Courtesy of the resort
Arcadia Bluffs: South Course
Arcadia, MI • Public
Arcadia Bluffs: South Course
14710 Northwood Hwy
Arcadia, MI 49613-9716
United States
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Overview
The challenge at Arcadia Bluffs for architects Dana Fry and Jason Straka was to create a course that guests would want to play as often as they do the original course. But how can golf built on non-descript farmland compete with a course set on dramatic bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan? The answer: Do something entirely different. Channeling another famous but rather indifferent site, the designers turned to Chicago Golf Club and the architecture of C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor for inspiration. The South Course is a throwback in time, a jigsaw puzzle of intersecting bunkers, centerline hazards, alternate routes of play and geometric shaping. It interprets the strategic spirit of Raynor and Chicago Golf Club without replicating any specific holes. Where the Bluffs Course is a feast for the eye, the South Course is a treat for the intellect.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest Public: Ranked since 2021-'22.
2025-'26 ranking (and previous): 53rd.
Best in State: Ranked seventh, 2023-'26. Ranked eighth, 2021-'22.
2025-'26 ranking (and previous): 7th.
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
“Completely different experience than its brother Bluffs course - feels unrelated. Greens are large, firm and fast - requires really thoughful approach play. Off the tee immense flexibility, this course earns its card on the green complexes. Greens are extremely pinnable. Designed to make CB proud."
Read More2026
Review
“If you like links golf, this is a fun course. Elevated greens, square bunkers, and Church Pews give it a throwback flavor. Just 2 miles north is its acclaimed sister course, The Bluffs Course. If there, you must play both."
Read More2026
Review
“A golf course I didn't expect to like that was incredibly fun, unique, and thought provoking. Fantastic hazard and bunker placement throughout that forced you to think through and be deliberate on every single shot. Firm, fast, rolling terrain enabled the ground game and forced creativity and strategic planning for tee shots, approach shots, and short game shots around the green. The 17th is a striking hole (with the church pew style bunkers up the left) that forces strategic decision making based on pin location and wind direction. The par 3 5th, is a fantastic short hole with an infinity style green, and severe fall offs are reminiscent of the par 3 9th at High Point. A few weak holes on the back nine that go a little over the top hold this back, but overall a fantastic test and routing. While it sits in the shadow of its more famous sister course, Arcadia Bluffs, and its lake views, I'd rather play the South Course."
Read More2026
Review
“Thoroughly enjoyable links walk with shot choices galore. Conditioning and layout were a pleasure to experience."
Read More2025
Review
“If you're going to the Bluffs you have to make time for the South. Not as scenic but more fun to play and completely different game."
Read More2025
Review
“there was some redundancy here. I anticipated more as has a hint of Seth Raynor in look and feel but repeatedly just came up short. Still a good golf course to enjoy while at Arcadia Bluffs."
Read More2025
Review
“The new South Course at Arcadia is a fun playable golf course. The holes are straight and the fairways wide but that does not make it easy because the greens are unique and difficult."
Read More2025
Review
“The South Course at Arcadia Bluffs is stunning. Most holes give you a view of the entire complex. The greeens are massive -- averaging over 9,500 square feet - almost 3x the size of Pebble Beach; and they roll true. It is the ultimate links course: encouraging low shows that run out, no trees or water, punishing fairway bunkers with sod faces. It is well conditioned, plays difficult (but fair), and offers playability to all skill levels."
Read More2025
Review
“I believe the bluffs course is the most underrated golf course in America. An absolute gem, it is always a blast to play. Most every hole is interesting. No. 3 is my favorite hole I've ever played. The second shot provides so many options, and the further right you are (while still in the fairway) just compound them. The infinity green will repel poorly struck shots, even short ones. The punchbowl 4th. The Biarritz green on the par-5 fifth! How unique! What angle do you want to approach the special green from? The brawny uphill 8th that provides all the fairway space you could want but choose the correct angle to the green. Amazing version of the Road hole at the 10th. The incredibly fun par 5 11th who's green has about 8 shelves and several different way to get to all of them. The hero shot on 13. 16 holes with a view of Lake Michigan."
Read More2024
Review
“Relatively flat course played through wispy range grasses. Dramatic course design features included square shaped greens and geometric shaped bunkers. Well placed fairway bunkers created shot options and challenges off most tees. Run off areas and uniquely designed bunkers around greens also created challenges hitting into the large rolling greens. Course played firm and fast."
Read More2024
