Garland Lodge & Golf Resort - Swampfire Course

By the courses name alone you should expect water. What I did not expect was a unique layout with large undulating greens and the need for strategic shots to score well. This course exceeded expectations and i highly recommend it.

Course conditions were some of the best (outside of Boyne) that I have played this year. Many of the holes have no homes in them and you feel one with nature.

Beware of the water. What else can you say? So many holes with water in play. Making it through 18 with 1 ball is a miracle. Some of the coolest holes at Garland are on Swampfire, including the Par 3 #11. Picturesque! I always need to prepare myself for a battle when we're playing Swampfire.

The course was great except for the bunkers which had grass growing in them which means they don't ever get groomed by the grounds keepers. They also had lots of pebbles and stones in them. These bunkers are an embarrassment to an otherwise nice facility and course.
We will not be back...too many nice courses in Michigan who actually maintain the bunkers!!!!!

This was a very well manicured and fun golf course. A must play at Garland and was incredibly fun and challenging.

Had always heard great things about this resort and the 4 courses on site. My hopes and expectations quickly vanished as I saw the first fairway on Swamp fire. Weeds galore. Brown fairways. Weedy tee boxes. Slowest greens I've ever played. Clover everywhere in the roughs. Complete lack of maintenence and attention to detail out the window. I will never return and the $45 "special" wasn't even worth it. $25 might have been better.

I have been golfing for 6 years now. This is by far the best maintained and kept course I have golfed to date. The bunkers were a little rough. But you shouldn't be hitting there anyways lol. This was my only chance to get out while up north with family. Glad this was my pick!

This course was immaculate! We played in two hours and never saw another golfer. The greens were some of the truest I have ever rolled a rock on. Wonderful!!!!

This was a great value from Golf Now. Samd traps need work, but it was in good shape, had a great round!

Have nothing to complain about. Stayed for 3 days and didnt want to leave. 4 courses on the property and they were all excellent. Practice facilities great.
Going back for sure.

The course was in great shape. But in the summer warm weather too buggy.
The associate in the pro shop was rude.
The gentleman at the carts when we got there was very nice & helpful. The starter was very nice.
The young man at the carts when we were done just stood there with hands in pocket and watched us unload the clubs and go to our car, he did ask if we had a good time. Not sure why he was there except to put the carts away.

Couldn't pass up the price. I haven't played the course in a number of years. Loved it.

Beautiful area but maintenance could be better. Sand traps were hard & not groomed. Fairways were very nice but ruff was very high. Great value on Golf Now but definitely not worth what they charge full price. We were pretty much the only people on the course, which was great for us but tells me few will pay the price.

So I've played the course 2 times now. The first time was back in June 2014.
And it had been raining really bad the 2 weeks leafing up to it... The bugs were to say the least "A day from... Well not fun in the millions !"
Thought it was the weather n time if year last time... Nope!!! No bugs around the club house or driving range ...but 1/2 way into first hole...Look Out!! I had a super deep woods off formula n the bugs laughed at it... In fact it mad them mad n swarm more !!!!
Try putting when bugs are flying in your ears or up your nose !

Carts are new clean and fast! Staff was nice! But in the middle of no where n bug city.

Absolute beautiful property from the second you drive in till you leave. Wonderful course and very we'll manicured. A+++ experience. Can't wait to get back there and play the other courses

Perfect weather, staff had no issue with reservation. Wide open in front and behind.

Most beautiful course I've ever played. Tough but very fun.

We did not eat there. Driving range had not been cut in a long time, no range balls. Had to find our own out of the long grass. Bunkers have not been maintained, only a few ball washers some with a little water. Markers on some tee boxes have not been changed for a few days. Goose dropping have been removed from the greens but put in the front of the greens, not good for approaching.. The "half-way house" bathrooms very dirty. In general, course all right certainly not worth the posted price. My "golf now" price more in line with our playing experience.

Water on almost every hole. Challenging course from the back tees

Garland Resort's Swampfire Course was challenging and a joy to play for me, but also provided a reasonable test from the red tees for my wife; who carries a 30 Index. She was able to navigate the course without frustration, at least.

There's water in play on 15 holes and almost every fairway is cut tight to the woods. But, there's usually a bailout side and there are very few bunkers. Precise tee shots are required to score and the rough, while penal, is not ridiculous.

Greens Stimpped about 11-12, were tough to hold hitting from rough and undulated within reason. Again, a bailout is available on all of them if you're in position on the fairway. Par 3's were all fun shots, no crazy elevation changes, but some. Doglegs on the 4's & 5's were evenly spread right & left. So, working the ball both directions will help lower scores.

Very picturesque, holes wind through swamps, hence the name, and few, if any, holes can be seen from another. The perception was we had the course to ourselves and we finished our round in 3 hrs 25 min; typical for us.

Bring your bug spray; it's the north woods. But, worth playing, IMO.