Must-See Michigan Spring Spots: Golfing at Arcadia Bluffs
EDITOR'S NOTE: As spring descends on Michigan, reporters across the state have chosen their favorite warm-weather destinations. We've decided to share them with you.
ARCADIA — You don’t have to be a golfer to enjoy a visit to Arcadia Bluffs along the Lake Michigan coastline, about 50 miles north of Ludington.
The course is consistently listed among the top options for players in the U.S. and universally sits inside the five best courses in Michigan. It includes two 18-hole tracks — the Bluffs Course, which offers incredible views and challenging play, and the deceptively tough and rugged South Course.
There’s a dichotomy to playing golf at Arcadia Bluffs. For one, it's a tremendous challenge, even for advanced players. Some holes require significant discipline. Putting can be treacherous and the winds whipping off Lake Michigan are bound to wreak havoc with ball flight.
However, part of the fun is the views, which can easily distract. Many would just as soon walk the course at dusk on a summer evening as worry about the inconvenience of golf clubs and accessories. The scenery alone is worth the visit — the golf might just be the cherry on top.
If you decide to challenge yourself, the Bluffs Course is a true links-style course with wide fairways, spacious greens and very few trees. If the wind is whipping, keeping the ball low and straight is rewarded. Avoid the bunkers at all costs. Just be sure to fully take in the atmosphere, even if birdies and pars are hard to come by.
The South Course is more Midwestern. While it’s the easier of the two courses, there's deception in its topography and precision is specifically rewarded. There are more hidden dangers.
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One of the more charming features of Arcadia Bluffs is how far you are from any major cities or tourist areas. The village of Arcadia has a documented population of under 250 according to the 2020 Census.
Arcadia Bluffs has taken advantage by creating an upscale resort that seems to have more to offer every visit. It includes high-end dining and lodging. If the outdoors, serenity and beauty are what you seek, and golf is anything approaching a passion, Arcadia Bluffs is a bucket list necessity.
— M. Alan Scott is a freelance writer for The Livingston Daily. Contact the newsroom at newsroom@livingstondaily.com.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Must-See Michigan Spring Spots: Golfing at Arcadia Bluffs
