| Visitors to the Arcadia Bluffs resort can now enjoy both style and substance. The South Course at Arcadia provides the architecturally interesting substance to compliment the visually appealing style of its sister Bluffs course. While the course cannot offer the same wonderful views of Lake Michigan as the Bluffs, it makes up for that with superior golf course architecture and better turf conditions. If golfers could ignore the views (admittedly a big IF) they would realize that the South course provides a much more thought provoking and enjoyable golf experience. The course plays firm and fast and the greens are huge and enjoy bold contouring. The course was designed by Dana Fry and was modelled as a tribute to the designs of C.B. MacDonald and Seth Raynor, especially their work at Chicago Golf Club. It not only is a fitting tribute, but this course stands on its own as an enjoyable golf experience. Many will mention the square greens, but it is the slopes on the greens that makes this course great, not the shape. This is a fun golf course and a course that is truly unique when compared with other Michigan resort course offerings. The front nine is the superior nine as there are no weak holes on this opening loop. The first hole give the golfer their first glimpse of the expansive panoramic views offered by this virtually treeless property. The golfer may also get their first look at the unique cross-bunkering, another feature that they will have to navigate as they make their way to the wonderfully contoured green. The drivable par 4 2nd hole offers the player an early risk/reward decision. Another standout hole on this nine is the challenging par 4 4th that offers players the chance to run their approach shots on a green surface that slopes dramatically from front left to back right. The closing 9th sports a green that is split into four quadrants that forces a player to place close attention to the placement of their approach shots. While the back nine is weaker than the front, it still offers a wonderful and strategic golf experience. Stand out holes on this nine include the Lion’s Mouth par 3 12th, the huge punchbowl green on the par 4 13th, the short par 4 15th, and the excellent and challenging par 4 18th with its rumpled fairway and rectangular green. The South course offers truly great golf at a level that surpasses almost all other resort courses in the state and is a terrific addition to the region. |