Courtesy of the resort
Arcadia Bluffs: South Course
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.
2023-'24 ranking: No. 53.
Best in State: Ranked eighth, 2021-'22.
2023-'24 ranking: Seventh.
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
“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
Review
“This is one flat piece of property. Borderline excessive use of bunkers. As a result, there is risk/reward on virtually every hole for at least one shot. will be difficult for the higher handicapper to score well. Very firm greens."
Read More2024
Review
“Excellent companion course to The Bluffs! Impressively thought out where they have taken a flat piece of land in the geometric style of Raynor and MacDonald yet made every hole different. You are very seldom asked to hit a similar shot to what you have hit before. The bunkering gets in your head visually and leaves that touch of lovely uncertainty as you stand on the tee boxes. What's even more fun is that the turf, conditioning, and large amount of green approaches allow for you to use the ground to get the shot close to the hole allowing for multiple styles of play."
Read More2023
Review
“Very disappointed in South course. Started to take pictures but stopped after 2nd hole as every view from the tee looked the same. Basically flat without a tree and nearly every green was large, rolling, with deep bunkers behind the green so shots that didn't hold rolled off the green into the bunkers. Never sure how short of the green to hit the shot to keep it on the green. There was a stiff breeze when I played but expect that's normal."
Read More2023
Review
“Incredible greens which require so much strategy which approaches and putts. Great bunkering off the tees and around greens. Fairways wide and bombs away and most all holes require thinking starting on the second shot. Fairways very fast. Unique to a major degree."
Read More2023
Review
“If you like throw back design and the McDonald era, this course is for you."
Read More2023
Review
“A very good option when in the area to play the Bluffs course at Arcadia Bluffs, but a secondary option to the Bluffs course. It has some Raynor character and design elements. If you play it as your warm-up to the Bluffs, it will probably have a good feel to it. If you play it after the Bluffs, it's a bit of a let down. On its own, it is a fine option."
Read More2023
Review
“Friendly off the tee, for a public course I found the greens too firm and apt to shed balls off. I had a lot of shots “visit” greens. I suspect if you play regularly some of that gets better as you learn where to approach from."
Read More2023
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 More2022
