Forest Dunes blends bold sand-dune golf, championship pedigree, and an unspoiled northern Michigan backdrop into a national destination that lives up to the hype. The original Weiskopf design remains one of the most scenic, playable, and rewarding public golf experiences in the Midwest. Expect top-tier conditions, strategic choices galore, and the kind of setting you’ll talk about for years.
Weiskopf’s Forest Dunes is a masterclass in modern resort golf, weaving through rugged, sandy dunes and towering pines with two nines that each tell their own story. The routing explodes out of the gate with bold par 4s and reachable 5s, then tightens up with tree-framed accuracy tests and dramatic elevation swings. True to Weiskopf's philosophy, every hole asks for strategy: Should you play position, attack, or think two shots ahead? Generous fairways and heaving greens maintain playability for all levels, while deep bunkers, natural waste areas, and sharp angles punish those who get out of position. Throughout, the course exudes a sense of northern Michigan wildness without ever feeling forced—just pure, polished design.
Tom Weiskopf brought major championship sensibility and a love of ground-game strategy to Forest Dunes, making it both fun for average players and a serious test for the best.
A true three-shot par 5 that threads its way through towering pines and dune ridges, No. 5 is Forest Dunes’ ultimate power test. The hole’s massive scale and strategic bunkering make placement and patience essential from the first swing to the last putt.
Set up your layup for a comfortable wedge—forcing a second shot can lead to serious trouble. Big hitters might dream, but discipline wins the day.
Deep fairway bunkers, native sand, and a demanding green complex punish the greedy or careless.
Tour-level surfaces, firm and true with meticulous fairway and green maintenance. Expect fast greens and perfect fairways, but natural sandy waste areas in play.
Full championship rounds, especially on weekends—expect to linger and enjoy the experience. Pace can slow during peak resort days, but the atmosphere is built for it.
Golf-first, welcoming, and quietly luxurious. The mood is serious about golf, but not stuffy—remote destination energy, with a sense of being part of a traveling golf tribe.
No explicit posted policy, but resort expectations: collared shirts, no denim or gymwear, and soft spikes.
Prime tee times and lodging slots fill up quickly, especially in summer and fall; secure your preferred days and rounds well in advance.
While walkable, the course’s length and resort play mean many riders opt for carts—if walking all 18, pace yourself and prepare for some longer green-to-tee transitions.
You’ll need every club in the bag for Forest Dunes, including a fairway metal that matches long par 4s and a reliable wedge setup for precision approaches.
With natural sandy waste corridors and deep greenside bunkers looming, a little bunker tune-up before the trip can save shots (and pride).
Original Weiskopf course officially opens after foreclosure, revived by new investment
Joins Golf Digest America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses list
Debut of Tom Doak’s reversible ‘The Loop’ course
‘The Dual’ 36-hole event introduced, playing The Loop in both routings
SkyFall project (fourth course) announced for future expansion
Forest Dunes was fully built before opening, then went through a foreclosure crisis before a new ownership group brought it to life in 2002. From near-abandonment to national prominence, the club’s resurrection gave Michigan golf a signature destination.
Tied after 18? Settle it on Forest Dunes’ unique 19th ‘bye hole,’ a bonus test designed specifically for dramatic match-play finishes. It’s a club tradition that punctuates the round in unforgettable fashion.
The resort’s signature competition, ‘The Dual,’ sees golfers take on Tom Doak’s reversible course in both directions on the same day. It’s a one-of-a-kind architectural challenge unique to Forest Dunes.
Set amid rolling sand dunes and dense northern pines, Forest Dunes delivers both scenery and shotmaking, with a layout that rewards bold strategy and precise execution. The ever-present sand and trees define its dramatic visuals and shot shapes.
The resort features a unique 19th ‘bye hole’ for settling all-square matches.
Forest Dunes sits on pure sand, using native dunes and pines for both routing and challenge.
It was nearly lost to foreclosure before opening, then bounced back stronger than ever.
On-site, you can play both a Tom Weiskopf original and Tom Doak’s only reversible course—on the same property.
A perennial favorite on Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses since 2007.
Tom Doak’s revolutionary reversible layout—play it both ways for a true architectural doubleheader.
Dramatic elevation, creative routings, and classic resort-golf fun—great pairing with Forest Dunes.
Local, affordable option for a ‘bonus’ round in a laid-back setting.
Historic, top-ranked classic—if you can secure access, it’s worth the side trip.
Stay on property at Forest Dunes or in Roscommon/Prudenville for the smoothest golf-centered trip.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: If Forest Dunes Golf Club is your kind of course, TPC Deere Run is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Why it matches: If Forest Dunes Golf Club is your kind of course, Old North State Club is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Why it matches: What links these two? Puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in Anthem Country Club's own setting.
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