Next up on our golf trip were the two courses at Arcadia Bluffs. Arcadia Bluffs was the centerpiece of the trip, and I was most excited to play the Bluffs Course. We had a twilight round lined up there, so you’ll have to wait until the next post for more on the Bluffs. The first stop was at the South Course.
As the name indicates the South Course is south of the Bluffs Course. We didn’t stay at the resort (which is next to the Bluffs), but the courses are about a ten-minute drive from each other. The South Course is the newer of the two courses and opened recently, in 2018. It is normally found among the best public courses in the state and one of the reasons I wanted to play it. In comparison, the Bluffs Course opened in 1999.
The South Course is a Dana Fry and Jason Straka design. I haven’t heard of Straka before, but Fry has his name attached to some all-star places like Erin Hills and Calusa Pines. Personally, I think they hit a home run with the South Course – I thought it played great and I enjoyed the round immensely. After playing here though, it felt like the course is one of those “love it or hate it” type places. So, I’m sure there are those who hold the opposite view.
From what I’ve read, the South Course is modeled after the work that C.B McDonald and Seth Raynor did at Chicago Golf Club. I’m not a golf course architecture guy so I’m not sure what similarities may exist, but there are some interesting attributes about the South Course. First, the course has a links look to it and played firm and fast. Fun. Other conditions were great as well. Second, there are many square shapes here. And, finally, there are a number of unique template-type features.
As you’ll see in the pictures there aren’t any trees in play. Trees do border the perimeter holes, much like at Erin Hills or Mossy Oak, but you can pick pretty much whatever line you want out here. The fairways and greens had some fire when we played so the ball rolled out. That made it tough to keep the ball in the fairways and to hold the greens. Plus, many bunkers have a fairway cut right up to their edge so there isn’t anything to stop the ball.
I thought the South Course’s defining characteristic were all the square edges. Many greens and bunkers have square sides to them, including the greens at 3rd, 6th and 9th – these greens are almost complete squares. It is just something you don’t see much in golf course design. Other cool things about the course include the horseshoe-shaped green on the par-3 12th and the punchbowl green on the par-4 13th. The par-4 17th has some church pews bunkers that need to be avoided off the tee.
I played the blue tees (73.1/129/6932) and thought the bunkers and green complexes were the most difficult parts of the course. Because the ball can roll into the bunkers without much momentum, that can lead to some odd stances. Many green complexes are elevated and with the firm conditions it was tough to keep the ball on the green once it landed. If I did find the green with an approach shot it was a tough two putt because the greens are large.
Personally, I think you’d hear more about the South Course if the Bluffs Course wasn’t so special. The South Course won’t “wow” you like the Bluffs Course does with its views, but there are many elements that lead to a fun round. Plus, the green fee was $100 to ride – very reasonable for such a quality course. If you are coming to this part of Michigan to golf, I’d suggest trying a round on the South Course.
Course Pictures (click any picture to scroll through the gallery):