Gaylord, Michigan
Renovated 2025This course recently completed a major renovation. During this transition, course data may reflect a mix of pre- and post-renovation yardages, hole configurations, or routing. The Caddie Report monitors these changes and periodically reassesses the course as a reliable new baseline is established.
Treetops Signature is a regionally elite test of precision and strategy, with rolling greens and freshly opened vistas after a transformative renovation. Expect major fun for seekers of adventure and classic resort golf with a modern edge.
Soak in the panoramic view from the 10th tee box—a new angle on the landscape only revealed after the 2025 tree clearing.
Signature is Rick Smith’s spirited take on Scottish/Irish golf, re-envisioned for Northern Michigan’s dramatic uplands. The 2025 renovation, with its sweeping tree removal, turbocharged sunlight and vistas, letting the bold, undulating greens and strategic land movement shine. The routing swings across hills and valleys, rewarding position off the tee but throwing most of its punches on and around immense putting surfaces that have become the course’s signature. Precision off the tee, creative shotmaking, and superb lag putting are all required, with risk/reward decisions enhanced by new daylight and airflow that keep turf crisp and lively.
Smith’s artistic, links-inspired mentality is finally realized in the course’s current, wide-open form.
The demanding opener immediately tests nerves and accuracy, with a lengthy tee shot into a corridor that now feels more open than ever before. Sight lines restored after the renovation set the tone, and a precise approach is needed to hold a famously undulating green.
Play a controlled tee shot to the widest part of the fairway and leave an uphill approach below the hole.
Miss left and the hill can swallow your ball; miss right and you'll face a slick recovery to a wild surface.
Restored, brighter greens and fairways with improved sunlight, turf, and playability after major tree removal.
Busy but steady pace typical of resort play in high season; expect a few waits but no marathon rounds.
Energetic, welcoming, and resort-casual, with a sense of occasion on the first tee but accessible to all.
Standard golf attire recommended; resort casual is the norm.
Practice long putts on the practice green; undulating targets are your biggest test.
The exposed terrain means changing winds and sudden sun—bring layers and even sunscreen.
Study pin locations or green slopes pre-round; knowing where not to miss is vital for scoring.
Accept that 3-putts happen—focus on recovery and leave mistakes behind on the next tee.
Signature Course opens, designed by Rick Smith as his first 18-hole layout.
Inspired by Smith’s Scotland/Ireland tour, introducing bold contours to Northern Michigan.
Major restoration: 10,000+ trees removed, opening up sight lines and restoring Smith’s vision.
Course conditions dramatically improved, becoming brighter and more playable.
Before shaping Signature, Rick Smith walked Scottish and Irish courses to understand their magic. He returned determined to bring rolling greens and open, windy golf to Michigan’s forests, adapting classic inspiration to a resort setting.
In 2025, Signature’s landscape was radically transformed as crews removed over 10,000 trees, restoring sunlight, views, and turf health. The reopening shocked regulars: sight lines and green complexes emerged from the shadows, totally recharging the course’s personality.
Signature’s undulating greens have become both legend and lore. Golfers swap stories about wild putts and impossible up-and-downs, embracing the agony and ecstasy of Smith’s boldest artistic stroke—now even more exposed after the restoration.
Golfers returning in 2025 found a transformed Signature, many calling it a 'completely new experience' and rediscovering the course’s charm in brighter, healthier, more strategic corridors.
Over 10,000 trees were removed in a single off-season, drastically altering play and aesthetics.
Signature’s greens are some of the most undulating in all of Michigan.
Rick Smith used firsthand Scottish and Irish experience as direct inspiration for the course.
Signature was Smith’s first full-length course, launching his national design career.
Legend has it the first putt Rick Smith ever hit on the completed course ran off the green!
Solid value and a contrasting, more parkland-style challenge.
Friendly member vibe and old-school routing—perfect for a warm-up round.
Robert Trent Jones Sr.’s heaving, classic test down the road.
Pine valley feel and enjoyable for casual groups.
Stay at Treetops Resort or downtown Gaylord for easy golf access and dining.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: If Treetops Resort Signature Course is your kind of course, Forest Hills Golf Club is worth a look because it demands the same precision once you reach the putting surface.
Why it matches: If Treetops Resort Signature Course is your kind of course, Pasatiempo Golf Club is worth a look because it demands the same precision once you reach the putting surface.
Why it matches: Bald Peak Colony Club is a natural next stop after Treetops Resort Signature Course: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
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