The Chief

My spouse and I had an exceptional golfing experience at this course. It offers a balance of challenge and playability. During our visit, construction for a new Clubhouse was underway. Despite this, the staff demonstrated great friendliness and provided clear guidance on how to navigate the course amidst the construction. Their efforts are focused on enhancing an already remarkable course. I eagerly anticipate returning to play it again in the future.

This course was in great shape and had some interesting holes. The only complaint is that there were too many blind tee shots.

The Chief has always been one of my favorite golf courses in Northern Michigan. It’s not the hardest but the layout and natural terrain gives you plenty of risk vs reward shots. I have always loved coming up to northern Michigan and playing this course. However since 2020 the course has pretty much gone bare bones, but the price has kept increasing. I used to pay 30-40 dollars for the Chief and now they’re charging 60 and most of the ball washers and garbages are gone. They have new carts but no gps (not a big deal but it’s almost standard on my courses back at home). No starters, no beverage cart, no bag service, and no sand in the container on the carts. If it was my first time playing to the course I would assume it would be a 30-40 dollar cheap park district course. It’s sad to see it decline the way it has and yet still charge higher rates. Disappointing to see.

If you like the challenge of tight Fairways, forced carries, and some blind shots, then this is your course. You can almost leave your driver in the bag. Stay patient, keep your self in the moment and you will do fine.

My husband and I played this and had a great day on the course! Course was well maintained and interesting to play. A good mix of elevation changes made it challenging at times! We were staying in nearby Shanty Creek so it was a convenient location for us too. Restaurant here is very good as well...we will definitely be back!

You would have to love uphill, downhill side hill lies, to play this course. Strategic golf. Lots of blind shots, 150 yd carry. Very challenging. It brought me to my knees. It here are too many nice courses in the area to play this one more then once a season. I like a challenge but nit this much. Lost a lot of ballls.

The Chief is not for golfers that are new to the game.

Long drives from the Blue and White tee boxes over stretches of wetland grasses. Some 90 degree turns on the fairways, rolling hills and ravines, and well placed sand traps mean bring your 'A' Game!

The course overall is in excellent shape.

Greens are hard to read and play fast.

Loved the challenge!

Course is in beautiful shape! The layout takes the driver out of your hands on many of the holes from the white tees. This didn’t bother me.

The round would have been perfect if I had my own clubs. I had to rent and unfortunately, they don’t really have a rental set so I was given a throw together bag. Otherwise, I’d definitely play there again.

This course can be a challenge. The course was in very good condition for this time of year. Greens were mowed well but leaves were all over - bring a blower!

But was fairly unforgiving if your shot veers to the right or left. The rough falls off to out of bounds with very little reprieve on many of the holes

Beautiful course, challenging and well conditioned.

Definitely a course I would recommend