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The Chief Golf Course
Rating Snapshot
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.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | 71 | 6482 yards | 72.3 | 145 |
| White (W) | 71 | 6033 yards | 76.2 | 142 |
| White | 71 | 6033 yards | 70.3 | 134 |
| Gold | 71 | 5390 yards | 66.2 | 127 |
| Gold (W) | 71 | 5390 yards | 72.0 | 133 |
| Red | 69 | 4527 yards | 65.8 | 120 |
| Red (W) | 69 | 4527 yards | 67.1 | 122 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue M: 72.3/145 | 365 | 542 | 428 | 364 | 407 | 178 | 314 | 214 | 446 | 3258 | 384 | 395 | 315 | 203 | 523 | 387 | 365 | 135 | 517 | 3224 | 6482 |
| White M: 70.3/134 W: 76.2/142 | 333 | 521 | 397 | 337 | 395 | 160 | 302 | 197 | 420 | 3062 | 369 | 377 | 306 | 172 | 474 | 364 | 328 | 128 | 453 | 2971 | 6033 |
| Gold M: 66.2/127 W: 72.0/133 | 295 | 504 | 362 | 302 | 365 | 154 | 292 | 121 | 374 | 2769 | 295 | 338 | 288 | 150 | 427 | 292 | 290 | 121 | 420 | 2621 | 5390 |
| Red M: 63.5/121 | 258 | 407 | 301 | 273 | 294 | 96 | 248 | 87 | 317 | 2281 | 256 | 249 | 278 | 130 | 402 | 278 | 265 | 111 | 372 | 2341 | 4622 |
| Handicap | 7 | 5 | 1 | 13 | 3 | 15 | 10 | 16 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 14 | 18 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 17 | 11 | |||
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 35 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 71 |
| Handicap (W) | 13 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 7 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 10 | 16 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 15 | 5 |
Course Details
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Food & Beverage
Bar, Grill, RestaurantAvailable Facilities
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Reviews
Reviewer 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
Awesome
This course is awesome. One of the most beautiful I have played.
Challenging
The course was in overall great condition for being late season. It was a challenge for us average golfers, but we had a blast nonetheless! I would definitely recommend checking it out!
Course is in Great Condition
Always enjoy playing this course although it is out of the way. The course was in very good condition. While the fairways are fair if you can hit them, the course can be a challenge if you miss. Some holes you definitely have to choose your landing area in order to have another shot at the green. The course layout is a little confusing with the holes being here and there and moved about - better signage on some holes are needed.
Course in Great Shape
The fairways and greens were in good shape. This course is fair but you need to hit the fairways or figure a double boggy. They probably would get more play if the rates were a little lower - out of the way unless your staying at the resort there.
Wild fun beast of a challenge, mountainous like treetops
Very unique, hilly should I say somewhat tricked up tough track with lots of blind shots. Wierd layout but fun nonetheless. Wife and I enjoyed it. A 139 slope from white tees a real challenge.
Chief course
Course was in good shape staff very friendly. We had a hard time finding some of the holes as the course is not well-marked. I would suggest a few more directional signs.
Very pretty views
This course was very hilly and nestled in the trees on many holes. There are long distances between greens and the next tee with very steep cart paths. I would never walk this course!!! The course was in good condition and was fun to play and was not crowded at all. We
GPS Issue Still
The course is terrific, and a great value compared to nearby courses!! But, after changing the layout two years ago, they still haven’t updated their GPS. And, don’t trust their handout renumbering the holes. Play it! Some forest carries that are spectacular… Play The Chief and have fun!!
Great Challenge
One of the most polarizing courses out there. I’m personally on the side that loves the unique challenges this course has. It is super tough, but in a fun way. If blind shots are going to frustrate you or if your only into straight up country club play, I would say go elsewhere. One of the best golf restaurants too at the chief which is a plus too.
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