Golf poetry by Arnold Palmer: The Legend Course at Shanty Creek Resorts in northern Michigan

BELLAIRE, Mich. -- The hillside of flowers spelling out "The Legend" and the gorgeous downhill opening tee shot on a risk-reward par 5 provide a fantastic first impression on The Legend at Shanty Creek, a 6,764-yard classic designed by Ed Seay and Arnold Palmer in 1986.

Once golfers survive the tricky second hole, The Legend unveils golf as good as northern Michigan gets.

Commanding views of Lake Bellaire reveal themselves on the par-4 third and par-3 fourth holes. A parade of elevated tees the rest of the round, a signature of the region, allow hackers to swing with confidence, although slices and hooks quickly disappear into the forest. Water provides the obstacles every step of the way on the signature hole, the par 5 at no. 7.

A pond off the tee and two streams dissecting the fairway protect a narrow green. Doglegs dictate the angles off the tee on the back nine, especially the three tight finishing holes. Seventeen of the 23 reviews on GolfAdvisor.com consider The Legend a "five-star" course. User wolfjam wrote: "Blown away by how gorgeous this course is. Elevated greens and tees throughout. Awesome view. Great playability. Difficult greens. ... Truly a pleasure to play.