Champion Hill Golf Club

I played Champion Hill, just west of Traverse City near Crystal Lake, twice during my three weeks up north, both times first out in the morning. I walked the first time and it was very doable despite a few modest hills and green-to-tee walks.

At $59 with a cart on weekends, this is one of the best values in the north. I've played nearby privates Kingsley Club and Crystal Downs and yes, Champion Hills has similar elements. The scenery is a joy and it is routed and shaped beautifully. It's the right level of challenge for the tourist golfer. I played the whites at about 6300 but it only tips out at over 6600.

I'm slightly tormented playing here because I just wish they could get the turf a little firmer and fiery so it can bring out the fantastic shaping and roll to the land. I feel the same way about its sister course Pinecroft. It would be one of the best value courses in the country if you could run the ball like you can at Wild Horse in Nebraska. Instead, greens and fairways are pretty soft.

Even as is, it's a great bargain option on the way to or from Arcadia Bluffs, Shanty Creek or Grand Traverse.

As the name implies, Champion Hill has some pretty good elevation changes. The scenery is fantastic, especially when the sleeping bear dunes pop up in the distance as you're finishing the front. I played early in the season, so I'm not going to judge conditioning so much. The greens were in great shape for early season but the fairways need some warm weather. The design forces you to use some strategy off the tee even though most of the fairways are pretty wide. Most of the par 3s are pretty lengthy, but the par 4s usually leave a wedge in your hand after a good drive. I'll definitely play here again. For the price, it's a great northern Michigan golfing experience that has a fair deal of uniqueness.

A favorite golf course of mine when I vacation in Michigan. Beautiful scenery, combined with a solid golf course. This is a second shot golf course. Plenty of room off the tee, but in order to score, the ball has to be put in the correct position on the undulating greens. Careless putting will produce 3 putts as well. Green speeds are moderate, if they were fast this course would demand a terrific short game. The greens are sloped and you have to know them to manage them. I love this course. Beautiful vistas, wildlife, wildflowers, and great golf.

For the price you cannot beat this course. If you like links courses and want a real challenge at a very fair price this is your place. Off the tee you have generous landing areas but if you miss you will be in tough waste areas (think Pinehurst #2 at the 2014 US Open).

Approach shots gave you the opportunity to fly the ball to the green or hit a bump and run.

Greens were undulating and fast.

If you are in the TC area and want to play a links course but do not want to pay $150 to play at Arcada, give this a shot! You won't be disappointed.