The Highlands at Harbor Springs

I’ve played many over the years and this is my favorite Robert Trent Jones design. Some awesome holes; my favorite was probably No. 5. The course design is timeless; hard to believe we were told it will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year.

Have teed it up here many times over the years and have always loved it. Great conditioning and a perfect showcase of the golf bounty of northern Michigan. A Robert Trent Jones course that's tough to beat.

This course is great had a blast playing, well kept course staff very friendly. Nice course for long ball hitter's.

At spots this course is extremely challenging and easy at others. The one consistent you can find is minimum of three large sand traps on every hole with exception of 3 of the Par 3's that have forced carry. This is difficult course to find your ball in the rough. This course is more strategic from the tee. Typical Donald Ross greens you must stay below the hole. If you are pin high or greater it is tough putt. You can be far more aggressive if below the hole. The difficulty to stay below the pin is most greens are elevated with sand traps guarding the greens.

Arthur Hills is just a great course. Start easy with shortest par 4 but you must decide how much to chew off with waste area to the right. The course starts off in the valley and then goes up the "Mountain". Must stop at the top of hole 13 and get a picture with your group. The 13th has forced carry so make sure you pick your tees correct at the start or you will be dropping a ball on this hole. The finishing hole is one of the greater risk reward holes. You can take the long way and take your par or drive down to the water and take the short cut for potential eagle. But you must hit a good next shot. The 10th hole is one that is toughest par 4 if you lack precision. Shortest par 4 to elevated green. Anything to the right of the green has potential to roll off. If you miss your second shot just plan on bogey and go on to next hole. My final thought is keep in mind where the mountain is as putting is challenge with this and the undulation on the green.

This course starts hard and finishes easier. You want to play Oakland Hills 16th hole, it's the finishing hole on this course. The first 8 holes will test you. Appears easy starting first hole until you get to the green. Surrounded by big traps and one of narrowest greens I have every played. It doesn't get much easier. Easy 2nd hole from the tee until you have to take that second shot. Dime green uphill that slopes away from you. 3rd hold uphill par 3 with elevated green surround in the front with big deep bunkers with lots of sand. The first Par 5 over 500 yards long from orange tees, plan on driver, fair wood and another long club if your not a big hitter. The 10th hole by far one of the hardest holes if your not a straight hitter. Long par 4 with elevated dime size green. Make it three good shot hole and you might have chance at par. Play its sister course The Arthur Hills and you have had one great day of golf.

Great course. Starts out with pretty easy par 4 as long as you don't take off more than you can chew of the sand trap or go right into the woods. The course conditions have improved as it has matured. Best hole is the Par 5 13th. Make sure you stop at the top and hit a drive. You might make the edge of the fairway. Great Par 5 finishing hole truly risk/reward hole. Hit it down the left side go for the green. Greens run nice and true. The only downside hole for me is the 10th with elephant hump green. Doesn't work for me not alot of landing area for short par 4 but plenty of sand to get you in trouble. Front 9 is starts easy and gets harder. Must play if your in upper Michigan. I recommend staying the resort and get stay and play packages as there are 3 more course to play at the Highlands.