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
231 Reviews (231)
Review 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
Recommended
Played

Excellent course, bit of a drive

The Chief course was outstanding with challenging hole layouts and brilliant use of the topography. They have a driving range and practice area although I didn't see it mentioned on their web site. A few of the holes are stunning with sunken or raised greens. Quite a few doglegs. My only complaint, for a single who was new to the course, was how poorly the cart paths are marked. This is necessary as it is a very spread-out course. There is quite a bit of drive time between some of the holes as the course runs in 3 different directions. A few additional signs here and there (I'm thinking of you 16th hole!) would have been appreciated! Great bar/restaurant set up and staff.

Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 4.0
Difficulty 4.0
Reviews 57
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played
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 3.0
Amenities 3.0
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
Played

First visit

So, not a bad track. I think I visited a bit too early in the season... first, the course. Very quirky layout that weaves among the trees and hills. This generates a lot of tunnel like driving views and blind or “target“ golf. Which means, if you’ve never played the course before, or you’re not a scratch golfer, a bit hard to think your way around the course. But, oh well, that’s out of their control of the personnel at the golf course. So, if that doesn’t bother you, you would probably like the course.

Next, the amenities/staff. They were nice, just seemed like stuff wasn’t really rolling yet. The small bar and clubhouse only had one employee and she would “nuke“ you a hotdog if you needed to eat..... The other part that is a bit odd is they had twosomes, threesomes, foursomes, and singles (me) all over the course. Makes for a very fragmented pace of play.

So, all in all,… average. Hard market up here with so many great golf courses. Nothing about this course stood out to bring me back. But, The people seemed great, so nothing would have me tell people “stay away“…

Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
3.0
3.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 2.0
Value 2.0
Layout 2.0
Friendliness 3.0
Pace 3.0
Amenities 3.0
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Amazing landscape

Golf course was great. Bar could kick it up a notch on the serving effort.

First Time Playing
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 2
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 3.0
Value 3.0
Layout 3.0
Friendliness 3.0
Pace 4.0
Amenities 1.0
Review 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
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 5.0
Reviews 57
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 5.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 4.0
Amenities 4.0
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
Recommended
Played

Great time at the Chief!

Amazing what people think of and create!

Fun course!

First Time Playing
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 4.0
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Beautiful experience

I golfed with my husband, son, and daughter in law and we all enjoyed the course! Beautiful setting in the mountain!! Lots of hills!! Definitely a must do!

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
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 4.0
Reviews 5
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Chief wins

If you don't like target golf, then stay away. One of the most scenic courses ever played. You have to be on your gam cuz errant shots are gone. I thought I hit some really good ones and never found them. even so, I would play here again now that I know that layout.

Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 3.0
Value 5.0
Layout 3.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 2.0
Difficulty 5.0
T O P 1000
Reviews 67
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Played

For advanced players only

This course is for the advanced player: many blind spots, sloping greens, heavy rough along the fairways. Directions are not at all clear. It took me awhile to figure out where the pro shop was. During the round, I played hole #7 when intending to play #3. Later, I spent 10 minutes looking for #16, despite following the one sign. Play was very slow because a best ball tournament was taking place ahead of me. I lost more balls during my round than on any other course I've played in the U.S.

Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
3.0
3.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 3.0
Value 4.0
Layout 3.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 1.0
Amenities 4.0
Difficulty 5.0
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
Recommended
Played

Challenging Course

Great Northern Michigan golf experience. Very good value for the $$. The layout was very challenging. The yardage is short but really does not play that way with many blind shots into greens and very tight landing areas off of the tee. Not a beginner's course at all.

Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 5.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 4.0
Amenities 3.0
Review 1
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
3.0
3.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 3.0
Value 3.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 4.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 4.0
Reviews 6
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Course is beautiful and week maintained. Very nice layout through woods. One of best courses I have played.

Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 4.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 4.0
Difficulty 4.0
Reviews 6
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Great course

The course was in superior shape. The course director was very accommodating; we were an hour early for our tee time with 6 players and he let us go off without a hitch. A great time!

Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
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
Difficulty 4.0
Review 1
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 4.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 4.0
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Excellent course, lackluster amenities

Course was in excellent condition and was a great challenge. Was very surprised at quality of the course for just $55. But the trailer-like club house, closed restaurant, and no cart-girl were a disappointment. I’d have packed my own cooler and snacks if I had known that typical golf course amenities were non-existent, like having the ability to even buy a bottle of water.

First Time Playing
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 3.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 1.0
Reviews 15
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
Recommended
Played

The Chief

Course was in excellent condition. Loved playing there.

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
Review 1
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 4.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 4.0
Pace 4.0
Amenities 1.0
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