5085 Shanty Creek Road, Bellaire, Michigan 49615, US
(231) 533-9000
Location Map

About The Chief

The Chief is one of three golf resorts within close proximity of one another in Bellaire - Hawk's Eye Golf Resort and Shanty Creek Resorts the others. It offers several accommodation choices. The golf cottages along the fifth fairway are executive quality with upper and lower units. Each one sleeps eight (four double beds total) with a kitchen and living space. The five-bedroom Valley View home is located across the street from the course. A four-bedroom cabin called "The Roost" sits on the 18th fairway close to the Pelican's Nest restaurant. For all three options, passes to the Shanty Creek Resorts pool facility are included. The Blue Pelican Inn & Restaurant, run by the same owners, is roughly 10 miles away in Central Lake.

Facts

Price Range$$
Property Class★★★
Year Opened1996
Number of UnitsLess than 100

Amenities & Services

RestaurantsCasual
Practice FacilityYes

Rules

Is the resort pet friendly?No
Is resort stay required for a tee time?No

Golf courses at The Chief

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
232 Reviews (232)
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played
First Time Playing
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Reviews 20
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Awesome

This course is awesome. One of the most beautiful I have played.

Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 3.0
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 4.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 4.0
Amenities 4.0
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
Recommended
Played

Challenging

The course was in overall great condition for being late season. It was a challenge for us average golfers, but we had a blast nonetheless! I would definitely recommend checking it out!

First Time Playing
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 4.0
Layout 3.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 3.0
Reviews 59
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
Recommended
Played

Course is in Great Condition

Always enjoy playing this course although it is out of the way. The course was in very good condition. While the fairways are fair if you can hit them, the course can be a challenge if you miss. Some holes you definitely have to choose your landing area in order to have another shot at the green. The course layout is a little confusing with the holes being here and there and moved about - better signage on some holes are needed.

Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 4.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 4.0
Difficulty 4.0
Reviews 59
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
Recommended
Played

Course in Great Shape

The fairways and greens were in good shape. This course is fair but you need to hit the fairways or figure a double boggy. They probably would get more play if the rates were a little lower - out of the way unless your staying at the resort there.

Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Difficulty 4.0
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
T O P 100
Reviews 190
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
Recommended
Played

Wild fun beast of a challenge, mountainous like treetops

Very unique, hilly should I say somewhat tricked up tough track with lots of blind shots. Wierd layout but fun nonetheless. Wife and I enjoyed it. A 139 slope from white tees a real challenge.

Top 100 Contributor
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 3.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 4.0
Pace 3.0
Amenities 3.0
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Chief course

Course was in good shape staff very friendly. We had a hard time finding some of the holes as the course is not well-marked. I would suggest a few more directional signs.

Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 3.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 3.0
Amenities 4.0
Reviews 4
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 4.0
Reviews 60
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 4.0
Amenities 5.0
Reviews 10
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 5.0
Layout 3.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 4.0
Amenities 4.0
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played
Previously Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 4.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Review 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Very pretty views

This course was very hilly and nestled in the trees on many holes. There are long distances between greens and the next tee with very steep cart paths. I would never walk this course!!! The course was in good condition and was fun to play and was not crowded at all. We

Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 3.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 3.0
Reviews 60
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
T O P 500
Reviews 127
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
Top 500 Contributor
Previously Played
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 4.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Reviews 26
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

GPS Issue Still

The course is terrific, and a great value compared to nearby courses!! But, after changing the layout two years ago, they still haven’t updated their GPS. And, don’t trust their handout renumbering the holes. Play it! Some forest carries that are spectacular… Play The Chief and have fun!!

Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 4.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Great Challenge

One of the most polarizing courses out there. I’m personally on the side that loves the unique challenges this course has. It is super tough, but in a fun way. If blind shots are going to frustrate you or if your only into straight up country club play, I would say go elsewhere. One of the best golf restaurants too at the chief which is a plus too.

Previously Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 4.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Reviews 60
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
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