Detailed description of American Dunes
American Dunes is a public, 18-hole golf course located in Grand Haven, Michigan.
The course is a tribute to the American Military. The course opened in 2001. This Signature Jack Nicklaus course was designed by Nicklaus who waived his design fee for this project.
American Dunes was built on the site of the former Grand Haven Golf Club, which closed its doors in 2018.
“It was a property full of trees, about 300 yards off of a lake. We basically took every mature tree in the interior portion of the golf course off of the property,” says Nicklaus. “The unique aspect was removing all those trees and creating a sand dunes property. It was really different and unusual, but I think we pulled it off very well.”
The location’s sandy terrain is the stuff of an architect’s dreams. Rooney says he “geeks” when talking about the molecular makeup of the sand and that Jack had the opportunity to build whatever he wanted out of the dunes.
“It’s as organic of a site and design that feels like it’s a mix between Pine Valley and Cypress Point.
100% of the annual course profit will be given to the Folds Of Honor Foundation.
Latest Golf Course Reviews
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by Brian Clark 2023-10-08
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by Brian Clark 2023-10-08
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by Brian Clark 2023-10-08
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by soundhar G 2023-10-07
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by Brian Clark 2023-10-05
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by Brian Clark 2023-10-05
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$176 (cart included), played on Sunday, June 2023 at 8:30 AM
I played the former Grand Haven GC in 1983 & 1990 and was not impressed by its toughness just by having narrow tree-lined fairways. With the limited sunlight in some areas, you had many thin/hard pan lies that the average golfer struggles with, me included. My business friend Jim B called me and said, "Jack Nicklaus is redesigning GHGC, and they're removing A LOT of trees," I said that that's the only reason I'll ever play there again.
For Father's Day / my Birthday, I decided to take my three (3) boys for a round of golf and see the changes.....WOW!!!! From the time you leave your car in the parking lot, walk to the clubhouse, in the clubhouse, bathroom, and tee boxes, you are reminded of Veterans (and their families) that have "They Gave it All" so we could enjoy the Freedom they believed in. Some of the trees are still here, but if you get in them, you had to have missed the 80-100yd wide landing areas, bordered by very playable firm sand.
The five (5) tees allow you to play from 7,213yds / 75.4/148 down to 4,772yds / 68.4/120 on this rolling, sandy, beautiful layout with top-notch conditions that would pass any Master Sargent's inspection. The approach shots to these firm and undulating greens are where the trouble lies, so sharpen those wedge grooves and ability to read 9-11 fast rolling putts. I normally write about the holes, but let's face the facts.....it's a Jack Nicklaus design. Need I say more? My mind and heart are still focused on the walk to the clubhouse, reading the tee box memorials, and being with my sons, who, like me, believe that our Freedom came at a price. We all played from the Freedom tees 6,131yds / 70.3 / 133 with Kevin 87/36putts, Me 90/35putts, Jeremy 91/37putts, and Barry 94/31putts. We will return this Fall to give it another shot and you should too.