Short Course Stunners
Golf’s new, contemporary vibe includes some big changes, not only to the game but to the courses themselves. We’re talking short courses – those 9-hole wonders popping up quicker than excuses after a three-putt. Expert players appreciate the precision needed to gauge each shot, while those newer to the sport may find the yardage less intimidating. Either way, it’s an enjoyable and often challenging way to get on the greens.
Once again leading the pack, the Gaylord Golf Mecca has been bragging up their longest standing short course for years, and rightfully so. Threetops at Treetops Resort is often referred to as the #1 Par-3 golf course in America.
Cruising from hole to hole is the closest you’ll come to riding a rollercoaster at a golf resort. The elevation changes are dramatic and breathtaking, with the course built into the undulating Pigeon River Valley. It’s a par-3 that packs a punch, with tee boxes generally poised high above the greens, making those newbies we mentioned earlier enter rockstar status when they tee off.
In typical Treetops fashion, you’ll find impeccable greens, strategically placed bunkers and the perfect mixture of challenge and fun. Perhaps the best photo opp at the resort resides on hole 9, where you’ll find “Treetops” spelled out in the landscaping.
While The Sawyer at Garland Lodge and Golf Resort may be the new kid on the block, just opening in the summer of 2025, this contemporary short course is already gaining notoriety. Its innovative design allows groups of up to 12 to play together, not in smaller pairings, but all together. It’s “ready golf” at its finest!
Gather your group and enjoy what may just be the most casual, but still challenging, par-3 in Northern Michigan. Built on a reimagined section of Garland’s original 9-hole course dating back to 1951, The Sawyer features grassy undulations, strategically placed bunkers and creatively contoured greens. This walking-only course requires just a handful of clubs and Sunday bags can be rented in the pro shop. The reversible layout allows you to play a whole new course the next day (9-holes in one direction and 10 in the other), which only adds to the experience.
Rounding off the Gaylord Golf Mecca short course stunners is The Little Course at Black Lake Golf Club. Practice your chip and putt skills on this fun stretch of greens that requires strategy and can truly enhance your short game.
Featuring 9-holes tucked into the scenic woodlands surrounding Black Lake and the Black River, this course gives ample opportunities for beginners and juniors to learn, while allowing seasoned veterans to hone their skills.
Whether adding on a short course after pushing yourself through 18 holes at full strength or treating yourself to a casual 9 as your entire day, the Gaylord Golf Mecca has what you’re looking for. Plan your next round with us today!
