As many of you know, I enjoy the game of golf, love to play it and like to watch it. To me, the best thing about Michigan Summers is that we have a massive amount of golf courses in our state to choose from with varying degrees of difficulty.

Most would say that the best golf in the state is in the Northern Lower Peninsula, with courses like Arcadia Bluffs, Bay Harbor, and the resort courses at Garland, Treetops, and Boyne. Tough to argue that, so I won’t. But, I will say that a couple of weeks ago I may have discovered the best course not only in the state, but the best course I’ve ever played.

I am by no means a good golfer, my handicap is around a 17, but enjoying golf doesn’t have to be about how good you are but rather how good the experience is. True North in Harbor Springs offers the most pristine greens and immaculate conditions you can find in a public course. They have tee boxes for all levels of play and an absolutely gorgeous property from which to carve out 18 holes. There are plenty of fantastic looking courses, Bay Harbor and Arcadia Bluffs are two of the most beautiful courses you’ll ever see this side of Pebble Beach, but True North gives you more than just the links.

A round of play at True North isn’t cheap, but you get so much for your money that you’ll appreciate it even more. From the moment you drop off your clubs, you receive a friendly welcome from everyone, whether the kid lugging your clubs onto the cart or the folks that work in the pro shop. Use of their driving range with unlimited golf balls, a laser range finder to let you know the exact distance from your lie to the pin, ball/club washers and a yardage book are all included. The starter will be happy to tell you about the trouble to be had or quick with a helpful tip on how to take advantage of the layout. Even the cart girls were extremely attentive, offering to return to the clubhouse to get a hot sandwich and bring it back to you at the turn.

True North was an awesome experience and one that hopefully you will get to enjoy as well. It may not have the views of Lake Michigan and it’s not a links course, but for me it epitomized what Up North golf is all about.

Oh, and I shot a 93…really, a 93!

Gator