Forest Dunes

Forest dunes is an interesting course - some forest and some sand dunes. The scenery is great. But the course is difficult golf - it was too much sand for me - an intermediate golfer. I did not play the loop but will play that next time I go there

Designed by Tom Weiskopf Forest Dunes is nearly flawless execution of the classic parkland style. Bunkers almost seem elegantly placed next to green sides. The course meanders through corridors of a tall pine forest. Forest Dunes is exactly what the name says, a course weaved into a forest with a great mixture of rugged dunes, large waste areas strategically placed, ball attracting native areas and perfectly molded fairways. In classic Weiskopf fashion, most holes have a risk-reward option that will tempt the most conservative of players and trap the best of players. Weiskopf is known for his driveable par 4s and he has a beauty on 17, you can lay up 160 yards or carry a vast wasteland of sand and native areas. Forest Dunes is a great resort with friendly inviting staff, if you are looking for a course executing the designer's intentions and its name at the highest level, Forest Dunes is a must-play.

Designed by Tom Doak (previously played Old Mac & Pacific Dunes @bandondunesgolf and Blue Course @streamsongresort ) The Red course is one-half of the reversible 18s at the Loop in which the course can be played in two different directions creating two courses. I only played the red course but could see that the course would distinctively different yet play a very similar Links style game. I used my 8 iron and putter for most of my shots and enjoyed engaging the creativity portion of my golf brain. You can probably put away the driver and wedges, especially if the wind is high like it was for me. The course is fun and I appreciate the concept but if I return I would rather play 36 on Weiskopf's Forest Dune and once on the loop. The course is all fescue, which I always enjoy and plays very firm and fast. The bunkering is very good but can be very penalizing with such firm greens. The pictures online do not show you but the course is not flat, and the fairways have a lot of movement on most holes. If the wind is blowing and the conditions are firm you will face a real test of your game. If you enjoy links play you will enjoy if not you will be bored and frustrated. Overall the course is good but not great and uses the Loop factor to make it seem better than what it is which is a decent course.

Pricing was to high, will not go back at this price point!

Fascinating experience. Enjoyed the layout and loved the firm, fast conditions. Would be even more fun and interesting the more you play it and uncover new shots, angles, etc.

I don't quite get the hype for this course. It's good but not great. The layout is good, but there's nothing really here that will blow your mind or be particularly memorable, and there's way more forest than dunes. The conditions were quite good, but the greens were just of average speed. The worst thing was the gnats, and even 100% DEET does nothing for them. It was miserable to have a constant swarm of gnats everywhere on the course. There are many better and more interesting places to play in Michigan. We did not play the Loop course, but it appeared to be in terrible condition from what we could see.

As a reversible track, there aren't any tee boxes, just flags placed where one should tee off. The ground and greens were extremely hard and I had to play at least one club shorter into the greens than I usually would have. The front nine on the Black course was easier than the back, and I thought that some of the greens on the back almost bordered on unfair. I like the course, but if I was taking the time to go up to Roscommon and could only play on course, give me Forest Dunes every time.

The loop Red and Black are two courses in one. Think of them as two diverse ways to play one course and you are well on your way to understanding the design concept. The good news is that both are about the same as far as enjoyment and you would miss out if you went one way without going the other the next day. The Black starts out with a couple of difficult holes and the finish is also more difficult. The Red starts out with a short par 4 and ends easier. Both courses have drivable par 4s, long par 4s (half par holes each way), short and long par 3s and par 5s that could be gone for in two. The only difference is when these type of holes appear. All holes have wide fairways, firm/fast conditions, undulating greens and a lot of strategy off the tee. Very enjoyable golf no matter which direction you are playing that day. I can only think that more plays will lead to a greater appreciation and understanding of the routing and strategy for each hole. There are bunkers that you will see in one direction and wonder why they are there until the next day. I played 36 each day and was only beginning to get how it was all put together.

One example of this is the tree on the right of the par 5 13th on the red. You must be on the left side of the fairway to go for it in two and if near it for your third, shotmaking will be required. The other way, #6 on the Black, you won't even notice the tree as it is not anywhere in your driving line. Instead, the 6 green has two tiers. While your approach on the 12th for red doesn't have the tiers come into play. This type of variety is unique to the Loop and I for one loved it.

The course does play linksy as you can run your ball to certain pin locations. The fairways also have a lot of run out in them.The green sites also reveal themselves on multiple plays as some contours are not known off the fairway. Multiple plays are needed for any great course and the second time around is a revelation here. Made me want to come back for more.

Off the course, Forest Dunes has everything you need. A range, Putting Green, restaurants, outdoor patio dining, lodging and all are top shelf. The loop is not next to the clubhouse, but still only a 5 minute walk.

If you are going to Forest Dunes, play the loop in both directions as well as the original course. The courses are quite different in strategy, but all are worth your time. Getting two courses for one makes the resort a must visit if you are going to Michigan.

Forest Dunes is the first course at the resort and is well worth the drive from Detroit, Chicago or anywhere within a state or two. The name is perfect as the front nine plays through forest until the 9th hole and the back nine is through sandcapped duneland with some forest that really doesn't come into play.You might have Weiskopf's best work here. You get not one, but two quality drivable par 4s in the 12th and the wonderful 17th. The par 3s play use a variety of clubs and offer a swale, duneland or water in the front on three of them. Most notable is that the greens are more contoured than most of his designs but not so much that there are complaints. However, short game and putting are more interesting/challenging/fun than normal. Almost all of the par 4s and par 5s offer a risk/reward option off the tee making the course very strategic in nature. You are also set in nature the whole time so no houses, etc along the course. Pace of play was under 4 hours which was nice. The course can be penal if you are off your game; however, I think every ball that went off the beaten path was found by our groups.So the penalty is just trying to save par/bogie. The conditioning is excellent as bunkers, fairways and tee boxes were all top notch.

Off the course, you have multiple restaurants and bar areas with really good food and a nice patio bar for outdoor eating/drinking. A very nice setting. The golf has a putting greens, a putting course and driving range for all of your needs. The lodging has a lodge for couples or singles as well as villas/cottages for buddies trips. They are both walking distance from the course. I found the pro-shop, concierge, starter and everybody at the resort to be very kind and do everything they could to make your stay enjoyable.

Negatives are only one: plenty of bugs; however, bug spray will rectify that as one application took them away from me for the whole round.

Don't feel like paying full price? they have a replay rate, shoulder season rates and even a $100 a round rate for Fire/Police/Teachers, etc which I had never seen anywhere else.

Forest Dunes the course is quite different than the Loop in nature so they seem to have found a formula for people playing 36 and/or staying overnight. I suggest that you do the same. Played 36 a day for 3 days and wanted to come back for more.

First off I'm a huge fan of Weiskopf''s Cedar River at Shanty Creek (1999). I always wanted to get over to FD (2002) to see what Tom had in store for me. Finally did and so happy I ventured to out of the way Roscommon. FD is similar from the aspect that fairways and greensites are sculpted to allow thoughtful rolls that bring your ball back into play. I'm a lover of the ground game and FD provides that and more. Course looks "tight" but there's really a lot of room. Spectacularly beautiful/quiet and Tom has a few more greenside bunkers that require carry than Cedar River. Wonderful facilities which also has the Doak Reversible Loop course, putting course and next year a 10 hole short course. Nice clubhouse/bar areas as well. Expensive but worth it. Hardly anyone was there the Sunday after the 4th holiday. A tad buggy so bring some spray. We played in under 4 hours. Well maintained - greens were great. Already want to go back and stay for a week - play the Loop in both directions and then play FD in the afternoon shade. 10th hole is an interesting split fairway with crazy green and FD's short "driveable" 17th is even better than Weiskopf's short 17th at TPC Scottsdale which the pro's play Super Bowl weekend. Highly recommend a special visit or stay and play at this gem..

The loop track is like nothing I've played before. It's a throwback concept, no formal tee boxes, simply flags in the ground. The front 9 you're shooting at one color of flag and the back nine it's a different color. We had no issue finding the next hole, or anything like that. It's not your finely manicured course like you'll see at a resort or even Forest Dunes across the street. The fairways are giant, and there isn't much for rough at all, so for us it was extremely playable, you don't lose balls, and you don't get stuck in gnarly rough. The challenge starts as you approach greens. You cannot attack greens, instead you need to roll balls onto the green and there are a ton of undulation in and around the greens, it was extremely challenging to decide what to play. However the point is that you can take on each hole in a different manner. I loved it, and it's a beautiful place. I will say that after hitting several great second shots that rolled off the back of greens I was ready to play a track where I could be aggressive in attacking greens. I got a bit bored and frustrated having to hit 10-15 yards short on every hole, but it's a challenge for your mind. I also played Forest Dunes after my round and would probably advise most golfers to play both, and I likely would have played Forest Dunes first b/c I liked it better and thought it was a prettier course. Most of all it's how golf was originally played and it's cool to take on that throwback. They now allow carts so it's much more manageable.

A friend and I traveled to MI for a quick golf trip. We selected Forest Dunes and Arcadia Bluffs as our 2 targets. The drive from Traverse City wasn't too bad, the place is in the middle of no where in the Huron Forest. The staff was amazing, the clubhouse was fantastic. The pro shop was great, it was first class all the way. They have a number of tees to play from so it's not overwhelming for those that just want to have a good time. The course wasn't full when we were there so pace was fantastic. Wonderful conditions, lots of sand, and a ton of waste bunkers on the back 9. This is a course that you would dream to play on a weekly basis. If I live d in the area i would 100% be a member. If you're planning a trip, this is a slam dunk with Forest Dunes, the Loop and the new par 3 course you can really have a blast out there.

Loop Black is unlike any other course in Michigan. With the course able to play from either direction, shots that go long can run off the backs and you have a dicy pitch back to the green. Awesome concept with the tee markers, just a small flag where you can tee anywhere on the box. Great tee balls will run for a long time. Greens roll true, but are slower than the Dunes course across the street.

Only bad thing is that if you go off the fairways good luck finding your ball. The rough is like a short brush that you almost have to step on in order to find a wayward ball. Also, make sure you pack a bug spray in your bag. We got ambushed on the back.

The Loop Black is more difficult than the Red routing. It's astounding how playing the course in a different direction makes it seem like a totally different track. Nowhere else in the world can you be playing the same bunker shot on two different courses on separate days. You'll have little moments of recognition, but both courses have so much character that you'll want to play them again and again.

The links-style play is incredibly fun. Both courses are very nice walks as well. It's a throwback to golden age courses with fast conditions and pleasant walks. You'll play shots here that you won't find anywhere else in Michigan. Get to Forest Dunes as soon as you can and play both routings of the Loop. You won't regret it!

The Loop Red is an incredibly fun course to play. I was blown away when I stepped on the first hole. You can use almost anything off the tee and it'll run out to a good location, but it's your second shot that really matters. In true links fashion, you can't stick the greens. You have to play the ball short or run it up. It's a totally different style of play that's hard to find in the states. You really have to adjust your mental game to score well here. The architecture is world class. Trying to figure out both routings in your head is a puzzle you'll think about for a while. Some features on the Black course are even hidden from view on the Red.

I've already booked another tee time to play the Loop. It's one of the best in Michigan. Do yourself a favor and walk a couple of rounds at the Loop. It's like stepping back in time.

What an incredible course. Amazing, one of a kind layout. Very rewarding if you put the ball in play but the course will show its teeth if you miss in the wrong spot. The greens rolled true but were lightning fast. A really good test of golf. Great practice facility and the staff was very friendly. Well worth the visit. It will surely be one of best courses you’ll ever play.

I live in Florida and had the pleasure of walking 18 holes on my last trip to Michigan where we visiting Forest Dunes and walked The Loop- Red. I'm not a great golfer, but found the course to be really enjoyable to play, fairly easy to walk and all around a beautiful way to spend an afternoon. We played the Red course, but would love to go back and play it in reverse on Black to see how different it is. Beautiful setting, unique course, especially for the area. Will definitely be back and would recommend to friends in Michigan.

I think this was a good course. Can't be really sure because there we so many gnats flying around you couldn't keep your eyes or mouth open. It really ruined the round. We had to race from shot to shot because they only way to get them away was to keep moving.

Until the gnats are gone or they find a bug spray that works I'd stay away.

It's billed as a throwback to courses in Scotland and they supposedly maintain it as such. Problem is the climate in Michigan is completely different. The course was completely burnt out. Not a problem except for the greens. They have a lot of small greens with wild undulations that, when burnt out, can't hold a shot. It was not fun. Add in that there is no drinking water on the course, you must walk (fine), there are giant gnats swarming you at all times, and it was 90+ degrees and it's not worth playing. Water the greens, find a bug spray that works, and add drinking water and MAYBE you might have a course. Don't waste your money until they do.