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Rating Index Rating
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4.6
220 Reviews (220)
5 Stars
118
4 Stars
74
3 Stars
21
2 Stars
7
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.5
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.6
Amenities
4.3
90.7%
Recommend this course
192 out of 220 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
7 Reviews (7)
5 Stars
5
4 Stars
2
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.9
Value
4.9
Layout
4.9
Pace
5.0
Amenities
4.8
StaffFriendliness
4.9
100.0%
Recommend this course
7 out of 7 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
32 Reviews (32)
5 Stars
23
4 Stars
6
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.5
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.8
90.6%
Recommend this course
29 out of 32 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
The Chief delivers a challenging, scenic layout with well-maintained fairways and greens that consistently impress recent golfers. A brand-new clubhouse featuring Trackman simulators and a welcoming staff elevate the overall experience.

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

4.6
220 Reviews (220)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 6
Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 15
Forced Carries 15
Bunkers 14
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 13
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 10
A Weekend Splurge 7
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 9
At a Resort 8

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 59
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Nice course

The course was in pretty good shape. However, the greens were a little slow and the "slits" from the fall areations had not filled in yet. The course can be quite a challenge if you don't stay true. It was a bit windy and still chilly for this time of year. The new clubhouse looks great.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 30
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Enjoyed the beauty

The course is in great condition. I think it is very challenging with many blind shots and tee shots through narrow openings to narrow landing areas. They continue to strive towards making it more playable with signs indicating the distance and flags at the landing areas. I love playing the course because of the beauty. The cart paths lead through hilly, wooded areas where wildlife is always present. The white and blue tees on the par 3 #5 are nestled over a canyon and you have to take a foot bridge to access. While this can be a difficult course, it makes for a fun and beautiful day.

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

Test your ability to hit straight

Fun/challenging course. If you know your distances and can consistently hit in the right direction, you will enjoy getting to the green where the fun begins.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 56
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Chief excelkence

Course excellent shape. Choose your clubs wiseltmy for tglhe first 2 hills. Most difficult holes I have ever played in the last 35 years.

Pristine shape and friendly staff. .

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Challenging placement course

This is the first time we played this course, it is beautiful well-maintained and a great challenge. You will need a yardage book. They don’t have GPS and it is a placement course with shots into layup areas, and some drives with some huge carries. But a beautiful course when we played, they were just working on some new condos in a new clubhouse that should be finished next year 2025 looks awesome are a bit old and struggle, but I’m sure they have new ones on the way afterwards the restaurant the nest has a lively atmosphere outdoor seating and great food Staff was super friendly to

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
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 10
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Played On
Reviews 70
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 10
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
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Golf Packages

Shanty Creek Stay & Play Package

Click Below
BELLAIRE | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Shanty Creek's Lakeview Hotel or Lodge of Cedar River and golf at Shanty Creek - Cedar River, Hawk's Eye, Legend, Schuss, or Summit Courses.

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).
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