About
The Legend Course is one of four championship golf courses at Shanty Creek in Bellaire, one of northern Michigan's most popular golfing destinations. The Legend might be the most well known of the four since it is the club's Arnold Palmer design. It has been ranked as one of the top four resort courses in the country and the best resort course in the Midwest. It is definitely a challenge but Palmer incorporated generous fairways and true-rolling greens that allow golfers to play to their handicap. The golf course features elevated tee areas and slightly raised, heavily bunkered putting complexes. Water hazards also come into play on five holes. The 12th is one of the most challenging holes and also one of the most scenic. There is water to the left and a treacherous bunker waiting on the right.
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Golfer Reviews
Bunkers are the worst I've seen
Greens were slow and the bunkers are filled with rocks/gravel, not sand. Our foursome waited on every single shot. No ranger on the course. Schuss Mountain and Cedar River are a WAY better value. I will not be returning to the Legend.
great track
I have played the legend many times and it is always in great condition. Not long but a good test of golf. Views are amazing, especially during the fall colors. Unfortunately this round took 5 hours and 10 minutes to complete. Saw a ranger on hole 6 and then not again the rest of the day. This was disappointing because he talked to us on 6 about the backup ahead and was going to get the course moving.
only one complaint
Loved this course. Great layout, wide fairways and you can score well if playing good. My only complaint (at least for the times we played it) was the pin locations. Most cups were cut in ridiculous spots. Tops of knobs in the green, bottom of slopes. It was almost impossible to get the ball close even when you hit a good shot. Other wise, the course was great. We all loved the layout.
My favorite at Shanty Creek
I'm probably among the minority that considers The Legend my favorite course at Shanty Creek. I love its 1980s architecture. Some of its narrow fairways will make the grip-it-and-rip-it crowd used to modern designs a bit squeamish. The endless parade of elevated tees and greens makes scoring tough. Many holes bend or dogleg through the deep woods, forcing players to choose their angle of attack. The only knock on the Legend would be the tricky par-4 second hole. It's just an awkward tee shot uphill over wetland that comes too early in the round. I'd like to see the tees built up or the hole transformed into a par 3. But all is forgiven on the fourth and fifth tees, where the commanding views of Lake Bellaire help everybody forget their score.
Best golf in northern MI
Blown away by how gorgeous this course is. Elevated greens and tees throughout. Awesome view. Great playability. Difficult greens. Breathtaking views of torch lake and bellies. Truly a pleasure to play.
Consistent quality
Played the Legend after playing Cedar River a few years ago. This course was consistent with the quality of the Shanty Creek courses and was consistent with other Palmer designed courses in difficulty and challenge.
While the course is aesthetically very pleasing it is also made more difficult by the frequent elevation changes, rolling fairways and uneven lies. Ultimately, when you reach the greens they are fast with many undulations. The course is quite difficult but worth a round - just be sure to bring your A game.
A great golf experience
We recommend this course highly for all golfers visiting this part of our country. Very good conditions, interesting layout, alar a fair price!
First time - will be back
Typical Palmer, sloped fairways, not as narrow as described. My wife also enjoyed it, thought the red tees are very fair.
The legend
Great course that has great views and some fun holes to play. Would highly recommend this course to anyone playing in the northern Michigan area
Amazing views and excellent condition
The course was in perfect condition from tee to green. Some of the elevated views were breath taking. A must for our trip every year.
first time at shanty creek. wonderful experience. great golf
My first visit to the Shanty Creek Resorts. Not sure why it took me so long to visit but I will be back and I will recommend this resort to all of my family and friends. I played the Legend, awesome, and the Schuss Mountain course, very nice. The staff was wonderful, pleasant and helpful. I checked out Cedar River and that will be a must on my next visit.
Very nice layout.
The layout was very good, all holes carved out of teh bush so you didn't see other golfers. The only complaint was not enough visits from the cart girl.
Great Course
Arnold Palmer Design was beautiful and very challenging. Played the blue tees which made for a more challenging round (the black tees were a little beyond my talent). Would recommend this course to anyone looking for pretty scenery and good golf
Beautiful course! Would definitly go back.
Very very nice. Picturesque and challenging. A must play.
great course plays shorter than 6300.
course was in great shape and the staff was very helpful. There was a lot of play, but we moved right along.
Very challenging and nicely maintained
Legacy is an extremely challenging course that requires a tee shot in the fairways or prepare yourself for lost balls. The course was in excellent shape with very difficult greens. I think I will return when my game improves. Lost a few balls!
Tee's to green's great shape
We played on tue., the course is closed on mondays.It was like we were the first one's on the course in a week, everything was perfect. employee's were working on different area's of the course through out the course,would stop working to let us play through. great track,very enjoyable.
Fall Rates and Pristine Condition
From tees to green, the course was in fantastic condition. Greens were as close to perfect as you might expect. In October weather is always a factor, but this course remains one of my favorite Michigan courses; weather permitting. Interesting, challenging holes and phenomenal views. 5 stars!