I Found The Ultimate Hidden Gem Golf Destination

I Found The Ultimate Hidden Gem Golf Destination

[Music] be good. Let’s go. [Music] These views here absolutely breathtaking. Up here in the upper peninsula, they don’t mess around with the slope. What is up, y’all? Hope you’re all having a wonderful day. We made it to the Upper Peninsula here in Michigan. In this video, we’re going to be showcasing four of the very top golf courses that you can play here in the Upper Peninsula. I’ll be staying at the island resort. And the first course we’ll be covering, SweetG Grass, is right next to the resort. This place is so pure. I can’t wait to tee it up. This is the host of an Epson Tour event, the road to the LPGA. So, you know, this golf course is going to be a great test of the game. So, we’re going to be playing three holes at each of the four golf courses. This is a signature hole here at Sweetgrass number 15, par three, the island green. And this is so pure. The grass out here so pristine. Loving my time up here at the island resort. The perfect stay and play package for a buddy’s trip. Just come up here to the upper peninsula, hang out, play some golf, and we couldn’t ask for better weather today. All right, we’ve got 161 here. Helping breeze. I actually think I’m going to go with the pitching wedge. The greens kind of give you a solid first bounce and then kind of spin from there. So, it should be a good number. All right, front edge there. We got a putt at it. Was looking for that big bounce. That’s all right. These greens out here at Sweetg Grass are so pure. There’s a reason why an Epson Tour event was played out here. It’s speed. Sweetg grass golf club. The back T’s, the black T’s. 75.6 rating, 145 slope, and it’s tipped out at 7275. So, a true test of the game. They’ve got several other TE’s as well. So, you’ve got some options depending on your handicap. Just a beautiful afternoon. Couldn’t ask for a better day in September up in the upper peninsula. This is a really good par4 here. Dog leg to the right. I think I’m just going to be going at that rock out there. And if it fades, it fades. I said we were going to aim at the rock and we hit it right at the rock. Just not much of a cut there, but we’ll take it. Well, there’s the rock we were aiming at and we got just by it. Got 93 yards here. And if I’ve ever seen a green light special, that’s one right there. Little helping breeze here. So, I’m going to hit this 60°. Very smooth. Let’s get our first birdie here in the up. That is exactly what we were looking for right there. Landed a little short, hopped up there. And always make sure to fill your divots. Take care of the course. It’ll take care of you. The goal for me through these 12 holes, three holes at each of the four courses is to shoot under par. This would be a huge momentum build. [Applause] Let’s go. First pin slammer here in the up. Wanted to take a quick moment and show you the awesome design work from Paul Albanese. This is one of the par 3s out here at Sweetgrass. has a beeritz green flat goes down into a valley and then flattens out there in the back. This is a special green complex right here. And the layout I am truly loving. What an incredible finishing hole here. Par five going right back to the resort. I’m staying up on the ninth floor there with an unreal view of the golf course. Let’s tee it high. Let it fly. Cut a little. Cut. All right. Pulled that one a little bit. That’s going to be left rough, but it should be all right. Y’all know I hate to say this. However, I’m going to have to lay up. If I was in the fairway, I might be able to go for it. However, there’s water all short. This is the wise choice. I also do know this is YouTube, so you know what? We’re going to go for it. Down. Down. Okay. Just left of the green. Just left of the green. I think that’s right where you want to be. Absolutely perfect place to be chipping from. Let’s get this up and down. Go two under through three. No. That came out so fluffy. Needed that rolling a bit more. If I just hit it. The water’s behind the camera. Thought it was going to be a little quicker. However, that was the line. And with the par here, one under through these three here at SweetG Grass. That is it for day one in Sweetg Grass. That was so much fun. Day two, tomorrow is going to be Grey Walls and I have heard very good things about it. All four of these courses on this stay and play package absolutely pure. I’ve got three more days left. I’m going to go get something to eat and we’ll see you tomorrow. [Music] This is day two. We’ve officially made it to Gray Walls. Little bit of a drive north up outside of Marquette. And these views here, absolutely breathtaking. We’re going to have a breezy day highlighting the three best holes here at Grey Walls. And I am looking forward to it. Beautiful morning. Let’s just tee it high. Let it fly. The first hole we’re going to be featuring is actually hole number one, the hardest hole on the course, par five. Let’s let it fly. All right, it was down the middle. Kicked right. Tough to tell where it ended up. Might be right. Rough. So, I’ve been told here that making a par on the first hole is an accomplishment. We’re going to try to make a birdie, but apparently par is good. 220 yards straight down wind. Probably going to try to land it just short. It landed just short and rolled down that slope. That is going to be an interesting chip. All right, here was the slope I was talking about. No wonder this green in this whole place so difficult. We got to be very delicate because you can actually go over the other side there. Like I said, if we’re not careful, it’ll go over the other side. Thankfully, we got saved by the sprinkler head. So, we’ll get a free drop. Tap in for our five. And apparently that’s a good score here. And that hole is very difficult. The views out here at Grey Walls. Absolutely spectacular. Holes one and two are a difficult start. I did par hole one on the video there. Played hole two, made par as well. Hopefully the rest of the course I can play some solid golf. Got two more holes to showcase. But I am just loving the views out here. Wow, what a phenomenal par three. Hole number six here. I’m 182 yards from this T- box. It actually plays pretty flat. If you’re playing one of the forward TE’s, it’s going to play uphill. Got seven iron because it’s back into the wind. Just gonna hit this hopefully a little flighted be good. All right, we’ll take it. Middle of the green. And always make sure to fix your ball marks. Take care of the course. It’ll take care of you. [Music] Not too bad. Good speed. These greens have some break to them. That is for sure. All right. Even par here so far at Grey Wall. The black TE’s are what I’m playing and the distance is 6828 and the rating for the black TE’s is 74.2 two with a slope of 150. Test of the game, that is for sure. I’m having so much fun out here. Got two holes left. Let’s see what Grey Walls has to offer. Mike Deere, the course designer, did a phenomenal job with the lay of this golf course. He really fit it into what looks like the natural landscape. All these boulders and rocks and the views out here, absolutely breathtaking. We’re on to the final hole. Par4, number 11 down the hill. Little under 400 yards. Back into the wind. I’m gonna go with a four, maybe three iron here. There’s some bunkers up there you don’t want to be in. So, let’s let it fly. All right. Down the right side. Should be good right there. All right. Good shape right here. The pin kind of sets just a little right of me. Got 152 left. With this wind and playing uphill, I think I’m going to go with an eight iron and just try to flight it. Get a little left. Okay. Wind was off the right. I think that could be pretty good right there. Love taking divots off this grass up here in the north. All right, we landed right there. Spun back just a little bit. Glad I went with the eight instead of the nine cuz you got to make sure you get it over that lip right there. We did that. Got a good look for birdie. When I get into really windy conditions, I like to club up, try to flight it, take the spin off because once you create a lot of spin, that wind is just going to torch that ball. And these greens out here so good. Quick, a lot of slope, but so good. Oh, come on. That was a good roll. Not all good putts go in. Level par through the three holes here at Grey Walls. What a special piece of property here. Absolutely beautiful. I am one under halfway through the stay and play here in the Upper Peninsula at the island resort. We still have Timberstone and Sage Run yet to come. I’m looking forward to it so much and staying at the island resort popping around to these different courses in the UP has been awesome. So, after our round at Grey Walls there, wanted to come over to the town next to it, Marquette, to check out this lighthouse. This thing is so red and what a view. This is awesome. All right, we made it to the front side. That was pretty awesome. The view from up in that lighthouse. Absolutely crazy. Sometimes when you’re on golf trips, you just got to take a moment, go see some sightes as well. Want to come see this lighthouse, the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse, built in 1866. That was pretty cool. Hopefully y’all enjoyed that. Sage Run coming up tomorrow. Looking forward to it. Day three of the golf here in the Upper Peninsula. We’ve arrived at Sage Run. This place looks pure. I am looking forward to this round. We’re going to be highlighting three holes here just like the previous two golf courses. And I have to say my experience so far, all of these courses are so different, which makes the stay package for these four courses an experience you won’t forget. We’re going to take you straight into number eight, our first highlighted hole. Hole number eight, uphill drivable par4. This is a really cool golf hole. Tree on the right. Want to keep it left of it. Let’s let it fly. All right. Little right, but should be up there. All right, a little short right. Caught that a little spinny, but a great place to be chipping from. Let’s get this up and down. Trundle. Okay. Little short. Got a putt at it. Couldn’t ask for a better morning. I mean, look at that. Absolutely beautiful. Let’s read this. Roll it and hole it. Let’s go. Pin slammer here today. Love to see it. 7272 from all the way back the black T’s and from the tips the rating 76.5 with a slope of 143. Definitely going to test the game here today. And this place is pure and we still have today and tomorrow left. What an experience. One thing that I find really cool is the teeing ground here at Sage Run. Massive T boxes just kind of like in the lay with the land. Absolutely love it. Par five number 12. Really good par five. 5 like 85 yards. We’re going to be aiming kind of left edge of that bunker in the middle of the fairway. And if it cuts, it cuts. All right, it cut right at the bunker. Should be okay. All right, we’ve got a long ways left here. Not going to be able to reach it. Just going to be laying it up. Okay. Couldn’t tell if it got into that next bunker. I hit it how I wanted to. Might have caught a little bit of a flyer. So, that bunker ended up being further away than I thought. This is absolutely perfect. Got 115 here. Sandwiched. Let’s knock it close. All right, just a little left of the flag. And always remember, fix your divots. Absolutely perfect number right here. And it’s like I played here before cuz you don’t want to miss this. Right. We’ve got a good opportunity for another birdie. Let’s just put a good roll on it. Broke a bit more than I thought. All right. And with the five two under through eight holes so far. So, we’ve got a great opportunity to shoot under par. Beautiful par three here. Number 14. Plays back up the hill. 245 yards. Playing uphill about 10 or 12. I’ve got three iron. It’s kind of an in between club for me. So, I’m just going to try to hit this hard because I do think short is better than long. Fly. Oh, landed up in that bank and then kicked down into the bunker. Got a little work to do there. The designer of Sage Run is Paul Albanesey’s the same designer as Sweetg Grass and Timberstone. I’ll be playing tomorrow. Love how he really fit this golf course just into the lay of the land. You feel like it belongs here. He wanted that natural flowing of the golf course and I absolutely love it. See if we can’t get this up and down. Finish under par here at Sage Run and take two under going into our final stop. I don’t think y’all can see me from up there. I can barely see the tip top of the flag. Be good. Love to see it. Absolutely love to see it. Great save right there. Because of the natural setting here at Sage Run, it really felt like at times it had Scottish influence, how the tea boxes are, and just how it’s naturally inserted into the lay of the land. With the increased demand for golf, Island Resort will be adding a new 9-hole course, the Cedar Course, right next to Sage Run. The new course is also designed by Paul Albanesey’s. He was inspired by the Golden Age architecture focused on natural landscapes. The green complexes were inspired by CB McDonald’s golf links and overseas links such as Pressway. Looks like I’m going to be taking a trip back here to tee it up on the new course here in the future. One more stop, Timberstone. This has been an incredible trip and I’m looking forward to it tomorrow. [Music] And we have arrived day four, our final stop on this island resort casino golf stay and play package. We are at Timber Stone. This place looks pure. Also designed by Paul Albanesey’s, same designer as Sage Run and Sweet Grass. It’s just cut in through the woods. We’re going to be letting it fly today. And we’re just going to jump straight into the first highlighted hole. Beautiful hole here. Little pond left. Par four. I think we just want to keep it left of those bunkers there, but kind of favor that right side. and that is exactly what we’re looking for. All right, perfect shape right here. I’ve got 134 pretty flat balls above my feet. So, I’m going to aim a little right. I’m going to go with a gap wedge. All right, it’s on that back little shelf back there. And always make sure to fill your divots. I love hitting approach shots off the fairway here. You really just can compress the ball and the grass is so pure. See if we can’t get a tweeter here. All righty. In with the four here. First highlighted hole. So here at Timberstone, the forest T’s, which are the back T’s, 6938. And you’ve got five other boxes ranging from 6536 down to 5,000. And from the tips, the rating 74.5 with a slope of 150. Up here in the upper peninsula, they don’t mess around with the slope. This course has been so much fun so far. We’ve got a couple holes left to highlight here in our upper peninsula travels. Onto our second highlighted, hole number 17. What an incredible down the hill par three. This is 207 playing down about 40 yards. I’ve really enjoyed that all four of these golf courses have played so different. The style of golf to the views all been spectacular in their own way. I’ve got a seven iron here because there is a lot of wind straight into and I don’t want to flight it too high and have that wind knock it down. little long. Seven might have been a bit much with all that downhill, but it’s chipping. All right, this is going to be a very delicate chip here. It’s all sloping away, but I do have a little back stop behind the hole. All right, not bad. If you’d like to come on a trip like this, perfect buddies week trip. Come up here to the Upper Peninsula. So peaceful. Absolutely loving my time here. Let’s roll this in. See if we can remain at two under. Snuck it in there. That’s why you pay the first baseman the big bucks. Final hole here in the upper peninsula. What a trip. Two under par straight away. Par five. One hole remaining. Goal was to shoot under par. 625. And what you see is what you get straight away. And we split the uprightes right there. Little baby pull cut. Love to see it. I’ve got a long ways left. 267. But I didn’t come here to the upper peninsula to lay up. Got three iron. Asking a lot out of it. But if I hit it really well, I think we can get on front edge. Can’t tell. It was a little left, like left edge of the green. I didn’t see it bounce, but I don’t think there’s any way I hit it over. All right. So, the reason why I didn’t see it bounce was because it was plugged. And honestly, not a bad place to be right here. Chipping back up the hill. Let’s get this up and down in this trip with pin slammer. Trundled out a bit more than I would have liked. I thought that had to break. Thought that had to break a little bit. [Music] We accomplished our goal. You’ll love to see it. Under par for the upper peninsula golf trip. The scenery up here in the upper peninsula, absolutely amazing vibes, unreal. And I want to thank Island Resort so much for hosting me. Such a great home base to get to all four of these courses. So, as for me, sweetg grass, sage run, grey walls, Timberstone. We’ll see you when we see you. Peace.

In today’s video I traveled to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to see what kind of golf they have to offer. I stayed at the Island Resort during my travels and it was a great home base for this destination golf trip. If you would like to book a similar trip here is a link:

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