By Fred Altvater
Babe Ruth holds baseball’s record for most Grand Slams hit at 16. Bobby Jones is the only man to win all four of golf’s major championships in the same year to achieve the Grand Slam.
But, did you know, you could create your own ‘Grand Slam’ by playing at four of Michigan’s BEST golf destinations?
Since it first opened in 1999, Arcadia Bluffs has attracted golfers from around the world. It sits 200-feet above Lake Michigan on rolling sand dunes with 14 of the 18 holes providing jaw-dropping vistas, which make it difficult to concentrate solely on golf. The contours and tall grasses are reminiscent of an Irish Links and it is always in immaculate condition. 
The South Course was added in 2018 and offers a completely different golfing experience from the Bluffs Course. The South is a tribute to C.B MacDonald and Seth Raynor’s classic design at Chicago Golf Club. At first blush golfers may not fully appreciate the angles and routing, but given time this course will also achieve the same popularity as its sister, the Bluffs Course.
Both courses have beautifully appointed clubhouses and offer excellent dining opportunities. New cottages and the Bluff Lodge provide upscale accommodations.
Mike Devries designed, Kingsley Club for owners, Ed Walker and Art Preston. The course is private, opened for play in 2001 and was immediately hailed as one of the best in the country. It was recently recognized by Golf Magazine as the 79th “Best Golf Course in the World” and regularly-ranks in the Top 50 Courses in America.
Devries moved very little dirt to create this masterpiece. Navigating the rolling fairways is a challenge, but the difficulty of Kingsley Club begins on and around the greens. The Ross concept of false fronts has been amped up and often the best line to the hole is to play to a specific spot away from the pin. Attacking the flag may result in a 20-yard chip shot uphill to a difficult pin. Three and four putts are always lurking to ruin a scorecard.
Devries used his experience of Northern Michigan terrain, as well as, his extensive knowledge of MacKenzie and Ross to create a timeless course that should be near the top of every golfer’s bucket list.
Kingsley is a player’s club. The clubhouse is spartan, but comfortable. Three cottages have been added to accommodate members and their guests, who want to stay on property. As I mentioned it is a private course, so you must know a member to secure an invite to play.
Tom Weiskopf created the first course at Forest Dunes and it is a beauty, but Tom Doak’s, The Loop, is the main attraction at Forest Dunes. 
Doak convinced owner Lew Thompson to build a course that could be played in two different directions. Each green had to be designed to accept shots from opposite directions. Every day the first tee is moved to either side of the 18th green for the Red or Black routing.
Thompson also added additional cottages, The Bootlegger par-3 course and a Putting Course, which are perfect to settle wagers at the end of the day.
This year, Golf Magazine rated The Loop as the No. 34 “Course You Can Play” and Weiskopf’s Dunes Course came in at No. 73.
The Lake AuSable Lodge and Restaurant provide excellent dining options, plus the outdoor patio and firepit make the perfect spot to rehash the days events and enjoy a quiet Northern Michigan evening.
BOYNE has long been recognized as one of the best golf resorts in the country, yet they continue to strive to improve.
Ten courses, three spas, numerous dining options, to satisfy every palate, as well as, various accommodation packages are available at the three locations around Petoskey, Michigan.
The Highlands has four courses, The Ross, The Hills, The Heather and The Moor, plus the Learning Center and huge practice area will help take strokes off your handicap. The Mountain’s two courses, Alpine and Mountain, both begin at the top and finish near the clubhouse at the bottom.
The Bay Harbor Club has three nine-hole courses, The Preserve, The Quarry and The Links that can be mixed and matched to create an unprecedented golfing experience.
Don’t forget the recently renovated Crooked Tree Golf Course that sits high on a sand hill above Bay Harbor. It is a wonderful test of golf, plus the views of Little Traverse Bay are jaw-dropping.
Man does not live by golf alone and BOYNE Resort has something for everyone in the family. Fishing, hiking, biking, an equestrian center and numerous other outdoor activities await every visitor, as well.
With summertime’s longer daylight hours, Michigan is a golfer’s paradise. These are four of the premier golf destinations in the country and are all just a short drive from anywhere in Ohio.
