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Rating Index Rating
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4.5
211 Reviews (211)
5 Stars
111
4 Stars
72
3 Stars
21
2 Stars
7
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.4
Layout
4.3
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.2
90.2%
Recommend this course
183 out of 211 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
32 Reviews (32)
5 Stars
21
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.4
Layout
4.3
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.8
87.5%
Recommend this course
28 out of 32 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
32 Reviews (32)
5 Stars
21
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.4
Layout
4.3
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.8
87.5%
Recommend this course
28 out of 32 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Public/Resort
Par 71
Length 6482 yards
Slope 145
Rating 72.3

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.

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The Chief Golf Resort
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Course Details

Year Built 1996
Fairways Bent Grass
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season April - November
Architect John F. Robinson (1996)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Caddies No
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted Visa, MC, AMEX, Discover card(s) Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed No
Dress code No Swimwear or Beach Attire

Food & Beverage

Bar, Grill, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse
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Reviews

4.5
211 Reviews (211)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

This is a fun and challenging Golf course.

My spouse and I had an exceptional golfing experience at this course. It offers a balance of challenge and playability. During our visit, construction for a new Clubhouse was underway. Despite this, the staff demonstrated great friendliness and provided clear guidance on how to navigate the course amidst the construction. Their efforts are focused on enhancing an already remarkable course. I eagerly anticipate returning to play it again in the future.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Played On
Reviews 58
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice layout

This course was in great shape and had some interesting holes. The only complaint is that there were too many blind tee shots.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing

Beautiful course and fun… but is it worth the price?

The Chief has always been one of my favorite golf courses in Northern Michigan. It’s not the hardest but the layout and natural terrain gives you plenty of risk vs reward shots. I have always loved coming up to northern Michigan and playing this course. However since 2020 the course has pretty much gone bare bones, but the price has kept increasing. I used to pay 30-40 dollars for the Chief and now they’re charging 60 and most of the ball washers and garbages are gone. They have new carts but no gps (not a big deal but it’s almost standard on my courses back at home). No starters, no beverage cart, no bag service, and no sand in the container on the carts. If it was my first time playing to the course I would assume it would be a 30-40 dollar cheap park district course. It’s sad to see it decline the way it has and yet still charge higher rates. Disappointing to see.

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Target Golf

If you like the challenge of tight Fairways, forced carries, and some blind shots, then this is your course. You can almost leave your driver in the bag. Stay patient, keep your self in the moment and you will do fine.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful course

My husband and I played this and had a great day on the course! Course was well maintained and interesting to play. A good mix of elevation changes made it challenging at times! We were staying in nearby Shanty Creek so it was a convenient location for us too. Restaurant here is very good as well...we will definitely be back!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 23
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Beautiful Challenge

You would have to love uphill, downhill side hill lies, to play this course. Strategic golf. Lots of blind shots, 150 yd carry. Very challenging. It brought me to my knees. It here are too many nice courses in the area to play this one more then once a season. I like a challenge but nit this much. Lost a lot of ballls.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Very challenging

The Chief is not for golfers that are new to the game.

Long drives from the Blue and White tee boxes over stretches of wetland grasses. Some 90 degree turns on the fairways, rolling hills and ravines, and well placed sand traps mean bring your 'A' Game!

The course overall is in excellent shape.

Greens are hard to read and play fast.

Loved the challenge!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Awesome Layout

Course is in beautiful shape! The layout takes the driver out of your hands on many of the holes from the white tees. This didn’t bother me.

The round would have been perfect if I had my own clubs. I had to rent and unfortunately, they don’t really have a rental set so I was given a throw together bag. Otherwise, I’d definitely play there again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 23
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 22
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 57
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Well Kept

This course can be a challenge. The course was in very good condition for this time of year. Greens were mowed well but leaves were all over - bring a blower!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Was I great shape

But was fairly unforgiving if your shot veers to the right or left. The rough falls off to out of bounds with very little reprieve on many of the holes

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The Chief Challenge

Beautiful course, challenging and well conditioned.

Definitely a course I would recommend

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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The Loon Golf Resort Stay & Play Package

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GAYLORD | Enjoy up to 3 nights' accommodations at The Loon Resort’s Lodges at The Ridge and up to 4 rounds of golf at The Loon Golf Resort - Lakes, Loon, & Ridge Courses.

Pohlcat Golf Getaway Package

FROM $177 (USD)
MOUNT PLEASANT | Enjoy 2 nights’ accommodations at the Holiday Inn & Suites Mt. Pleasant and 2 rounds of golf at Pohlcat Golf Course.

Destination Kohler - Champions' Trail Golf Package

FROM $617 (USD)
KOHLER, WI | Enjoy 2 nights’ accommodations at The American Club or the Inn at Woodlake and 3 rounds of golf at Blackwolf Run (River or Meadow Valleys Course) and Whistling Straits (Straits or Irish Course)

Destination Kohler - To Dye Four Golf Package

FROM $557 (USD)
KOHLER, WI | Enjoy 3 nights’ accommodations at The American Club or the Inn on Woodlake and 4 rounds of golf at Blackwolf Run (River & Meadow Valley Courses) and Whistling Straits (Straits & Irish Courses).

SentryWorld Stay & Play Package

FROM $347 (USD)
STEVENS POINT, WI | Enjoy 3 nights’ accommodations at The Inn at SentryWorld and 2 rounds of golf at SentryWorld Golf Course (site of the 2023 U.S. Senior Open).
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