Forest Dunes (Weiskopf) - Michigan - USA

So many times when people prepare reviews the focus often highlights the "experience" side of the equation. How well was one received by staff? How good were the turf conditions? How well did the putting greens roll? There's no question that these elements have a place in the discussion but frankly the central dimension must have the architecture as the first among all other aspects.

The other factors I alluded to are support considerations -- which flow from just how good the architecture really is.

Take for example the Tom Weiskopf design at Forest Dunes. Before playing the layout this past summer I had heard a great deal. I especially took notice when Golf Channel's Matt Ginella had the course among the top five public in the USA. I've played my share of public golf throughout America and frankly Forest Dunes would not sniff a top 25 position let alone a top five.

That's not to say the course is not good but the expectations I had going in were extremely high. The turf quality when I was there certainly merits attention for how the course presents itself. The greens rolled well and the details in having the course "look" smart were clearly apparent. Unfortunately, the architecture side was not at the same level.

The holes are good but Weiskopf has done far better at other designs he has created.

There are a few standout holes on the outward side -- the split fairway at the par-4 6th is good. Ditto the risk/reward elements at the par-5 7th which is bolstered by a singular tree that stands guard along the left side of the putting green. The dog-leg par-4 8th is also a fine driving hole to a well defended green.

The inward side starts strongly with the split fairway at the 10th and bolstered by a well-defended green. But, frankly, after that wonderful hole the only other one of note is the stellar long par-4 14th. No question, the turf quality and the setting make for a pleasant time but the beef for compelling architecture is just not sustained. If Weiskopf had added more from the holes I have mentioned then the totality of the golf would have been on a much higher level.

In other designs Weiskopf has made it a point to add a driveable par-4. It's become his signature inclusion. However, the par-4 17th Forest Dunes is a mere lightweight when held against others that he has created. The round concludes with a decent par-5 but nothing that is extraordinary. If anything, I found the par-3 19th to be a fine way to settle any last minute bets.

The Weiskopf layout certainly provides high marks on the "looks" dimension. Frankly, without knowing better, I would have thought the course was the handiwork of Tom Fazio -- a man who has perfected the appearance of golf without having the substance behind it in so many of his efforts.

Those going had best place their expectations in check. The only thing not overrated is the constant attack of the bugs. They are akin to a zombie movie -- they just keep coming and can be a major irritant. Compelling architecture is on a limited basis here. It's just too bad more could not have been brought to the table.

by M. James Ward

Forest Dunes is a fantastic public course with plenty of eye candy. While the eye candy is mostly out of play, there are some very good holes on the course and it is fun to play. The only criticism is that the greens are average, not spectacular.

Forest Dunes is quickly transforming itself from a stop over to parts north in Michigan into a destination on its own. It truly is located in the middle of nowhere. A 3-hour drive north of Detroit and 8 miles to the nearest town of Roscommon with a population of just over 1000, Forest Dunes is a pure golf experience.

Golf Digest ranks it #25 in the 2017-2018 “America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Course” and in 2017 Golf Magazine named it #21 in the “Top 100 Courses You Can Play” so you won’t be disappointed.

The course was in impeccable shape with five sets of tees ranging from 3,500 to 7,100 yards to accommodate all skill levels. The strategically placed deep flashed-up bunkers have sharp defined edges filled with consistent soft white sand. The greens are well protected with less undulations but when I played it the Stimp Meter read 14 so they were extremely fast. Plus the false fronts and swales around the greens make for strategic approach shots.

A Tale of Two Lives – Forest and Dunes

The first eight holes have a true parkland feel as you gently meander though the heavily wooded Huron National Forest. The short 6th hole nicknamed “Gamble” offers a visually intimidating tee shot since bunkers run across this split fairway and a huge tree is perched directly in the middle. It forces you to make a choice of laying up on either side of the tree or fly one over the right bunker.

#7, aptly named “Goal Posts” is a sweeping dogleg left par-5 that is surrounded by four large bunkers and a big tree in the front right as you approach the green.

The “Forest Edge” 8th hole is probably my favourite. This sharp dog-leg par-4 has a huge bunker on the right side to prevent you from cutting the corner. The visually stunning peninsula green is also protected by three huge bunkers making your approach paramount.

“The Point” 9th hole is an intimating par-3 that is entirely over water, surrounded by five bunkers within clear view of the clubhouse.

Dunes

The wide-open 10th hole, called “Decision”, gives you a taste of the back nine with two huge waste bunkers staring you in the face on this split fairway. Take your pick but chose wisely depending on the pin placement on the horseshoe shaped green.

The back nine has more of a raw heathland-style feel with wind swept dunes, waste bunkers, natural grasses and thick underbrush.

Holes 11, 12 and 13 transport you back into the dense forest then 14 and 15 open back up again. The “Hideaway” #15 par-5 is set in a gully with the smallest green on the course. Waste bunkers are the most prominent feature as you head back to the clubhouse from 16 to 18.

What’s cool

Fantastic customer service and over-all conditioning is without repute.

Patterned concrete cart pathways

Divots are filled with a green seed and sand compound so you cannot see them from a distance.

What’s not

More après golf activities and rooms need an outdoor patio area to sit at

No course map on the cart or scorecard so make sure you buy a yardage book

Gnats are here all year round – they don’t bite but make sure you invest in the natural insect repellent that they sell since deet is not effective.

Follow Dave Finn's travels at www.golftravelandleisure.com

Forest Dunes is misnamed. While there’s plenty of forest, there’s not a dune in sight. There are sandy waste areas on a few holes, but I guess it wouldn’t do to have called the place Forest Waste.Golf Digest’s Matt Ginella says it’s one of the 5 best public access courses in the country, putting it in the same class as Bethpage Black and Pasatiempo. If anyone from those two fine courses were to play here, they’d likely be quite dismayed. I can think of five courses in New England alone that are comparable to Forest Dunes. After starting with six quite ordinary holes, I did find #s 6 and 10 (with their split fairways) and #s 8 and 12 (with water challenging the approach though not requiring a forced carry)—to be fun. But mediocrity set in quickly thereafter: at 13—the dullest on the course and 15—where only half of a sweet punchbowl green is site was used. And while the greens do have some interesting contours, the most common feature—a ridge bisecting the green—is overemployed. In May of 2015 the course was in excellent condition and the greens were running swiftly, despite the difficulties of the last few northern Michigan winters.I generally enjoy Tom Wesikopf’s work, but this in not among his best: overall a good course, but hardly, in my view, a great one.

Located in the rural town of Roscommon in Northern Michigan, Forest Dunes is a highly commendable Weiskopf layout. The first fairway leads you into the Forest away from the glorious clubhouse. The architect certainly makes it clear where you need to drive the ball as the front nine is tree lined with dog-legs in both directions. Large generous greens present many pin positions, as well as integrated waste areas where the player can ground the club, even green-side. I arrived here with no expectations or any real knowledge of the course, but the front side really impressed me. Design variety included split fairways, sometime large carries to fairways, tight fairways accompanied with a back nine which plays wide open and more ‘dunes’ like. Conditioning is supreme at this relatively unknown course, but typical of this part of the country, is the sandy turf which is fantastic for ball striking and provided the architect with the ability to make large scale bunkers and easy to shape the land. The course continues to impress with a terrific routing and very unique holes, but sadly finishes in a weak manner. The 17th is a 300 yard par 4, and although there are waste areas left & right, it really is a let down. Then you get to the anti-climatic 18th, which is a strange looking reachable par 5. It has an incredible elevated bumpy fairway with hay & sand down lining the fairways, and then a pond in front of the green. It’s reachable with a mid-iron and just doesn’t feel like it’s up to the same quality or challenge of the previous holes throughout the property – and doesn’t offer a big finish some might argue. Nonetheless, I still encourage players to make the effort to go here, but don’t forget your bug spray – they are lethal!