Fairways are typically generous at the South Course and it's virtually impossible to lose a golf ball. Add to the spectacular architecture an easily walkable routing that changes directions on almost every hole. For all their expanse these finely grown-in bentgrass surfaces are linear, at times box-like in shape, with pronounced interior divides that section off the greens and allow them to play totally differently from one day to the next. The land included former apple and peach orchards, a barley field, grassy meadows, hardwood stands and spruce trees. 0 reviews of Arcadia Bluffs. You don't need a membership or even a lot of cash to experience these works. Staff was very helpful. Arcadia Bluffs is one of the top 100 (#57) and top 100 public (#13) courses in the country, yet for some reason I think my excitement was overshadowed by my previous round at Whistling Straits. May 2021: Secrets from the World of Golf Travel, State Supreme Court mulls the future of a golf course built around rare Native American earthworks, Best value golf courses around Tampa-St. Petersburg, Unburied: Florida's Treasure Coast offers a distinctive list of golf possibilities. This long par-3 would be great on a different golf course. It’s beautiful but a stark departure from the MacRaynor straight lines and tone that Fry-Straka set on the first 11 holes. Sep 16, 2018 - A review of the new Arcadia Bluffs South Course, which was inspired by the work of C. B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor but did not turn out perfectly There’s a certain simplicity in the hospitality at the South Course … Convenience and architectural variety highlight a getaway to the Carolina Sandhills, One road connects two Donald Ross classics with modern efforts from Rees Jones and Arnold Palmer in Southern Pines, The Club at McLemore: Golf above the clouds. The best way we could describe the 12-13 stretch is if you were listening to Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti album and midway through the second record, Britney Spears interrupts for a couple of pop hits. An increase in extreme weather events is having an impact on golf courses all over the world, but there is no single way to adapt. With the addition of the South Course, Arcadia Bluffs becomes a destination resort. Will you want to play it again? We’ll certainly be repeat visitors, at the very least to more fully explore the outstanding front nine while the pure Michigan sun sets. The Bluffs Course at Arcadia Bluffs is a beautiful layout that was perfectly executed on a perfect piece of property. Thank you for taking the time to review your recent dining experience. The church pew bunkers built into the hill on the left side of the par-4 17th are cool looking. And they are readily … View from the left side of the par-3 8th green. We think that the course has more than enough challenge and interest to delight golf nerds in all the right ways. Overall to give people access to the Macdonald/Raynor style which is usually only accessible through the most private clubs in America was a brilliant idea. Justin is an experienced Shaper, having worked on courses from Michigan to Bock Cay, and beyond. But there are no plans to add interior trees to the site. The 18-hole South course at the Arcadia Bluffs - Bluffs Course facility in Arcadia, features yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 0. The intention may have been for a Cape-style hole here, but we were left confused and perplexed, and not in a good way. Arcadia Bluffs South is a very new golf course, that when it matures, it will provide a wonderful alternative to the Bluffs course. Among the many alluring holes to be found there, the humpback green on the mid-length par-3 fifth hole stands out. After learning the trade on the likes of Wade Hampton, Black Diamond Ranch, Lake Nona he teamed up with architect Michael Hurdzan, whom he helped make the leap from functional, low-key golf to new-found drama. The exposed nature of the course made for a test of survival. And at the long par-3 16th hole, golfers have to deal with a deep grassy-hollow version of the famed Redan. View from behind the par-4 9th green at Arcadia Bluffs South. This Alps-Punchbowl plays through a valley with the requisite blind shots and is spectacular from tee to green. For geeks like us, this is a fascinating glimpse into the creative process. Granted, Arcadia Bluffs South certainly looks like Chicago Golf Club, with its gently rolling fairways that play up and over ridgelines, framed by … Wonderful RECTANGULAR greens that are firm, smooth, and fast. Would they have the chutzpah to follow through on this bold plan? You will use every club in your bag, and it’s a fun layout. Angles must be worked and peril avoided to be in position to attack the pins. We would not be surprised if fans of the Bluffs Course prefer holes … While not quite in the same league as the courses at Bandon Dunes or Streamsong (or Kingsbarns or Castle Stuart for that matter), Arcadia Bluffs is a delight to play and not just for the spectacular views of Lake Michigan … Now, with a much-expanded resort and overnight accommodations and amenities a successful resort in the northwest of mainland Michigan has even more appeal to visitors from near and far. The wind has also added to the challenge.” The South Course at Arcadia Bluffs ranks among the most interesting and important new course openings of the year. At the end of the day, 11 great holes and one clunker, excusable…moving on. The result is a powerful contrast and not a second course but a co-equal alternative to the first course. The approach to the par-4 9th hole at Arcadia Bluffs South. They aren’t just there for show, however. Staying in the fairway off the tee will allow for the best view of this large, open green as your vantage point from either side rough will be blocked by these bunkers. The look of inviting ground will remain. They were just normal golf guys hoping you have a good time out there and are happy to talk to you. Still in its early days, the course has a look of stunning horizontal scale that will benefit from completion of a clubhouse and turn-stand. It was designed by Dana Fry and is his … Sand, dunes, scrub and wind define this course. Had the pleasure of playing both the South course and the Bluffs course this past weekend with our group of 8 guys. That was the consensus of our group standing on the 9th green at the new South Course at Arcadia Bluffs. The issue comes at the green, which looks like a green that you would find at the Bluffs course or most modern courses. The best Donald Ross golf course designs you can play (and afford). … Sign up for our free newsletter for fresh takes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday*, What the 13th hole at the Masters used to be, and what it is now, A continued tour of this year’s most intriguing USGA qualifying sites, A cheat sheet from Geoff Ogilvy on every hole at the Masters venue. Standing on the tee during the rough shaping phase of the project, we would have made big bets that this is where the Road Hole would be. South Course Expands with Luxurious New Clubhouse . The green of the par-5 6th hole has some nasty spots on it both front left and long right. Months later Fry found out that Postma chose the site for its suitability for an "old school" layout. We are intrigued to find out. The Takeaway: I loved Arcadia Bluffs. Tags Arcadia Bluffs; Facebook; GooglePlus; Twitter; Linkedin; Telegram ; Previous « Innisbrook Resort: Florida’s Quick Escape Destination Next What Does PGA Tour Need to Play in Detroit? I eagerly await Arcadia’s third course. The South Course at Arcadia Bluffs is a tribute to a bygone era in golf course design that few golfers today have ever experienced. And just so we are sure where we are, Fry has even created squared off rear corners where no sane greenkeeper would ever locate a hole location. The course rating is 0.0 and it has a slope rating of 0. I am looking forward to the next trip to N. Michigan to play these two gems. Conditions are impeccable and the course plays extremely firm and fast. The back nine closes with the strong 18th which resembles a hole from the first 11 and leaves a positive taste. Stacked bunkers line the left side of the fairway on the par-4 17th hole. The green is protected by bunkers on the right and left side. Fry’s repertoire with Hurdzan included such eye-openers as Erin Hills in Wisconsin, Devil’s Pulpit and Devil’s Paintbrush outside Toronto, Naples National and Calusa Pines in Naples, Florida, and Desert Willow Resort in Palm Desert, California. Written October 12, 2020. Players will howl, and likely add the temptation to water more to soften it. The 9th green at Arcadia Bluffs's South Course. The right side is littered with bunkers and there is no discernible benefit to taking them on. This spot on the property screams for a downhill Short like the 7th at Blue Mound. The punchbowl green on Arcadia South's 13th, The punchbowl on the 12th at Chicago Golf Club. A photo tour of Arcadia Bluffs South Course follows: Or perhaps the South Course serves to remind us of how incredibly hard it is to go from concept to reality eighteen times in a row, with excellence. Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club: Back to the Future - South Course - See 223 traveller reviews, 147 candid photos, and great deals for Arcadia, MI, at Tripadvisor. For us, it was hard to shake the feeling that The South is a really good course that could have been among the greatest publics built since WWII, if only…. 152 likes. We would not be surprised if fans of the Bluffs Course prefer holes 12 – 18 over the first 11 which, if true, will be a happy accident for the resort. The course itself it a tough track so make sure you play the appropriate tees. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON COOKIES INCLUDING HOW TO MANAGE YOUR CONSENT VISIT OUR. After months of Facebook messaging, I was finally getting a walking tour of the South Course at Arcadia Bluffs with Justin Carlton. That would be a start down a slippery slope of overwatering that could result in a conditioning tragedy for the other great holes on the course. The high left tier, elevated and surrounded by bunkers, is of great concern. Read more yes, I accept cookies no, I don't accept cookies. Arcadia Bluffs is another of the modern links courses inspired by the return to classic design that started in the mid-nineties at Sand Hills. Returning to our round, the back nine begins with the strong, uphill par-4 10th. For casual golfers, it will broaden horizons and evoke a wide range of reactions, which is an endorsement in and of itself. Rankings: 2nd 22nd 47th. Our golfers show off their rounds at TPC Sawgrass, Sea Pines, Wolf Creek and other famous places. We particularly love how the second shot landing areas are bunkered – no mindless layups allowed. But it was pretty much playing for a day or two and then move on to another northern Michigan golf resort. Designed by Fry Straka Global Golf Course Design, the South golf course opened in 2018. After playing both Arcadia Bluffs courses, one of the things I appreciated on the South Course was how much more laid-back it was. While I Neither a replica course nor a template course, the vision was to attempt to channel the inspiration gained by exposure to greatness into something new. They have golf … The opening hole is an inviting par four, with offsetting cross bunkers on either side of the generous fairway. » Related Posts. To make it a "complete" experience we chose to stay on site in one of the 4 bedroom cottages overlooking the Bluffs course. Having played it on Sept 15, 2018 I can confirm it is every bit as good as the Bluffs crs. The tee shot of the par-4 17th hole is one of the more intimidating with stacked bunkers left and one large bunker right. Like the process that created it, and the holes themselves, the answer is likely to be complex. Here is what the USGA & R&A have updated and what it means for your index and handicap. Arcadia Bluffs South Course, Golf Course reviews, contact information, hole details, maps, and weather. Two years ago, golf course architect Dan Fry walked out onto a vast expanse of pine-tree laden land south of Arcadia, Michigan and had one of those moments of inspiration. Opened for preview play on August 1, Northern Michigan's newest golf course is a head-turner. Macdonald and Seth Raynor at Chicago Golf Club. The Bluffs course at Arcadia Bluffs is too hard for true chopper and it presents a great challenge for the single digit index if they don’t play it too short. South course greens are generally built on raised, fill pads but are accessible from in front. Visually stunning. Instead, the 15th is a hole lacking strategy with another green that doesn’t look like one that Seth Raynor would have ever built. With 3,100 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline, every hole at Arcadia Bluffs has … It’s a course whose firmness and speed invite creative putting from well outside the green fillpad – sometimes from 50-60 yards. It will be interesting to see what the ultimate verdict on the South Course will be. Perhaps collaboration broke down between Dana Fry’s team and the crew of Warren Henderson, architect of the Bluffs Course. While we are thrilled to hear that you received wonderful service from Dee, but we would like to apologize for what was clearly an unpleasant dining experience. Courses were in great shape and provided an experience we all thoroughly enjoyed. That said, I can’t tell you I feel a huge draw back to The Bluffs Course anytime soon. This hole just made us scratch our heads. Its original 1893 design by Charles Blair Macdonald in Wheaton, Illinois, as revised into its contemporary form by Seth Raynor in 1922, was legendary for the way its angular, linear bunkering and platform greens popped out of the flat land. The left side of the 16th green falls off to a deep collection area. Players of all skill levels are commenting on the playability and wideness of the course, yet understanding the complexities of the greens and green surrounds. Given the variety of hole locations and the openness to variable winds it will take repeat play to learn the lay of the land. It is terribly out of place on the South Course though, especially given that it appears that quite a bit of earth was moved to create another Britney hit, Oops I Did It Again. The South Course at Arcadia Bluffs does just that. Before part two of this report, a little background. Credit where credit’s due. It is not. Green fee: $75-$125optional cart includedwalking always encouragedcaddies and forecaddies available. Some of the holes are a little tricked up, but there’s nothing too over the top or unfair. How is it possible that the same group of people who created the first nine holes, unique and brilliant individually and cohesive as a whole, produced the disjointed mash-up on the inward half? 12 big cities with exciting 9-hole golf courses. These major U.S. metro areas feature convenient and affordable 9-holers that are worth a loop regardless of your ability. The South Course does not reveal its charms all at once. Should you go play Arcadia Bluffs South? Set high on bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan, it’s a links golf fantasy. First look at the South Course at Arcadia Bluffs, Veteran golf travel, history and architecture journalist, Bradley S. Klein has written more than 1,500 feature articles on course architecture, resort travel, golf course development, golf history and the media for such other publications as Golfweek, Golf Digest, Financial Times, New York Times and Sports Illustrated. Now in its 20 th year, Arcadia Bluffs along the Lake Michigan shoreline has been tagged by many … And top it all off with the perfect firm and fast conditioning achieved by Director of Agronomy Jim Bluck, course Superintendent Ryan Williams, and their team, and it isn’t hard to imagine why we were over the moon. Unfortunately, they forced it, and it looks forced. Therefore, we invite everyone to come and experience the challenges, the … He was with owner Rich Postma, who had built the first course at Arcadia Bluffs on a rollicking, dramatic ground overlooking Lake Michigan. Tee it high and let it fly! “I turned to Postma,” recalls Fry, “and told him that if he cleared the land he could build a really cool version of a Chicago Golf Club.”. Information on cookies including how to MANAGE your CONSENT VISIT our 15, 2018 from a round played September! An experienced Shaper, having worked on courses from Michigan to Bock Cay, and we were interested to what... 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