5085 Shanty Creek Road, Bellaire, Michigan 49615, US
(231) 533-9000
Location Map

About The Chief

The Chief is one of three golf resorts within close proximity of one another in Bellaire - Hawk's Eye Golf Resort and Shanty Creek Resorts the others. It offers several accommodation choices. The golf cottages along the fifth fairway are executive quality with upper and lower units. Each one sleeps eight (four double beds total) with a kitchen and living space. The five-bedroom Valley View home is located across the street from the course. A four-bedroom cabin called "The Roost" sits on the 18th fairway close to the Pelican's Nest restaurant. For all three options, passes to the Shanty Creek Resorts pool facility are included. The Blue Pelican Inn & Restaurant, run by the same owners, is roughly 10 miles away in Central Lake.

Facts

Price Range$$
Property Class★★★
Year Opened1996
Number of UnitsLess than 100

Amenities & Services

RestaurantsCasual
Practice FacilityYes

Rules

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

Golf courses at The Chief

Reviews

4.5
155 Reviews (155)
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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
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 Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

First visit

So, not a bad track. I think I visited a bit too early in the season... first, the course. Very quirky layout that weaves among the trees and hills. This generates a lot of tunnel like driving views and blind or “target“ golf. Which means, if you’ve never played the course before, or you’re not a scratch golfer, a bit hard to think your way around the course. But, oh well, that’s out of their control of the personnel at the golf course. So, if that doesn’t bother you, you would probably like the course.

Next, the amenities/staff. They were nice, just seemed like stuff wasn’t really rolling yet. The small bar and clubhouse only had one employee and she would “nuke“ you a hotdog if you needed to eat..... The other part that is a bit odd is they had twosomes, threesomes, foursomes, and singles (me) all over the course. Makes for a very fragmented pace of play.

So, all in all,… average. Hard market up here with so many great golf courses. Nothing about this course stood out to bring me back. But, The people seemed great, so nothing would have me tell people “stay away“…

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Beautiful course

This course is amazing definitely a resort course because there are long cart rides between holes. Overall was very impressed and will play here again next fall

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Challenging

The course was in overall great condition for being late season. It was a challenge for us average golfers, but we had a blast nonetheless! I would definitely recommend checking it out!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great Challenge

One of the most polarizing courses out there. I’m personally on the side that loves the unique challenges this course has. It is super tough, but in a fun way. If blind shots are going to frustrate you or if your only into straight up country club play, I would say go elsewhere. One of the best golf restaurants too at the chief which is a plus too.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Amazing landscape

Golf course was great. Bar could kick it up a notch on the serving effort.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 45
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Beautiful experience

I golfed with my husband, son, and daughter in law and we all enjoyed the course! Beautiful setting in the mountain!! Lots of hills!! Definitely a must do!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Chief wins

If you don't like target golf, then stay away. One of the most scenic courses ever played. You have to be on your gam cuz errant shots are gone. I thought I hit some really good ones and never found them. even so, I would play here again now that I know that layout.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 44
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

For advanced players only

This course is for the advanced player: many blind spots, sloping greens, heavy rough along the fairways. Directions are not at all clear. It took me awhile to figure out where the pro shop was. During the round, I played hole #7 when intending to play #3. Later, I spent 10 minutes looking for #16, despite following the one sign. Play was very slow because a best ball tournament was taking place ahead of me. I lost more balls during my round than on any other course I've played in the U.S.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Challenging Course

Great Northern Michigan golf experience. Very good value for the $$. The layout was very challenging. The yardage is short but really does not play that way with many blind shots into greens and very tight landing areas off of the tee. Not a beginner's course at all.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Course is beautiful and week maintained. Very nice layout through woods. One of best courses I have played.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great course

The course was in superior shape. The course director was very accommodating; we were an hour early for our tee time with 6 players and he let us go off without a hitch. A great time!

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