodge.
Overall, the experience was incredible! This is easily the best course I have played in my life (so far)! One of the cons of this course, however, was that the greens had just been punched, so there were holes all over the greens which is my excuse for missed putts...
The service was great and the course was beautiful. I hope to make a trip to this northern paradise a tradition every year, as it is only 15 min. aways from where I stay. I hope all of you enjoy it as much as I did!
Second time playing, 8:30 tee time, first tee.
http://arcadiabluffs.com
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