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4.6
46 Reviews (46)
5 Stars
37
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.8
Value
4.2
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
3.4
Amenities
4.7
91.3%
Recommend this course
42 out of 46 reviews
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0
Value
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Layout
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About

Holes 18
Type Public/Resort
Style Links
Par 72
Length 7300 yards
Slope 146
Rating 75.7

Course Details

Year Built 1999
Fairways Bent Grass
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season April 1st - November 14th
Architect Rick Smith (1999) Warren Henderson

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
GPS Yes
Caddies Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No

Food & Beverage

Bar, Grill, Restaurant

Lodging

Lodging Available

Accolades

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+
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10 rounds of waived fees
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$120 in tee time credits
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Tee Time Protection
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Reviews

4.6
46 Reviews (46)

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 44
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Illinois Advisor
First Time Playing

Absolutely a MUST play

Search Arcadia Bluffs reviews on the Internet and you will find everything that you need to know. I will keep this short and sweet.

This has been the top course that I have ever played at. Hard but fair. Every hole is picturesque. So much so that after the round I went and bought a book from the pro shop so that I could relive every hole. Be ready to take some pictures of 11 and 12 as they are the "signature holes" of the course. They definitely love up to their billing.

i reserved a tee time as a single. I was paired up with another single and another couple. We teed off right at 4:10 PM. The pace of play was slow. We had to wait at every tee and every green. We finished just at 9:00 which was just as the sun had set. There were numerous course employees on the course helping to spot balls in order to speed up play. Frankly, with the environment I was playing in, I didn't mind the slow pace. The course was completely full. Every hole had at least one or two groups on it.

When I started playing golf, this is the kind of experience I was looking for. I didn't care how much I had to pay. I didn't care how I scored. I didn't care how long I had to wait. I just loved the challenge and the views.

This is definitely a course that if you live within driving distance, make the trip. If you can afford to fly to Michigan, make the trip. This is one that I will make the effort to make the yearly pilgrimage to even if I have to play it as a single.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Beautiful, Challenging

Majestic, breathtaking, grandeur are the types of words that come mind when meandering thru this course...especially 11 - 13...I have never been to a more beautiful course. The course itself is in prime condition and the greens are firm, fast, true, and some are very undulating. The layout is superb and offers a diverse, challenging test of golf. The clubhouse, food, pro shop, range, and service from the moment I arrived is what I would expect from a top 15 public course...the cost for a round is not though...comparing costs of the other top 15 ranked courses for a round, this is cheap! The only thing that was not spot on was the pace of play...we had a 5 hr round even with marshalls trying to move things along. But, honestly, I didn't mind because it gave more time to soak in the views and take pictures waiting for the group in front of us to clear. Even though this bucket list course is checked off my list, I definitely want to go back...it's that good.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Beautiful spot

While scenery and course itself would be at the top of anyone's list, the pace of play detracts from the beauty. we played 2 days and it was 5 hr, and almost 5 1/2 hr day 2. On course marshalls no where to be seen. Because of this I would not return or recommend this course to a friend.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Average weather
Used cart

An Experience Not to Be Missed

I have had the opportunity to play some great courses around the country and Arcadia Bluffs still stands out in my mind - definite top 5 behind the likes of Pine Valley and Merion.

The course is challenging but definitely fair, for golfers of most skill levels. If you have the opportunity to play, I suggest not passing it up!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 324
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Texas Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Ocean-esque setting on Lake Michigan

While you could debate which course is Michigan's best, it would be tough to argue who has the most dramatic setting. That's Arcadia Bluffs, thanks to a perch well above Lake Michigan that makes every step here feel like it's on the ocean. The greens are large and fast and undulating, pot bunkers are plentiful and the grass and dunes can be very penal. I really like the five par 3s and five par 5s that increase scoring opportunities and hole variety. I could nitpick a few design shortcomings that makes it merely a Top 5 pick in Michigan instead of a slam dunk No. 1, but nobody walks off the 18th disappointed here, that's for sure.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0

A tremendous combination of natural beauty & challenge

I have played most of the great Michigan courses including Bay Harbor, Tullymore, the Galles & Oakland Hills South. While all of them are great in some way, Arcadia takes my No. 1 ranking because it challenges you on every hole, and provides scenic natural views o a level than none of the others do. The top notch facility and staff are equal to those of the best resort Courses I have ever played anywhere. This one is a must play but play it a second time after you have some "local knowledge" about positioning your shots.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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Golf Packages

The Loon Golf Resort Stay & Play Package

FROM $167 (USD)
GAYLORD | Enjoy up to 3 nights' accommodations at The Loon Resort’s Lodges at The Ridge and up to 4 rounds of golf at The Loon Golf Resort - Lakes, Loon, & Ridge Courses.

SentryWorld Stay & Play Package

FROM $347 (USD)
STEVENS POINT, WI | Enjoy 3 nights’ accommodations at The Inn at SentryWorld and 2 rounds of golf at SentryWorld Golf Course (site of the 2023 U.S. Senior Open).

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).

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)

Pohlcat Golf Getaway Package

FROM $177 (USD)
MOUNT PLEASANT | Enjoy 2 nights’ accommodations at the Holiday Inn & Suites Mt. Pleasant and 2 rounds of golf at Pohlcat Golf Course.
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