View from Stoatin Brae at Gull Lake View Golf Club and Resort
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Rating Index Rating
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4.5
135 Reviews (135)
5 Stars
84
4 Stars
34
3 Stars
12
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
3
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.2
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.0
86.3%
Recommend this course
120 out of 135 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
5.0
2 Reviews (2)
5 Stars
2
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
5.0
Value
5.0
Layout
5.0
Pace
5.0
Amenities
5.0
StaffFriendliness
5.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
2 out of 2 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
21 Reviews (21)
5 Stars
14
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.3
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.8
81.0%
Recommend this course
17 out of 21 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Style Links
Par 71
Length 6667 yards
Slope N/A
Rating N/A
Book a Tee Time at
Stoatin Brae - Gull Lake View Golf Club & Resort
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Course Details

Year Built 2016
Architect Renaissance Golf Design (2016)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Teaching Pro Yes

Policies

Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Snacks

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in Michigan (2020 #24) (2019 #23)
  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 Most Improved U.S. Golf Courses (2018 #10)

Reviews

4.5
135 Reviews (135)
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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
First Time Playing

Absolute garbage

Course was in terrible condition. Burned out. Appears that it hasn’t been watered since it opened. Way over priced. Best view on the course is on the range. Over priced and over hyped. My local muni is in better shape.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 45
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 45
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

An Incredible Course *

Stoatin Brae is a gem. It is an incredible course *- as long as you aren’t expecting to show up and play something the likes of Erin Hills, Sand Valley or Pinehurst. I have seen many reviews on here dogging the course for being overrated when compared to these other courses. Guess what- those courses average $350-500 per round. Stoatin is a well thought out design that is an absolute value at approximately $100 per round. I have played just about every destination course East of Missouri and I would put Stoatin in my top-15. That’s saying something from a golf journeyman who’s played 200+ courses.
While in Michigan you have to play:
Bay Harbor- Links and Quarry 9s
Forest Dunes The Loop (Doak masterpiece)
Arcadia Bluffs (Bluffs course is great, South +/-)

Cheers

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Incredible course, average food options

Course was absolutely breath taking.

Stale beer, average service, no food available by 10:30 am

Best golf Ive played in michigan some incredible holes

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Excellent Course

Can’t say enough good things about this course. Got out early and basically had it to myself. Greens were pure and fast enough, maybe not the absolute fastest I’ve played but honestly better than most. Course design is so on point with the land it lays on. There are no miraculous views outside that at the clubhouse but the course brings this fairly normal piece of property to life. Staff was friendly and very helpful. I read a few horror story reviews before I played here and was honestly a little concerned. Everyone I spoke with was super friendly, even at 7:00 a.m.. Anyone that has issue with course conditions is probably an absolute hack that played terrible and was looking to blame something else instead of their 1-star swing.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 21
Handicap 0-4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Incredible Layout - Wish Restaurant was Open

Really enjoyed our time. Played on a Monday afternoon, and got a good rate ($65). Didn't get there in time to hit the range, but as many have mentioned, the range isn't anything to write home about - but that really didn't bother us at all.

Basically had the course to ourselves, as most others playing were well ahead of us. Probably deserves a 4.5 star rating. I will explain why it's not a 5 at the bottom.

The layout is tremendous. It is a classic Doak design. I've played Arcadia Bluffs South, and this layout rivals - and probably beats it. Some of the holes here felt the same as the holes on Arcadia South. We really all were impressed with it. I will say - the back 9 layout is awesome. Especially 10-15. Not sure anyone plays only 9 holes here, but if you do, make sure it's the back.

As many have said, the fescue/tall grass is essentially a lost ball. We did find a couple that we could play - but they were on the edges and had good sight on them. If you hit it in by a lot, you're likely not going to find it.

I was not expecting the halfway house to be open based on other views, but to our surprise it was. The girl in there was nice, and it was fully stocked.

My only complaints were this:

1) While some have mentioned the course being too difficult - I actually think it needs to play firmer and faster. There were a number of shots we hit that probably should've ended up off the green that didn't, or should've rolled up more onto the green, and didn't. It feels the course should play like traditional links - low to the ground - and on long shots it did - because of wind. However, around the greens, putting from off it was not a great option as the fringe/fairways are much longer than traditional links courses. I felt the greens were a decent firmness and speed, but probably are designed to be a bit more.

2) We were told when we arrived that the restaurant was not open - so at least we had a heads up. They did have bar service there and also at the half way house so we were able to grab drinks/snacks/food. However, it is still a bit disappointing that we couldn't eat at the restaurant after our round - we finished around 6:45pm. The patio of the restaurant has an AMAZING view.

3) As mentioned above - we finished our round about 6:45. We wanted to grab a few more drinks and buy some gear from the pro shop. While there were two young men in there, they told us they could not sell us the drinks or the merchandise because the computers had been shut down for the day. Seemed very strange to shut down the opportunity to make some money at 645pm. Kind of had us leave with a sour taste in our mouths after what was an otherwise great golf experience.

All told, I recommend this course. You can definitely tell why it's a top 100 course in the US, and honestly if they truly get it to the firm/fast label they want, it will remain a top 100 to play for years to come.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fun course!

Challenging fast undulating greens. Tough pin placements.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Enjoyable Round

The course is very forgiving and provides a lot of open areas for shots, but definitely is a bit tricky on the eye. I enjoyed the layout and design immensely, very different than other courses in the area. Will come back next time in the area.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good course

Great course to play, but book direct with course, golf now is just not a good deal anymore

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Fun Layout, Great Views

Links style course set on top of a hill. Is it always windy? Many holes run up hill or down hill. Not too long, wider fairways than they look off the tee. Nice chipping areas around each green for near misses. Fun course to play. Grill is closed.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 46
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart

Fun Track Even in the Rain

The course was in good shape and remained so even though it was a light and steady rain.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fun to play

Not sure if pins are always this close to the edge, but they were on at least 6 holes today. Putted it off the green on two different holes. Fun to play, but total craziness when you get to the green.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
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