Crystal Downs Country Club

Crystal Downs Country Club

249 E Crystal Downs Dr

Frankfort, MI 49635-9528

United States

Overview

Perry Maxwell, the Midwest associate of architect Alister MacKenzie, lived on site while constructing the course to MacKenzie’s plans, but there’s evidence Maxwell exercised considerable artistic license on some holes. Whomever did it, Crystal Downs has fairways that zigzag and rumble over the glacial landscape and greens that have doglegs in them. One drawback is that the putting surfaces are so old-fashioned that they’re too steep for today’s green speeds. But that’s part of Crystal Downs appeal. It’s short but has considerable bite.

About

Holes 18
Length 6560
Slope 143
Facility Type Private
Year Opened 1931
Designer Alister MacKenzie/Perry Maxwell, ASGCA

Awards

100 Greatest
Best Courses in Every State

Ranking history:

100 Greatest: Ranked since 1989.
Highest ranking: No. 10, 2007-'08.
Previous ranking: 14th.
2025-'26 ranking: 15th.

Best in State: Ranked first, 1989-'93, 2005-'22. Ranked inside the top 5 since 1977. Ranked 1st in state 1989-'93 & 2005-'26.
2025-'26 ranking: First.

Golf Digest Logo Panelists

Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists

4.7

100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES

Shot Options
8.1226
Character
8.2977
Challenge
8.0432
Layout Variety
8.2625
Fun
7.9002
Aesthetics
8.0221
Conditioning
7.9587

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