The Chief Golf Club (231-533-9000)
- 9/22/02 - Photos updated July, 2006
Located in the heart of golf country in NW Michigan, The Chief provides some of the most spectacular scenery
available to Midwest golfers. Dramatic elevation changes and rolling mounds with challenging green-side
contours also make this course one of the toughest to score on. Architech John Robinson has designed a
course that is truly unique, with holes and shot selections seldom seen, even on courses with similar topography.
Golf director Dave Hill politely suggested that the white tees, at 6151 yards with a 139 slope rating, provide all the challenge one needs...He is absolutely right!
Regardless of your score, we think you will agree that this is one beautiful piece of golf property. Located just
across the street from the entrance to the Summit at Shanty Creek, Hawk's Eye & Chief Resort provides upscale amenities and service to all guests - click here for more information on the resort. Practice facilities include a
grass range, putting greens and sand practice area. There is a beautiful pro shop with men's and ladies' apparel
, and a full service bar and grill. Outings and events of various sizes can be accommodated with their
considerable facilities. Pro Link GPS, which we consider to be one of the best systems available, is standard on all carts, and some sprinkler heads are also marked.
The course itself is well maintained from tee to green, with soft sand bunkers and firm, fast greens. One of the
most challenging features on the Chief are the undulating mounds that can be found near many of the green
complexes. These are extremely hazardous, creating tough angles for pitches and chips. Good mid and short
iron play are vital to scoring well here, as the approaches must be very accurate. Once on the putting surface, the undulations are quite manageable.
The opening hole, while short for a par four, is challenging nonetheless. You must avoid the fairway bunker and
approach accurately - there is no room long. Mounds, bunkers and undulations around the green provide the
challenge on the short par three second, which is pictured above. Number three is a short par five that is best
approached from the left side. Considerable bunkering is found in the fairway and near the green. Do not
attempt to cut the dogleg to the right on four - hit the fairway and you will be left with a beautiful downhill approach
to a well-protected green. On the 5th, a tee shot over a marsh is followed by a lay-up to a wide landing area on
this 3-shot par five. The approach must carry a narrow creek and marsh area - a very pretty hole! The long par
four sixth and the short par four 7th are two of the only "grip and rip it" holes on the course. Pay attention to the
pin placement on seven, as the green is very long. A tough dogleg right par four follows, with the bend occurring
past the 150-yard marker. The approach must carry a creek and small pond, with trouble also long - tough hole!
There is some bail out room to the right on the tight par three finishing hole of the front. The pond 50 yards out should not come into play.
The tenth presents a challenging tee shot over a lush ravine to a narrow fairway. Approaches that are too long
will be penalized with a drop off lurking behind the green. Eleven demands accuracy off the tee - and about 240
yards. Hit it too far and you will reach the drop off; too short and it will be difficult to carry the ravine on the second
shot. This is one of the most difficult #6 handicaps in the state and is nearly impossible to reach in two -
gorgeous golf hole to look at, but many will describe this hole with 4 letter words. Distance off the tee is important
on 12, as a grass ravine must be carried. Catch the depression and a nice roll will be your reward.
The thirteenth is a short par 4 with an easy downhill approach, and is followed by a very narrow par three, with
sloping rough right and a pond 300 yards out. The narrow fairway on 15 bends right on the approach making
this a three shot par 5. The green is small and elevated - and perhaps the best conditioned putting surface on the
course. Seventeen plays uphill and long for a par three, at 214 from the blues and 197 from the whites. The
finishing hole is demanding off the tee, with water left and bunkers and mounds to the right. At 420 yards from the whites, this is the number two handicap on the course.
The Chief can be enjoyed by all golfers for its natural beauty and distinctive shot opportunities. Scratch golfers
will find a formidable challenge, while mid to high handicappers will find consistent scoring to be quite a chore.
Enjoy the scenery and great service. Like mountain golf? You will love this layout! A second 18-hole
championship design is in its beginning stages. I had the opportunity to play the nine holes that are currently open at HAWKS EYE
- just a couple miles from the Chief. This is a spectacular layout- which is designed to be
more forgiving than the Chief. On the nine that I played, there were none of the forced carries that are prominent
on the original design. The topography was similar, but surely the slope rating will be below the 139 (whites) of the Chief.
Check out the Two Guys Who Golf detailed information page on this course (which includes a link to the course's website if available) - click here.
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