Black Forest

Golf is one thing but northern Michigan golf is quite another, so today we feature a great course in the heart of northern Michigan golf: $29 for 18 holes with a cart AND a small bucket of range balls at Black Forest in Gaylord, Michigan.

Carved out of nearly 400 acres of native Michigan evergreen and hardwood, Black Forest — a Tom Doak masterpiece — uses a combination of trees, stunning bunkers, multi-contoured greens, and elevation changes to make you forget it’s your turn to hit. Since its opening in 1992, Black Forest has received a number of awards from popular golf publications including:

"Top New Public Courses in America" – Golf Digest
"Top New Courses You Can Play in the United States" – Golf Magazine
"Top Modern Courses in the United States" – Golfweek
"Best Public Course in Northern Michigan" – Detroit News

Doak’s “minimalist” approach let the terrain dictate where holes would go, and lends a secluded feel while you travel through the middle of the forest with nothing else in sight. The course plays 7,044 yards with a slope rating of 147 from the tips so it's definitely a hearty challenge for the brave player. Thankfully, Black Forest has four other sets of tees, leaving it up to you to choose your destiny for the next 18 holes.

No matter where you play from, however, there are a couple of features that will most certainly be a factor in your score. Firstly, there's the copious amount of sand strewn about the course. With more than 100 bunkers in play, it is inevitable that you’ll find yourself in at least one during your round — don't forget your wedge! Then there's what Doak considers to be the most important part of a golf course: Its greens. With many naturally elevated and most surrounded by slopes, swales and mounds, Doak made placing the approach in the correct spot a must. The start is tough and the greens are testing but with five par-5's, four short par-4's and two inviting par-3’s, there are plenty of opportunities to score.

After your round, be sure to stop in at the Bavarian-style clubhouse to share some food and drink with your playing partners. The completely remodeled clubhouse has added a new bar and 1,200-square-foot, two-level patio with a fire pit. It's a perfect way to relax after a hard day's work on the course at Black Forest.