Forest Dunes Golf Club in Roscommon, Michigan, is a 1,300-acre resort featuring three nationally-ranked courses designed by Tom Weiskopf, Tom Doak, and Keith Rhebb/Riley Johns, including North America's only reversible 18-hole course.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to plan your visit, from course details and pricing to lodging options and directions.
What Makes Forest Dunes Golf Club a Premier Destination
You'll find Forest Dunes on 1,300 acres deep in Michigan's Huron National Forest, about three hours north of Detroit or 90 minutes southeast of Traverse City.
The location matters because you're getting true seclusion—this isn't a resort squeezed between highways and strip malls.
The property sits surrounded by 400,000 acres of protected forest land, which creates an atmosphere that's hard to replicate anywhere else in the Midwest.
The golf itself centers on three courses from architects who've shaped modern course design.
Tom Weiskopf created the original Forest Dunes layout, which he considers among his top three American works.
Tom Doak followed with The Loop, the only truly reversible 18-hole course in North America where you play clockwise one day and counter-clockwise the next.
Keith Rhebb and Riley Johns added Bootlegger, a 10-hole short course that encourages barefoot play and cold drinks between your championship rounds.
National recognition backs up the quality:
- Forest Dunes ranks 37th in Golf Digest's America's 100 Greatest Public Courses
- The Loop's Black routing sits at 58th nationally
- The Loop's Red routing claims the 69th spot
- Forest Dunes holds the 6th position among Michigan courses
What separates Forest Dunes from other top-ranked courses is how you experience the property.
Your lodging sits steps from the first tee—literally 35 yards in the case of Lake AuSable Lodge.
You can walk to breakfast, then to the range, then straight to your tee time.
Everything you need lives on-site: multiple dining venues, practice facilities, a two-acre putting course, and spa services.
The pricing makes sense when you compare it to other nationally-ranked public courses.
Peak season rates top out at $195 on summer weekends, while similar-caliber courses often push $300 or more.
You're playing top-100 golf without the typical price tag that comes with that designation.
The season runs from April 30 through October 20, then the property closes for Michigan's winter.
This concentrated season means the maintenance team focuses entirely on delivering championship conditions during the months you can actually play, rather than spreading resources across a longer calendar.
The Three Championship Golf Courses
Forest Dunes (Tom Weiskopf Design)
The original course arrived in 2000 and immediately established the property's reputation.
Weiskopf, a British Open champion, calls this layout one of his top three American designs—high praise from an architect with dozens of courses to his name.
Golf Digest currently ranks it 37th among America's 100 Greatest Public Courses and 6th in Michigan.
The course plays to a par 72 across 7,104 yards from the championship tees, with a slope rating of 146 and course rating of 75.2.
You'll find five tee sets ranging from 4,993 yards up to that back tee yardage, so the course adapts to your skill level rather than forcing you to play over your head.
What makes the routing special is its split personality.
The front nine moves through dense stands of mature red and jack pines where accuracy matters more than distance.
You're navigating corridors between towering trees, and errant tee shots find trouble quickly.
The back nine flips the script entirely, opening onto dramatic white sand dunes with rugged native areas and fescue grasses that give the holes a links-like character.
Water hazards and strategic bunkers show up throughout both nines.
The course includes a 19th hole that plays uphill across water to a green with a bunker splitting the putting surface—perfect for settling matches that go to extra holes.
Electric carts cost $30 per player if you prefer to ride.
The Loop (Tom Doak Design)
Tom Doak spent 30 years thinking about reversible golf course design before Forest Dunes gave him the land to make it happen.
The Loop opened in 2016 as North America's only truly reversible 18-hole course, using 18 greens and fairways that play in completely different directions depending on which day you visit.
Here's how the rotation works:
- Black Course (clockwise routing) plays on odd-numbered calendar days
- Red Course (counter-clockwise routing) plays on even-numbered calendar days
- Both routings measure out to par 70 with five par-3 holes
The greens had to accept approaches from multiple angles, which required Doak to design putting surfaces with more entry points than a traditional course allows.
The relatively flat, gently rolling terrain made the concept possible—steep elevation changes would have created unplayable holes in one direction or the other.
You walk The Loop.
No carts allowed, though caddies are available if you want help reading the firm, fast fescue playing surfaces.
The conditions reward ground game golf where you run shots onto greens rather than flying everything to the pin.
Both routings earned separate national rankings: the Black sits at 58th and the Red at 69th among America's greatest public courses.
On the 31st of any month with 31 days, Forest Dunes hosts “The Dual,” a special 36-hole tournament where teams play both routings in a single day.
You tackle one direction in the morning, grab lunch, then play the opposite routing in the afternoon.
Bootlegger Short Course
Bootlegger takes its name from the property's history as a Prohibition-era hideout for Detroit's Purple Gang, a mafia family that ran the South Branch Ranch here during the 1920s and 1930s.
The 10-hole layout opened in 2020 and runs between 957 and 1,135 yards depending on tee placement, playing to a par 27.
Holes range from 50 to 140 yards across rolling terrain, each featuring large, undulating greens with creative contours that make short putts more interesting than they look.
The course opens daily at 11 a.m. with a completely different vibe from the championship layouts.
Music plays through 16 speakers positioned around the property.
Shoes are optional—barefoot play is actually encouraged.
Groups can include up to 12 players, and the whole experience leans toward fun over score.
This is where you go after your morning round on Forest Dunes or The Loop to settle debates, enjoy cold drinks, and play golf without the pressure of keeping a handicap-worthy score.
Like The Loop, Bootlegger requires walking with no carts allowed.
Practice Facilities
The practice setup covers everything you need to prepare for your rounds.
A double-ended driving range features carved-out fairways that give you realistic targets.
Dedicated areas for short game work, bunker practice, and putting let you dial in specific shots before you tee off.
The Hilltop Putting Course sprawls across two acres with 18 holes, functioning as both practice space and entertainment.
Your greens fee for Forest Dunes or The Loop includes access to all practice facilities plus the Hilltop course.
Where to Stay at Forest Dunes
Lake AuSable Lodge
The main lodge sits 35 yards from the first tee of Forest Dunes—close enough that you can roll out of bed, grab breakfast, and make your tee time without rushing.
This two-story building opened in 2013 with Adirondack-style architecture that matches the clubhouse aesthetic.
You'll find 11 standard rooms configured with either king beds or double queens, plus two two-bedroom suites on the second floor.
Rooms can be adjoined if you're traveling with a larger group and want everyone under one roof.
Each room includes a private patio or balcony, flat-screen TV, and wireless internet.
You also get access to the fitness center during your stay.
The lodge works well if you want the traditional hotel experience where someone else handles the cooking and cleaning while you focus entirely on golf.
Villas
The villas offer more space and flexibility through four-bedroom walkthrough units.
Each bedroom comes with a king bed and its own private bathroom, so nobody's fighting over shower times in the morning.
The units include a living area, dining space, refrigerator, and sink for light meal prep or storing drinks and snacks.
Specific villa units can connect for eight-bedroom configurations: 401-402, 407-408, and 409-410.
This setup makes sense for larger groups or multiple families who want proximity without sharing bedrooms.
You maintain some independence with separate sleeping quarters while still having communal spaces to gather between rounds.
Cottages
The luxury cottages scattered throughout the property range from three to six bedrooms and sleep anywhere from four to eight people.
These come with full kitchens equipped with dishes and cookware, so you can prepare meals rather than eating out for every breakfast and dinner.
Linens and towels are provided, and each cottage includes a gas grill.
Location varies depending on which cottage you book.
Some sit directly on Lake AuSable with private fire pits where you can recap the day's rounds.
Others are positioned along the Forest Dunes course itself, giving you immediate access to the fairways.
The cottages give you the most privacy and self-sufficiency of any accommodation option on the property.
Dining Options
Sangomore's Restaurant serves as the main dining room with traditional American cuisine that incorporates Northern Michigan ingredients and flavors.
The space features vaulted ceilings, a fieldstone fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame panoramic views of the course.
This is where you go for a sit-down dinner after your round.
St. Sangomore's Irish Pub operates as the grille room with a more casual atmosphere.
Five TVs keep you connected to other sporting events, and the menu leans toward lunch and dinner options that pair well with a pint.
The name pays homage to course superintendents—a nice detail for anyone who appreciates the maintenance work that keeps these courses in top condition.
The Outdoor Pavilion extends your dining choices into the fresh air with a covered structure overlooking the course.
Western cedar and stone construction creates three separate wings, each with dedicated fireplaces, big screens, and fire pits.
You can eat outside without worrying about weather or bugs interrupting your meal.
An on-site pizzeria handles takeout orders if you'd rather eat in your room or cottage.
They'll deliver directly to your accommodation, which comes in handy when you want to stay in after playing 36 holes.
Pricing and How to Book Your Trip
Green Fees for Forest Dunes and The Loop
Your greens fee covers access to either the Forest Dunes course or one Loop routing, plus unlimited use of all practice facilities and the Hilltop putting course.
Pricing follows a seasonal structure with three distinct periods.
Early and Late Season (May 1-28 and September 29-October 12):
- Monday through Wednesday: $125
- Thursday through Sunday: $145
Peak Season (May 29-September 28):
- Monday through Wednesday: $165
- Thursday through Sunday: $195
The peak season pricing reflects summer demand when weather conditions are most consistent and course conditions hit their stride. The shoulder seasons give you the same courses at lower rates, though you'll want to pack an extra layer for cooler mornings.
Discounts and Special Rates
Several discount categories can drop your cost during peak season.
Seniors 55 and older pay $140 on Tuesdays, while military members get that same rate on both Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Women golfers also qualify for the $140 rate on Wednesdays, alongside military discounts.
Junior rates apply for anyone 17 and under, though specific pricing varies—contact the pro shop for current junior rates.
Replay options let you play more golf for less:
- Twilight rounds starting after 3 p.m. run $105-$165 depending on the date
- Prebooked replays cost $105-$165 and can be reserved in advance
- Availability replays drop to $65-$99 but can't be prebooked—you reserve them the day you want to play based on open tee times
The availability replay gives you your best value if you're flexible with tee times and want to squeeze in extra rounds during your trip.
Bootlegger Short Course
Bootlegger charges a flat $54 daily rate that allows you to play multiple times based on availability.
Kids 15 and under play free when accompanied by a paying adult. Teenagers 16-17 pay $25.
The flat-rate structure means you can hop on for a quick nine holes in the morning, play your championship round, then come back to Bootlegger in the evening without paying twice.
Additional Costs
Electric carts on Forest Dunes cost $30 per player per round.
The Loop and Bootlegger don't allow carts at all—you walk both courses.
Caddie service is available on The Loop if you want help reading the firm, fast conditions and navigating the reversible routing.
How to Book
You can reserve tee times three ways: call 989-275-0700, book online at forestdunesgolf.com, or use GolfNow.
For Stay & Play packages that bundle lodging with golf rounds and breakfast, contact Reservations Manager Cassie Pennington at extension 724.
These packages offer customizable combinations, so you can build exactly the trip you want rather than choosing from rigid package options.
Email info@forestdunesgolf.com for general questions about availability, group bookings, or specific requests.
Head Golf Professional Chad Maveus (extension 703) can answer questions about the courses themselves, conditions, or which routing to prioritize if you're short on time.
One scheduling note that matters: checkout time is 10 a.m., which is earlier than most golf resorts.
Plan your morning tee times accordingly, or arrange late checkout in advance if you need extra time before your round.
Getting to Forest Dunes in Roscommon, Michigan
Address and Location
Plug 6376 Forest Dunes Drive, Roscommon, MI 48653 into your GPS.
The property sits in Michigan's north-central region, surrounded by the Huron National Forest.
You're looking at a three-hour drive from Detroit, 90 minutes from Traverse City, or 30 minutes from Gaylord if you're already in northern Michigan.
Driving from Detroit and Southern Michigan
Head north on I-94 to US-131 North, then take Exit 180 to M-55 East.
Continue on M-55 until you reach US-127 North, which merges with I-75. Take Exit 254 off the interstate and turn right onto M-72 East.
Stay on M-72 for nine miles until you reach Chase Bridge Road, then turn right and continue 4.8 miles to South Branch Road.
Turn left on South Branch and drive 1.2 miles to the Forest Dunes gate house.
The route is straightforward once you're on the major highways.
The last few miles on Chase Bridge and South Branch Road take you deeper into forest land where you'll start to understand the property's isolation.
Driving from Northern Michigan
If you're coming from Gaylord, Petoskey, or Mackinaw City, take I-75 to Exit 256.
Head north on Down River Road and turn left—you'll stay on this road for 6.6 miles.
Turn right onto Stephan Bridge Road and continue 1.8 miles to M-72.
Turn left on M-72 and drive 2.8 miles to Chase Bridge Road, then turn right for 4.8 miles to South Branch Road.
Turn left and continue 1.2 miles to the gate house.
This northern approach gives you a shorter drive if you're already in the region or combining Forest Dunes with other northern Michigan destinations like Mackinac Island or Traverse City wine country.
Flying In
Airport distances from Forest Dunes:
- Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) in Traverse City: 65 miles
- MBS International Airport: 75 miles
- Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW): 180 miles
- Grayling Army Airfield (KGOV): 17 miles
- Roscommon County/Blodgett Memorial Airport (KHTL): 21 miles
Cherry Capital and MBS offer the best combination of commercial flight options and reasonable driving distance.
Detroit Metro gives you the most flight choices but adds three hours of driving to your trip.
The smaller airports in Grayling and Roscommon work if you're flying private.
Forest Dunes provides shuttle service from local airports when you book at least 48 hours in advance.
Fees vary depending on which airport you're using and the size of your group, so contact the resort directly at 989-275-0700 to arrange pickup and get pricing.
Essential Information Before You Visit
Dress Code
Forest Dunes and The Loop require collared shirts, and denim isn't allowed on either course.
Bootlegger flips the script completely—shoes are optional and barefoot play is actively encouraged.
Pack accordingly for the type of golf you're playing.
The Loop Rotation
The Loop alternates daily between its two routings.
Red Course plays on even-numbered calendar dates (2nd, 4th, 6th, etc.), while Black Course plays on odd dates (1st, 3rd, 5th, etc.).
Check which routing runs on your arrival day if you have a preference, or plan a multi-day trip to experience both directions.
On the 31st of any month with 31 days, “The Dual” tournament lets teams play both routings in a single day—one direction in the morning, the opposite after lunch.
Cart and Walking Policies
Forest Dunes allows carts for $30 per player.
The Loop requires walking, though caddie service is available to help you read the firm conditions and reversible greens.
Bootlegger is also walking only with no cart option.
Season and Operating Details
The 2025 season runs April 30 through October 20, then everything closes for winter—courses, restaurants, and lodging all shut down until the following spring.
Bootlegger opens at 11 a.m. daily, giving you time to play a morning round on one of the championship courses first.
Checkout time is 10 a.m., earlier than most resorts.
If you want a morning tee time on your departure day, book early or arrange late checkout in advance.
Why Forest Dunes Deserves Your Attention
You're getting three courses from architects who've shaped modern golf design—Weiskopf, Doak, and Rhebb/Johns—all on one property.
The Loop stands alone as North America's only truly reversible 18-hole course.
Your lodging sits steps from the first tee, surrounded by 400,000 acres of protected national forest that guarantees seclusion you won't find at most golf destinations.
The maintenance standards match what you'd expect from courses ranked in the national top 100, and the experience justifies the three-hour drive from Detroit or flight into Traverse City.
Whether you're a golf purist chasing architectural excellence or planning a buddy trip around multiple memorable rounds, Forest Dunes delivers on the promise of world-class golf in a setting that feels genuinely remote.
Conclusion
Forest Dunes combines three nationally-ranked courses, genuine wilderness seclusion, and on-site lodging into a package that's hard to match anywhere in the Midwest.
The property operates from late April through mid-October, so you'll want to book well ahead for peak summer dates.
Call 989-275-0700 or visit forestdunesgolf.com to reserve your tee times and lodging.
