Hole #5 - Arcadia Bluffs

Arcadia Bluffs is the best golf course I have ever played. It is ranked #46 in Golf Digest’s list of top 100 (#10 public). I have played 3 courses ranked higher by Golf Digest (Crystal Downs, Oakland Hills South, and Bethpage Black), but if I had one round to golf before I died I would want to play it here.

The course was built in 1999 (designed by Warren Henderson/Rick Smith) on a 3,100 foot long windswept bluff that sits 180 feet above the shores of Lake Michigan. The course has several dramatic elevation changes varying a total of 225 feet from highest to lowest point. The views at almost every hole will take your breath away. According to their website, the course is inspired by an Irish Seaside Link meaning that the 1st cut, fairways, and greens are very green.

The course itself is a challenge, but not unfair as you have wide landing areas on most holes. You will be playing in the wind no matter how calm it seems on your way to the course. Three of the first five holes are Par-5s. The 5th hole is a great risk/reward hole. Hitting towards Lake Michigan provides for a great tee shot. The big hitters are going to tempted to shoot for the green on their 2nd shot risking that their shot will end up in the vast surrounding wasteland.

Arcadia Bluffs is located in a rural area. It is one hour north of Ludington and 1 hour southwest of Traverse City. Interestingly, it is only about 20 minutes due south of  Crystal Downs which is the highest ranked Michigan Course.