Nile Young
Nile Young
Nile Young
Nile Young
Nile Young
Nile Young
Nile Young
Nile Young
Nile Young
Nile Young
Nile Young
Nile Young Jr.
Nile Young Jr.
Nile Young Jr.
Nile Young Jr.
Nile Young Jr.
Nile Young Jr.
Nile Young Jr.
Nile Young Jr.
Nile Young Jr.
Nile Young Jr.
Nile Young Jr.
Nile Young Jr.
Nile Young Jr.
American Dunes
American Dunes
17000 Lincoln St
Grand Haven, MI 49417-8854
United States
Telephone
Overview
American Dunes opened in 2021 and is a total reinvention of an existing course. In this case, Nicklaus took a wooded, decades-old design and nearly cleansed it of trees, opening up views across a lunar surface of heaving sandscapes that separate the holes. Extreme topographical variety has replaced a succession of narrow, repetitive golf holes with circular greens and players now face enticing tee shots that must skirt sand barrens and putting surfaces shaped in all manner of size and pitch. Created by Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, whose family owns the property, much of the course’s proceeds are donated to Folds of Honor, a charitable foundation that supports injured veterans, their families, and awards scholarships to children of wounded or killed military men and women.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Best in State: Ranked 21st, 2023-'24. Ranked 26th, 2025-'26.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“The course is a must see for the golf and the "Folds of Honor' tribute. Love the plaques on each hole describing each of Jack's 18 majors. Also love the memorial entrance"
Read More2025
Review
“A renovation of several holes, and a new course for most of the holes, American Dunes is a unique golf experience. The backbone of the course/facilities is the Folds of Honor Foundation and military service. From the first tee, there are homages to the United States Military. From the walkway tribute to fallen soldiers, the unique clubhouse with massive fighter jet models and artwork donning the walls (Not a part of my scoring). On the course, this extends from the use of "Freedom is not Free" painted on the turf near several tee boxes, to the oversized USA flag on hole #9/#10, and the nickel tribute on hole 17. These on-course features are not necessarily course design, but I do feel they add to the character of the golf course experience/ambiance so I valued them in that section. The course is built on a sandy lot with numerous native appearing sandy bunker/waste hazard areas on most holes. There is a variety of long/short holes, and uphill and downhill shots with a few blind shots which are used sparingly but fun. There are only 3 doglegs, and they are all dogleg right. The greens roll true and are firm and fast. And the green complexes have some good options surrounding with some fairway-length aprons around many of the greens. There are numerous bailout areas which allow the less skilled player to still have a good time/fair test of golf while still challenging the better player through green contouring on the greens. There are a few holes #9, #1, #2, and #18 which head away and to the clubhouse which are remnants of the old design. Because of a housing development and road constrains, these holes could not be changes much, and lack(don't fit in ) with the rest of the design. The two areas that shine are the entirety of the back 9 from 10-17 which plays west in a very sandy and topographically interesting piece of property. I think Jack was able to better use the land here and the routing has some really neat spots. Hole 7 and 12 green are close in proximity and from this hilltop, you can see #8 tee, 11 green, 13 tee, 17 fairway. This routing is pretty intimate and I enjoy the tree removal has afforded the golfer better views of the entirety of the course on several spots. There are several double fairways. If you use the connection between the two fairways, it allows for a fairway shot, but with a much worse angle/blind shot. This again will make the course manageable for the 10-25 handicap. I think that as the course matures, there will be a little easier time playing ground shots. Several times I tried to play a low running shot in the fairway near the green and the grass in its current maturity snags the ball rather than bouncing cleanly. I expect this will likely improve over time."
Read More2025
Review
“Wonderful course sculped through tree-lined dunes. Greens are exceptionally challenging as Club keeps green speeds at PGA Tour levels. Great experience and open to all. Military theme is inspiring."
Read More2025
Review
“A good Nicklaus designed course worth a visit to experience the Folds of Honor Foundation honoring fallen military."
Read More2025
Review
“A good Nicklaus designed course honoring the Folds of Honor Foundation and fallen military. Many holes have typical long, shallow Nicklaus greens that decrease playability."
Read More2025
Review
“Conditioning: 6.38 Good condition for being early in the season still. Slower greens uphill but smooth roll. Healthy turf. Some patchy areas in rough, also probably a result of the winter. Shot Options: 6.74 Nice placement of bunkers/penalty areas make you think off the tee and into greens. Risks and rewards. Recoverable. Great angles and choices. Varied green contours. Fun: 7.4 Goes with the character and interest of the course supporting veterans. Each hole had a throwback to a Jack Nicklaus major victory and a story of a veteran who had passed. For the most part, an open course with generous landing areas and great views of multiple holes at one time, in multiple parts of the course. Large American flags and taps at 13:00. Challenge: 6.58 Challenging but fair from back tees. Looks more difficult than it feels as you play. Turtleback style of collars make placement on greens difficult. Great undulation on and around greens. Layout Variety: 6.65 Good variety of shots into greens/different club usage. Favored a left to right shot most of the day, however, most holes were pretty straightaway minus a few dog leg rights. Definitely varied green contours and hazard/penalty placements. Navigates different terrain throughout the course in between tree lined areas and open areas with large waste bunkers. Great shape to fairway bunkers/waste areas. Aesthetics: 6.83 Use of fescue and native areas. Creates color contrast in addition to the waste bunkers/dunes with grass islands. They provide great aesthetics looking down the hole. Heavily treelined on the first few holes with small ponds. Use of dunes on the first hole. Character: 7.15 This is where the course excels. Jack redesigns the old Grand Haven Golf Course (built 1965) from 2018-2021 (waives his fee for doing so) and really buys into the patriotic theme for the Folds of Honor, given it was the site of that first event. Fairly difficult course but fun for all to play. Use of local dunes in the natural landscape and name. Favors a left to right shot similar to his other designs. Each hole had a throwback to a Jack Nicklaus major victory and a story of a veteran who had passed.Large American flags around the course and taps at 13:00."
Read More2025
Review
“Wonderful concept and everyone should consider playing this course. Nicklaus freed up the dunes lying hidden near the shores of Lake Michigan, replacing fairways lined by tunnels of trees that existed before. Panoramic views and dramatic holes. Conditions are getting better considering how much play the course gets. If you or family members are in the military or veterans, you'll not leave this place dry-eyed. A true legacy to our fighting men and women who gave all for their country...and American Dunes respects that."
Read More2024
Review
“This place is unlike many other Jack Nicklau's designs. It plays firm and fast and it's for a great cause."
Read More2024
Review
“Course was playing firm and fast."
Read More2024
Review
“Outstanding golf course combined with a very patriotic environment and purpose. Course meanders through tree lined fairways amongst sandy waste areas throughout. Good variety of long and short holes providing shot options both on the tees and into the greens. Playing conditions were good. Overall, the patriotic atmosphere and quality of the course created an excellent day of golf."
Read More2024
