Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course

Majestic, breathtaking, grandeur are the types of words that come mind when meandering thru this course...especially 11 - 13...I have never been to a more beautiful course. The course itself is in prime condition and the greens are firm, fast, true, and some are very undulating. The layout is superb and offers a diverse, challenging test of golf. The clubhouse, food, pro shop, range, and service from the moment I arrived is what I would expect from a top 15 public course...the cost for a round is not though...comparing costs of the other top 15 ranked courses for a round, this is cheap! The only thing that was not spot on was the pace of play...we had a 5 hr round even with marshalls trying to move things along. But, honestly, I didn't mind because it gave more time to soak in the views and take pictures waiting for the group in front of us to clear. Even though this bucket list course is checked off my list, I definitely want to go back...it's that good.

I may be biased because I don't like links style courses but I feel Arcadia is a tad overrated. It is top 10 in Michigan without a doubt but I wasn't impressed with the condition of the course. I feel that it almost gets too much play. #11 may be the toughest hole I have ever played. It's long, narrow, and into the wind coming off the lake.

The highlight of the trip is the restaurant and bar and outdoor patio. If you play here then you should stay at the lodge in order to make the experience complete. The rooms are spectacular and beds are very comfortable. Sunset over Lake Michigan is breathtaking!

While scenery and course itself would be at the top of anyone's list, the pace of play detracts from the beauty. we played 2 days and it was 5 hr, and almost 5 1/2 hr day 2. On course marshalls no where to be seen. Because of this I would not return or recommend this course to a friend.

While you could debate which course is Michigan's best, it would be tough to argue who has the most dramatic setting. That's Arcadia Bluffs, thanks to a perch well above Lake Michigan that makes every step here feel like it's on the ocean. The greens are large and fast and undulating, pot bunkers are plentiful and the grass and dunes can be very penal. I really like the five par 3s and five par 5s that increase scoring opportunities and hole variety. I could nitpick a few design shortcomings that makes it merely a Top 5 pick in Michigan instead of a slam dunk No. 1, but nobody walks off the 18th disappointed here, that's for sure.

I have had the opportunity to play some great courses around the country and Arcadia Bluffs still stands out in my mind - definite top 5 behind the likes of Pine Valley and Merion.

The course is challenging but definitely fair, for golfers of most skill levels. If you have the opportunity to play, I suggest not passing it up!

I have played most of the great Michigan courses including Bay Harbor, Tullymore, the Galles & Oakland Hills South. While all of them are great in some way, Arcadia takes my No. 1 ranking because it challenges you on every hole, and provides scenic natural views o a level than none of the others do. The top notch facility and staff are equal to those of the best resort Courses I have ever played anywhere. This one is a must play but play it a second time after you have some "local knowledge" about positioning your shots.