 TRUE NORTH GOLF CLUB (231-526-3300) - Members Club
Michigan Golf Course Review
True North is committed to providing the finest "private" golf club in the greater Harbor Springs area. This club is now exclusively private! Those
interested in pursuing memberships should contact 231-526-3300 to arrange additional playing opportunities. For information on memberships click on this link http://truenorthgolf.com/membership-information/ The review below provides photos and course info..enjoy!
WOW! As the photographs in this review indicate - True North Golf Club in Harbor Springs is one incredible piece of property. 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. This layout is on par with courses like Arcadia Bluffs and Forest Dunes - simply an outstanding golf environment!
The 6,000 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.
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 new clubhouse compliments this great layout by providing upscale amenities. The property 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 on membership. Click on this link http://truenorthgolf.com/membership-designations/.
TRUE NORTH GOLF COTTAGES - Classic Golf Quad arrangement with 4 bedrooms. Each bedroom has two queen-sized beds and a private bathroom. They also feature an
expansive common area equipped with a 52 inch TV, Bose Stereo System and screened in patio. The kitchen in each cottage has a refrigerator (with ice machine), a dishwasher,
microwave, coffeemaker, and an island bar. For more info click on this link http://truenorthgolf.com/cottages/
|
