Two new Michigan golf courses make Golf Digest's Top 10 under $75

I never thought of Michigan as a cheap golf destination growing up there. It wasn’t until I saw gaudy prices in Florida, Scotland and Las Vegas that I realized I was blessed to be in the backyard of some fantastic courses at a great value.

Golf Digest seems to agree in their Top Ten new courses for 2006 under $75 list. The Sundance course at A-Ga-Ming in Traverse City finished 3rd and The Mines in Grand Rapids placed 10th.

I played both earlier this year.

The Sundance I thought was still very immature when I played it. The ground is pretty hard in some spots and is need of a little character and growth. I think five years from now it could be quite a play. At $74 this year however, I would expect greens fees to rise with inflation and fall out of this value category soon.

The Torch, the resort’s original course, was more enjoyable to me. But then again, I’m a sucker for classic-looking courses, especially when I’m up north. This course is short, tight and greens are simple, and I loved it. It just had a more rustic look and superior views. Sundance is longer and has that modern, championship feel.

The Mines in Grand Rapids by Michigan native Mike Devries is an interesting course. Set just a couple minutes outside downtown, it’s got a sort of urban/metropark vibe. The greens are never dull and the course is playable for anyone with its modest length. You can play the Mines with a cart for under $50 peak season.

Other value-laden courses up north include: Black Bear in Vanderbilt, Tom Doak’s Black Forest in Gaylord or the Crown in Traverse City.

The Sundance at A-Ga-Ming is one of America’s best new values.