No. 9 is a short par 3 over water at Forest Dunes Golf Club.
6376 Forest Dunes Drive, Roscommon, Michigan 48653, US
(989) 275-0700
Location Map

About Forest Dunes

Forest Dunes had a rocky start two decades ago, but under owner Lew Thompson has shot to the top of the heap among Michigan's golf resorts. The construction of the Lake AuSable Lodge and The Loop, the ground-breaking reversible course by Tom Doak, has added a stay-and-play component that was never available in the past beyond Tom Weiskopf's excellent original design. With the return of a Hilltop putting course in 2018 (previously dormant for a decade) and the new 10-hole executive course by Riley Johns and Keith Rhebb debuting in 2020, Forest Dunes continues to raise the bar.

Facts

Price Range$$$$
Property Class★★★★
Acres500
Year Opened2002
Number of UnitsLess than 100

Amenities & Services

RestaurantsCasual
Room TypesRoom, Suite
Short CourseYes
Practice FacilityYes
Beach AccessYes
Banquet SpaceYes

Rules

Is the resort pet friendly?No
Is resort stay required for a tee time?No

Golf courses at Forest Dunes

Videos about Forest Dunes

You're ready to watch!
You can now enjoy GolfPass videos and more.
Play_Icon Play

Up Next

Autoplay is paused

Companion Content

Reviews

4.9
146 Reviews (146)

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Walked

Good walking course. Great conditions.

Good walking course. Lunch menu is really weak. Nothing healthy...just basic bar food. And the draft beer system was busted. When they get the second course in…this will be a great destination.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 34
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Gem in the Middle of Nowhere

Forest Dunes was touted to me by many as nicer than Michigan's premier public course Arcadia Bluffs. While the actual course condition may have been a little better, (and the greens faster) it simply could not match the overall aesthetics or playability of Arcadia.

That said, wow, what a gem in the middle of nowhere!!! And the value for the money is far superior to the $180 Arcadia charges. However, for a place that claims to be a bucket list golf destination, the lack of GPS or any kind of caddie program was disappointing.

From tee to green, this course was as pristine as some of the finest Country Clubs I have played. The course strategy was pretty much straight forward without any complicated sight-lines. Each hole was framed beautifully by trees, yet the course didn't play like it was tree-lined. It was certainly a unique experience, but not on par with the Pebble Beaches, Whistling Straits & Arcadias of the world.

Overall it was a fantastic round at a fantastic course and should you find yourself in the middle of nowhere it's worth playing. And if Tom Doak does build a second course there, it's probably worth a weekend stay!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 75
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 500 Contributor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Punishing

Forest Dunes appears as the name implies- with forested areas and sand dunes all around. It is a beautiful course that reflects the natural landscape in this part of northern Michigan. The course is very difficult. If you stray fron the fairway you are either in brush, forest or bunkers and can expect to lose balls. If you manage to get to the green, the real punishment starts. The greens are faster than any I ever played and probably faster than 90 percent of golfers are used to - they are like glass. Invariably, if you land on the green with an iron or chip shot your ball will roll off. Once you start putting expect to be doing so at least three times on almost every hole. Finally pin placement adds to the humiliation and beat down. Go play the course if you can but expect to leave down trodden and doubting your ability to play golf at all.

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

Excellent conditions

Wide fairways, big traps and green complexes, fast greens. Very nice range. The "Bye Hole" is a very nice finishing touch.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Well worth the effort to get there!

Perfect greens and great layout! New Tom Doak course next door breaking ground now!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
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

Amazing

With the hot deals on the GolfNow app I was able to play this course for under $70. At that price it was more then anything I could have wished for. The course was in perfect shape along with the complimentary practice areas. This was the best golf experience I have ever had.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great course

Everything about the course was outstanding. Green speed took some adjustment however rolled exceptionally true.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Fair weather
Used cart

Beautiful Course !

Forest Dunes was in excellent shape. The greens we running fast and smooth. The fairways were in great shape.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 35
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Fair weather
Used cart

Bucket list course

A must course to pla.y one of the best courses in MI. Difficult but very fair and playable. Greens run fast with lots of breaks. Rough was very healthy.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

course was outstanding

Was a joy to play the course! ! Only problem I had was the pace of play. I would definitely recommend it to others!!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
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

Great course!

Fairways and tees are sooooo nice. Greens are fast and roll true. Wonderful course, a golfers dream. A true hidden treasure.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Outstanding

Excellent course, perfect conditions, pace of play was great until Saturday morning got a little slow . Starters ( bills) were very friendly. Only suggestion would be maybe a few other items for non golfers who come with (pool) etc. excellent place with future plans to be even better!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Beautiful course in great shape

2nd time playing this course and conditions of course have been excellent both times. Did not experience any real slow downs, kept pace with group in front and pace moved along nicely. Look forward to what the new course will offer in 2017

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The best public gof course in the lower peninsula.

The course was aerated 2 weeks previous, but the greens were very fast and true. This truly is a bucket list course in Michigan.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Beautiful course, play was very slow due to the foursome in front of us. But overall, excellent rating:)

Beautiful course, excellent condition. Would recommend this course to anyone who loves the game!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Amazing course

By far the best course I've ever played. Holes are extremely challenging so I had a high score but I didn't care cuz the course was beautiful. You gotta golf here at least once in your life!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Lives up to its number two ranking in Michigan.

Awesome golf course and so accomodating from the moment we pulled in. The greens must certainly be the best in Michigan. Exceeded our expectations. Pure golf. The real 19th hole was a nice way to end the day.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Top 5 course for me all time!!

Fantastic on all fronts! I just wish it was closer so I could play more often

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

Very beautiful course

Absolutely a great course. Extremely well maincured fairway's and greens. The bunkers make it very challenging and it is surrounded by beauty.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Excellent course, it's really a toss up on whose number 1 in Michigan among public courses, the worse for it is second.

Very slow play, won't finish if start at 3:00 pm. 1

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Now Reading