ANTRIM DELLS GOLF COURSE (231-599-2679)
Michigan Golf Course Review 7/31/07
Antrim Dells just south of Charlevoix and north of Traverse City is a beautiful 18-hole Jerry Matthews
championship design that is former co-host of the Michigan Amateur. I sometimes wonder how courses achieve
a 4-star rating in Golf Digest Places to Play - but at Antrim Dells there is no reason question. The layout is
sculpted from the natural, hilly terrain that features mature forests of hardwoods and pines, strategically bunkered fairways and greens, and scenic water hazards.
The ownership and management here take personal responsibility to see to it that golfers experience great
playing conditions, and also a high level of friendly service. The property features a driving range and practice
green, and the chalet style clubhouse includes a pro shop and restaurant/lounge. The atmosphere inside, matches the quality players will experience while playing the course.
Great lunches and cocktails are served by a personable staff, and the cozy environment welcomes the general
public as well as hosting banquets and outings for various sizes of events. There also is lodging available for
groups of 8 to 10 people, with meeting rooms available. Jerry Matthews designed a gem of a course - that
warrants our award as the nicest course that people in SE Michigan here little about. Everyone has heard of the
more popular layouts in NW Michigan - we recommend that Antrim Dells be put on the golfer's list of good value golf experiences available in this neck of the woods!
The layout begins along some fairly level topography to allow for a nice warm-up, before it winds along a rolling
terrain with holes playing uphill or down. There is generally room on the well maintained, tree lined bluegrass
fairways, though some of the tee shots demand accuracy as well as distance. The green complexes feature bent grass, are usually raised, and are medium in size and mildly sloped.
There are some very pretty golf holes, and the par three 13th that plays from an elevated tee over a pond, is a
hole that any course would be proud of! Bunkering is strategic and not overstated, with 34 sand traps situated
greenside or along the landing zones off the tee. Many green complexes feature a bunker to either side, with the
fronts open for a variety of approaches. Water comes into play on 8 holes with some forced carries that are reasonable in nature.
There are 3 sets of tees that play to distances and slopes measuring 6622 yards/125 slope, 6163 yards/121
slope, and 5342 yards with a slope of 121 for women hitting from the front tees. As these slopes indicate - this is
a player friendly experience - with conditioning and scenery that makes it worthwhile for all levels of players.
Golfers will find yardage markers at 100, 150 and 200 yards (stakes and blocks), and pin position markers on
the flagsticks indicate front, middle or back hole locations. Or more info, visit our page for the course, with direct link to their website by clicking here.
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