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About
The Chief Golf Course, nicknamed the Spirit of the North, is one of northern Michigan's premier courses. The championship course tumbles across rolling hills, providing dramatic elevation changes throughout. If you're a fan of mountain golf then this is the golf course for you. By far the toughest challenge golfers will face is the carefully sculpted mounding that borders most of the greensides. The mounds can create difficult angles for pitching and chipping. There are also a slew of strategically placed bunkers throughout. Strong mid and short iron play is important since accurate approaches are the key to this course. The unique design definitely makes it a course for shot-makers. The layout finishes with one of its most challenging holes, a par 4 with water to the left and bunkers and mounding to the right.
Hot Deals at The Chief Golf Resort
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Course Details
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Available Facilities
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5 Stars
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4 Stars
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3 Stars
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2 Stars
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1 Stars
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5 Stars
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4 Stars
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3 Stars
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2 Stars
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1 Stars
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Conditions4.5
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Value4.5
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Layout4.5
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Friendliness4.8
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Pace4.6
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Amenities4.4
Golfer Photos
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Hole 4 Photo submitted by wmoller on 06/29/2025
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Photo submitted by u183373765 on 08/27/2022
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Photo submitted by u183373765 on 08/27/2022
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Photo submitted by noahjurik on 09/24/2018
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Photo submitted by noahjurik on 09/24/2018
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Photo submitted by noahjurik on 09/24/2018
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Photo submitted by noahjurik on 09/24/2018
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Awesome sign! Photo submitted by TheWeaz on 09/25/2012
Golfer Reviews
One and Done
This is a challenging track. Visually intimidating with several forced carries over valleys, a number of elevated greens and, by the way, those greens are tiny. The first hole is an indicator of what to expect with a dogleg right and a severe downhill approach to a postage stamp green. Three of us moved up a tee box. We all love to golf but won’t return to the Chief. We felt punished.
Very challenging
If you want to be challenged this one will. Good condition but you have to be very precise on the landing areas.
Fun course in very good condition
Highly recommend. 1 of my favorites. Pace of play early in the morning is a bonus
Chief is a challenge, needs a few improvements to get 5 stars.
New clubhouse is nice but the range is pretty far away, really need new range balls. The course itself has always been a challenge due to the sharp corners and elevation. Greeans were a touch slower than expected, bunkers are showing their age and could use some newer sand. Some of the paths could use repaving. Overall good value but only because of hot deal rate, not sure this pushes $115 peak season in the current condition. No cart girl on a Friday was unfortunate. And the turn is at 8 now, not 9 like it used to be so make sure you stop between 8 and 9 if you want food! Good prices on food and drink, well stocked. Nice simulator setup for the off season!
What a challenge!
Beautiful course, lots of doglegs and elevation changes! My husband loved it, but there were several blind shots. That should be indicated on the card. On 18, you couldn’t see the green from 50 yards out! For a first time player, it was quite a challenge. Also, not a course for your average woman player, where are the Senior Women’s tees? Men have 3-4 tee boxes…women only 1!
Beautiful Course
Really enjoyed the course. Difficult to play the first time because some of the holes are shot placement holes with no room for error.
Great course
I played this course a few times last season and it is just as nice as it was last year, layout is something I’ve never seen before on a golf course as far as all the ups and downs of the holes but overall I love this course.
One of the best in Bellaire
Played it twice this week. First time for my brother in law who was very impressed. It’s very steep on cart part so be careful. Trees were turning which made the view’s outstanding. Greens are very fast. Love it
Shanty Creek Stay & Play Package
Destination Kohler - Champions' Trail Golf Package
