The Chief Golf Course
The Chief Golf Course
4
About
Welcome to The Chief Golf Course, or as it has long been known, "The Spirit of the North." The Chief Golf Course is among the best destinations in Northern Michigan golf. Here at The Chief, we have everything you need to create a perfect day on the course, from a fully-stocked pro shop to membership opportunities to a hospitable staff.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.9
39 reviews
Excellent
20
Very good
8
Average
4
Poor
3
Terrible
4
seescokid
Grand Rapids, MI3,414 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Wow this is a heck of a funky tricked up track! Several carry’s over long ravines, blind shots, big elevation changes, you name it. Long drives to the first, tenth tees, just a strange layout of mountain golf.
Worth the $71 TeeOff for 2 on a gorgeous Wednesday 8/10/22. Have played Legend, Cedar River many times and like them a whole lot better, even Hawkseye. ( but they have got outrageously expensive)
I scored ok but even from the whites the 139 slope rating was a beast. Course in good shape except for several traps were poor. I’ll still give it a four star rating but I think I’m done with it. The foursome in front of us went from the white tees up to the golds on back nine, better be scratch to play the tips. Still fun though wife and I enjoyed it
Worth the $71 TeeOff for 2 on a gorgeous Wednesday 8/10/22. Have played Legend, Cedar River many times and like them a whole lot better, even Hawkseye. ( but they have got outrageously expensive)
I scored ok but even from the whites the 139 slope rating was a beast. Course in good shape except for several traps were poor. I’ll still give it a four star rating but I think I’m done with it. The foursome in front of us went from the white tees up to the golds on back nine, better be scratch to play the tips. Still fun though wife and I enjoyed it
Written August 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rosco1e
Toronto, Canada172 contributions
Jul 2012 • Couples
Visually the course is terrific. Lots of rolling fairways and many times your shooting across gorges from your t-box. After playing all the Shanty Creek courses I was disappointed that this one's fairways were a bit rougher. But still, they weren't bad by any stretch. Fairways are narrow. Lots of hard turn dog legs. You definitely have to plan and place your shots or else you'll be in the woods a lot. Cost was $25 w/cart when we went after 2pm. Can't beat that.
Written July 9, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon L
Ann Arbor, MI18 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
Been playing the Chief for years, I've been through all of it ups and downs and its a really nice tract of land. Look forward to playing when in town. Last time it was disappointing to find after paying the full 18 hole, off the street rack rate at 2:00 pm, there was no replay rate. It was full rack rate at 6:00 night, $80 for nine hole (2 people) of $100 for 18.
With 5 golf courses with in a well hit driver, OK a really well hit driver distance, i'm not certain of the strategy. The smug young man said "Hawk's Eye does replay rate, but we don't" so we headed off to Hawk's Eye........
With 5 golf courses with in a well hit driver, OK a really well hit driver distance, i'm not certain of the strategy. The smug young man said "Hawk's Eye does replay rate, but we don't" so we headed off to Hawk's Eye........
Written July 31, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kmangus824
2 contributions
Aug 2022 • Friends
Tried to schedule a 16 man outing at the golf show. The manager said no problem we can set up 5 rounds of golf with accommodations. The manager Mike said he would take my deposit and we would hear from him the next week, well that’s not at all what happened. After 3 weeks I reached out to him and said he would have to get back with me after he got it scheduled. After a few more emails to him he said you’re all set. Well he set us up with 4 rounds that we’re not even what we had on our contract? Then he actually looked at the contract and tried to book it then got back with me and told me it was all booked up after at least a month of not doing his job. Oh I forgot to mention he was even off by the date by a whole month.
Ruined our trip!! We had to scramble around and find a different date and a different place that was not even close to what we were looking for.
Ruined our trip!! We had to scramble around and find a different date and a different place that was not even close to what we were looking for.
Written August 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
petersgal
Grand Haven, MI385 contributions
Jun 2020 • Couples
We played The Chief yesterday for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it. The course is in great shape. While we are far from being great golfers, I can see where this may be a bit much for those new to the sport - it’s a challenge! Also, finding the 16th fairway could potentially be frustrating for some. We found it eventually. We will definitely play this beautiful course again.
Written June 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff P
2 contributions
Jun 2021
Awesome course to play. The Chief presents a nice challenge, you need to think about your shots and be smart and have fun. The views are great, and the new layout plays faster and brings you past the clubhouse at the turn. Love to play here and it is on the list every year. Never disappoints!
Written June 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
citygirlforever
Saint Louis, MO113 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
I don't know where to start...we decided to stop at the Pelican's Nest Restaurant (on the golf course) for a beer before we checked in at Shanty Creek Resort. It's about 4pm at this point, we ordered beers at the bar (Mike was the bartender - he's awesome!) and chatted with people that played the course earlier in the day. Mike told us about a Tuesday night scramble - I think it included golf, cart and two drink tickets - well, sign us up! We went to the car, unpacked the golf clubs, threw on our shoes and started playing (mind you, one of the girls had a dress on and we hadn’t even checked in at the hotel). We had a blast! The locals were awesome! We ended up winning the scramble and had dinner at the restaurant. Then Mike told us about another scramble on Thursday night. So...we went back on Thursday night to play the 9 hole scramble with the locals. Again, it was soooo much fun! We had amazing weather and everyone was so nice! Can't wait to go back to Michigan.
Written August 1, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack A
Columbiaville, Michigan, United States81 contributions
Oct 2012 • Solo
I played The Chief last fall and was just amazed with the course. I'm bringing my wife back for Fall Colors this year. My favorite of the Shanty Creek courses.
Written July 25, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary K
Farmington Hills, Michigan, United States11 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
Although an extremely HOT/HUMID week, my group of 3 average golfers enjoyed the beauty and challenge of this course! The staff on the course were welcoming and helpful! Looking forward to returning and enjoying this course in the fall! The clubhouse restaurant was inviting and the food pretty good...the BangBang shrimp was tasty! SHORTS beer is available here, so that was a definite plus as well. We ate at this restaurant on another day when we didn't golf, we enjoyed the atmosphere and the British Open highlights and Detroit Tigers as well on their many TVs.
Written July 23, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ericc153
Novi, MI14 contributions
Jun 2013 • Family
Played at The Chief on Saturday June 29th. While the greens and the course are in good shape the design of many holes is simply not proper. The second hole is a short downhill par 3 with a green that goes from front to back and just beyond the green is basically out of bounds. Many other holes are not designed well. Could be a nice course but needs to be corrected if it has any chance of competing with many other fine courses in the area.
Written July 1, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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