Kingsley Club – Kingsley, MI

Course Details

• Course Type: Private
• Architect: Mike DeVries
• Par: 71
• Yardage: 6,956
• Rating: 73.2
• Slope: 141

Course Accolades

• Golf Digest: #4 in Michigan
• Golf Week: #20 in Modern USA
• Top100GolfCourses: #99 in North America, #85 in USA & #3 in Michigan

Course Score

• Course Conditions: 10
• Green Complexes: 10
• Amenities: 7
• Practice Facilities: 9
• Service: 9
• Course Design: 10
• Value: 6

Total Score: 8.74

Course Review

The Good: Kingsley Club is a masterful design from Mike DeVries set in the rural northern Michigan plains just east of Traverse City. Considered one of the best modern designs in the Midwest, this rugged, private gem is one of the most fun golf courses I’ve ever played. It starts off with an outright dynamite, downhill Par-5 with the most intimidating fairway bunker I’ve ever seen. Arguably the most succinct, interesting routing I’ve ever played, DeVries winds you through interesting terrain and creates the most diverse set of green complexes I’ve seen. Superb Par-3 variety, excellent Par-5’s, and absolutely “Wow!” Par-5’s. The conditions are perfectly firm & fast, with the greens subtly quick but not outrageous. Clubhouse and overall vibe is unpretentious, one of the very best things about the club. Excellent practice facility and the forecaddies & pros are exceptional. Playing as an unaccompanied guest, the fee is hefty, but it’s worth every penny.

The Bad: The 9th green is very fun, but borderline unfair for the average golfer. It’s perched on a table-top by the clubhouse just awaiting heckles from the modest patio. Those that are looking for a prestigious meal and being courted like a King will not be thrilled with Kingsley Club, but that’s also part of its magic.

The Verdict: One of the purest golf experiences in the entire Midwest, Kingsley Club is an absolute trip. What DeVries was able to do create with the land is uncanny and its memorable even without a single water feature. A Top 5 golf course I’ve ever played.

Best Hole: While many rave about the opener, the short Par-3 2nd, and many others, I loved the long, downhill Par-5 17th. The view from the top of the hill is one of the most amazing that I’ve seen in golf.