Forest Dunes Golf Course Review

Forest Dunes
Roscommon, Michigan
Grade: A+
Teacher’s Comments: In the conversation for the best course in Michgian

I originally reviewed Forest Dunes in 2008, and thought then that it was one of the best golf experiences I have ever had.

My return visit in July 2015 only served to reinforce that opinion. In fact, I can think of nothing I would change from the original review. Forest Dunes is sublime.

Every hole on this Tom Weiskopf design is fun and interesting. The course has four sets of tees ranging from 7,116 yards to 4993. There’s also an imaginary set of “Combo Tees,” which by following the scorecard, direct the player to either the II or III tees, depending upon the hole. I played those hybrid tees, which rate a 71.3/135. The back tees are a 75.2/146.

I my reviews, I usually pick a favorite hole to discuss at length. At Forest Dunes, I cannot, for every time I pick one, another pops into my mind.

My advice is to make sure that you play from the correct tees. In fact, to maximize your fun, you may even want to push up a tee. You don’t play a course of the quality of Forest Dunes to be frustrated. The people who say “I want to play from the tips so I can see the whole course” are self-defeating idiots.

Conditions at Forest Dunes were immaculate. Amenities, such as the clubhouse and on-course rest stations were first rate.

I also highly recommend that you walk. The course is relatively flat, and the scenery just beautiful. It deserves contemplation, not a quick buzz through on a cart.

Here are just a few of Forest Dunes’ accolades this year:

Golf Digest: 2015/16 America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses – #23 Forest Dunes
Golf Digest: 2015/16 America’s Greatest Golf Courses – #118 Forest Dunes
Matt Ginella — Morning Drive/Golf Channel: Best Courses You Can Play (U.S.) – #10 Forest Dunes
Golfweek: Best Modern Courses (America) – #85 Forest Dunes
Golfweek: Best Courses You Can Play (Michigan) – #3 Forest Dunes
Golfweek: Best Residential Courses (America) – #35 Forest Dunes

Forest Dunes is not cheap, at $150 a round. For a bucket list course, I think it’s worth the cash. In fact, as soon as I left, I wanted to play again.

You can see a walk through gallery of the course below: