If you’ve never played a links style course, it’s imperative you give it a try. It’s the way the game was supposed to be played. There’s really not that many in America. Arcadia Bluffs is one of them. Arcadia Bluffs is one of the Midwest’s premier golf destinations  perched on windswept bluffs overlooking 3,100 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline in Arcadia. With true seaside links-style golf, dramatic elevation drops, natural dunes, and panoramic lake views from nearly every hole, it’s often compared to Bandon Dunes or Whistling Straits but with that pure Great Lakes magic. Add exceptional lodging, dining, and a newer South Course for variety, and it’s bucket-list territory.

Quick Facts

  • Two championship 18-hole courses + The Dozen (12-hole short course)  Bluffs (1999, Warren Henderson/Rick Smith) and South (2019, Dana Fry/Jason Straka)
  • Links-style drama: Wind-swept fescues, sod-walled bunkers, wide fairways, huge greens, and massive Lake Michigan vistas
  • Seasonal play: Mid-April to mid-November, peak summer/fall for best weather (60s-80s°F), winds add challenge
  • Public access: Daily-fee resort open to all; stay-and-play packages with priority tees, caddies available
  • Top-ranked: Bluffs Course often #1 public in Michigan (Golfweek); South Course highly acclaimed as a classic homage

Did you know that the Great Lakes hold 20% of the world’s surface freshwater? Also the Great Lakes are home to several shipwreck grave yards. They’re absolutely massive and pictures don’t do it justice. Go see for yourself.

Perfect For…

  • Guys’ Trips: Epic multi-round days (Bluffs for drama, South for strategy), post-golf steaks or cocktails with sunset views, bagpipes at dusk, and easy Traverse City brewery hops
  • Families: Luxe lodge rooms with lake views, pools/spa vibes, short course fun for kids; non-golfers enjoy beach walks, wineries, or nearby Sleeping Bear Dunes

Top Standout Courses

The Bluffs Course

The original legend, a seaside links masterpiece with rolling dunes, native grasses, and cliff-edge drama (holes 11-13: downhill par-5, bluff-top par-4, canyon-carry par-3). Stunning Lake Michigan views from everywhere, challenging yet playable with multiple tees. Often called one of America’s best public courses, pure wow factor

The South Course

A tribute to early American golf (C.B. Macdonald style), strategic angles, thought-provoking bunkers, subtle contours, and simpler, timeless design. More landlocked but equally beautiful with rolling terrain and serene vibes. Complements the Bluffs perfectly for variety.

The Dozen (12-hole short course)

Fun, creative addition, mix of 6 par-3s and 6 par-4s (100–550 yards), generous areas, big greens, and clever bunkers. Ideal for quick rounds, warm-ups, families, or evening play. High-energy and replayable.

Great Stay-and-Play Resorts & Spots

  • The Lodge at Arcadia Bluffs: Nantucket-style luxury above the clubhouse; rooms with Lake Michigan or sunrise views, exceptional dining (The Restaurant, deck/patio bars)
  • On-site packages emphasize unlimited practice, priority tees, and resort perks (carts included, caddies optional)
  • Nearby Traverse City for extra lodging if needed, but on-property is the way to go for immersion

All Key Arcadia Bluffs Golf Highlights at a Glance

  • The Bluffs Course (seaside links icon)
  • The South Course (classic strategic gem)
  • The Dozen (12-hole short-course fun)
  • Plus full practice range, short-game area, and massive panoramic views

Pro Tips

  • Book stay-and-play packages early via arcadiabluffs.com peak season (summer/fall) fills fast; twilight deals for value
  • Fly into Traverse City (TVC) 1-hour drive; or Grand Rapids (GRR) for longer scenic route
  • Pair golf with Northern Michigan classics: fresh cherries, wineries, craft beer, Sleeping Bear Dunes hikes, or Lake Michigan sunsets
  • Embrace the wind (play mornings if breezy); use caddies for local knowledge; forward tees keep it enjoyable for all

Time to tee it up on the bluffs, feel the lake breeze, and reset with world-class links golf. Arcadia Bluffs is calling your escape.

The Caddy Shanks Team