My Labor Day weekend was spent on Mackinac Island between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsula's. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to play one of Michigan's most unique courses during my stay. An excerpt from the website is below give a brief description:
Playing this course for me was truly an experience I will always remember. Starting in the morning around 8am we took a ferry from Mackinaw City to the island which is about a 30 minute ride. Once arriving on the island they have a horse and carriage waiting to take your luggage and golf clubs up to the Grand Hotel if you are staying there and will drop your clubs at the pro shop. At this point you have a few options of travel as it is amount a 2 to 3 mile hike to the club house. You can ride with your bags on the carriage, rent a bike, or walk. We opted for bike rental as it gave a unique way to view your trip to the club house, riding through the city center and seeing all the shops open in the morning and riding through a small neighborhood with the residents waking up to a morning cup of coffee and reading the newspaper on their front porch greeting you as you ride by.
Once arriving to the club house, they have your clubs waiting for cart assignments and to get you going onto the first tee. The staff is very professional and very knowledgeable of the course and the island.
Playing through the front "Grand" nine was phenomenal... you get the sense that you are touching every part of the island as you play. The course is in such a great location, you get a new spectacular sight on every hole. The Michigan Governor's Mansion over looks a few of the holes as well as Fort Mackinac from various spots on the course. It is quite an experience to tee off on almost any hole and hear the sound of horses walking by. While motorized vehicles are prohibited on the island, they do offer golf carts while playing.
The back "Woods" nine is located about 1-1 1/2 miles into the woods of the island. It truly feels like each hole was just carved out of the landscape. There are tremendous views of the Mackinac Bridge and Lake Huron. The last few hole weave around the subtle airport as well as a few man-made lakes to build up the scenery a little bit more. Also located on The Woods Nine is the only par 5, but I tell you even some of the short par 4's could easily be par 5's. This short course is a true test to the average golfer all the way up to the experience scratch golfer.
I feel like I could go on forever about my experience but I will save my fingers a little stress today and leave you with a few pictures that I took. Please enjoy and I hope everyone can have a chance to play this wonderful course.
Hole # 1. Par 4 339 Yds.
Hole # 7 Par 3 219 Yds.
Tee Shot from # 7. This was one tough par 3. I put is just over the bunker on the right side of the green. Chipped and 2 putted for a bogey. Could easily be a par 4.
Our ride from the front 9 to the back 9.
Hole # 10 Par 4 314 Yds Looking out to Lake Huron. This picture after I hit my tee shot.
The view while putting on # 10.
Looking back at Hole # 14 Par 3 136 Yds.
Hole # 17 Par 3 161 Yds. This is right along side of the airport and looking into the lake. You can see a plane just took off as we were about to hit.
Looking back to the 10th green from # 18. What a great view this was. The picture doesn't do it justice.
EDIT: If anyone would like to see more pics, PM me as I have about 120 more including some outside of the course.
Playing this course for me was truly an experience I will always remember. Starting in the morning around 8am we took a ferry from Mackinaw City to the island which is about a 30 minute ride. Once arriving on the island they have a horse and carriage waiting to take your luggage and golf clubs up to the Grand Hotel if you are staying there and will drop your clubs at the pro shop. At this point you have a few options of travel as it is amount a 2 to 3 mile hike to the club house. You can ride with your bags on the carriage, rent a bike, or walk. We opted for bike rental as it gave a unique way to view your trip to the club house, riding through the city center and seeing all the shops open in the morning and riding through a small neighborhood with the residents waking up to a morning cup of coffee and reading the newspaper on their front porch greeting you as you ride by.
Once arriving to the club house, they have your clubs waiting for cart assignments and to get you going onto the first tee. The staff is very professional and very knowledgeable of the course and the island.
Playing through the front "Grand" nine was phenomenal... you get the sense that you are touching every part of the island as you play. The course is in such a great location, you get a new spectacular sight on every hole. The Michigan Governor's Mansion over looks a few of the holes as well as Fort Mackinac from various spots on the course. It is quite an experience to tee off on almost any hole and hear the sound of horses walking by. While motorized vehicles are prohibited on the island, they do offer golf carts while playing.
The back "Woods" nine is located about 1-1 1/2 miles into the woods of the island. It truly feels like each hole was just carved out of the landscape. There are tremendous views of the Mackinac Bridge and Lake Huron. The last few hole weave around the subtle airport as well as a few man-made lakes to build up the scenery a little bit more. Also located on The Woods Nine is the only par 5, but I tell you even some of the short par 4's could easily be par 5's. This short course is a true test to the average golfer all the way up to the experience scratch golfer.
I feel like I could go on forever about my experience but I will save my fingers a little stress today and leave you with a few pictures that I took. Please enjoy and I hope everyone can have a chance to play this wonderful course.
Hole # 1. Par 4 339 Yds.
Hole # 7 Par 3 219 Yds.
Tee Shot from # 7. This was one tough par 3. I put is just over the bunker on the right side of the green. Chipped and 2 putted for a bogey. Could easily be a par 4.
Our ride from the front 9 to the back 9.
Hole # 10 Par 4 314 Yds Looking out to Lake Huron. This picture after I hit my tee shot.
The view while putting on # 10.
Looking back at Hole # 14 Par 3 136 Yds.
Hole # 17 Par 3 161 Yds. This is right along side of the airport and looking into the lake. You can see a plane just took off as we were about to hit.
Looking back to the 10th green from # 18. What a great view this was. The picture doesn't do it justice.
EDIT: If anyone would like to see more pics, PM me as I have about 120 more including some outside of the course.
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