The Captain’s Legacy
The identity of Whittaker traces back to a ship captain who ran his vessel aground in 1834, and marveled at the beauty of New Buffalo’s harbor—today, his name frames every scorecard and post-round story.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
The Woodlands Course at Whittaker
New Buffalo, Michigan
Established
1996
Architect
Ken Killian
Access
Public
Par
Par 72
Length
5,025 – 7,072 yds
Green Fees
$$
The verdict
Playable, tree-lined Midwest challenge
The Woodlands Course at Whittaker offers a public-access test laced with mature trees, balance, and genuine shot-making demands. It's a strong regional choice for the road-tripping golfer who values accessible rates and a relaxed vibe over marquee championship pedigree.
Course DNA
Difficulty
75
Scenery67
Conditioning62
Shot Variety68
Walkability65
Green Complexity64
Wow Factor60
Design Quality64
Don't miss
Drop by the converted 1920s farmhouse clubhouse for a post-round drink—you’ll find local color, classic Harbor Country maps, and sometimes impromptu live music.
At a glance
Quick facts
Biggest test
Four par 4s play over 450 yards from the tips
Course record
62 (unofficial, per clubhouse lore)
Clubhouse provenance
1920s farmhouse conversion anchors the site
Practice range
Full grass-tee range and practice greens
Tree count
Over 3,000 mature trees frame the routing
Golf cart policy
Carts included in most green fees; walking allowed
Name origin
Linked to 1834 harbor explorer Capt. Wessel Whittaker
Rebranding
Renamed ‘The Woodlands’ in recent clubhouse refresh
The design
The architecture
Ken Killian's original 1996 design at The Woodlands Course at Whittaker delivers a Midwest parkland routing shaped by groves of mature trees, gentle undulations, and thoughtful risk/reward holes. The course balances brute par 4s and three-shot par 5s with shorter, attackable par 4s—an appealing mix for all skill levels. Spacious landing areas and multiple tee boxes offer strategy choices but challenge even seasoned players to control direction and trajectory. The setting is classic Harbor Country: peaceful, wooded, and woven into the landscape just outside New Buffalo.
Ken Killian specialized in Midwest public-access layouts, emphasizing playable tests with enough muscle to interest competitive players.
Defining features
- Tree-lined fairways define approach angles
- Strong mix of long and short par 4s
- Three attackable par 5s, especially the 10th
- Greens with modest skirting and gentle movement
- Strategic placement outweighs sheer power
- Farmhouse-anchored clubhouse with relaxed atmosphere
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 5
Bend Through the Oaks
PAR
5
YARDAGE
538
This sweeping par 5 doglegs through heavy trees, forcing a strategic drive for anyone seeking an eagle try. Second-shot temptation battles with prudence as the landing area narrows and deep woods guard the approach.
Play it smart
Keep your tee shot center-right for the best angle; only long hitters with perfect placement should consider attacking in two.
Where it bites
Errant shots into the trees can spell instant trouble—don’t get greedy; the pitch out often costs the true birdie chance.
Course management
Shots to think about
Opening drive on 1
Favor control and center-cut placement—the rough and trees bite early misfires.
Second shot into 5 from the right trees
Pitch out to the fairway and play for par—hero shots here rarely succeed.
Long-iron approach on 12
Club up in the wind and play to heart of green; flirting with edge pins courts bogey.
Tee shot on short par-4 14
A fairway wood or hybrid to the right side opens up the green.
Approach to 18th green
Misses left leave a more straightforward chip; avoid the front right bunker at all costs.
Downwind tee shot on par-3 8
Don’t get cute with the pin—safe center hits pay off.
After missing the fairway on 7
Punch out short and accept bogey rather than compounding errors against the trees.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Course is typically in steady public shape with occasional maintenance projects and ongoing improvements.
Pace
Expect a steady but occasionally slow pace on busy weekends; twilight and weekday afternoons move fastest.
Vibe
Laid-back and unpretentious Midwest golf atmosphere; friendly staff and regulars.
Dress code
Standard public course attire; collared shirt recommended but relaxed standards.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Book prime tee times early
Weekend mornings fill quickly—secure your spot online or by phone.
02
Check current conditions
Wet spring and early summer can mean softer turf and slower greens; course website posts regular updates.
03
Bring a rangefinder
Tree-lined sight lines can make club selection tricky; flag distances matter.
04
Pack for changing weather
Lake Michigan breezes shift fast—layers and a light rain top are wise.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1834
Captain Wessel Whittaker runs his ship aground near New Buffalo; future course name inspired
- 1996
The Woodlands Course at Whittaker opens, designed by Ken Killian
- 2020
Clubhouse and branding refreshed, course renamed 'The Woodlands Course at Whittaker'
- 2022
Upgrades include new sand in bunkers and improved putting surfaces
Stories & legends
What makes it special
A Farmhouse Revival
The welcoming clubhouse is no cookie-cutter build—it’s a converted 1920s farmhouse, blending rustic Midwest elegance with the heart of a lively public course.
Finding the Sweet Spot
Local regulars know that surviving the first seven holes—one of the toughest stretches on the card—sets up scoring on amenable par 5s and shorter 4s coming home.
Tree-Lined Test
Accuracy beats raw length on many holes, with mature woodland on both sides rewarding placement and steady nerves more than towering drives.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
The course sits just a mile from Lake Michigan’s sandy shoreline.
2
Its name and lore are directly tied to a 19th-century Great Lakes ship captain.
3
Players can spot deer, foxes, and the occasional wild turkey roaming the back nine.
4
Home to thousands of mature hardwoods planted to frame fairways and greens.
5
The club’s farmhouse clubhouse regularly features rotating artwork from local Michigan artists.
Build the trip
If you're making a Harbor Country golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Harbor Shores Golf Club
Resort
Jack Nicklaus signature public design—host of the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship
Chikaming Country Club
Private
Classic, tree-lined Midwest club—playable if you have local contacts
Pebblewood Country Club
Public
Fun, low-key short course that’s great for warm-ups or casual rounds
South Bend Country Club
Private
Historic Donald Ross features less than an hour away
The Dunes Club
Private
Ultra-exclusive 9-holer renowned for its sandy interior and minimalist presentation
New Buffalo or Union Pier for easy access to courses, dining, and Midwest shoreline
Course DNA
If You Like The Woodlands Course at Whittaker
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.2
Cherry Blossom Golf Club
Georgetown, KentuckyWhy it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Cherry Blossom Golf Club's own setting.
Strong DNA Match7.0
Highfields Golf & Country Club
Grafton, MassachusettsDifficulty
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Highfields Golf & Country Club asks for the same disciplined decision-making, making it a compelling counterpart to The Woodlands Course at Whittaker.
Strong DNA Match6.8
Eagle Trace Golf Course
Morehead, KentuckyDifficulty
Why it matches: What links these two? Brings a comparable level of challenge — a familiar feeling, expressed in Eagle Trace Golf Course's own setting.
Community Sentiment
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