About Golf

A Swingin’ Guide to the Slopes So, you think golf is just about swinging a club and hitting a ball? Think again! The lie of a golf ball is a sneaky little detail that can totally mess with your game. And no, we’re not talking about your buddy claiming he once got a hole-in-one on a par 5. We mean the position and orientation of the ball when it’s just chilling on the ground, waiting for you to take your shot. Here’s the deal with those tricky golf ball lies: Uphill Lie: When your ball is sitting above your feet… Read More »

Confessions of a 20+ Handicapper Okay, I know what you’re thinking: “Why is a 20+ handicapper dishing out golf advice?” But hear me out—when you’re struggling to break 100, you pick up a few tricks along the way. I’m always on the lookout for ways to up my game, even if most of my golf tips come from YouTube, better golfers around me (which is, well, most of them), and the occasional deep dive into the Google rabbit hole. Below is a collection of golf tips I’ve gathered through a mix of observation, reading, and some good old-fashioned trial and… Read More »

A little-known golf fact: Michigan has more public golf courses than any other state in the country. That makes choosing the top 25 an impressive challenge! Every March, GolfPass releases its Top 25 Public Golf Courses in Michigan, based entirely on reviews from everyday golfers. Using their Ratings Index logic—which gives more weight to recent reviews—they compile a list of the best courses open to the public. To qualify, a course needed at least two reviews and some level of public access. Notably, a few big names—like The Loop and the Dunes Course at Forest Dunes Golf Club, American Dunes… Read More »

Golf may have started as a boys’ club, but women have been quietly (and sometimes not-so-quietly) making their mark on the sport for centuries. From the early days of being shuffled off to smaller, less challenging courses, to now dominating their own professional tours, women in golf are proving that they can swing with the best of them—sometimes better! The Rise of Women’s Golf: More Than Just a Boys’ Club Back in the day, women in golf were about as common as a hole-in-one. They were often told to stick to the easier courses, while the men took on the… Read More »

The Green Monster So, you’ve found yourself on the green, staring down a putt that looks more like a puzzle than a straight shot. If you’re anything like me, reading a green feels like deciphering ancient hieroglyphs—with a lot of guessing and a little bit of praying. But hey, sometimes that tap and a prayer approach actually works! Let’s break down the art of reading a green, so you can (hopefully) sink more putts than you miss. The Grand Entrance: Approach the Green As you saunter up to the green, start sizing it up like a detective at a crime… Read More »

How to Hit the Greens Without Losing Your Sanity (or Your Ball) So, you’ve decided to pick up golf—welcome to the most frustratingly fun game you’ll ever play! Whether you’re looking to impress your boss or just trying to justify those plaid pants in your closet, here’s how to get started without driving yourself (or your playing partners) batty. Rules, Schmules: But Seriously, Learn Them Golf may seem like it’s all about whacking a little ball, but there’s a whole book of rules and etiquette to navigate first. From scoring to penalties and who hits first, there’s more to it… Read More »

Get Fit, Have Fun, and Soak Up the Sun So, you’re thinking about taking up golf? Or maybe you’re already hooked, but need a little extra motivation to hit the course this weekend? Well, besides being a blast and a great excuse to be outside, golf is actually packed with health benefits. Let’s dive into how swinging those clubs can be good for both body and mind! Get Moving: Physical Fitness Who knew a stroll on the greens could be such a workout? Walking the course, lugging around your clubs, and perfecting that swing aren’t just for show—they all add… Read More »

10 Tee-rific Reasons to Play Golf: the sport where you can hit a tiny ball with a metal stick and still call it a good time. But why is this age-old pastime so popular? Here are 10 reasons why golf is the ultimate game for anyone looking to combine outdoor fun, fitness, and maybe even a bit of friendly trash talk. 1 Outdoor Enjoyment Where else can you spend hours wandering through lush, green landscapes without being accused of trespassing? Golf courses are like nature’s playgrounds—minus the swings and slides. You get to breathe in the fresh air, soak up… Read More »

Prepare for a Better Game with Golf Stretches Golf stretches—who needs ’em, right? I mean, when I watch Guy go through his pre-round routine, it looks like a cross between interpretive dance and a waste of valuable tee time. I’m here to hit balls, not spend ten minutes pretending I’m in a yoga class! 😄 But then I had my annual physical, and the doctor decided to have a chat about my fitness habits. I mentioned my treadmill sessions, occasional rowing, and lifting weights. Naturally, he asked if I stretched before jumping into my morning workouts. I laughed and said,… Read More »

We talk a lot about how great golf is in Northern Michigan. No matter where else we have played we always look forward to returning home to our Northern Michigan golf courses. We believe that some of the very best golfing is right here in Northern Michigan. We are not the only ones that think that. Golf Digest reviews course all over the world and looks for the best places to add to their “best” lists. Year after year Northern Michigan always shows strong. Check out the lists below to see how Northern Michigan showed up. The Best States for… Read More »

The dew-kissed greens stretching out before you, and the satisfying thwack of a well-struck golf ball slicing through the air. For avid golfers, this is not just a daydream but a slice of paradise on National Golfers Day. While the sport itself may seem like a straightforward game of clubs and courses, the history and hidden gems behind golf are as intricate as a perfectly executed putt. So, grab your nine iron and let’s tee for National Golfers Day! A Hole-in-One History Golf traces its roots back to 15th-century Scotland, where it was played on linksland, natural terrain found near… Read More »

As the chill creeps in and there are less chances to hit the courses in Northern Michigan, I start missing the feel of the club in my hands. I miss the sound of the crack as my driver hits the ball. The impossible putt made and I even miss watching my ball go only 2 feet. I have asked myself what I was thinking. Why did I fall in love with a sport I can only do for 5-6 months of the year in Northern Michigan? I travel a little to play over the winter but it is not the… Read More »

In an effort to make the game of golf more accessible to people of all ages, The Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA) founded Family Golf Month. July is the perfect time to introduce a child to the game of golf. Regardless of age, gender or skill level golf is a game that can be played by all. Bring your family together for a round of golf in Northern Michigan. Put together some foursomes that have a mix of adults and kids of all ages. Head out and make sure to respect course rules of only 4 to a team…. Read More »

I am always online looking up tips and tricks for golf, reading about tournaments and other golf related articles. Every once in a while, I come across some interesting golf trivia, and I will save it to share with my golfing friends that enjoy that sort of thing and with my readers. Today these are random golf facts I have collected. Some you most likely know, there are a couple you may not have heard of. 1 Did you know that the average golf ball has 336 dimples? I recently bought a dozen Bridgestone golf balls and the box said… Read More »

When I started golfing several years ago, I assumed I would automatically be a scratch golfer. Come on, how hard can it be to swing a club at a ball, right? Well, an 80 something on 9 holes sure was humbling. I started paying attention to what other golfers were doing and asking questions. A lot of questions. So many questions the answers started being “I don’t know” when I knew he damn well did know the answer. Recognizing that I was being a pita and that nobody was going to want to play with me if I kept it… Read More »

As many know I started golfing pretty late in life, I was in my mid 50’s when I played my first round of 9 holes. I immediately was hooked even though I got an 84 for those 9 holes. I was convinced with a little practice I would be a scratch golfer in no time, after all, I was good at sports when I was younger, just how hard would it be knocking a ball into a hole? Learned that golf is not as easy as I thought. What I also learned was that nobody cared if I got an… Read More »

This section provides guidelines on the manner in which the game of golf should be played. If they are followed, all players will gain maximum enjoyment from the game. The overriding principle is that consideration should be shown to others on the course at all times. The Spirit of the Game Golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner. Demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship… Read More »