GreenlitBETA
Roscommon, Michigan

Forest Dunes Golf Course

Golf Digest Top 100 Public·#36

Where ancient glacial dunes meet northern Michigan's tallest pines—a two-personality masterpiece that will humble and captivate your entire group.

About the Course

Forest Dunes Golf Club is a course that should be on any serious golfer's bucket list, nestled on 500 acres of heavily wooded land within the Huron National Forest, with a parkland-style classic designed by British Open Champion Tom Weiskopf. The front nine, dubbed the 'forest nine,' demands accuracy due to the presence of towering mature trees but the open back nine is characterized by pristine white sand dunes. The course features several elements that Weiskopf is known for: A split fairway, a drivable par 4 and a 19th hole—in case you need to settle a bet. Add The Loop, a fully reversible course designed by renowned architect Tom Doak that rotates between the Red Course (counterclockwise routing) and the White Course (clockwise routing) each day, and you've got a destination golf resort that lets golfers experience 54 holes of world-class golf in just three days—a rare combination of course design philosophy and destination convenience that makes this the ultimate buddies trip.

Why It's Great for Groups
  • ✦<cite index="26-9,26-10">Michigan's 6th best course (Golf Digest, 2025/26) and USA's 37th best public access course (Golf Digest, 2025/26)</cite>
  • ✦<cite index="23-7">The property is surrounded by 400,000 untamed acres of the Huron National Forest</cite> providing unmatched remoteness and seclusion for groups seeking a pure golf experience
  • ✦<cite index="3-5,3-6">A variety of Stay & Play Packages are available, offering customizable options for whether you are looking for 18, 36 or 54 holes, one-night stays or multiple-night options</cite>
  • ✦<cite index="22-2">Three types of accommodations—cottages, villas and lodge rooms—designed to meet the needs of destination golf groups of all shapes and sizes</cite>
  • ✦<cite index="58-30,58-31">Forest Dunes boasts 54 strong golf holes with a spectacular practice area, and its price point comes in cheaper than many other top-tier resorts in the midwest such as Kohler or French Lick</cite>
Courses on Property
⛳
Forest Dunes18 holes · Par 72

<cite index="23-2,23-3,23-4">Ranked 23rd nationally among all public courses by Golf Digest, at 7,104 yards with five sets of tees to challenge golfers of any level</cite>

⛳
The Loop (Black and Red Routings)18 holes · Par 70

<cite index="39-4,39-8">Tom Doak's reversible layout with eighteen distinct fairways and greens that are fully reversible, allowing golfers to play the same course in two different directions</cite>

⛳
Bootlegger10 holes · Par 27

<cite index="15-3,15-4">A 10-hole 1,100 yard par-3 course designed by Keith Rhebb and Riley Johns with a name inspired by the Purple Gang, a Detroit-area mafia family that ran the South Branch Ranch on the property in the 1920's and 30's</cite>

✦
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Key Details
💰
Green Fees
$160–$225/person est.
🚶
Walking Friendly
Yes
🎒
Caddies Available
Yes
📅
Best Time to Visit
<cite index="26-1">The original Forest Dunes course is open to outside visitors on weekdays and weekends during the golf season (end-April through October)</cite>. Late spring through early fall offers ideal conditions, though <cite index="58-19">golfers should search for the strongest bug spray available for the course, especially in early August when black flies and gnats can be bothersome</cite>. Peak season from June through August brings premium rates but optimal course conditions and weather.
ParklandLinksMountainBucket ListWalking OnlyCaddies AvailableResortChampionshipHidden GemValue Play
Stay on Property
<cite index="22-4,22-5,22-6,22-7,22-8,22-9">The Lake AuSable Lodge is located just 35 yards from the first tee of the Forest Dunes course and features 11 standard rooms and two suites, with first floor rooms offering both king and double-queen configurations that can be adjoined, and second floor two-bedroom suites that can accommodate a group of four</cite>. <cite index="22-10,22-11,22-12,22-13">Forest Dunes offers several cottages located throughout the property including four on Lake AuSable and four on the Forest Dunes course, ranging between three and six bedrooms and sleeping between four and eight individuals, with all cottages furnished with linens, towels, dishes and cookware, as well as a gas grill, and lake cottages including private fire pits</cite>.

<cite index="22-4,22-5,22-6,22-7,22-8,22-9">The Lake AuSable Lodge is located just 35 yards from the first tee of the Forest Dunes course and features 11 standard rooms and two suites, with first floor rooms offering both king and double-queen configurations that can be adjoined, and second floor two-bedroom suites that can accommodate a group of four</cite>. <cite index="22-10,22-11,22-12,22-13">Forest Dunes offers several cottages located throughout the property including four on Lake AuSable and four on the Forest Dunes course, ranging between three and six bedrooms and sleeping between four and eight individuals, with all cottages furnished with linens, towels, dishes and cookware, as well as a gas grill, and lake cottages including private fire pits</cite>.

Nearby Lodging