Shanty Creek

Rangers did not do a good job of keeping the pace of play moving. One group ahead of us was two holes behind the group they were following. Ranger did nothing to help improve this. Will not play this course again

The course was in great shape. No beer cart but you can’t go wrong

This is a very nice course. The tee boxes, fairways and greens were in very good shape. The second cut grass was a little on the high side ( being cut as we played ). Play this course once a year and if the cost was a little less, would play it more. But as far a courses go, this course is just about as nice as you'll find in Norther Michigan.

Played there many and always enjoyed Today was a total disaster. After 4 hours we had only completed 13 holes. There was a group of about 15 guys ahead of us who had no respect for golf or others around them. Many people behind us had already quit. We stopped after 13 holes because it was painful.

I Love this course. The round today was the only time that playing was completely frustrating. Two 4-somes in front of us not only played incredibly slow, but we had to stand and watch them walking around in hip tall grass looking for a lost ball. One guy spent fifteen minutes and found his ball. Then he tried to hit it out of the grass! We finally walked away on the 16th hole. A course of this caliber should be managed better. Maybe a course cart that runs through to keep a pace.

Absolutely beautiful it’s very long and very tough

Vacationing on lake Bellaire, this course is conveniently located and is a pleasure to play.

The Good: The Cedar River course at Shanty Creek Resorts is another solid Tom Weiskopf Midwest design that has as tremendous “Up North” feel as it is carved beautifully through Michigan Northwoods near Traverse City. A design that is every bit as pretty and interesting as the Treetops courses in Gaylord, it has spectacular Par-5’s (particularly to close each nine) and very nice Par-3’s, but I was most impressed with the design variety and shot value of the Par-4’s. Nicely conditioned as you’d expect for a $100+ resort course, with greens putting true. Nice on-course amenities including a halfway half that is accessible after the 1st and 9th holes. The breakfast sandwiches they make there are incredible! Decent value, particularly if you can get a discounted GolfNow tee-time like I did.

The Bad: As we were playing as a twosome and one of the first tee-times out on a Sunday morning, we can had to contend with the maintenance continuously mowing the greens while were playing. The course shouldn’t be sending twosomes out that early if their maintenance crew can’t keep up. It really ruined the experience of an otherwise fantastic golf course. The clubhouse and practice areas are a little outdated and oddly placed within the resort. No GPS on carts.

The Verdict: The Cedar River course is another Weiskopf Michigan gem that shouldn’t be overlooked amongst the slew of great courses in the greater Traverse area! Despite the lack of service, I’d definitely go back in the future. Just might book a tee-time later in the day.

Best Hole: There are many standout Par-5’s and the 8th hole is a pretty Par-3, but there is something about the look of the “cape-esque” 7th hole. A short Par-4 that requires a drive to carry a small pond with a right fairway bunker that forces you to bite of more than you’d like to chew. The approach is to a peninsula green that is one of the most demanding on the course.

Greens were even better than the last time. We all enjoyed the round

Greens were fairly fast and true. Fairways were excellent and all holes are different requiring several kinds of shots. All that good is hard to appreciate when the pace of play is so slow. 5 hrs to play and as a twosome we played at our own pace until number 5.

First time playing the course, it was in great condition, fair fairways and greens. My only complaint was the pace of play. I can’t stand 5 hour rounds of golf but that seems to be the norm in Northern Michigan. I would definitely play here again though.

Back nine is very hilly and a bit of water

Very fun course for the average player

Well maintained

Hard greens to figure out but in great shape

Nice course. It was way too wet to play the day we were there. Will have to play again when course conditions are better to give an honest opinion