The Cedar River at Shanty Creek

Tom Weiskopf's better known Michigan course may be Forest Dunes, but an entirely different beast awaits at his Cedar River design, part of the Shanty Creek Resorts in the lil' golf hotspot of Bellaire. I favor Cedar River by a nose over The Legend, the resort's Palmer design, as well as the other two, older resort courses here. There are some really lovely elevated tee shots, and you can really swing away with a driver on a lot of holes. I'm still trying to figure out the short, par-4 13th, which is totally blind with all sorts of trouble. I'm all for the occasional blind shot but there is so much going on up by the green I really think you need to elevate that tee. Having said that, the course is still a lot of fun with great hole variety. It makes my Top 10 Northern Michigan (public) courses every time.

The weather was cool but the course was in great shape and this was after an overnight rain. Fairways and greens were in very good condition. Rough grass was a little high -- again, after an all night rain. This is a very nice Up North course with scenic views. Fairways are wide enough so no excuses. On the short 13th hole, lay short of the front bunkers or you're in trouble.

Cedar River is one of my all time faves in Northern Michigan. That being said while the course is in very good shape it's showing some signs of wear and tear (not poor maintenance but by resort guests not repairing/sanding divots or repairing ball marks properly). The Legend was in excellent shape....Cedar was just a tad below. Pace of play was an issue for us because there was a clueless 3 some of 1st timer resort guests a couple of tee times in front of us. A two foursome ladies league actually played around them skipping 10 and 11 and then we were stuck behind them. On the 18th tee as we pulled up one of the resort guests told me they had been waiting all day for the group in front of them. Funny because the entire par 5 18th in front of them was empty. I never miss a round at Cedar - a fantastic Weiskopf design....just too bad the resort guests don't care about taking care of the course and think they are entitled to a 5 hour plus round on a Thursday morning.

Challenging golf course with beautiful up north view.

A very nice expierence... the guys liked it a lot, the wife's loved the course...

Nicely Done.!!

Woke up in gaylord ready to head home. Golf now email offered tee time for 53.00 fire sale. We jumped on it and ended our golf weekend at a great northern michigan course. Course ranks up there with forest dunes, Sundance and Hidden River.
Will for sure be playing at shanty creek resorts Cedar River. TRULY BREATH TAKING!

Cedar River is in perfect condition from tee to green. Nothing tricky about the greens or the holes. There are few holes (5 and 10) that require the golfer to drive up to see below the hill to understand how best to hit the next shot. All of us thoroughly enjoyed playing the course and would do it again and again.

Cedar River is a great course. Despite being stuck behind 3 groups of senior women (which by the way courses should prohibit from happening!), it was an enjoyable day; made better by the free golf balls on hole 7.

This course is a must play, put this in your top 10... The greens are excellent and putt true, Pleasure to play this work of art.. Thank you "Golf Now" for the incredible rate... Don't forget to pile on the mustard on the turkey wrap... mmmmmmmm

Wonderful colours with the trees and the surrounding nature.

Beautiful, well maintained golf course. Presents some challenges, but still very playable. We couldn't wait to get to the next tee for every hole to see what view awaited us. We were not disappointed one time. My husband and I had a wonderful day of golf here.

This is a challenging course. Ample fairways with nice greens. It's a very picturesque course.

Overall great course to play. I'd play it again in a heartbeat.

After playing The Chief nearby, this course was a relief. It is typical resort golf in Northern Michigan with some refreshing design touches and a couple of oddities. The 13th hole needs to be viewed from the green on backward to the tee before you play it and 18 is 604 yards from the tips. Maintenance was above average. One or two greens differed noticeably in speed from the other 16. I'd recommend it and play it again myself.

Cedar River is both challenging and forgiving at the same time. Course conditions were excellent. This is our golf group's favorite Shanty course.

Played late afternoon.... Only ones on course... Great rate through golf now.... Every hole was extremely asthetically appealing and was postcard worthy.... A very fair test of golf!!! Will definitely play again!!!

I'm a huge fan of courses like Cedar River that consist of five par 5s and five par 3s. These unique designs give players more opportunities at a career highlight, whether it be reaching a par 5 in two or sinking an ace. Cedar River's par 5s at no. 9 and no. 10 allow even average-length hitters like me the chance to reach in two. The stretch of holes no. 6-8 in an open meadow is beautiful. The Cedar River runs along the left side of the par-4 13th and par-3 14th, providing a scenic element that Weiskopf wanted to make better use of but couldn't for environmental reasons. The toughest hole on the course might be no. 18, a long par 5s with ravines and a pond. It's a strong finish for one of northern Michigan's best courses.

The course has great views. The undulations of the fairways make a well placed shot a premium. Pleasure to play

Cedar River exceeded my expectations. Perfectly groomed! Exceptional staff! A definite course to play!

My friend and I spent the morning on the Cedar River course and enjoy the course very much. It has problems and wide enough fairways even for not so great golfers like myself. Always a pleasure to golf Shanty courses.