Bay Valley Resort
About Bay Valley Resort
The Bay Valley Resort in Bay City can be enjoyed for business or pleasure. The resort is centrally located right off of Interstate-75 in Michigan's mid-section. Lake and golf course views can be had from the Royal Troon Ballroom, dining outdoor terrace and Player's Lounge. Guest rooms feature one king-sized bed or two double beds. Parlor suites include a king bed and comfortable seating area. Complimentary continental breakfast and internet, a fitness room, hot tub, sauna, live entertainment and an indoor/outdoor heated pool are just a few of the perks. Water hazards define the golf course, designed by Desmond Muirhead in 1973.Facts
Amenities
Services
Rules
Golf courses at Bay Valley Resort
Images from Bay Valley Resort
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by u183373765 on 10/19/2023
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Photo submitted by u183373765 on 10/19/2023
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Photo submitted by u183373765 on 10/19/2023
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Photo submitted by u183373765 on 10/19/2023
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Photo submitted by u183373765 on 10/19/2023
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Photo submitted by u183373765 on 10/19/2023
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Photo submitted by u029438704 on 08/05/2019
Slow play
Course is short, greens are in good shape, pace was slow with no Marshall’s controlling anything.
Don't Understand!
I really don't understand what is going on. I have played this course many times and I just can not believe the condition of it. The greens are spotted, the bunkers are as hard as a brick and not taken care of. I know that the place has new owners by why would you let your investment go to heck. We had a great day, almost perfect conditions but, no cart girl, dry conditions, spotted greens, rock hard bunkers with grass growing in them. If they don't start taking care of the course, no one is going to play there anymore. No reason for this.
Must have a great course in the past
The course was not in great condition. Some of the greens were in pretty bad shape (rot).
I would imagine this course was once a high-end stay and play, but not anymore!
Bay Valley
This course is easily accessible, a good layout. It it needs water badly.
Painfully Slow
The pace of play was out of control. There was on more than one occasion 4 groups on a single hole. They were severely overbooked and took people without tee times.
Some of the folks who had played before talked about how bad the conditions of the course were too. I didn't have a problem with most of the shape of course, however at the normal price point I expected much better.
I'll never play this course again unless it is $12-15
Always a good round
Bay Valley remains as a great place to play in the Tri-Cities. Easily in the top 2-3 public courses in the area. Some terrific signature holes. The pro-shop staff is knowledgeable and accommodating. A solid afternoon of good golf.
Nice course
I found this course challenging and fun. Nice greens and fairways with a good mix of long. And short holes. I will definitely be back and recommend this course to beginner and pro a like.
Excellent layout
Love the layout, great challenges & 5 sets of tees. Greens & rough need some attention, but doesn't take away from the overall course.
Bay Valley Fall Golf
Love the course but unfortunately the day we played they were dressing the greens with sand. Putting was like putting on a beach. At least we only paid $15.50 on Golfnow site. But I guess we have no complaints playing on early November in Mid Michigan!
Pace of Play
Horrible course management, sending tee times out so close that you have to wait between every shot. 3 hours to play 9 holes and when I got to the tenth hole there were three groups waiting to tee off. Complete waste of time and money, I left after 9 holes and will not be back.
It's the Toby Keith of golf courses - not as good as it once was.
It's worth noting that in terms of layout this is, by far, my favorite course in the area. But, it seems the years of mismanagement has finally caught up with this once great course.
The course itself has fallen to shambles. Three seasons ago there was hope, as a new greens-keeper/superintendent had the conditions of the course approaching those of other "premier" courses in the area. Two seasons ago, suddenly the course was in rough shape again. I play it a couple times every year in hopes that the conditions improve, but to no avail. There is drainage tile sticking up out of half-a-dozen bunkers, and many others need sand desperately. There are weeds throughout the fairways, will poorly maintained fairways and first cuts. To top it off, the greens have gone from some of the best in the area, to easily the worst. You'll step onto a green and it's smooth, fast and hard, then the following green is like walking on a wet sponge, where a 7-iron "bump & run" shot will check, stop, and barely roll out at all.
The staff isn't much better, with most of the "Pro" shop staff barely acknowledging you are there. Eric is particularly stuffy and rude, and comes across as arrogant and pretentious.
Then there is the pace of play/treatment of players.....
There seem to be 2 extremes at this course. It's either a ghost town, or it's overbooked to the point of 6+ hour rounds, with long stretches of waiting on the groups in front of you. In the 100+ times I've played this course over the last 5-10 years, I've not once seen a ranger out keeping the pace of play going.
While I understand that single golfers can be difficult to fit in during peak hours, Bay Valley has stopped offering reasonable tee-times for single golfers altogether. Sure, I can call the clubhouse and schedule a single tee time for early in the AM, but then I don't get the GolfNow rate, and was told it would be $45 for 18 holes with a cart. I can play Apple Mountain for $55, so why would I spend $45 on a course in as bad of shape as Bay Valley when I can play Apple Mountain for only $10 more, with true greens, fast pace of play, and a fantastic atmosphere?
This brings me to my final point - Price. The course is not worth what they are asking anymore. The tee-time prices have gone up, while the course conditions have gone down significantly. I mean, I can play Swan Valley in Saginaw for $35 and it's in FAR better shape.
I have little hope that this course will turn things around. I'll keep going back a couple times a year, just like I continue to watch the Lions. "Maybe this will be the year."
Wow
looks like mgt. are getting ready to close down the course granted its been dry ,hot summer , however having played several different courses under the same drought conditions I see no attempt here to weather the conditions. Either they have given up or they plan to close the course permanently.