True North Golf Course Review

The fourteenth at True North is a 404 yard par 4

True North
Grade: A
Teacher’s Comments: A stellar example of “Up North” Michigan golf.

True North, near Harbor Springs, Michigan is one of two Jim Engh designs in Michigan (the other is Tullymore). It is an interesting layout on a spectacular piece of property.

True North is a private course, but if you’re lucky, you may be able to get a tee time. I played on a fall Saturday when their regular traffic was slow (actually non-existent). All it took was a phone call.

All of the hallmarks of “Up North” Michigan golf are present at True North: big elevation changes; wide, tree-lined fairways; and long stretches of splendid isolation.

The fourth at True North is a 400 yard par 4

It is impossible for me to pick a favorite hole, for every one held my interest. If forced to choose, however, the par four fourth stands out.

The fourth is an uphill shot, measuring 400 yards from the tips. At 257 yards out, a bunker in the middle of the fairway divides the landing area. Behind that bunker, the fairway narrows to a sliver, protected on both sides by mounds and bunkers. The fairway ends thirty yards before the elevated green.

I like to think that this hole shows that Engh has a sense of humor as a designer. I found it humorous, at least.

Of particular note at True North are the par threes. Elevation changes, terrain and Jim Engh’s imagination turned them into a significant departure from the ordinary.

True North Par 3 Third — The par three third at True North

The third is a good example. Measuring 218 from the back tees, it has a narrow strip of fairway in front of the green, interrupted by three bunkers. To the right and rear, however, is another piece of fairway. I can’t recall seeing another par three with a chunk of fairway behind the hole. I think that’s Engh’s sense of humor showing again.

The other par threes offer similarly unusual alignments.

True North Hole 3The third at True North is a 226 yard par 3

True North Hole 5The fifth at True North is a 201 yard par 3.

True North Hole 10The tenth at True North is a 214 yard par three.

True North Hole 13The thirteenth at True North is a 198 yard par 3

True North Hole 16The sixteenth at True North is a 177 yard par 3.

On the basis of Tullymore and True North, I think I’m now a fan of Jim Engh’s designs. I’ll have to figure out how to get to some of his other courses to see how they match up with his Michigan creations.

Conditions on the September day I played were terrific. True North is exactly what you would expect from a premium course.

The True North Golf Course Review was first published January 13, 2016 from notes taken on a September 2015 visit.

More photos of True North follow: