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

4.5
213 Reviews (213)
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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Chief excelkence

Course excellent shape. Choose your clubs wiseltmy for tglhe first 2 hills. Most difficult holes I have ever played in the last 35 years.

Pristine shape and friendly staff. .

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Challenging placement course

This is the first time we played this course, it is beautiful well-maintained and a great challenge. You will need a yardage book. They don’t have GPS and it is a placement course with shots into layup areas, and some drives with some huge carries. But a beautiful course when we played, they were just working on some new condos in a new clubhouse that should be finished next year 2025 looks awesome are a bit old and struggle, but I’m sure they have new ones on the way afterwards the restaurant the nest has a lively atmosphere outdoor seating and great food Staff was super friendly to

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

This is a fun and challenging Golf course.

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Played On
Reviews 59
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice layout

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

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing

Beautiful course and fun… but is it worth the price?

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.

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Target Golf

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful course

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!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 23
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Beautiful Challenge

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.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Very challenging

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!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Awesome Layout

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 23
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 22
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 57
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Well Kept

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!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
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