The Links/Quarry at Bay Harbor Golf Club

Made it up to North Michigan while visiting for work. Managed to get a "cheap" rate - $115 on a weekend at Bay Harbor which I had looked up and noticed was ranked a top 10 course in Michigan by Golfweek/Golf Digest.

Anyway, the course itself is beautiful and well manicured. The Preserve 9 plays like a wooded prototypical Michigan course whereas the Links 9 plays like the Scottish coast with winds whipping around and greens that run hard towards the water.

I think the course is a good test of skill but would have liked to see more from a course in this price category. First, the three 9s that make up Bay Harbor are part of a resort property and many guests like myself are playing the course for the first time. I would have benefited greatly from a GPS on my cart and would have hired a caddie if offered. Additionally, I had to wait for a place to hit balls while on the practice tee. I understand that there are also members at this semi-private property but when folks are dropping $300 per round on a weekend this should never happen. Finally, I got lost on my way to the first tee at the Preserve. They have a colored line system that helps you get to the various tees but I was camped out apparently at the wrong hole for about 10 minutes waiting on another group on the Quarry 9 only to be told I was at the wrong place. I missed playing with my prescribed group and ended up playing as a single. Normally, I like playing as a single but this kept me from enjoying the course a little bit as I was simply playing the course and not necessarily enjoying the extras that I was paying for.

All things considered, this is a fabulous property that I would love to come back to. However, I would not pay more than $150 to play here. For perspective, it costs $450 to play 18 at Pebble and this is not Pebble. Get some of the GPS carts so folks can see the course layout, layups, etc. and reduce the price to $100-$200 per round and it will be perfect.