Island Resort & Casino

The flagship course of the Island Resort is not only convenient to the hotel, but it is likely the most playable and best conditioned course in the resort rotation.

Sweetgrass is a links layout in a beautiful meadow just outside the hotel on property. The fairways are wide and inviting with large sand traps guarding the edges and plenty more sand around the interesting green complexes. This course is everything you could want from a resort course. The layout is interesting but not too punishing, the course is in amazing shape, and the price is an absolute steal. (for now)

Of the many courses we played in the UP, Sweetgrass was the most enjoyable round. Even though we took carts this would also be a delightful walk since it doesn’t have many elevation changes. The 9th and 18th holes are mirrored par 5s with water up the middle that are great finishing holes with the hotel in the background, and the centerpiece of the course is the par 3 island green 15th. Slightly intimidating but not too tough to hit the big green.

If you were ever considering a trip to the UP for some golf, now is the time! The secret is out, and I know that this is going to be a premiere destination for summer golf in the near future. Get up to Sweetgrass while the prices are still reasonable. You won’t regret a day at this fantastic facility.

The newer course at Island Resort is a short drive from the hotel and is a great compliment to Sweetgrass. Sage run is a rugged routing with everything from flat holes to dramatic uphill climbs and steep dropoffs. Sage is tougher than its sister course down the street, but is every bit as fun of a track. With room to expand on the property I am looking forward to seeing what else the resort will add to its portfolio of golf courses.

Get ready for a tough test off the bat with a couple of difficult and long par 4s before getting a slight reprieve on the gettable par 5 3rd. The par 3 5th is one of the steepest uphill holes I’ve ever played with a towering flagstick to help get a visual from the teeing area. The uphill trend continues on the drivable par 4 8th that dares you to hit all you have at the green.

The par 5 9th is a serene experience sitting at the top of the property heading back down to the clubhouse. It is a great view up there, take a few minutes to enjoy it before making the turn! 9 was one of my favorite holes of the trip.

I found the back nine on this course slightly less interesting than the front side, but it is no less a tough test with some very good golf holes. Get ready for the wacky par 4 16th that plays dramatically uphill, and the finishing hole is a good par 5 with a steep drop to the landing zone from the tee box.

Conditions at Sage were very good. The greens were in good shape and rolled well.

My main concern with the round was the pace of play. We easily got around the front 9 in about 2:15, but it took us over 3 hours to get through the back 9. A fun day at the course turned into a brutal slow slog. There were no marshals out there trying to move play along, so the pace never improved. I hope they will do some work to fix that. There are some tough tee shots on this course and I think a lot of players end up re-teeing, then ending up in a drop area. It was just too slow on the day we played.

Besides the pace I really enjoyed the course. It is a tough test with major elevation changes. I look forward to playing again in the future, and playing a lot faster.

Course was in great condition. Staff was very friendly and the price was very good. Unfortunately I just did t care for the course. Greens are all elevated about 10-15 geet above grade with bunkers or mounds in front of all of them. So you have no real idea where the pin is on the green and can’t even see most of the greens, many of which are tiered with some pretty big slopes. Maybe after playing here a bunch you’d now where to hit the ball but as resort course that you generally only play once I tired of it quickly.

Lots of mid to long irons where you have to clear the obstacle at the front of the green and hope it stops or hits the right slope. I’m a 5 index but just don’t have those shots in my bag and no way to get to the pins without them.

Probably a good setup for scratch players or pros where they can hit high towering irons to a number but for the avg clientele out here I’m guessing it’s a grind.

Played this course after a marathon Wisconsin dream golf trip of 72 holes in 3 days. I was for sure a rather tired golfer by that point. I played on a hotel one night golf package, so I am not sure how much was for the golf only, so I estimated $65 which is a bargain. The course was in great condition as well and the weather was nice but windy..

However, it was extremely difficult especially from the Blue Tees for someone who drives the ball with a 240 to 250 carry.. On most every hole, it seemed like the bunkers, penalties or dog legs were all at the exact same 235 to 245 yard carry distances. This required either a "great not just good" drive or laying up well short of "hazards" and taking a 200+ yard shot into the every green.

If perhaps they could update and move forward the tee markers on some holes with more challenging greens if could make the playing experience much better. Or perhaps they could create a hybrid of Blue and White "Island Tees" that 8 to 16 handicappers can play. Some configuration changes could lead to dramatic improvements in the golf experience.

It think due to the difficulty of the course, pace of play was very, very tough. After 4 holes, we became the 3rd or 4th group on each hole waiting for 1 or 2 groups to tee off before us. Starting on hole 15 the pace picked up but by then it was too late.

The two groups ahead and two people I was paired with, attempted to complain to a Ranger with his response of sorry the course was full and nothing could be done.

On the 17th tee, another "bigger" ranger drove to us and parked right next to my pairing partners cart on the tee box. He argued with them in a rather menacing way with his arms crossed that the course was full and to get over it.

I had never seen anything like that before from an on course ranger. Then I noticed some of the similar review responses.

The 8 people we saw on each tee and my 2 pairing partners all said they would not be back due to the slow play and attitudes.

While I would play this course again with friends, this review is to "know before your go" to set expectations.

Ask anyone that’s familiar with golf in Michigan where you can find the best courses in the state, and you may be surprised at the answers you get. Gaylord is always near the top of the list as is Kalamazoo – home to Gull Lakeview Resort and its six courses. But if you really want to play the best Michigan has to offer, you’ll have to go north, past Gaylord and Traverse City, over the Mackinac Bridge. Once you go over the bridge, take Route 2 West until you hit Harris, MI. Follow the signs to The Island Resort & Casino and you’re at the home of two golf courses you won’t soon forget: Sweetgrass and Sage Run.

The Island Resort and Casino is part of the Hannahville Indian Community. Both Sweetgrass and Sage Run were designed by Michigan native Paul Albanese and are constantly ranked among Golfweek’s Best Courses and recognized by GOLF Magazine and Golf Digest as a part of their Best in State ranking. In 2021, Sweetgrass was named Michigan’s Golf Course of the Year by the Michigan Golf Course Association.

If Sweetgrass was located on the ocean, it could be considered a links course. Since there is no significant amount of water nearby, we’ll call it a parkland-style layout. The course is as visually stunning as it is challenging. Beautifully manicured tee boxes and fairways lead to well-undulated greens. A lot of the long rough is wispy fescue grass; easy to find your ball but tricky to hit from.

Water or marshland comes into play on ten holes and four holes are tree-lined although the trees only come into play on one or two of them — 16 and maybe 17.

All of the holes at Sweetgrass are named, and as you play your way around the layout, you may learn something! The names are part of the rich history of the Hannahville Indian Community and come from traditional Potawatomi clans, villages, allies, medicines, and symbols.

The practice facility at Sweetgrass is located just a short walk from the first tee. There’s a full-length driving range where you can hit every club in your bag and a large practice green that offers a lot of different breaks and gets you ready for what you’re about to encounter.

Most greens are surrounded by bunkers and rough; many times, the shape and contours of these greens make hitting the ball close seemingly impossible.

Two of my favorite holes at Sweetgrass are Numbers 15 and 17. Number 15 is undoubtedly the signature hole. It’s a short par 3 that plays 141 yards from the White Tees over water to an island green that is a lot wider than it is deep. Rocks front the left side of the green. it's about the same length as #17 at Sawgrass with no bunker but lots of rocks around the front of the green. Par is a good score here.

Number 17 is named “Wisdom,” and if you use a little bit, you can score well! It’s another pretty hole at Sweetgrass, and from the White, Blue, and Black Tees, you’ll play over a marshland. Avoid the ornamental rock and fairway bunkers on either side of the landing area and you’re well on your way. A tee shot down the right side and left of the large fairway bunker will leave a short pitch shot into the green which is very elevated with a couple of bunkers front left.

The Island Resort & Casino property features a variety of accommodations and dining opportunities and a full-scale casino. When you’re not busy exercising your index finger pushing buttons on the slot machine, you can get some physical exercise at the indoor pool and small gym. Islands Resort & Casino is also a great place to hold a business meeting or small event.

The Island Resort and Casino had already made a name for itself with the opening of Sweetgrass Golf Course, which is located directly behind the casino and hotel. With the opening of Sage Run in 2019, Islands has established itself as a premiere golf destination for those looking for a great golf experience.

Ask anyone that’s familiar with golf in Michigan where you can find the best courses in the state and you may be surprised at the answers you get. Gaylord is always near the top of the list as is Kalamazoo – home to Gull Lakeview Resort and its six courses. But if you really want to play the best Michigan has to offer, you’ll have to go north, past Gaylord and Traverse City, over the Mackinac Bridge. Once you go over the bridge, take Route 2 West until you hit Harris, MI. Follow the signs to The Island Resort & Casino and you’re at the home of two golf courses you won’t soon forget: Sweetgrass and Sage Run.

The Island Resort and Casino is part of the Hannahville Indian Community. Both Sweetgrass and Sage Run were designed by Michigan native Paul Albanese and are constantly ranked among Golfweek’s Best Courses and recognized by GOLF Magazine and Golf Digest as a part of their Best in State ranking. In 2021, Sweetgrass was named Michigan’s Golf Course of the Year by the Michigan Golf Course Association.

Sage Run is located less than 10 miles from the main property. Sage Run offers a contrast in style and design to its sister course, Sweetgrass. Whereas Sweetgrass is characterized by soft, flowing terrain populated with wispy fescue grasses, well-manicured areas, and a lot of water, Sage Run is more rugged and raw, with rough-looking bunkers and large native waste areas. The course is consistently ranked among Golf Digest’s Places to Play.

The primary feature of the land at Sage Run is a natural drumlin - an elongated hill or ridge formed by glacial ice. The drumlin at Sage Run runs through the center of the 300-acre property and reaches heights of 200 feet in some places. A number of holes work their way on, off, and around the drumlin offering a variety of scenic views and creating a roller coaster ride for golfers. Elevation changes vary from hole to hole and range from rolling terrain to dramatic drops and rises.

Although most of the holes are considered tree-lined, you have to be well wide of the fairway for them to come into play. The course typically plays firm and fast, something to remember when you hit those approach shots, but it’s the greens that make the course stand out. Most are gently raised and average in size. They roll quick and smooth with modest undulation. That’s not to say you’ll find many straight putts; they just aren’t there. It takes a skilled greens reader to master the subtle breaks. Another interesting feature of Sage Run is that there is only one tee marker on each hole, giving you a lot of options for placing your ball. And Sage Run aims to help directionally challenged golfers by placing a painted rock behind the bunker which can be used as an aiming point on the 2nd hole.

My favorite holes at Sage Run make full use of the drumlin. Number 5 is a 156-yard par 3 that plays considerably longer than its stated yardage of 156 yards and is handicapped #5 on the layout. For most players, it takes at least two extra clubs to get up the hill. The greenside slope on the right-side funnels balls back to the green and the slope behind acts as a backstop. It’s a fun and interesting tee shot!

Number 14 is a behemoth par 3 that would play 201 yards if it were on flat ground. Unfortunately, it plays dramatically uphill and considerably longer. You tee off over wetlands towards what is the largest green on the course, although you can’t tell from the tee box! I hit 3-wood because as I looked over the prospect of being short, I realized I was not part mountain goat, which is necessary to navigate the hilly terrain. The next time I play the hole, I’ll remember the large collection area around the green.

Number 16 is a 298-yard par 4 that proves holes don’t need to be long to be a tough par. It too plays up a steep hill and a good drive that finds the fairways at the top of the hill will leave a short pitch shot into the green. This is where things get interesting because what Number 16 lacks in length it makes up for with a green that slopes front to back, lots of undulation, and a crown that runs through the middle.

The Island Resort & Casino property features a variety of accommodations and dining opportunities and a full-scale casino. When you’re not busy exercising your index finger pushing buttons on the slot machine, you can get some physical exercise at the indoor pool and small gym. Islands Resort & Casino is also a great place to hold a business meeting or small event.

The Island Resort and Casino had already made a name for itself with the opening of Sweetgrass Golf Course, which is located directly behind the casino and hotel. With the opening of Sage Run in 2019, Islands has established itself as a premiere golf destination for those looking for a great golf experience. They have some pretty incredible stay-and-play packages that also include two other stellar Upper Peninsula courses – TimberStone and Greywalls. For more information or to book your next stay at the Island Resort and Casino, visit them online

The good: Like the layout, challenging, don't mind the blind shots because after you play a few times, you'll know the lines. Uphill holes are interesting. If you hit the ball well, you'll be fine. Some tough par fours with a nice mix of short par fours. Greens are tough but fair. Rolled smooth, were fast, yet receptive.

The bad: Tee boxes are un level....all of them. We were not playing the back tees, but some of those boxes were leaning so severely downhill not sure how you'd tee off--even two club lengths back. Basically all day you had a ball above or below your feet off the tee boxes from every set of markers. To me, it doesn't seem like it would take that much to fix these.

Other commenters have commented about the rocks in the rough. Someone seems to respond rather sarcastically that rocks in the rough are normal and that somehow these rocks are way off the fairways/greens. In some cases maybe, but not in others. I drove the ball on a short par four, pin high, a foot behind a greenside bunker--about 15 feet from the pin. It was sparse grass and gravel. Tha'ts really not how a golf course should play. I'm not nicking up clubs playing from the rocks because I pulled a tee shot 15 feet left of the green. If they went 20 feet around and cleaned those up, I"d be ok with that. Its just really not acceptable.

Would I play again, sure. Like the design, holes are fair. But they need to level the tee boxes and clean up the rocks. I'd give it four and half stars if they did that. I see a lot of people playing this once and not coming back. That's too bad.

Sweetgrass is one of the best golf courses in the UP and in the same class as Greywalls, Pine Grove, Wild Bluff and Timberstone. This is one of the best conditioned courses I have ever played. The layout and greens have a very modern feel.

The course does not have the elevation change and the quirk of their other course Sage Run. I prefer Sage Run: I love quirk, elevation changes and believe blind shots add to a fun round. If you prefer all hazards to be evident / right in front of you and don't want quirk Sweetgrass should be your course.

1st time playing this great track! Very challenging, with a number of blind tee shots starting with number 1. But not just blind, some have dramatic elevation changes as well. We played on a day where there wasn't any pace-of-play issues, so we drove up to have a look on a few holes before teeing off. That, along with the course information available, made things a bit easier. There are a lot of risk/reward decisions to be made with bunkers, blind shots, elevation changes, slopes, etc. so, it tests the mind as well. Yes, the rough after the 1st cut has rocks; when we were in there and it was an issue we just moved our ball. No sense damaging club or body for a recreational round of golf. Scenery is beautiful, with splendid fall colors, wide vistas, and nice overlooks.

Course was in excellent condition, tee-to-green. Some have complained about uneven tee boxes. Well, first, there are no tee boxes. Usually just a short, fairway-like mowed area with a single marker at the side edge. You can tee anywhere in the area behind your marker (within 2 club lengths), so it's easy enough to find a suitable spot. Fairways and greens were immaculate. Greens were a bit tricky with undulations and pretty fast, but rolled true. Our approach shots did not hold the green as well as we would have liked/expected for us higher handicappers (read: we don't spin the ball), but it had been dry the previous week, so playing shots landing short and running up on the putting surface was the order of the day for us. No bunker rakes (covid) so we played lift-smooth with your foot-place if you ended up in a footprint or other bad bunker lie.

Clubhouse is minimal but adequate with quick food at the turn. Electric carts with GPS are really nice. Nice on-course restrooms with real plumbing, not outhouses or portable toilets. Carts are stationed in a section of the parking lot with an attendant there. They brought carts right to our car when we parked, so a quick and easy operation to load the carts and head to the clubhouse to check in. Then it was off to the range (balls included!) to warm up. At the end of the round, we went straight to the parking lot and off-loaded and the attendant took the cart. Not much reason to stay at the clubhouse after, no seating area (in- or outdoors); thinking that they expect you are heading back to the Island Resort & Casino and all the fun there.

The staff was exceptionally nice and helpful. Cart attendants in the parking lot were really nice, letting us know where to go, etc. Check-in was quick and easy. The Starter was very helpful giving us a quick overview, especially of #1 as it is a blind tee shot. The gal working the food and drink area was fun, asking how it was going at the turn. The was no beverage cart service although it is fall golf on a day when it barely hit 50°F.

All in all we had a great day, and we'll definitely be back. It's the type of course where you have to play it a few times to get the "lay of the land". If you like a fun challenge instead of your typical back-and-forth golf course, you've got to try Sage Run.

Might have been the hardest course I ever played. The change in elevation on some holes was like nothing I played before. Fairways were adequate size, the greens were tough. The tee boxes were not flat but they were built that way. I normally shoot in the 90's and I was 20 more than that here.

This is a top course in all of Michigan. Playing from the tips, it's incredibly challenging as you face many inclined, blind and just flat out difficult shots and terrain. Many uphill drives and tough lies in the fairways and regular rough. The front nine showcases the extreme challenges the course offers, while the back nine changes pace to more of a pure play layout that will be a lot of fun for beginner to intermediate players. The deep rough is extremely difficult, made up entirely of rock, hardened sand, steep hills, and deep fescue, so you must hit the fairways or your score will suffer and so will your wallet after losing all of your balls. lol. The greens are generally large, but all have tricky curves and undulations. Many times I have been in the position for birdie but came out of the hole with a bogey or double bogey simply because the greens are so challenging. Great rates as well, $59 w/cart for county residents, $85 w/cart for non-residents. A beautiful and unique course to enjoy in the UP.

Sage Run is in great shape for only being a few years old. Its conditions are nearing the level of its sister course. The rough is very penal, but the fairways are generally pretty easy to hit. You need to stay sharp on and around the greens because your ball will roll forever (which creates a lot of fun and thought-provoking putts and approaches). There are a few uphill shots that might be difficult if you don't hit the ball very high, but other than that, it's pretty playable for the average resort guest. The vistas are gorgeous and it's a very fun round. This course is well on its way to maturing into a real gem.

Got rained out at Sweet Grass and wasn't notified. They were able to get us on Sage Run. After a unique little drive to the middle of nowhere. The course was great and the staff was friendly. The have a nice range to get started. The course was pounded with rain the day before and all morning. but it had great drainage and played well. I am glad I had my laser to find distances and the cart GPS was accurate as well to help navigate the course.The greens were the best I have played in Michigan. Only complaint was no transfusions in the club house.

I’m shocked by all of the negative reviews. Yes the course is new. Yes the rough has rocks in it. The fairways do not. The course has a ton of character: from the big elevation changes, to the bold greens, to the strategic bunkering, and to the unique layout. The course is highly recommended. If you want a unique course with great fairways and greens and big elevation changes. If you want flat greens, flat fairways, manicured rough and no character goto Myrtle Besch!

I am shocked by the numerous extensive negative reviews. Yes the course has a lot of rocks in the deep rough, but not the fairway. Yes there are some blind shots and large elevation changes. These are what give the course tons of character. If you want flat, bland, characterless course goto Myrtle Beach.

I am shocked by the extensive negative reviews. Cons: course does have a fair amount of rocks that have been removed from the fairways but nor rough, there are some blind shots and are associated with the bold elevation changes. Pros: fairways and greens in great shape, greens have a lot of character and I love the elevation changes. If you want flat fairways, flat greens, manicured rough and no character goto Myrtle Beach . If you want elevation changes, tons of character and a great course play here.

Shocked by some of the extensive negative reviews!! I had no problems with the tee boxes and yes portions of the far off the fairway rough were rocky. However, the goal is not to hit it there. I loved the elevation changes and use of the drumlin to give the course some distinctive character. If you want flat fairways, flat greens and everything being right in front of you without blind shots or charm goto Myrtle Beach. If you want a bold unique layout that has elevation changes, some blind shots, undulating greens and a ton of character seek out Sage. Run!

We were hoping to finish up our trip playing Sage Run as something new and interesting that was of the caliber of Timberstone and Grey Walls the days before, a reasonable expectation considering it is in the same price tier and where Sweetgrass is rated as well. Our expectations were quickly dashed upon teeing up on hole 1, having to search for a reasonably flat spot on what was shaped as slightly more than and extended section of fairway with tees marked by wherever the summer help seemed to think was a good spot to stick the different colored markers. Good luck finding a decent tee box that isn’t sloping one way or another throughout the entire round. The rustic natural layout i get, but basic formed tee boxes are a must have for any mediocre or better course. Hopefully there are plans to bring the bulldozers back out along with some fill to shape some decent tees.

The fairways and greens were in excellent shape for a course this young, and very nicely shaped with challenging but fair contours. It’s everything else that unfortunately takes away from the excellent worksmanship on these features. Lacking available GPS course data online or any decent course maps, other than the cart onboard gps system, it is very difficult to navigate the blind uphill shots and doglegs not knowing where a poorly designed and placed fairway bunker is lying to swallow up what appeared to be an excellent shot off the misshapen back 40 tee box. If you have decent length off the tees, you will find yourself hitting off clumping fescue and native plants amongst the coarse quarry gravel pit that lies just off the first cut rough. I enjoy the challenge of hitting out of fescue and appreciate the penalty it costs for misplaced shots, but in this stuff you’re more likely to hit a nice shot on a rock before or below your ball than making good contact with a decent release out of fescue. Unless your shot is aligned with the direction of the dozer tracks, which there is way too much unfinished grading right up into in bounds areas, you’re going to wish you left that club fitting tape on the bottom and face of your wedges and irons to absorb some of the rock dings you’re sure to a accumulate as a lasting reminder of playing in this rock pit. The same goes for just outside where they dumped the sand that probably cost a fortune and then failed to finish shaping the bunker edges and raking out the quarry rocks.

Regarding the layout, why the fairway bunkers protruding prominently into the landing zones on the par 5’s? I guess for a bro’s weekend to see who can jack their tee shots over and clear them as a bit of a side game to provide some additional entertainment on the less intriguing holes, they provide that dynamic. But hole 12, seriously just bring the bulldozers back out and try again. It’s as though someone measured wrong and tried to turn this remaining bit of hillside that runs the length of the fairway into the impossible fairway to land a decent shot on. The uphill par 3’s and 4’s, yes Greywalls pulls it off beautifully, but they should have stuck with downhill bluff shots to make the most out of the natural geology in the course layout. I personally don’t get a whole lot of enjoyment out of smacking a driver up in between a couple fairway hills and watching my ball ricochet between them and back down like a pin ball machine.

Bottom line, the course has potential and is very well kept on the fairways and greens, but they need to bring the dozers back out and do it right and finish the job for it to be at the price point being charged in this area.