TRUE NORTH GOLF CLUB (231-526-3300)
Michigan Golf Course Review
True North is committed to providing the finest "private" golf club in the greater Harbor Springs area. As the club continues to move in that direction, the objective is to promote memberships
while maintaining the exclusiveness of a private club. Effective mid-June through Labor Day
the "club Guest category" is in place - targeted towards the development of private memberships. Each visiting guest is allowed just ONE ROUND (at guest fees established by the club) during the summer season, and must make an advance reservation and fill out a "club guest" registration card designed for tracking information. Those interested in pursuing memberships should contact David Mocini at 231-526-3300, to arrange additional playing opportunities. Please scroll down to view additional photos and a written review by www.twoguyswhogolf.com - Michigan's top golf website - which rates True North as our favorite to play in the state of Michigan!
WOW! As the photographs in this review indicate - True North Golf Club in Harbor Springs is one incredible
piece of property. With the push on for memberships, which will eventually end with True North going totally
private - this is our tip of the year for Michigan. It is worth the drive from Detroit to play this course! Designed by
renowned architect Jim Engh (Golf Digest's 2003 Architect of the Year), this spectacular layout is carved from
Michigan's legendary north woods and aesthetically laced with high grasses, just minutes from the sparkling waters of Traverse Bay. Summer Season Green Fees range between $120 and $145 - it is worth it!
The new 6,000 square square foot clubhouse sits on the highest point of the property as provides a spectacular
setting, with amenities to match. Members and guests can enjoy full locker room facilities, a dining area with
lounge and screened-in outdoor patio, a fully stocked pro shop plus meeting and business offices.There is a
practice green on property, and the carts are very upscale themselves with compartmentalized dashes, ice
chests with bottled water, a towel and weather covers on the backs. There are 150 yard stakes on all par fours
and five, sprinkler heads measured to the center of the green, and yardage markers on the tees of all par threes.
Golfers will have to eyeball the pin placements, as there is no hole location system in place.
From the opening hole, which features a raised fairway and green complex that drop off sharply on both sides,
golfers will realize that they are in for a different experience. The 472 yard par four second features one of the
most spectacular downhill approaches one will encounter in Michigan - though this scenario is repeated a few
times on this course. Some green complexes are reminiscent of Tullymore in Stanwood - with signature
bunkering that is intricate in design and intimidating in nature. Absent are the many wetlands that grace
Tullymore and present are the beautiful valleys and rolling terrain. Unique also are the frequent greenside ponds that require thoughtful shot selection and create great risk/reward opportunities.
There is one incredible golf hole after another on this spectacular design, with wonderful conditioning that
includes finely manicured bent grass fairways and tees, and some of the most true-rolling putting surfaces in the
state. The greens are large in size and gentle in undulation, and the mounds, bunkers and water hazards that
form the complexes create a need for a great variety of approaches. Bump and run chips can often be used, but
high arcing lobs will also be called for. Reaching these oversized greens will not be a problem on many holes,
but the ability to lag long putts close to the hole is a skill that will be necessary if one is to score well here.
The short par four 11th was one of my favorite holes (pictured below left from the fairway and also from behind -
the 4th photo in this review). The hole snakes downhill with a left to right shot shape laying up to the right side
away from the greenside pond leaving a wedge approach to a well protected green. Golfers will encounter this
type of shot often. Accurate lay-ups right in front of strategically placed water hazards will often create good
scoring opportunities, if one is equipped with a good wedge game. Long hitters will have ample opportunities to
go for the greens with aggression, which can result in low scores if successful, and double bogeys if not.
There are an abundance of elevated tees, and the overall topography is very rolling, but with a design frame that
creates landing zones that feature relatively even lies. Golfers of all levels and abilities will enjoy this course. It
can be a monster from the tips, which measure 7027 yards with a 148 slope rating. 3821 of these yards is on the
front side, which includes 3 par fives ranging from 557 to 595 yards, and a pair of par threes measuring 199 and
230. The remaining sets of tees play to distances and slopes that measure 6350/135, 5597/121, (with a 141
slope for women looking for an outstanding challenge) and 4834/120 for ladies playing from the forward tees.
The slope ratings may seem intimidating, but playing from the whites I was able to score my best round of the
year! Not bad of a 14 handicap! Make it through the front nine (par 37) and the back is much easier, with some short par fours and 3 reasonable par threes.
We provided a few more photos in this review than ordinary...simply could not help it. In fact, every hole is
beautiful, and each is worth a picture. On a few I thought - off the tee- "finally, I do not have to photograph this
hole"...only to find the green complex to be too interesting to pass up. The completion of the clubhouse and
facilities will surely spruce up the experience here, but it also will mean that the course is closer to becoming a
private facility. No firm date is in place for this to happen, but do not take the risk. Play this course! Take your
favorite buddy or surprise an important business client with a round that will impress. This course is destined for
greatness! And it has been accepted into Audubon International's prestigious Silver Signature Program,
meaning this property complies with strict environmental and wildlife habit standards. The design is set in a
beautiful, secluded atmosphere. For more info and for a direct link to their website (available soon) visit our page for True North on our web catalog of courses to play in Michigan by clicking here.
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