Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course - the best public golf course in Michigan

Arcadia Bluffs G.C.
14710 Northwood Hwy
Arcadia, MI 49613
800.494.8666
www.arcadiabluffs.com

Architect: Warren Henderson and Rick Smith
Par - 72 (5 par-3s and 5 par-5s)
Price - $175, $125 at 4PM
Conditioning - Four and 1/2 stars
Design and strategy - Four and 1/2 Stars
Overall - Five Stars
Value - Four stars

More to come - but run here as fast as you can. It's Pacific Dunes East. Best holes are 5 (Biarritz green and gigantic strategic bunker daring you to carry it 225 to the green or lay up far right at 160), 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11. Endless Whistling Stratis like views of lake Michigan and clifftop greens.

Crystal Downs was also delightful. I can see why Mackenzie was a source of inspiration for many Strantz holes like those you'd see at his Virginia courses. The course is completely natural, the little earthmoving done was accomplished by mules.

The best holes are the short but dangerous yet tempting par-4s, most notably 5 and 17, but Tom Doak also thinks his favorite on the course is 15 with its devilish greens and undulating fairway. Many thanks to Tom, his friend Tom and Fred Muller for a perfect day of golf in the best October conditions the members say they ever saw...again, more details coming soon. Also look for parts of my interview with Doak upon my returning "on-island."