Boyne Falls, MI

Boyne Mountain

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2.955(based on 20 reviews)
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12 0
Steve West
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 10.1 months 612 played 30 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2022 Review

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 9, 2022 Played the course:once

Pros:

Since 2015 review (I think): New Mach V baskets, numbered flags on top, plentiful accurate signage, pads for firm footing on the tees, almost everywhere the disc could go is cleared or mowed, picnic tables where you want to rest (with free cold water the day I was there). Same as 2015: Ride up, play down, lots of elevation, interesting hole designs.

Cons:

The toughest part in some places is walking on the fine sand that makes up the "mountain". However, in many places the Scenic Cart Path can be utilized to get down the fairway or to the next tee. There will be golf carts, pick-up trucks, and construction equipment. They all seem to be expecting players. One drove off the path to avoid running over my disc. (Thanks!) In one or two spots the walking is still treacherous. The course feels like it peters out by finishing out of the woods zig-zagging the grassy ski slopes. These are all OK holes, but kind of a let-down after the others.

Other Thoughts:

Needs short tees to become really popular. Fortunately, the places these would go are obvious. Perhaps already designed in.
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10 0
davetherocketguy
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 19.7 years 114 played 105 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Potential Wasted 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 11, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

- Unbelievable elevation changes in a mostly wooded course.
- Second most scenic course I have ever played.
- I love downhill holes and there are a bunch here.
- Well thought out tee and pin placements making for interesting golf.
- The chairlift ride is well worth the money. You'll get PLENTY of exercise on the course.
- The shule is present but not absurdly thick which is really appreciated since tree hits are inevitable at a course like this.

Cons:

- Baskets are starting to get in pretty rough shape. Wire frames on some are bent like on #17 and a lot of them are now leaning.
- Not one bench anywhere. Seriously? This is such a physically demanding course and no benches? My 43 year old knees hate you.
- Almost all of the tees are just garbage. Just sandy rutted out pits just waiting to twist an ankle.
- The tee signs are razor sharp blades waiting to slice open human flesh. What a great thing to have next to the tee box distracting you on your follow through.
- 9 and 10 are throw away holes. Just pieces of craptastic disc golf that is NOTHING like the rest of the course. These are sandy uphill hell holes with - you guessed it - sandy rutted out tees. Of all the holes that disparately need every ounce of power on the first shot these are it and yet...We get loose sand. Just aggravating.
- Several of the holes play over a well used paved path. Some of the those bikers come screaming downhill so be very careful.
- The walk back to the parking lot is a little silly. With all the space out here we couldn't squeeze in a few more holes?

Other Thoughts:

This course was one big let down in many ways. Some of the holes were just an absolute blast to play and I really enjoyed them but the utter lack of typical amenities really takes away from my rating. There is no excuse for this course to be in better shape with better signage and solid tee pads. This place could easily be a 4.5 no problem.

It's tough for me to rate this course so low with holes that I just love and such beautiful scenery. If I were back in Boyne and had the time, yes I would play it again and you should do the same. Just don't expect a top notch disc golf experience.

Solid footwear is key to this course. So is hydration. This is a long and physical course even though a lot of it is downhill.
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1 0
dalenoel
Experience: 32.8 years 164 played 5 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Interesting but dissappointing 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 20, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

Good use of elevation with great views. Cones on baskets helped once you find the baskets. Baskets were in good condition. Ride to the top helped instead of walking.

Cons:

Maps were not much help. Tee signs were not the most accurate, seem outdated. Next tee signs would help. Some tee signs were down. Tee pads were actually dangerous when they existed.

Other Thoughts:

For such a great facility they could invest in pads, accurate signs, and better maintenance. Would play here before playing Avalanche or Mt. McSauba again.
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4 1
apdrvya
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 13.9 years 350 played 293 reviews
1.50 star(s)

that's tough, just tough... 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 15, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

Aesthetic-- plays on the mountain top and across thick woods. area, during the summer, is not disc golf exclusive. Watch out for zip liners and other users. Resort has a ton of other amenities but most are secluded from the dg area.

Scenic-- amazing scenery from the top and luckily, there's a ride to the top. crazy big mountain here.

Baskets-- chain stars in good condition. Could use more visibility on the wooded holes for sure.

Cons:

Routing and nav-- very tough, maps provided still weren't accurate. Finding first tee was nightmarish.

Sand-- everywhere. teepads, fairways, butt crack, everywhere.

Teesigns-- dga signs, seems the course has been redesigned and the signs aren't always accurate.

Design-- crazy. some holes are just sand pits. others are crazy thick with trees. not so much an enjoyable round.

Other Thoughts:

Avalanche is a much better course as is McSauba. Do those ones!
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2 1
nickrockey
Experience: 18 played 18 reviews
1.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 27, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

+Beautiful yet under utilized terrain
+There are 18 baskets / if you can find them

Cons:

-Maps do not match actual course or scorecard for location or distance's
-What tee pads?
-holes 1 tru 3 are really hard to figure out
where to go next.
-Lack of arrows, signage being placed randomly, tees pads without markers telling you which direction you are even suppose to go make it rough for a first timer.
-So much potential from a place that sinks so much money into everything else, it is hard to understand why Boyne has completely dropped the ball on this course!
-It says online it's $5 for a chairlift to hole 1, it's actually $7 according to the scorecard
-Course layout is at best, bad

Other Thoughts:

^Be ready to hike, wear good shoes
^Bug spray
^Water
^Pay close attention to where your disc land LOTS of areas for disc
^Really bummed, had realistic hopes based off research and was really let down. I can't recommend it,
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1 3
Angry Harry
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Steady decline 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 9, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Great scenic course
overall it's a fun course

Cons:

Not a single trash can on the entire 18 holes.
Posts/signs kicked down laying in the dirt
Basket height is inconsistent.
Imbecile zip line staff acts like english is a non-native language and gets in your way.
No repairs to bad holes but baskets moved on some of the great holes.

Other Thoughts:

The staff slacks off all the time playing on cell phones instead of taking care of the grounds. It's a ghetto in paradise that could be a real gem if the grounds staff worked an honest day once a week.
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1 8
jcarter
Experience: 17 played 17 reviews
1.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 20, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

this was one of the best scenic courses i been to

Cons:

no tee pads, didnt know what to do on hole 9-11. Honesltly the only holes that were actually disc golf holes were probably 4 out of 19 holes.

Other Thoughts:

will go back when its warmer out
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5 0
Ben17
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 23.8 years 119 played 31 reviews
3.00 star(s)

The Sandy Ski Slope 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 12, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Great use of the elevation
Nice baskets with cones on top
Easy to navigate
Great variety of shots
Good use of their surroundings
Not ever crowded
Free map at front

Cons:

It is very sandy
If no shuttle, then long hike
Some baskets are getting aged and rusted
Tees are just sand or rocks
Tee sign is just little yellow pole
Zip line intersects

Other Thoughts:

Overall I thought this was an alright course. It didn't have what I was expecting out of a course on a ski slope, but it was still nice. I came here on my way to Flip City and it was worth the pit stop. This course seems to have been made for bigger arms. Just be aware of that if you plan on playing. Personally I chose to hike to the top of the mountain. It was about a 15-20 minute hike uphill. It was long and tiring. If you go to the front and have a choice to take a shuttle or a lift, definitely pay the money. I was very winded by the time I got to the top. After that it's not so bad. One of the main problems that I had here was the sand. Almost every hole was playing through thick sand. It would for sure slow you down.
Its also a pain to get the sand out at the end. But still overall I liked it disregarding the few minor faults. I might come back and play again, but definitely with a shuttle. Just come out here and have some major FUN!!
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10 0
deBebbler
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 28.8 years 75 played 34 reviews
3.00 star(s)

The cherry on top 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 11, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Elevation comes in to play on almost every hole.

Only 2 holes are <200'. While at face value, this looks like it will favor Big Arms, the distance of the throw will do you no good if you cannot place your shot properly. Lack of accuracy will be punished again and again.

Fantastic scenery, with one of the farthest distance views available in the Tip Of The Mitt.

You can stop for a tasty beverage before hole one at the top of the mountain.

Excellent blend of dogleg right/left turns and open/tight fairways. Other than backtracking a bit back up the hill for a couple holes, this course very much starts at the top and ends at the bottom.

Cons:

Sand. Sand tees, sandy fairways and sandy rough. I found footing to either be treacherous or difficult due to the loose ground, and by the end of my round my boots looked like they had just been plucked from a grave.

The tees were sometimes plain awful. It struck me as odd that there was such a fine design to the course, but not a single concrete tee, especially when considering the length of some holes.

Paths to the next hole often ended at the amateur tee, and made no indication that there was a pro tee behind it. Signage was mixed, with cheap generic metal signs at best, to laminated sheets of paper tacked to trees, or a post in the ground at the worst. Again, this struck me as odd as the rest of the signage on the property was immaculate, and to be frank, overly repetitive.

BOYNE charges you to get to the top of the hill (but we didn't end up paying).

LOTS of non-DG traffic. Hikers, bikers, facilities trucks, and more, and more, and more.

Some of the distances were highly suspect.

Other Thoughts:

I agree with Volklgirl that the staff at BOYNE often seems in the dark about anything going on outside of their narrow purview. The running joke is that BOYNE stands for Bend Over, You're Now Employed. Take it easy on them, and yourself, and just go see the concierge at the Lodge, and get a course map.

I waited till I had hit all the other courses within 60 miles of home before I played this. It was the cherry on top, and worth the wait. I really enjoyed my round, and I will certainly make multiple return trips with more time to hang out.

There is a zip line course that intersects the course at about 9 points, but only on the first hole is there any worry of hitting anyone, unless you tommy every shot. This added a entertaining aspect to the round, as I would see the same people zipping along on subsequent holes. It looked like they were having almost as much fun as I was.

While there isn't much to be done about the amount of sand, concrete tees and a small investment in accurate, descriptive signage would zoom this course into the stratosphere. I would easily hand out another disc in my rating.

It is a blast to play on a beautiful day, and one you shouldn't miss.
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2 1
Kent18
Experience: 15 years 193 played 17 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Boyne Mountain 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 16, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Beautiful setting. Great elevation changes and lots of great opportunities to drive off the tee box and watch the disc fly. Good mix of hyzer and anhyzer designed holes. Staff on the resort are proud of this course and usually if you ask you can get a free ride up the mountain.

Cons:

By far the tee boxes are in most cases too sandy. In addtion holes 8-11 the whole entire hole is sandy and you feel like your playing in one long sand trap not on a disc golf course. In some spots and even with the disc golf map the resort provides you can get lost as where to go for the next hole.

Other Thoughts:

If you have never played on a course yet on top of a mountain then Boyne is worth the trip. It was fun on pretty much all of my drives to watch the disc go. I would have rated higher if even rubber tee pads were in place on even 1/3 of the holes and holes 9-11 I didn't feel like i was playing on the beach.
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2 3
sgamerp
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 16 years 99 played 73 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 5, 2008 Played the course:once

Pros:

Was a nice place to play. we got a free ride up the hill because we went to the front desk to ask how to get to it.(did tip the guy a few bucks to bring us there) Was on a ski course so it is seasonal. Found a disc(which was one of the rentals from the front desk)

Cons:

Lost the disc after the first throw. It can be really sunny on a few holes. Make sure to bring some sunscreen.

Other Thoughts:

Had a lot of fun, but did get a good amount of sun. Played here on a weekend trip was was the second best under flip city(rated number one over all). Want to go back and check it out agian.
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9 0
volklgirl
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.6 years 110 played 56 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Down is good!! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Oct 17, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

What a way to start a round - a free chairlift ride to the top of the mountain, a stunning view, and a brew from the Eagle's Nest!

This course starts at the top of the Boyne Mountain ski runs, just past the Eagle's Nest restaurant. Ride the lift up (I was told there's no charge for the lift here), then follow the sidewalk at the top a few yards past the restaurant to find the first tee marker just off the path to the left. The first pin is in the woods across the dip.

Most tee areas are marked with brightly colored and numbered paddle-shaped posts. They've also topped most baskets with a flag or cone to make them more visible. It appears that numerous trash cans have been added for this year, as well.

Distances vary widely with 6 holes over 375'! Many of the shorter holes have more closed-in or difficult fairways. Holes #1, #5, #7-#10, and #13-#18 are all mostly open while the remainder are mostly wooded. Fairways in the wooded areas are all very well defined, and several holes start in close wooded areas then open up past the initial drive. Basket placement was interesting on most holes, with several being on hill sides or surrounded by trees. Uphill, downhill, cross-valley, and over hill shots abound as many of the elevation changes and terrain undulations inherent in a ski area were put to good use.

Holes #3, with its wooded tee area, uphill drive, left turn in the open around a giant sand pit and back into the woods, then its basket buried behind the sand hill in the woods; #6 with its short, sharp right through the woods and its sidehill basket placement; #11 with its elevated tee area on a steepish hiking path and its downhill, wooded basket; and #16's short right turn behind the woods are the highlight holes on this course. They are all challenging and very creative in their use of elevation, vegetation, and basket placement.

Cons:

Loose, sandy terrain can make walking this course a bit treacherous, so you'll want to wear supportive shoes or hikers.

Poor or missing signage in a few places didn't cause any real problems in navigation, but it did detract from the experience a bit.

A lack of true tee boxes and loose sand footing in most places made teeing off a pain on many holes. The footing on holes #9-#11, in particular, is horrendous (not just the tee areas, either)!

Holes #14-#18 just work their way back and forth across mostly open ski runs and they got a bit repetitive, especially compared to the challenge and variety of the earlier holes. Fortunately, the wooded bottle neck and hidden basket on #17 and the long downhill bomb on #18 meant they weren't completely ho-hum.

This is a big course, and there's no refreshment available once you've passed the Eagle's Nest, so bring water.

Other Thoughts:

If you're not a skier and haven't spent any time in the base area, finding your way around can be a challenge. The roundabout in the main village is technically a no parking zone, but they're not real picky about it most of the summer.

The food in the bar right at the tip of the roundabout is pretty good although a bit pricey. Take a tour through the toy and candy shop downstairs in the village and get some giant Smartys to snack on while you're playing. The store directly across the way also has beverages and such for sale.

As is usual with Boyne properties, no one really seems to know what's going on, so don't be surprised if you get the blank look from some employees. While the site says there's a charge for the chairlift, I was told it runs most of the summer and can be ridden for free. If the fam doesn't play make sure they bring their swim gear and drop them off at Avalanche Bay.

JMHO, but, given a choice to play Avalanche Park or here, I'd pick Boyne every time.
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0 7
Jayl3ird
Experience: 14.8 years 11 played 5 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Great Views! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 31, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Excellent mountaintop scenery. Freindly, helpful staff. Free ride to Tee #1. Fairly quick and easy compared to it's neighbor Avalanche Park.

Cons:

Confusing hole placement. Poor signage. Only 2 or 3 different types of holes. Full of trash - bottles and cans all over the woods.
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0 5
rlbontrager
Experience: 18.9 years 13 played 7 reviews
3.50 star(s)

One of the better ones 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 17, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Fun course, quite a bit of variety.

Cons:

Not the most accessible of courses. If you've never been to Boyne Mountain before, parking and finding the right building for the "front desk" can be a bit confusing. Also, the course isn't the most well maintained. Seems like they throw in the baskets in the spring and don't touch anything again until they take 'em out in the fall.

Other Thoughts:

When we were there, they gave us a free shuttle to the top, and, judging from other reviews, getting to the top free seems pretty common. Just be aware that there is supposed to be a charge for riding to the top.
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6 0
Rupert M
Experience: 26 years 92 played 22 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Wow. Simply put, wow... 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:May 24, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

You can't beat the scenery. Easily one of the true beauties in Michigan.
We went on Memorial Day Sunday so the chair-lift was running and FREE.
Check-in at the hotel's front-desk and get a scorecard and map. Very useful.
Great variety of holes, long-short and tight-wide.
Orange cones on top of baskets aid in finding your target, use a spotter on the many blind holes.
Uses the land well, criss-crossing the entire mountain through the woods and in the open all the way down. Bring a camera.

Cons:

Some tee-boxes are made up of deep dune-sand, as well as a lot of the course itself. Very slow walking.
Get a map as there are some questionable 'Next tee' situations.
Can get windy.
Look out for bikes and walkers. Some holes throw down bike paths.
Not many 'economically friendly' eateries in the area.

Other Thoughts:

A real pleasure to play here. A true gem of a course. Despite the deep sand and me losing my Red Champion Wraith on the first hole, it rivals most/any place in the state.
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5 2
DR.M
Experience: 15.8 years 9 played 4 reviews
4.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 6, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

A great course if you like hiking and disc golfing. each hole is great with its own special needs. beautifull course and great for people who want a chalenge. Holes are long and the only short ones are in the woods.

Cons:

No map. hard to find your way around. but once you figure it out you get used to it.

Other Thoughts:

I had to keep asking the park manager where the next tee was. This was the first ever course that i played this is where i discovered the game. Almost like flip city but without the rocks. bring somthing to drink unless you think you can go 18 holes without water or somthing. very beautiful.
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2 2
taxman
Experience: 31.8 years 5 played 4 reviews
2.00 star(s)

skip this course for now 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Sep 10, 2008 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

of the 3 courses in the area this is the "most professional".

ride the lift to the top of the hill (for a small charge) or walk. and then wind your way down the hill. the holes are on the longer side for me, but it is a fun course. you can ask for a scorecard/map at the main lodge and they also have discs available if you haven't brought your own.

Cons:

it can be difficult to know where to park so that you are close to your car when you are finished.

edit: holes 8,9,10, and 11 have been altered by Boyne. they've added a cabin up on the hill that sits not far from the basket for #8 and they have lots for sale for home sites. the ground is all sandy from the earth being reshaped and the changes to the holes listed make them quite a bit more boring.

also the woods area around holes 13-15 have been thinned. now all of the trees that they removed are laying in piles all over the fairway. particularly a big huge pile right in the way of your approach shot to the green on 15.

Other Thoughts:

previously i had rate this course a 3.5 to 4. but with that way the course sits now (see my edit) i can't give it better than a 2. it has potential to be a great course but Boyne Mountain just doesn't seem to take care of what they have and have have made steps to worsen the course.
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4 3
NEWBY1151
Experience: 19.8 years 100 played 37 reviews
3.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 4, 2008 Played the course:once

Pros:

Riding up a ski lift for disc golf was pretty cool, I was not charged just had to get pass from front desk, nice variety of wooded holes with lots of elevation changes, score cards and rental discs available at front desk,challenging and fun,great views of Michigans mountains,overall it was a fun course to play I would play again,

Cons:

Tee pads are natural with some a little sandy and easy too lose balance, a few holes are a bit confusing on which basket is which,

Other Thoughts:

This course is pretty long bring water,If your in the area I would recommend checking this course out,
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3 6
denny ritner
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 25.9 years 170 played 113 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Tons of fun - a must play! 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:May 14, 2008 Played the course:once

Pros:

Absolutely gorgeous scenery and vistas. Lots of fun to throw up and down hills. Plenty of variety and challenge.

Honestly, it was a long time ago that I played this course and maybe shouldn't be reviewing it. I just remember how great the vistas were and playing some really fun holes.

Cons:

Some chance of losing discs. Maybe a bit strenuous of a hike for some.

Other Thoughts:

Don't be a dirty discer. Leave the course cleaner than you found it!
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9 0
FoleyT
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 18.8 years 86 played 84 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Spectacular 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 25, 2006 Played the course:never

Pros:

Set on a ski slope, starting at the top and winding its way through cross country trails and then down the side of another slope. Spectacular views and scenery, and the hole designs are creative and challenging. Some elevation changes, some woods, some sand. Free to play if you want to climb the mountain (very strenuous workout), but you can pay to get a ride to the top. Well marked and fairly easy to navigate (ask for scorecards in the Lodge at the concierge desk)

Cons:

Seemed to be a lot of trash around the tees, which is a shame considering how beautiful the scenery is otherwise.

Other Thoughts:

On our 2006 Northern Michigan Disc Golf vacation, this was the highlight of the trip, and we considered playing the course again in the afternoon, but opted for nearby Avalanche Park instead.
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