
LC Lambrecht

Andy Johnson/The Fried Egg

Andy Johnson/The Fried Egg

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier

Courtesy of Jon Cavalier

Andy Johnson/The Fried Egg

Andy Johnson/The Fried Egg

Andy Johnson/The Fried Egg
Overview
Expertly routed across glacial domes and over kettle holes, Kingsley Club opens with a split fairway, a high-right avenue separated from a low-left one by a cluster of sod-face bunkers. It’s an attention grabber than is repeated in various fashions throughout the round. For instance, the hilltop green on the short par-3 second seems tiny in comparison to the deep shaggy bunkers surrounding it. The long par-3 fifth plays over a valley with a tongue of fairway ready to repel any shot that comes up short. The par-4 sixth seems to slant in one direction, then cant in the other direction once past a lateral ridge that runs down the fairway. Every hole has its own character. With roughs of tall fescue and occasional white pines and hardwoods, Kingsley is all natural and all absorbing, a thoughtful design by Mike DeVries, who grew up in the area playing No. 14 Crystal Downs.
About
Awards


Second 100 Greatest: Ranked since 2013.
2023-'24 ranking: 110th.
Previous ranking: 121st.
Highest ranking: No. 110, 2023-'24.
Best in State: Ranked fourth, 2017-'22. Ranked fifth, 2013-'14. Ranked sixth, 2011-'12, 2015-'16. Ranked inside the top 15, 2007-'09. Ranked inside the top 20, 2005. Ranked inside the top 25, 2003.
Current ranking: 4th.
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
“A golf purist's delight. Stacks up with the highly acclaimed Crystal Downs, down the road."
Read More2025
Review
“Golf only here. Very enjoyable for the good player but sometimes a well struck drive down the middle will be in the rough due to excessive slope on some of the fairways. A lot of false fronts that can be frustrating unless you hit 1/2 to 1 more club. Must play if in the area."
Read More2024
Review
“I absolutely love this course. The rolling hills and topography are so much fun. The greens are melded into the landscape which makes them feel like they have always been there. Each green has an abundance of pin placements. Combine that with some of the best turf I have ever played and the options for each shot are multiplied. Choosing a club and where to land your shot to best get to the days pin is something I will never get tired of."
Read More2023
Review
“Outstanding course. The design comes alive and is seen the more a player plays it. Great feel and overall experience. Accommodations are understated but comfortable and give the fun Michigan cabin feel. A special place. New corporate ownership for 2022 yet not many differences have been seen yet."
Read More2023
Review
“An exclusive course that has a variety of playing conditions with hills and small undulating greens."
Read More2023
Review
“Fun, varied and character."
Read More2023
Review
“This is golf a huge scale yet some of the greens are very small. Bring your A game it is difficult."
Read More2022
Review
“Outstanding course, lots of elevation changes, the front 9 Par 3's are kind of quirky, greens are excellent"
Read More2022
Review
“If I lived anywhere near this club I would join. It is that special. Located outside Traverse City this course is sited on some vast and treacherous terrain. Go for a day and stay for a week if you can."
Read More2018
Review
“What a great piece of property! Beautiful work by architect Mike DeVries. Every hole is different and could be considered a signature hole. If you get a chance to play it, GO!"
Read More2018
Readers
Collection of reviews from our readers
There are no readers reviews yet. Be the first to write a review.