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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 |
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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
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.
Excellent course, bit of a drive
The Chief course was outstanding with challenging hole layouts and brilliant use of the topography. They have a driving range and practice area although I didn't see it mentioned on their web site. A few of the holes are stunning with sunken or raised greens. Quite a few doglegs. My only complaint, for a single who was new to the course, was how poorly the cart paths are marked. This is necessary as it is a very spread-out course. There is quite a bit of drive time between some of the holes as the course runs in 3 different directions. A few additional signs here and there (I'm thinking of you 16th hole!) would have been appreciated! Great bar/restaurant set up and staff.
First visit
So, not a bad track. I think I visited a bit too early in the season... first, the course. Very quirky layout that weaves among the trees and hills. This generates a lot of tunnel like driving views and blind or “target“ golf. Which means, if you’ve never played the course before, or you’re not a scratch golfer, a bit hard to think your way around the course. But, oh well, that’s out of their control of the personnel at the golf course. So, if that doesn’t bother you, you would probably like the course.
Next, the amenities/staff. They were nice, just seemed like stuff wasn’t really rolling yet. The small bar and clubhouse only had one employee and she would “nuke“ you a hotdog if you needed to eat..... The other part that is a bit odd is they had twosomes, threesomes, foursomes, and singles (me) all over the course. Makes for a very fragmented pace of play.
So, all in all,… average. Hard market up here with so many great golf courses. Nothing about this course stood out to bring me back. But, The people seemed great, so nothing would have me tell people “stay away“…
Amazing landscape
Golf course was great. Bar could kick it up a notch on the serving effort.
Great time at the Chief!
Amazing what people think of and create!
Fun course!
Beautiful experience
I golfed with my husband, son, and daughter in law and we all enjoyed the course! Beautiful setting in the mountain!! Lots of hills!! Definitely a must do!
Chief wins
If you don't like target golf, then stay away. One of the most scenic courses ever played. You have to be on your gam cuz errant shots are gone. I thought I hit some really good ones and never found them. even so, I would play here again now that I know that layout.
Shanty Creek Stay & Play Package
Destination Kohler - Champions' Trail Golf Package
