Courtesy of Gary Kellner, Dimpled Rock
L.C. Lambrecht
Crystal Downs Country Club
Frankfort, MI•Private
Awards
Panelists Score
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
Golf Digest 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
“An incredible course from start to finish. Crystal Downs could be played five days a week and never get old. It’s the type of setup that any level of golfer can enjoy and appreciate."
Read More2026
Review
“Greens are immaculate, like most MacKenzie courses you better approach the hole locations from the right place or the very overused "you can't get there from here" will be stated by your caddie and playing partners. Fantastic layout, playable and very walkable."
Read More2026
Review
“Mackenzie & Maxwell design with a great routing and challenging green complexes. The front 9 has open sightlines while the back 9 plays much different mostly a loop through the trees. Par 4 holes #5 and #17 are unique and full of shot options. Par 4 hole #7 had an incredible green complex (almost every hole does) and par 3 hole #11 had us aiming 20 feet sideways away from the pin while putting back to front. Par 70 and 6509yds from the back tees plays challenging but fair. Our feeling of a "3 club wind" was considered a mild day and seemed to always be a factor."
Read More2025
Review
“+ Great set of short par 4s. + Expansive beauty, especially the front nine. - Greens speeds vs slopes a bit too challenging. - Bunkers need some work."
Read More2025
Review
“This 6500 yard course from the tips packs all the challenge that a much longer course due to the diabolical green complexes created by Maxwell. Stunning piece of hilltop land the course was routed on between Crystal Lake and Lake Michigan. The player will seemingly use every club in the bag multiple times throughout the round, again a surprise for a shorter course."
Read More2025
Review
“This 6500 yard course from the tips packs all the challenge that a much longer course due to the diabolical green complexes created by Maxwell. Stunning piece of hilltop land the course was routed on between Crystal Lake and Lake Michigan. The player will seemingly use every club in the bag multiple times throughout the round, again a surprise for a shorter course."
Read More2025
Review
“Certainly a special golf experience and worthy of the ranking. I do wonder aloud if the best way to honor the MacKenzie/Perry layout would be to flatten the green slopes slightly to better fit current green speeds. OR just enjoy the timelessness and enjoy the ride!"
Read More2025
Review
“Crystal Downs is an elite golf experience and among the top courses in the world. The course is located between Lake Michigan and Crystal Lake offering significant elevation changes on the majority of holes and some beautiful vistas. The holes are distinctive and offer excellent variety. The most challenging part of the course starts with approach shots into exceptional green complexes. The green complexes are among the best and will challenge all parts of the short game. The collection of high quality short 4s is unique. These holes offer a wide variety of shots options off the tee."
Read More2024
Review
“This Allister MacKenzie and Perry Maxwell masterpiece is an outstanding and memorable golf experience! If you are lucky enough to have the opportunity to play Crystal Downs, definitely do it! Strong elevation changes and very interesting hole designs make this such a unique layout."
Read More2023
Review
“Hard to add more to what has already been said. The land on which this course is laid out is so much fun. I wish I could go around it 100 more times."
Read More2023
