Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club – Arcadia, MI

Course Details

• Course Type: Resort
• Architect(s): William Henderson & Rick Smith (1999)
• Par: 72
• Yardage: 7,300
• Rating: 75.7
• Slope: 146

Course Accolades

• Golf Digest: #2 Best New Upscale Public Course (2001), #68 in USA, #13 Public USA & #3 in Michigan
• Golf Magazine: #36 in Public USA & #2 in Michigan
• Golf Week: #53 Modern USA, #21 Public USA & #1 in Michigan
• Golf World: #16 Readers’ Choice Public USA & Michigan Course of Recognition
• Top100Courses: #13 in Michigan
• Zagat: Top-Rated Courses in US, Top Courses by Region (Midwest), Top Courses in State (MI), Exceptional Clubhouse, Scenic, Top-Rated Facilities, Top-Rated Service, & America’s Top Golf Courses (2012)

Course Score

• Course Conditions: 10
• Green Complexes: 9
• Amenities: 10
• Practice Facilities: 9
• Service: 8
• Course Design: 10
• Value: 7

Total Score: 9.00

Course Review

The Good: Arcadia Bluffs is a mesmerizing design from William Henderson & Rick Smith, set upon the banks of Lake Michigan just south of Traverse City. You have views of the lake from almost every hole on this wonderful track, but even without the water this course would hold its own as one of the best in the Midwest. Easing into the round with a short, benign Par-5, you’re eventually thrust into as demanding a golf course as you will find in Michigan. Superb Par-3’s, particularly on the closing half and as good of a group of Par-5’s that I can remember. The holes of 10-13 are as a good a four-hole stretch as I’ve ever played. Superb course conditions and fun, undulating greens that are demanding yet fair. Absolutely beautiful clubhouse with stunning views of the lake from the 19th hole and very nice on-course amenities with GPS on carts, several half-way houses, and the bagpiper playing at sunset is a nice touch. Practice facility is top-notch (although a little out of the way from the course) & the staff will ensure you have a memorable experience. When you compare to Kohler and the inland Erin Hills, Arcadia Bluffs at $215 w/ cart during peak season is a steal.

The Bad: Be prepared for a 5-hour round, no matter your tee-time at Arcadia Bluffs. We teed off at 4:10pm and barely got done by sunset. Some aspects of the routing are odd, particularly the 16th nudging right next to the clubhouse and then looping back for the final closing holes.

The Verdict: Arcadia Bluffs is the most stunning golf course I’ve ever played and the best public course I’ve encountered in the Midwest, just edging out Mammoth Dunes & Erin Hills. If you can catch for a twilight round or outside of peak season in the Spring or the Fall, its an incredible value. An incredible, overwhelming golf experience.

Best Hole: While there are many great holes, the long, downhill Par-5 11th may be the most visually spectacular golf hole I’ve ever played. Remember to take pictures!