Arcadia Bluffs

Northern Michigan does “golf trip” better than almost anywhere in the country, and Arcadia Bluffs is one of the reasons why. It’s the kind of destination that can satisfy two very different cravings at once: you get the big, iconic lakefront experience that looks like a magazine cover, and you also get enough depth; especially when you loop in Grand Traverse; to build a multi-day itinerary that doesn’t feel like the same round on repeat.

The headline, naturally, is Arcadia Bluffs (Bluffs Course). It’s Michigan’s great lakefront showpiece: high above Lake Michigan with holes that feel suspended between the sky and the shoreline. The visuals are the first punch, but the routing is what keeps you engaged. There’s a links-like energy to it; wind, exposed tee shots, and approaches where controlling trajectory is more important than controlling spin. When the breeze comes up, the course becomes a different animal, and that’s part of the appeal. This is the round you schedule for prime time: morning light if you want calmer conditions, or late afternoon if you want the full “battle the elements” experience and a sunset finish that looks staged.

The key to making Arcadia more than a one-round postcard is Arcadia Bluffs (South Course). South is the antidote to Bluffs’ headline drama; less about cliffside theatre, more about strategy and repeatability. It’s the course you’ll likely enjoy the most as a pure golf round: subtle choices off the tee, better scoring rhythm, and a design that rewards playing the right side of the fairway rather than simply surviving the view. South is also the perfect second-day round, because it keeps the trip from becoming “Bluffs or bust.” If your group is playing 36, South is the better afternoon play: it asks smart questions without demanding constant hero shots.

Together, the Bluffs and South courses make Arcadia a legitimate multi-day base. 36 a day is absolutely feasible here, especially in summer, when Michigan gives you long daylight and conditions that encourage fast, running golf. The best pairing is Bluffs in the morning; when focus is high and the wind is often more manageable; then South in the afternoon for a smoother scoring round that still feels architectural and intentional.

Where the trip gets even better is when you expand the radius north to Grand Traverse Resort, which turns the week into a two-hub experience. The move is worth it because it adds variety in both feel and setting, and it keeps the itinerary from being too dependent on one kind of golf.

At Grand Traverse, The Bear is the big, brawny championship test; tree-lined, demanding, and set up to feel like a tournament venue. It asks for a little more target golf precision than Arcadia, and it’s a great counterbalance after a couple days of wind-and-bounce. The Bear is the “serious round” at the resort, and it tends to bring out the competitor in every group.

The Wolverine is the more versatile complement: still strong, still scenic, but generally a friendlier rhythm for a second round of the day or a day when you want to play well without feeling like you’re taking an exam. It’s the kind of course that fits cleanly into the trip’s middle stretch; solid golf, good pace, and enough distinction from The Bear that the two rounds don’t blur together.

Seasonally, this is one of the best summer golf trips in America. Late spring through early fall is the window, with July and August offering the classic northern Michigan dream: long days, cooler nights, and turf that plays fast when it’s dry. Fall is spectacular for color and less traffic, but you’ll want layers and you’ll want to be realistic about daylight for 36-hole plans.

Off the course, the vibe is exactly what you want from a Great Lakes trip: relaxed, scenic, and built around the rhythm of golf, meals, and a drink outside in the evening. Arcadia feels like a destination you drive to because it’s worth it. Grand Traverse feels like a place you settle into because it’s comfortable. Together, they give you the perfect mix: bucket-list lakefront golf, then a championship resort hub with enough variety to keep everyone engaged.

Arcadia Bluffs might be the photo on the brochure, but the best trip is the full itinerary: Bluffs for the drama, South for the replay, and Grand Traverse for the depth. It’s Michigan golf the way it’s meant to be; on the water, under big skies, and always begging you to play one more.

Arcadia Bluffs plus Grand Traverse is a full northern Michigan golf week: Bluffs for the Lake Michigan “how is this public?” moment, South for the architecture-and-replay-value round you’ll end up loving just as much, and Bear + Wolverine for resort depth and easy volume. But if the group has extra days (or just refuses to leave the state without one more bucket-list loop), the add-ons nearby are legit—and they each bring a different flavor.

The best “make the trip bigger” extension is Forest Dunes + The Loop (Red/Black). It’s a real destination pairing and absolutely worth the extra driving if you want to add something that feels different than Arcadia’s lakefront energy. Forest Dunes is modern, strategic, and premium. The Loop is the bonus cheat code—same routing, two totally different rounds—so you get the rare satisfaction of replay value without repetition. If your group loves debating shots and trying again the next day, this is the best add-on in the region.

If you want more scenery and a slightly more “vacation golf” vibe, Bay Harbor is the easy splurge add. It’s a very different look than Arcadia—more polished, more resort-y, and built around views and memorable holes. It’s not as architecture-forward as Arcadia South or Forest Dunes, but it’s a great way to add one more photogenic, feel-good round to the trip.

And if you want to crank up the fun and golf volume, Threetops is the perfect closer. It’s not about another serious 18—it’s about betting, trash talk, and a round that takes an hour and somehow becomes the most competitive thing your group does all week. It’s the kind of add-on that keeps the trip social even when everyone’s legs are cooked.

Don't worry, your base trip is already stacked, so these add-ons are best used intentionally—Forest Dunes/Loop if you want a second true destination, Bay Harbor if you want one more scenic resort day, and Threetops if you want to keep the trip fun without adding another full grind.