Forest Dunes Golf Club

I wanted this to be as incredible as the reviews that I had read prior to playing. It wasn’t. I only played the Black. I am a single digit handicap and am able to look past a lot, but today was a disappointment. First off, the course, aside from the greens, was one of the most basic, uninteresting courses I’ve ever seen. There are no hazards to speak of and nearly every hole had a 100yd wide window to hit the fairway. The bunkers are nicely maintained but are oddly dispersed. For the life of me, how in the hell is this a top 50 course? If you are looking for a resort style basic course, this is good for that. If you are looking for a course to challenge your game, this is not the course. The fairways were pitted and full of divots. They were bare sand in many areas. For $215, you would assume that the course would be maintained to a level to command that rate. This course is a $40 course in Myrtle Beach, at best. This is not a good representation of UK style golf because the links style courses across the pond are much better kept and priced correctly. Also, there was no ranger to be found to aide with the pace of play. There was no water on the course or mobile beverage cart. We were told at the start that we should easily be done with our round in 4 1/2 hours. I called the pro shop on the 7th tee box and informed them that we were 2 hours and 15 min into our round after 6. I was told that according to their GPS tracking of the carts that the pace of play is still 4h30m. After some back and forth, they agreed to send a ranger out to fix the issue. We finished our round in 5h15m. I’m sure that the Forest Dunes course is incredible, based on what I could see from the clubhouse. Sorry to ramble on….I wanted it to be as good as an experience as Arcadia Bluffs the day prior. Also, the pics I have uploaded are only a few. Every hole was in this condition. And again, the greens were firm, fast and rolled nice.

Purely a golf review only, full disclosure I've never stayed on property and for reference I'm a low single digit handicap. The Loop was the most difficult and most firm golf course I've ever played. It is not for the faint of heart. With that said, it was the most fun I've ever had PLAYING the game of golf. Played it both ways and the red and black tracks are truly unique from each other. This Tom Doak masterpiece forces you to play GOLF. As far as Forest Dunes goes, it's all in the name. 9 holes forest, 9 holes dunes. This course is manicured to tour level quality. Was in awe and appreciation of the work it takes to make a golf course look that good. Its a quintessential northern Michigan golf course. Golf paradise to me. Can't wait for the next time! I'd give it 6 stars if I could.

5 stars because the 3 courses absolutely justify the rating. However, the rest of the experience is 3-4 stars. Read below for more info: Staff: 4.5 stars. Had wonderful interactions with all but 2 employees. Had 1 lukewarm experience and 1 downright unpleasant experience. But overall, everyone is very kind and helpful. The starters and cart staff are wonderful. Check-in staff is great. Waitress staff is hit or miss. Food: 3.5 stars. Breakfast is overpriced and not good. The pizza was fantastic!! 5 stars for the Loop pizza. Desserts were not great. Lodging: 3 stars. The bed was comfortable and the room was quiet. BUT the lodging is old, dated and tired. And my shower flooded the entire bathroom because the drain didn’t work. Golf: 5 stars. the entire reason you come here. So that’s why the overall rating is 5 stars. Forest Dunes does not have a bad hole and 9, 17 and 18 are some of the best I’ve played. Also the 19th hole is pretty dang sweet! Practice facilities, the range and the bootlegger short course are all wonderful. But my FAVORITE part of this place was the Loop. Doak evokes “love him or hate him” vibes and I LOVE him! Love his creativity, ingenuity and how he sees the game and no where else is his brilliance on display more than the loop. I played the red on Friday night and the black routing on Saturday morning and it’s mind blowing. Not to mention the courses are fantastic with fun, amazing holes. Will be back for the golf. Might try and find an Airbnb nearby next time.