$36 (cart included), played on Friday, July 2021 at 8:16 AM
Returned after playing here last year and playing from the Whites 3,213/3,122 / 70.6 / 129 seem also to play a little longer on the lower holes (soggy) than the holes on the hilly areas. My playing partner Dan and I enjoyed #5 a 143yd Par 3 as we both had Birdies and started sliding after that. Back 9 seem to play tougher today as being near more water (6 holes) soggy conditions mirrored yesterday's woes. The #12 a 543-521yd Par 5 protects it's Hcp 2 rating by having water coming into play on your first two (2) shots. Narrow tree lined fairways seems to hinder scoring when those tee shots stray. Struggled with the flat stick all day shooting 40/45 w/ 38 putts but still enjoyed the layout.
$71 (cart included), played on Friday, July 2020 at 8:00 AM
The Antrim Dells was established in 1971 and designed by both Jerry & Bruce Matthews on this combination of wooded, hilly, and marsh laden area. With the clubhouse/restaurant located on the highest point, it gives you great views of Grand Traverse Bay and wonderful sunsets.
With the four (4) tee boxes you can play from Blues at 6,665yds / 72.2 / 133 down to Reds at 5,171yds / 70.3 / 125 for the Women's tees on this Par 36/36 layout.
The lower valley fairways were a little soft today because of the evening rains. Greens were rolling very smoothly and tuff to read because of the hilly terrain.
The Front 9 starts out with a par-5 hole, 80' elevated tee, tree-lined fairway leading 520yds to a sand trap protected elevated green. The #2 hole is a straight and narrow 463yd Par 4 that is their Hcp 1 rating and simular protected elevated green as #1. Looking at #3 a 196yd uphill/elevated Par 3 green, you'll see the same design of two (2) sand traps framing the green throughout all 18 holes. The #6 is a 499yd Par 5 that protects its Hcp 3 raking by having a narrow neck (20yds wide) for the long hitters trying to get 220-275yds off the tee. The #9 is a 398yd Par 4 dogleg left (225yd) and then a 2 club uphill 150yd shot to a tipped forward green. Being below the cup will possibly keep your first putt on the green as the Red flag gave many 3 putts.
The Back 9 starts off again with a Par 4 elevated tee shot to a green 402yds away on this narrow fairway to an elevated green. The 543yd Par 5 on #12 now adds water pockets in the fairway if the narrowness isn't enough to protect its Hcp2 ranking. The #13 is a downhill 172yd Par 3 with water in front and sand traps all around. The #17 is their Hcp 4 Par 5 and maybe the narrowest 509yds you'll play so stay straight. The #18 is a tuff 379yd Par 4 driving hole (stay left side) as the fairway slopes left to right to the 2 club elevated green.
Enjoyed playing here today as everything was soft because of the last two (2) nights of rain. I shot 40/39 w/34 putts and enjoyed hitting a lot of fairways today, which is rare.