the loop red course forest dunes
Roscommon, MI • Public
Evan Schiller
Evan Schiller
Evan Schiller
Evan Schiller
Evan Schiller
Evan Schiller
Evan Schiller
Evan Schiller
Evan Schiller
Evan Schiller
Overview
The Red Course is the counterclockwise routing of The Loop, and as the name suggests, both it and the Black Course play out to ninth holes at a far corner of the property, then back in. What’s most impressive in playing the Red (and the Black, for that matter), is that there is never the sensation of playing a hole backwards. The topography, bunkering and green entrances are all so compelling that it’s barely noticeable that each serves two purposes. The Loop is part of the Forest Dunes resort, which also contains Forest Dunes (No. 32 on 100 Greatest Public), a fine Tom Weiskopf design.
About
Awards
100 Greatest Public: Ranked since 2019.
Highest ranking: 47th, 2019-'20.
Previous ranking: 78th.
2023-'24 ranking: No. 69.
Best in State: Ranked 10th, 2019-'20. Ranked 15th, 2021-'22.
Current ranking: 12th.
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
“On the Red Course of the Loop, Tom Doak offered solid shot options. The player is encouraged to use the ground, chasing shots onto the green, using the wild undulations on the greens to access the pin. While most of the course is wide open and open to shots of any shape, the player is penalized for hitting into the wrong place. For instance, on the 6th, my tee shot was the best of our group, flying just past the pin. What no one could see from the tee was the bunker beyond the green. It isn't really in play on the Red Course but front and center on the Black Course. Not knowing of that bunker as we played the Red, I struggled to escape and scrambled for a triple. The entire complex of the Loop was firm and fast. But the massive greens were potentially overdone. On the 15th, four of us used wedges into the greens. None of us actually hit it. The green was so firm, our shots were all repelled 30 yards deep. Perhaps it was just the pin placements. But still - not fun. Due to the massive size of the greens, you needed to have great touch and excellent green reading skills. Some of the breaks were obvious while others were so subtle, you couldn't see it until the putt broke the wrong way. Given the open nature of the course, the greens are its the defense. Layout variety would be improved if fewer of the holes offered greater diversity. By my count 11 played straight and eight were flat."
Read More2024
Review
“A unique reversible course situation, with exceptionally firm and fast conditions. Extremely playable for all while significant challenge awaits better players. A course on should experience."
Read More2024
Review
“Reversible nature of The Loop golf course very interesting and a great trip to play the Loop as well as nearby Forest Dunes. Well worth the trip to play these."
Read More2023
Review
“The Loop at Forest Dunes is an amazing and unique layout born out of an incredible idea to have a reversible golf course with two routings in one. The turf is firm here and the run-offs are severe, which makes shotmaking and near-misses very difficult for those unable to make very crisp contact. The greensites are wonderfully dynamic, and worth special study. To me the Red course is slightly superior to its counterpart, but these are next-level golf courses that everyone should see."
Read More2023
Review
“Unique reversible layout but not as well done as Silvies Ranch. With only 18 green there are several in each direction where shots come into severely slooping greens from front to back. Really hard to keep balls on the green. Lots of chipping from behind the greens on both loops. Nice idea and tough to pull off but fun to play once or twice. Expect the second time may be easier. The uniqueness attracts lots of guests! I liked to Black routing a little better than the Red."
Read More2023
Review
“Just from the uniqueness, this reversable course should be experienced, both ways."
Read More2023
Review
“The course is just too unusual for a serious golfer to enjoy. Conditioning was not good on the day that we played it. The fairways are fescue, but there are many other examples of better fescue on the fairways. Maybe it's the grass type of maybe the maintenance. Either way, it's a step down from the Forest Dunes Dunes course."
Read More2023
Review
“A unique layout that can be played backward or forward. Fescue fairways and tee boxes as well as the style of bunkering let you know that you are in for a links day on the course. Greens were firm and fast requiring approach shots to be judged appropriately for some release. Poorly struck approach shots would not hold. Little elevation change on the course. Subtle slopes in the greens make putting a challenge. A very links type feel to the layout makes the course enjoyable and adds to the character and ambiance. Plenty of options to run your ball up to green as well as how to play short game shots around the greens."
Read More2021
Review
“The course is really defined by the greens, which are very firm, large, multi-tiered and fast. A scratch golfer will find the fairway easily and will take advantage of some of the shorter holes while not struggling on the longer ones as there are plenty of areas to miss the green and still easily get up and down."
Read More2021
Review
“The course has wide firm fairways and the ball rolls forever but even if hit down the center, your ball may end up in trouble. The greens are huge but difficult to get close to the flag because of double, even triple breaks! The fescue has not filled in on the fairways but the greens are nice. It is a true links course and requires special skills to score well."
Read More2021
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