The Homestead

Manitou Passage formerly known as "Kings Challenge" as Palmer was the original designer is 18 holes of beautiful wooded hills with abundant wildlife. It is a great use of an old ski resort so when I say hills I really mean it. This is not a course you want to walk unless you are either in amazing shape or totally sadistic. The winding cart paths seem in some cases to be several hundred yards thru the forest to get to the next tee with steep elevations. There are a few really elevated tee boxes that offer a stunning view of Lake Michigan's Good Harbor Bay and off in the distance the Manitou Islands. The par 3's are all great risk/reward holes where shot placement is very important. The par 4s depending on which tees you play (There are I believe 5 offerings) can range from long and daunting to very manageable. The fairways I would list as maybe slightly tighter than most with collection areas and plenty of hazards whether it be water, bunkers or woods the tee shot is your difference between a decent number and a very bad one. Par 5s are all you want and that's for sure. I would bring plenty of extra balls and I also wouldn't put this on the list for the beginner in the group unless they don't mind the hard lesson. I highly recommend visiting this area in early May and late September as well as Spring and Fall offer beautiful days and less people. If traveling to Traverse City or anywhere in Leelanau County PUT THIS ONE ON THE LIST!!!!!

I play this course all summer as it’s near my summer home . I get great senior pricing and the layout is really good. Recently course conditions have improved significantly and course management is very friendly. I really like this course for its rolling hills beautiful views and risk reward shot making .

I normally walk but using a cart was ideal for playing 18 holes on this beautifully maintained and manicured course. Friendly and helpful staff. Cart had all the amenities. A fun, challenging and picturesque course!

I used to love to play this track. It has excellent green complexes, great views, and overall is very playable layout. However, the course is not nearly as well maintained as it was a few years ago. The greens fees reflect a course which should be in better condition. The staff were very nice but the 19th hole was only so-so. I can't recommend playing here unless you find a good discounted greens fee.

I’ve played this course a couple of times. The layout is challenging and interesting. A true Arnold Palmer classic. Greens rolled true and fast. Love playing golf in northern Michigan.

Everything is top notch and then we use the disgusting portable toilet. Why do nice courses think that is ok??

My wife and I live in Minnesota and were visiting Michigan on a long weekend vacation. I’m originally from the Santa Cruz, CA area so I’ve been able to golf some pretty nice courses in the Monterey/Pebble Beach area. This courses was probably in the top 20 of courses we’ve ever played. Really enjoyed the experience. Great staff, beautiful course conditions. Would absolutely come back and golf here again!

Course is challenging and well maintained. Staff is friendly and pace of play is monitored by rangers. I caught up to the group ahead of me and the ranger was right there to make sure they were maintaining a reasonable pace of play. I’ve played this course a couple times and really enjoyed it.

Nice course with great layout . Par 3s are perfect, very scenic but not over long

Ranger running the carts was a bit crabby but everyone else we dealt with were great.

Course is in good shape as the weather cooperates for the time carved out for 18 holes. Sunday golf! It’s a short season with plenty of choices so this course was on deck. It certainly did not disappoint!! Staff is kind and respectful. Great food and amenities await the eager golfer. Challenging holes and views that are stunning! Give this one a consideration as it has for many years treated all golfers with the best experiences.

course is fine but nothing special and not worth making it a destination. Pace of play was horrible. Backed up 3 groups on several tee boxes. Not a single ranger in sight to help move things along.

We thoroughly enjoyed this course. Very interesting layout and course was in great condition. Read another review from a week earlier and can’t believe that person played the same course. Very peaceful setting winding through the rolling hills with tree-lined fairways. The course is quite playable, without too many punishing holes. It’s about 1/2 hour outside Traverse City and well worth the trip.

Course was great, but the conditions could have been better.