Located on some of the ski slopes of the Shanty Creek resort, there are some fun elevation changes and amazing views of Lake Bellaire and the surrounding area. There are a few interesting lines shaped by trees. The stated pars were ridiculously high, but if you've ever wanted to get an eagle, this is the place!

The tee boxes were mostly sand pits and cramped. In a few places the sign at the front corner of the tee box felt like it was blocking your throw. With this and crappy traction in the sand we teed off next to the tee boxes on a few holes. Holes 1-3 were wide open and well-mowed. On the remaining holes there were some "fairways" showing the line of the holes, but they were very skinny. That seemed to be the extent of the upkeep when we visited. Finding discs in the knee-high weeds was annoying. The basket for hole 6 was a trashy canvas basket chained in the woods, and it repelled more discs than it accepted. While the elevation changes made the holes interesting, it also made walking the course a workout. It was hot this day and I was glad to be done after 9 holes.

We were looking for a nearby course to play while staying at a cottage at Intermediate Lake, but after one round my son and I agreed that we didn't need to visit again. Maybe it would have been nicer if it wasn't so hot, but the constant hiking up and down got tiresome. There aren't a lot of options in this area, so it's an OK choice if you need something, but it's far from a destination course.

-the course is in good condition
-mowed often for well defined fairways
-creative nine hole layout is fun to all skill levels
-tee signs show general direction of baskets, but all baskets are visible from their tees
-good balance of shot type, all around fun 9 hole

-the distances on the signs are WAY off
-the tees are just sand and can get muddy when it rains
-out in the middle of nowhere, and out of the way of the other, better courses in the area

The directions to the first tee are a little shoddy, so when you park in the "ski parking" lot, up to the right. Park in the corner closest to the buildings (hole 7, the red temp basket will be to your right), and hole one tees off right by the bottom of the tube run, through the buildings to your left.

It was a fun, quality 9 hole course. i just wish it was closer to civlization. not worth going out of your way for, unless you're near Mancelona.