Threetops in Northern Michigan is three times the golfing fun

Threetops No. 9 (Mike Bailey/TravelGolf)

GAYLORD, Mich. – If you’d like to increase your chances of getting a hole-in-one, I’ve got a suggestion for you: Play courses like Threetops at Treetops more often.

This Northern Michigan gem is billed as the country’s top par 3 course, and while there are some pretty good ones around the country, I agree that this Rick Smith creation is tough to beat.

This year alone has been especially fruitful for Threetops golfers. It has given up 57 perfect tee shots, which are 19 more than all of last season.

It also seems reasonable that if you play these types of courses over and over again, you really get dialed in with your tee shots on par 3s, which in turn, increases your chances of making a hole-in-one on a regular course.

But enough of that. What Threetops really does is increase your chances of enjoying the game. You’ll lose fewer balls, have more chances at birdie and take a lot less time to play. And while this premium par 3 costs about $50 to play, most par 3s are also substantially cheaper than regular green fees.

So once again, I’m advocating more short courses. They’re good for the game, attractive to both avid golfers and newcomers alike.

Threetops, however, is a cut above with its elevated tees, incredible views and terrific conditioning. It also has a cool history.

For a number of years, the course hosted the ESPN Par 3 Shootout. In 2001, Lee Trevino aced the 150-yard seventh, which plays three clubs less because of the highly elevated tee. He won more than $1 million for that shot. In our game today, an ace would have netted me a buck, plus the carryovers. Then I would have had to start a tab for drinks.