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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
34 Reviews (34)
5 Stars
24
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.5
Layout
4.4
Pace
4.6
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.8
88.2%
Recommend this course
30 out of 34 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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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 48
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great day on a great course!

Great day; course in great condition. Pace of play was good; there was a group of about 8-9 on the front nine that slowed play on the last couple of holes? Not sure why they allow that on a Saturday?

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good things are happening

I like the changes being made to the course. Holes now laid out so you come back to the club house at the turn! Also, changes to make the course more playable makes it more enjoyable, the changes aren’t complete yet but are going to be nice when done.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 94
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Michigan Advisor
Top 250 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

A challenging beauty

On a whim I decided to play the Chief, and I'm very happy I did. It's a beautiful northern Michigan course that challenges you in many ways throughout the round. There are a lot of blind tee shots and forced carries for people playing the back few sets of tees. The greens are some of the smallest I've seen, but can be stuck pretty easily (if you have the accuracy.) A lot of the experience here is about accuracy, so if you're a pretty inaccurate golfer, I suggest maybe playing someplace a little less challenging.

The elevation changes and gorgeous views make this round worthwhile, as well. The pro shop and restaurant have a great selection; It's some of the best golf course food I've had.

The only negative thing I can think of is some of the conditioning on the greens and a few spots in the fairway. Other than that, the course is in great shape. Also, I know it's not something people normally write about in reviews, but the bridges on the course are very well built and made me feel very safe.

I'd suggest adding the Chief to your northern Michigan golf trip- it''ll add a fun challenge and you'll get to see how beautiful a course in the middle of a hardwood forest can be!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Well worth the trip

If you enjoy elevation changes, challenging holes, and a great view, you will love this course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Tee boxes were in bad shape and sand was not fluffy or groomed.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
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 Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 37
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Michigan Advisor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Quirky course, premium on second shot

This course is unique/quirky. For the most part your driver and stay in bag other than just a few holes. Many dog legs requiring 150 to 180 yard approach shots up hill. The sand traps need redoing removing rocks. Sand racks were extremely lacking in some cases there were none and certainly wasn't waste area. This is also course that playing the first time could be struggle as it is more of shot makers course. The restaurant at the club is excellent and staff was very good. Overall I would still play again and see if second time changes my appreciation for the course.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great deal

Got a great deal to play here for $25. Course layout was pretty challenging with lots of intimidating tee shots. Good variety of holes that require different clubs off the tee. Scorecard and the provided guide book were nice features for first time players. One downside is that once you tee off there isn't any place to grab a snack or a drink. We played on a Thursday and there was nothing other than a few water coolers available on the course. Load up at the clubhouse before you head out. Overall it was an enjoyable round.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Decent

Course is slightly suffering from dryness, but they were working hard to keep it watered on every hole. Good experience overall

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 48
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Excellent Course!

Excellent course, extremely challenging if you don't stay down the middle! Fairways were in terrific shape. Greens were good, except fairly small, and undulating. Will continue to play here!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

A Challenge, But Rewarding, Too!

A Challenge for all skill levels. Rewards shot placement, penalizes errant shots. Beauty of northern Michigan on almost every hole. Forward tees and "beginner" tees accommodate the less skilled quite nicely, while middle and back tees raise the bar significantly for those who want to challenge the layout.. Bring extra balls if you can't hit 'em straight! After the round, have a draft or a snack or a great meal at the Pelicans Nest right on property! Great food and ambiance dining outdoors!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Toughest course

This corse demands that you be able to place your ball if you expect to score well. The corse conditions were good, there weren't very many golfers there on a Sunday afternoon so pace of play was good. I would recommend this corse foe boggy or better golfers.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
First Time Playing

Poorly maintained

Very poorly maintained. Never saw them cut the greens in 3 days staying on the course. Actually never saw any mowers at all Some of the holes were so beat up from being in the same location for days. The layout is so quirky barely used a wood off the tee. Super tight like 20 yd fairway and 2yrd rough then basically a forest or unplayable area. There were a couple holes that were nice like #6 and 7 but that was about it. The rest were so tight and not fun. I'm a 5 handicap and thought it was unfair and really poorly set up. Plenty of other courses in the area that are much nicer.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Poor weather
Used cart

Cool Track

Local mom and pop feel to clubhouse and bar. Nice people running the shop as well. We played on a rainy day and had a good time. Very demanding layout and very scenic. Pretty good shape condition wise. Fair price and would return for sure.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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Golf Packages

Shanty Creek Stay & Play Package

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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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