Trip to Michigan's Upper Peninsula a real treat

One of my pet peeves about the job of golf writer is this:

Probably 75 percent of the courses I play, I'll only get to see once in my life. First impressions are no way to critique a course, but that's what my job requires ... instant analysis of a layout for my stories.

Courses don't always get a fair shake that way. I just returned from a week-long tour of the courses in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It was a reprise of a journey I first experienced in 2008, seeing the Greywalls course at Marquette Country Club, TimberStone, Wild Bluff at the Bay Mills Casino and Sweetgrass at the Island Resort & Casino.

During that first trip, I was unimpressed with Bay Mills and TimberStone and fell in love with Greywalls. (Since I only drove Sweetgrass in a cart, I decided to reserve judgement until I played it).

I'm happy to report that I'm now a bigger fan of U.P. golf than ever. TimberStone deserves a spot among the top 5 or 6 public courses in the state, Wild Bluff is wildly under appreciated, Greywalls moves down a bit in my estimation but still ranks among the state's top 12 public courses, and Sweetgrass ranks among Michigan's best in terms of playability, while still remaining strategic and demanding. My first visit to Drummond Island to play 'The Rock' - coupled with an earlier visit this summer to Mackinac Island -- proved to me that the U.P. is a legit golf destination that deserves more love from us downstaters.

The Island Resort & Casino in Harris offers one of the best golf packages in the state. The "perfect foursome" allows for two nights at the casino and one round at TimberStone (pictured above), Sweetgrass and Greywalls for roughly $250. That's a steal for three of the top 25 public courses in the state. The fall color season is a great time to visit the U.P. Give it some thought. Golfers will be pleasantly surprised.

You're probably wondering why Greywalls dropped a bit in my estimation. As one of my golf writing colleagues pointed out, it might not be a course I'd want to play every day. It's a scenic setting unique to the Midwest, but there are some holes that were overshaped. The course plays overly tough. As long as you check the ego at the first tee, you'll have a great round.