A recent golf trip to northern Michigan has become the talk of the weekend, with one participant recounting a seven-day adventure that included 166 holes of golf, a lightning scare, and plenty of camaraderie. The trip, which spanned parts of seven days, saw the author navigate everything from a Jack Nicklaus course known as The Bear to a tiki hut bar at Garland Golf Resort. The experience was marked by perfect weather, save for a lightning delay that ended a round after 15 holes, and a heat index that soared to 105 degrees by Tuesday afternoon.
The trip was divided into two halves: 16 players joined for the first part, while 40 participated in the second. The best course played was The Bear in Traverse City, a Jack Nicklaus design that lived up to its reputation as one of the toughest in the region, with more bunkers than the author had ever seen. Despite a rough front nine, the author carded a 46 on the back nine, calling it a "full integrity" score. Grand Traverse Resort was praised for its classy amenities, including a beer hut behind the 18th green and hidden speakers playing soft music around the clubhouse.
The party scene was a tie between Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire and Garland Golf Resort. Shanty Creek, home to Short's Brewery, offered a ski village atmosphere with bars and restaurants bustling with bachelorette parties, wedding parties, and golfers. Garland, on the other hand, provided a more secluded lodge experience in the middle of a forest, with a tiki hut bar that the author described as "sneaky." The food at Garland stood out, particularly the hanger steak and firecracker shrimp, while the white pepper sandwich at Short's was a must-try for lunch.
The author's own performance on the course was mixed. While he didn't break 80, he shot a 95 at The Legend, an Arnold Palmer course that had previously defeated him. He attributed his struggles to chipping and three-putt triples, but noted that with more practice on the greens, he could improve. The trip also included a round on The Sawyer, a walkable 10-hole reversible course where players could take just three clubs and go barefoot. The author suggested the course could benefit from a pop-up bar or a beer cart, but praised the overall experience as a way to "soak up Pure Michigan."
Prices for the trip were reasonable: $430 for two nights at Shanty Creek, including four rounds of weekend golf, and $530 for three nights at Garland, including four rounds and a round on The Sawyer. The author noted that no one was arrested or needed medical attention, calling it a "solid trip." A surprise piece of content is expected next week, as the author participated in Garland's "Tee Shot Tuesday" Facebook series after playing 158 holes of golf. The trip also touched on broader sports culture, with mentions of Jena Sims' golf swing, Wyndham Clark's girlfriend Emily Tanner, and a call to buy Rocky's mouthguard, all part of the Friday Screencaps tradition.
