coldplayer

Greens in great condition. Could use more sand in bunkers. Deep rough on most holes. Took about 1 hr 45 minutes to complete 9 holes .

First you have to get there. Turning off the road you are confronted by an electronically controlled gate and you have to announce your arrival at a squawk box. The reply wasn't really intelligible but the gate magically opened and you have to negotiate a 15 minute drive up a narrow road w/ several blind hairpin turns (mirrors placed at several points). You also have to avoid numerous sheep wandering about. Arriving at the course there is a small parking lot. If you are renting clubs don't bother driving up to the bag drop as there is no parking up there.
My round was played in steady 35 mph wind and temp was mid 60's Fahrenheit. To give you an idea on the wind, on #7 I killed a 3W (normal distance over 250 yd) from 192 yd and it floated to the green and stuck 10 ft from pin like a lob wedge. I played the par 5's from the Blues and everything else from the Whites. This property is amazing. The first few holes are nothing special, but beginning w/ #4 it begins to pick up. My favorites were #6 (w/ left pin plmt), #12 (aptly named Infinity), #'s 15 and 16. Much of the visual impact of the steep cliffs portrayed in aerial photos is lost on you as you stand at ground level on the course because you can't really see the drop offs for the most part.
The Course is laid out very nicely for walking. Plenty of yardage markers showing both meters and yards. Three pin positions provided for greens. Course condition was what you might expect from a lightly played track. Very few ball marks on greens and pristine fairways. Pace of play was whatever I wanted it to be because I was the only person playing as far as I could tell. Finished in 3 hr 50 min and that includes about 10-15 minutes of taking photos. (My wife walked along but didn't play so she became the photographer.)
My only two negatives are, first, the pricing is deceptive as they add 15% GST. So the advertised NZ$475 is really $546. Add in rental clubs and pull cart and you are looking at NZ$ 640 or about US$480 at the time, You get 15% off if you stay at one of their rental units, but there are far less expensive alternatives nearby.
The rental clubs (Taylormade) were also disappointing. The woods and hybrid were okay, but the irons were game improvement model w/ the real fat soles (yuck) and the putter was way too light for my liking. At least they did offer stiff shafts.
I wouldn't pay the list price to play this course again (NZ residents get 50% discount) but for a one time deal if you get the chance I'd have to say give it a go. And bring a good camera.

Best course in mid Michigan. Not in class with 2 of the best courses in state - Arcadia or Forest Dunes, but it is $100 less than those two. Fairways are pretty generous on most holes. Par 3's are all pretty challenging especially 2 and 17 (island green). Hardly any trees on course. Greens are reasonable and roll true. Only problem is pace of play when course is busy. Course is costlier than Hawk Hollow across the street, but do yourself a favor and pay the extra $ to play this one if you have a choice.