Treetops Resort

Threetops isn't so much a "learn the game" par 3 course as it is a showcase of the natural beauty of northern Michigan for buddies looking for more golf without the added cost or time of a full round.

It's spectacular visually and great fun. There's nothing better than counting five seconds or more while your ball is in the air dropping to a green well below the tee.

Some of the greens might be a little too severe but that's the challenge. This is big-boy golf just on a smaller scale. It's a must on any trip to Gaylord, whether you are staying at Treetops or elsewhere.

As memorable as any experience there is at Treetops, this par 3 course proves that you don't have length or a four-hour round to find a memorable golf experience. Every hole is unique, and conditions are as good as any premium golf course. Designed by renowned teacher Rick Smith, this former site of the ESPN Par 3 Shootout, also boasts panoramic views of the mountains. Any trip to Treetops has to include this wonderful short course.

I played this course last in 2011 as part of a northern Michigan golf binge. On this particular day, we played 45 holes on a long, summer day in the north. Every tee shot is really neat. You can't walk it because the hills are too steep, which is a bummer, but it's still a lot of fun, and trying to figure out what club to hit to greens well below is certainly a challenge. If you're in Gaylord, Treetops is a wonderful golf mecca and be sure to sneak in a round at Threetops, in the afternoon after a full 18.

This is NOT your average Executive Course, it is by far that. Every hole has extreme elevation changes which challenges even the Pro's. This #1 Par 3 Course in America should be on your bucket list.

Not quite as challenging as Masterpiece at same resort but a really good course. The weather was perfect and pace of play was just under the expected 5 hours. As other courses at Treetops: rolling hills, sand traps, and elevation changes are the name of the game. Fantastic place, great conditions, and makes me wish I lived closer.

Played from the whites and shot in the 120s. Played in afternoon after overnight and morning rains soaked everything in the area. Elevation changes and rolling hills make this a very tough course but the scenery and beauty is amazing. Expected way worse from a state where Detroit is located. The staff and facilities are very good for a public golf resort. Ended up re-playing the front 9 as a scramble (2 vs 2) and added some team competition into it.

This course is in Treetops North area (3.5 miles from main check-in at Treetops) and is in the same area as Treetops Premier, Signature, and Threetops. Played tough due to intermittent rain but in very good shape for being their cheapest 18-hole course.

Played couple days after a week end tournament of 500 players and its shows. Too bad we had to pay $110 for this. Course underaeration condition made the same day. Many workers on the course. I would think than usually the course would worth the price but not yesterday! For my husband and I, the most chalenging was the putting. Really something to figure out. Misread couple time. Would playit again when dryer when visitinhg nexttime in Michigan. We far more enjoyed the Quarry and Links at Bay harbor.....those two nine are master piece and must play in that state.

The Good: Extremely unique, interesting layout from longtime instructor Rick Smith is the perhaps the most complete golfing experience at Treetops. Great course conditions from tee through the green. A layout with very limited water but significant elevation changes, winding through woodlands and rolling hills of northern Michigan. Very open off the tee but terrifying around the greens. Some of the most undulating greens you will find. Many strong, difficult Par 4's and risk-reward Par 5's. Very good on-course amenities that include restroom areas and half-way houses. One of the best resort practice areas in the Midwest includes a cool putting course. Strong service and good clubhouse with mini-restaurant. Great value for upstate Michigan resort golf at $100 with cart and range balls.

The Bad: Difficult to nit-pick, but the lack of GPS is a negative. Not as much variation in the Par 4's compared to the Fazio and Masterpiece courses.

The Verdict: The Smith course is arguably the most visually threatening yet enjoyable course at the Treetops resort. Best conditioned of the four 18-hole courses and perhaps the best course in the Gaylord area.

Best Hole: The long, downhill Par 4 3rd is the epitome of the Treetops Resort and Signature course: Huge elevation change from the tee to a large landing area that requires a long-iron/hybrid approach to a demonic two-tiered green.

The Good: Eye-appealing, elevation changing resort layout from Tom Fazio is arguably the most playable layout of the four 18-hole courses at Treetops. Superb conditioning, especially the slick greens that have less undulation compared to The Signature and Masterpiece. Excellent mixture of par 4's (including the awe inspiring opener), risk-reward Par 5's and very challenging downhill Par 3's. Good on-course amenities that include restroom areas and half-way houses. One of the best resort practice areas in the midwest includes a cool putting course. Strong service and good clubhouse with mini-restaurant. Great value for upstate Michigan resort golf at $100 with cart and range balls.

The Bad: No GPS is a bummer. Sand complexes are a little rocky in spots. Practice green is so undulating that it doesn't provide true perspective of greens.

The Verdict: Many consider The Premier to be their favorite at Treetops and is perhaps the best overall golfing experience at the resort. Great for the mid-handicapper.

Best Hole: The Par 4 9th requires a precise right to left tee ball to an uphill green enveloped by sand. Very challenging hole!

The Good: One of the final RTJ Sr. tracks and the course that really jump-started the Northern Michigan golf boom, the Masterpiece has arguably the best collection of Par 3's in the Midwest. Many doglegs that include supreme elevation changes and long, uphill Par 5's are a signature of this bear of a layout. Nice greens that put true and very difficult. Great on-and-off course amenities includes full clubhouse and restaurant nearby in the resort, full practice facility, and halfway house. The best service of any of the Treetops courses. Arguably the most eye-appealing of all the layouts at the resort. Just awesome!

The Bad: Lack of GPS is a glaring omission. Course conditions are good but not great. Sand consistencies are sub-par compared to the other courses. Extremely difficult in the wind - high handicappers beware!

The Verdict: The most fun you can have playing northern Michigan golf. The appropriately named course is one of RTJ's defining tracks and the stamp of the Treetops resort.

Best Hole(s): The downhill Par 3 6th is where everyone brings their camera out, but the best hole is actually the dog leg Par 4 8th. A blind tee shot around the corner to a small peninsula green. Very tough!

ThreeTops is probably the best Par 3 course ever. The weather could have been better.

This course is what I would call plain. Nothing special.

The Tradition fairways and greens were just fine.
To drive or ride the golf cart one mile to tee #1 and to
ride or drive over the roughs was very rough, ruts all over ,
They should smooth out the course, they have the bucks....

Threetops was an awesome 9 holes to play, one of the
best anywhere. However, it was October and the guy
blowing the leafs was in my way or following and it
sounds like a fire warning. Not good.

Given that it was October 4 and raining, the course was in great shape. Good variety of holes and the views can't be beat. Don't miss A chance to play here.

Great course for average golfer, very wide fairways, well maintained, yet a bit challenging at times.

I love this par three course. Setting is spectacular, and course is a real challenge. Fun, fun, fun!

This is the same par 3 that the pros played for 3 years. Had a great time trying to guess the correct club to use. Holes from 210 yards to 105 yards with mostly downhill drops.

Played all 4 courses. I've always thought the "signature" was their best course, and now that a $10 surcharge has been added to play this beauty, it was correct. LOTS of elevated tees, with gorgeous views of N.Michigan.
The "premier" would rank 2nd at the resort. Hilly, challenging, and a lot of fun to play.
The "masterpiece" would be 3rd on my list. This course has some of the most spectacular holes you'll ever see #especially holes1-11# , but it is VERY difficult. It's hard to score on.
"Tradition" would be 4th. an easy, flatter course then the others, but it's an oppurtunity to go low scoring wise, which may be needed after the other 3 brutes have beaten you up.
Threetops is a fun Par 3, but expensive

I love this course (Smith). But the experience was ruined by the slow play. There are zero rangers on the course and the staff seemingly doesn't care about you once you tee off. Of course, I expected slower play during Labor Day weekend. However we were headed for a 6 hour round (and darkness) when we finally walked off the course after skipping around to find open holes and playing a makeshift 15 hole course playing multiple holes of over and over again.

I suggest you play any of the other fine golf courses in Gaylord during peak golfing dates.