Silo in the Landscape
One of Timber Wolf's most memorable features is its real antique farm silo, preserved as an on-course landmark. This nod to the land's agricultural roots gives every round a distinct up-north Michigan character.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Timber Wolf Golf Club
Kalkaska, Michigan
Established
1997
Architect
Bruce Matthews III
Access
Public
Par
Par 71
Length
4,862 – 6,477 yds
Green Fees
$
The verdict
Northern Michigan value with quirky charm
Timber Wolf offers an accessible, fun public golf experience with strategic variety and a memorable rustic setting. The blend of drivable par 4s and beefy par 3s keeps you thinking all round, while the silo and old farmhouse touches give it a personality all its own.
Course DNA
Difficulty
62
Scenery73
Conditioning67
Shot Variety76
Walkability68
Green Complexity60
Wow Factor66
Design Quality61
Don't miss
Snap a photo with the original farm silo, the course’s most unique and enduring landmark.
At a glance
Quick facts
Course Rating / Slope
72.3 / 134 (Blue)
Tree Cover
Moderate, with open farm corridors
Signature Structure
Retained antique farm silo
Family Heritage
Bruce Matthews III (Matthews design family)
Cart Friendly
Cart included in most green fees
Atmosphere
Old farmhouse clubhouse, rustic up-north feel
The design
The architecture
Timber Wolf Golf Club delivers a genuine up-north Michigan round, laid out by Bruce Matthews III across gently rolling ex-farmland. The course threads through open corridors framed by mature trees and farm features, with an antique silo providing a memorable visual centerpiece. Its layout is defined by risk/reward short par 4s, beefy par 3s, and par 5s offering a mix of birdie chances and bruising length. Greens tilt more toward playability than extreme contour but demand crisp approach play, with open fronts and some subtle runoffs blending modern strategy with rustic sensibility.
Bruce Matthews III drew on family tradition and a respect for the regional landscape, fusing farm history with playable public design.
Defining features
- Real farm silo used as visual landmark
- Short, drivable par-4 holes for bold play
- Long, challenging par 3s demand precise irons
- Playable walking terrain with strategic hazards
- Blend of open and treelined corridors
- Up-north Michigan scenery and local materials
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 2
Temptation at Two
PAR
4
YARDAGE
284
A compact 284-yard par 4 that dares you to attack the green from the tee, but rewards only the accurate. Well-protected and strategic, this hole tempts the bold while punishing over-aggression.
Play it smart
The smart play may be an iron or hybrid left short of hazards, but the aggressive route over trouble can set up eagle with a pinpoint tee ball.
Where it bites
Miss left or long and you’ll contend with tricky recovery shots and fast-running slopes—caution pays off here.
Course management
Shots to think about
Drivable par 4s like No. 2 and No. 7
Trust your placement—driver isn’t always the best risk vs. reward option.
Par 3s over 210 yards
Favor the fat part of the green—missing short or long brings double into play fast.
Approaches into sloped greens
Land your shot short for more receptive bounces, especially when greens are firm.
Wind picking up late in the round
Account for swirling breezes, especially on back-nine approach shots where trees and open ground meet.
Fairways fringed by trees or native grass
Prioritize keeping tee shots in play—the rough’s depth changes quickly and can ruin a scoring chance.
Finishing at 18
Avoid over-pressing on the second shot; smart layup often beats trying to reach in two.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Consistently competent public course conditioning—greens may vary based on recent maintenance but usually roll true.
Pace
Typical relaxed public pace; expect 4–4.5 hours on busy days, but weekday rounds can move briskly.
Vibe
Friendly, low-key, and welcoming up-north Michigan atmosphere with a rustic twist.
Dress code
Casual public standard; collared shirts encouraged but not strictly enforced.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Check Live Course Condition
Verify green updates or aerification timing—spring and fall maintenance may affect playability.
02
Book Morning to Avoid Crowds
Earlier tee times tend to run fastest at this value-friendly public course.
03
Bring Rain Gear
Northern Michigan weather can turn on a dime, so plan for everything from sun to showers in a single round.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1997
Course opens, designed by Bruce Matthews III
- 1997
Iconic farm silo retained as property landmark
- 2020
Course continues operating as a staple Kalkaska public layout
- 2024
Public play and solid maintenance earn 4-star aggregate ratings
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Matthews Family Legacy
Part of Michigan’s most prolific public-golf design family, Timber Wolf is the handiwork of Bruce Matthews III, who drew on generations of regional expertise to craft a course that blends approachable play with rustic charm.
Short Par-4 Temptation
Aggressive players are drawn to risk/reward holes like the drivable 2nd and 7th, both under 320 yards from the back. Bite off too much and you’ll learn quickly that farmstead golf can bite back.
Public Course, Private Welcome
Despite affordable rates and a laid-back atmosphere, Timber Wolf gives visitors the sense they’re joining a community golf tradition, making for an instantly comfortable and unpretentious experience.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
The course’s historic farm silo is fully visible from several holes as both landmark and photo spot.
2
Part of a multi-generation family of Michigan golf architects—Bruce Matthews III is one of the best-known regional designers.
3
Short par-4s and multiple risk/reward holes put a high premium on creative local strategy.
4
The original farmhouse acts as clubhouse, keeping the property’s rural character alive.
5
Timber Wolf routinely hosts both local outings and relaxed buddy-trip golf groups due to its approachable vibe.
Build the trip
If you're making a Northern Michigan golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
The Chief Golf Course
Public
Respected inland layout with clever routing and value
A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort
Resort
Destination property with multiple courses and upgraded conditioning
Grand View Golf Club
Public
Solid Traverse City-area public option for a warm-up round
Bahle Farms Golf Course
Public
Popular Charlevoix-area course with hilly scenery and strong par 4s
Traverse City for dining, nightlife, and easy access to several top regional courses.
Course DNA
If You Like Timber Wolf Golf Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.1
Highland Park Golf Course
Birmingham, AlabamaWhy it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Highland Park Golf Course's own setting.
Strong DNA Match7.0
Los Robles Greens Golf Course
Thousand Oaks, CaliforniaWhy it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Los Robles Greens Golf Course's own setting.
Strong DNA Match7.1
The Wolverine
Williamsburg, MichiganWhy it matches: If Timber Wolf Golf Club is your kind of course, The Wolverine is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Community Sentiment
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