Forest Dunes Golf Club - Black Course at The Loop

Has to be seen to be believed. A truly reversible course that plays in both directions! The first time golfer should buckle up and plan for a beyond fast and form course and the need for a serious ground game!

The greens on this course are as unique and wild as they get and the amount of thought and planning that went into them to play in both directions had to have been staggering.

I played The Loop three times in two days; Black once and Red twice (practice round on the Red and then one round each in a tournament, ironically, my practice round was 5 strokes better than both of my tournament rounds).

Bring your ground game is what I was told (over and over again) before heading to Forest Dunes to play the Loop... my big discovery was that, despite putting in some time working on it just for this course, my ground game isn't very good. This should not dissuade you from bringing it if you've got it.

Hard fast fairways, followed by hard fast greens that are nearly impossible to hold at times (especially in the wind that I played in) lead to a really different experience than you can't find many places in the US (at least in my experience). Landing well short of the greens and running up led to my best scoring holes... I also wasn't thinking twice about putting from 20-30 feet off the green once I got over my fear of doing so. It's just that kind of course.

For the most part, all of this course (both ways) is in front of you and there are no tricks, it's just great links(ish) golf. I say "ish" because there is no water whatsoever and most of the lies are flat... in fact most of the course is flat. But my drives went further than I have any reasonable right to expect them to and my approach shots did as well (often running off the green until I got the swing of things). Once we (as a group) got over having to adjust to the greens, we all enjoyed the challenge.

While most of the lightly forested areas off the fairways are receptive to finding your balls (and the fairways are pretty wide and open), do be weary of the fairway bunkers... native grasses growing within them as well as rough edges and contours can make them harder to get out of then the other "hazard" areas.

I've heard people complain about the lack of visual charm on The Loop - especially as compared to the original Forest Dunes course - but to me this is part of why I liked it so much. While Forest Dunes is a (fantastic) resort'ish course, The Loop is a completely different (rustic/utilitarian/more difficult) feel and, for me, it's a significant feature to have both of these versions of golf available at the same venue.

I was really surprised as to how well Doak managed to make the holes play both ways without feeling tricked out or awkward. The only hole that I thought was questionable at all was 8 on Black, which is a par three into a green that slopes pretty significantly away from the tee box... it's just really hard (in my limited experience) to keep a ball on this green. To be fair, there is no danger in running off, other than a long putt/chip.

As I mentioned, I had the pleasure of playing both courses in one day as part of a tournament (The dual, held three times a year), whether you do that or stay a couple days and get both in that way, I highly recommend playing the course both ways to fully appreciate the genius of Doak's work.

While you're there, you'll certainly benefit from the outstanding service (a big part of why I've been back to Forest Dunes multiple times) and you should take the time to play the putting course as well as the short par 3 Bootlegger course. Forest Dunes is simply a terrific destination for golf and I can't wait to get back there again, if I were you, I'd make plans to go as well.

Making my second trip back to the Loop made me remember just how much I love this golf course. The unique style of the course is fascinating; it gives players the opportunity to play shots that they would likely never have to play anywhere else. The condition of the course was excellent, the greens barely had a ball mark on them and they rolled fast and true. Golfers who cannot embrace the firm and fast conditions of the course and the ground game required for many shots will likely not enjoy their round. But for those that due, the course is an awesome and fun experience. The wide open fairways also facilitate a very good pace of play. On a packed Saturday, our foursome got around the course in just over four hours and waited on only a handful of holes. Our foursome consisted of handicaps between 0 and 14, and all of us ranked this course as our first or second favorite on a trip that included 6 courses, 3 of which are in the Golf Digest Top 100 Public. The wide open nature of the course also makes it a great buddies trip stop as the course is very accommodating to higher handicappers who will probably enjoy never losing a ball. Embrace the idea of how you're supposed to play this course and its unique challenge and you'll have an amazing experience!

FOREST DUNES THE LOOP (RED & BLACK)
This is one of the most interesting golf courses I’ve ever played. The golf course is very well maintained. The greens were slightly fast and putting them was a pleasure. The ever changing tee pads were very unique and the routing was so very much fun. We actually met the course superintendent and he was a pleasure to chat with. He thinks the course should be played 3-4 times each direction to figure it out. After playing each direction only once...I agree. But I think this (these?) layout needs a little more time to mature.

The staff and services were good, but not quite in the excellent category (see my Forest Dunes write-up for more detail). The driving range, chipping area and the Hilltop (large putting course) were all very good. The driving range seemed very sandy, but that was a minor inconvenience. There is now a 10 hole Par 3 short course available, but my group did not play it, but it looks great!

I think the food/drink options were good, but they seemed a bit overpriced. But the atmosphere on the patio made the food and drink worth it.

Again my central complaint about this course is the LOUD MUSIC and seeming unawareness of some of the members to realize that many of us traveled a long way to play here, and we did not want to hear there music or hear there group to group banter.

If you can get past the Bushwood atmosphere (or be lucky enough to play where there wasn’t a party on the course), it’s a great experience.

FOREST DUNES THE LOOP (RED & BLACK)
This is one of the most interesting golf courses I’ve ever played. The golf course is very well maintained. The greens were slightly fast and putting them was a pleasure. The ever changing tee pads were very unique and the routing was so very much fun. We actually met the course superintendent and he was a pleasure to chat with. He thinks the course should be played 3-4 times each direction to figure it out. After playing each direction only once...I agree. But I think this (these?) layout needs a little more time to mature.

The staff and services were good, but not quite in the excellent category (see my Forest Dunes write-up for more detail). The driving range, chipping area and the Hilltop (large putting course) were all very good. The driving range seemed very sandy, but that was a minor inconvenience. There is now a 10 hole Par 3 short course available, but my group did not play it, but it looks great!

I think the food/drink options were good, but they seemed a bit overpriced. But the atmosphere on the patio made the food and drink worth it.

Again my central complaint about this course is the LOUD MUSIC and seeming unawareness of some of the members to realize that many of us traveled a long way to play here, and we did not want to hear there music or hear there group to group banter.

If you can get past the Bushwood atmosphere (or be lucky enough to play where there wasn’t a party on the course), it’s a great experience.

The Good: The Loop at Forest Dunes, designed by the great Tom Doak in 2016, is one of the most unique golf experiences in the Midwest. A reverse routing with 18 green complexes and fairways that can be played either way on consecutive days, it has some of the most severe and fun greens that I’ve played. The Black course has better Par-4’s in my opinion compared to the Red design, particularly on the front nine. The green complexes for this routing appear even more interesting & challenging compared to the Red. Course conditions are meant to be extremely firm and fast, so they aren’t nearly as pristine as its sibling Forest Dunes. Now a full-fledged resort with the additional of many great lodging options, it has a huge, immaculate clubhouse with full restaurant and very nice outdoor dining area with views of the 9th & 18th of the Weiskopf course. Great service and very accommodating staff.

The Bad: Those expecting a beautifully conditioned resort course will be disappointed, but those that enjoy the bump-&-run style of play will be overjoyed. The concept of the design is brilliant; however I felt that several greens felt “out of place” on the Black compared to the Red. Perhaps this is simply because I played the Red routing first and it caused bias but of the green complexes are borderline unfair. Lacks some of the on-course amenities compared to Forest Dunes.

The Verdict: While many marvel at The Loop, particularly the Red routing, as their favorite course in Michigan, I don’t rank it quite as high. It’s a unorthodox concept that is brilliantly executed, but the Forest Dunes course is more my cup of tea. With that said, it’s a magically fun place to spend an afternoon with buddies and beers.

Best Hole: The long, 450-yard first hole is a TOUGH Par-4 to open. Typically into the wind, it is a demanding way to start your day.

What a waste of time and money! To pay $160 for that course was an absolute joke! About 4 nice holes out of 18. The maintenance on the course was totally lacking. Tees in the fairway (which is supposed to be novel) had uneven surfaces and bunkers in need of some serious attention. The fairways were extremely hard and boy could I go on!

Do yourself a favor and play Forest Dunes twice!!! This one is worthless!

The Good: The Loop at Forest Dunes, designed by the great Tom Doak in 2016, is one of the most unique golf experiences in the Midwest. A reverse routing with 18 green complexes and fairways that can be played either way on consecutive days, it has some of the most severe and fun greens that I’ve played. The Red course opens with a fairly benign, open tee shot but suckers you into thinking all is well. You’ll find this is the precursor to the rest of the course. Most Par-4’s Par-5’s are fairly straight away, but the standouts are the beautiful, tough Par-3’s. While several are short in stature, they have some bite! Course conditions are meant to be extremely firm and fast, so they aren’t nearly as pristine as its sibling Forest Dunes. Now a full-fledged resort with the additional of many great lodging options, it has a huge, immaculate clubhouse with full restaurant and very nice outdoor dining area with views of the 9th & 18th of the Weiskopf course. Great service and very accommodating staff.

The Bad: Those expecting a beautifully conditioned resort course will be disappointed, but those that enjoy the bump-&-run style of play will be overjoyed. The concept of the design is brilliant; however I wish there was more uniqueness to the holes, particularly the Par-4’s. Some of the green complexes are borderline unfair. Lacks some of the on-course amenities compared to Forest Dunes.

The Verdict: While many marvel at The Loop, particularly the Red routing, as their favorite course in Michigan, I don’t rank it quite as high. It’s a unorthodox concept that is brilliantly executed, but the Forest Dunes course is more my cup of tea. With that said, it’s a magically fun place to spend an afternoon with buddies and beers.

Best Hole: The uphill, Par-4 18th with several fairway traps framing the hole is a beautiful end to an interesting round.

I summed up a lot of my comments on the reversible Loop in my previous review of the Black routing yesterday.

However, after going in both directions, the Red routing is more fun, but the Black is the tougher test, and probably has more standout holes.

If you pay attention to your surroundings, it is amazing what you will notice about holes that you never saw when playing the other direction. Much like this track’s inspiration - the Old Course - it will take multiple loops to uncover the nuances it offers.

For me, the best single green complex for both courses, in my opinion, lies with the Black’s seventh and Red’s 11th. It plays as a short par-4 on the Black route and a long par 3 on the Red. What is interesting about this hole is that the pronounced slope on the left and back sides surrounding the green from the Red approach can be used to funnel balls to a back right hole location. I didn’t even notice it when playing the Black routing the day before. That is the pleasure of playing The Loop.

The direction of the wind will dictate not only your score, but what type of shots you will be required to play. That is fun to me, but it could beat some golfers up.

So here are my initial thoughts after playing just one half of the routing. This is for the Black course, playing the Red tomorrow:

This is a concept born of the Old Course’s ability to play in reverse, and I think we will see more of these in the near future.

Doak’s design is simplistic, yet intricately thought out. There is not a lot of trouble on the course. The bunkers are the main land mines. The natural areas are extremely playable. The course’s defense however is in its’ contouring around the greens. I didn’t find them so severe that they border on unfair. I think you simply must “think” about the shot you want to play and see if it matches the shot you probably should play. That is essentially the key to scoring here.

The wind was up this afternoon, which kept my attention. But, I could see where you could kind of get lulled into a comfortable stretch in the beginning of the round. When you turn the scorecard over, however, the holes played scary long into the wind and the bogey train is boarding. The par-3 13th played uphill 211 yards into the wind. Do not go long! The finish can be a grind but there are some scoring opportunities in the final holes waiting to right the ship.

Here is another misconception I feel too many golfers have made and will make when playing The Loop: don’t compare it to Forest Dunes across the parking lot. They are two different philosophies. They rely on two different conditioning principles. What may look like bad conditions, brown grass and a barren landscape is just what is necessary to provide the linkslike experience the Loop is seeking.

What makes playing the Loop increasingly difficult is that although a primitive yardage guide is available for purchase, there is no way to tell what portion of the green the pin resides. Therefore, it is golf as it was in the beginning: inexact information, scruffy fairways, penal bunkers, wind-ravaged green complexes, generous teeing areas near the previous greens. Embracing this idea is essential to enjoying your round, no matter the routing that day on The Loop.

Designed by Tom Doak (previously played Old Mac & Pacific Dunes @bandondunesgolf and Blue Course @streamsongresort ) The Red course is one-half of the reversible 18s at the Loop in which the course can be played in two different directions creating two courses. I only played the red course but could see that the course would distinctively different yet play a very similar Links style game. I used my 8 iron and putter for most of my shots and enjoyed engaging the creativity portion of my golf brain. You can probably put away the driver and wedges, especially if the wind is high like it was for me. The course is fun and I appreciate the concept but if I return I would rather play 36 on Weiskopf's Forest Dune and once on the loop. The course is all fescue, which I always enjoy and plays very firm and fast. The bunkering is very good but can be very penalizing with such firm greens. The pictures online do not show you but the course is not flat, and the fairways have a lot of movement on most holes. If the wind is blowing and the conditions are firm you will face a real test of your game. If you enjoy links play you will enjoy if not you will be bored and frustrated. Overall the course is good but not great and uses the Loop factor to make it seem better than what it is which is a decent course.

As a reversible track, there aren't any tee boxes, just flags placed where one should tee off. The ground and greens were extremely hard and I had to play at least one club shorter into the greens than I usually would have. The front nine on the Black course was easier than the back, and I thought that some of the greens on the back almost bordered on unfair. I like the course, but if I was taking the time to go up to Roscommon and could only play on course, give me Forest Dunes every time.

Fascinating experience. Enjoyed the layout and loved the firm, fast conditions. Would be even more fun and interesting the more you play it and uncover new shots, angles, etc.

The loop Red and Black are two courses in one. Think of them as two diverse ways to play one course and you are well on your way to understanding the design concept. The good news is that both are about the same as far as enjoyment and you would miss out if you went one way without going the other the next day. The Black starts out with a couple of difficult holes and the finish is also more difficult. The Red starts out with a short par 4 and ends easier. Both courses have drivable par 4s, long par 4s (half par holes each way), short and long par 3s and par 5s that could be gone for in two. The only difference is when these type of holes appear. All holes have wide fairways, firm/fast conditions, undulating greens and a lot of strategy off the tee. Very enjoyable golf no matter which direction you are playing that day. I can only think that more plays will lead to a greater appreciation and understanding of the routing and strategy for each hole. There are bunkers that you will see in one direction and wonder why they are there until the next day. I played 36 each day and was only beginning to get how it was all put together.
One example of this is the tree on the right of the par 5 13th on the red. You must be on the left side of the fairway to go for it in two and if near it for your third, shotmaking will be required. The other way, #6 on the Black, you won't even notice the tree as it is not anywhere in your driving line. Instead, the 6 green has two tiers. While your approach on the 12th for red doesn't have the tiers come into play. This type of variety is unique to the Loop and I for one loved it.
The course does play linksy as you can run your ball to certain pin locations. The fairways also have a lot of run out in them.The green sites also reveal themselves on multiple plays as some contours are not known off the fairway. Multiple plays are needed for any great course and the second time around is a revelation here. Made me want to come back for more.
Off the course, Forest Dunes has everything you need. A range, Putting Green, restaurants, outdoor patio dining, lodging and all are top shelf. The loop is not next to the clubhouse, but still only a 5 minute walk.
If you are going to Forest Dunes, play the loop in both directions as well as the original course. The courses are quite different in strategy, but all are worth your time. Getting two courses for one makes the resort a must visit if you are going to Michigan.

The loop track is like nothing I've played before. It's a throwback concept, no formal tee boxes, simply flags in the ground. The front 9 you're shooting at one color of flag and the back nine it's a different color. We had no issue finding the next hole, or anything like that. It's not your finely manicured course like you'll see at a resort or even Forest Dunes across the street. The fairways are giant, and there isn't much for rough at all, so for us it was extremely playable, you don't lose balls, and you don't get stuck in gnarly rough. The challenge starts as you approach greens. You cannot attack greens, instead you need to roll balls onto the green and there are a ton of undulation in and around the greens, it was extremely challenging to decide what to play. However the point is that you can take on each hole in a different manner. I loved it, and it's a beautiful place. I will say that after hitting several great second shots that rolled off the back of greens I was ready to play a track where I could be aggressive in attacking greens. I got a bit bored and frustrated having to hit 10-15 yards short on every hole, but it's a challenge for your mind. I also played Forest Dunes after my round and would probably advise most golfers to play both, and I likely would have played Forest Dunes first b/c I liked it better and thought it was a prettier course. Most of all it's how golf was originally played and it's cool to take on that throwback. They now allow carts so it's much more manageable.

Loop Black is unlike any other course in Michigan. With the course able to play from either direction, shots that go long can run off the backs and you have a dicy pitch back to the green. Awesome concept with the tee markers, just a small flag where you can tee anywhere on the box. Great tee balls will run for a long time. Greens roll true, but are slower than the Dunes course across the street.
Only bad thing is that if you go off the fairways good luck finding your ball. The rough is like a short brush that you almost have to step on in order to find a wayward ball. Also, make sure you pack a bug spray in your bag. We got ambushed on the back.

The Loop Black is more difficult than the Red routing. It's astounding how playing the course in a different direction makes it seem like a totally different track. Nowhere else in the world can you be playing the same bunker shot on two different courses on separate days. You'll have little moments of recognition, but both courses have so much character that you'll want to play them again and again.

The links-style play is incredibly fun. Both courses are very nice walks as well. It's a throwback to golden age courses with fast conditions and pleasant walks. You'll play shots here that you won't find anywhere else in Michigan. Get to Forest Dunes as soon as you can and play both routings of the Loop. You won't regret it!

The Loop Red is an incredibly fun course to play. I was blown away when I stepped on the first hole. You can use almost anything off the tee and it'll run out to a good location, but it's your second shot that really matters. In true links fashion, you can't stick the greens. You have to play the ball short or run it up. It's a totally different style of play that's hard to find in the states. You really have to adjust your mental game to score well here. The architecture is world class. Trying to figure out both routings in your head is a puzzle you'll think about for a while. Some features on the Black course are even hidden from view on the Red.

I've already booked another tee time to play the Loop. It's one of the best in Michigan. Do yourself a favor and walk a couple of rounds at the Loop. It's like stepping back in time.

I live in Florida and had the pleasure of walking 18 holes on my last trip to Michigan where we visiting Forest Dunes and walked The Loop- Red. I'm not a great golfer, but found the course to be really enjoyable to play, fairly easy to walk and all around a beautiful way to spend an afternoon. We played the Red course, but would love to go back and play it in reverse on Black to see how different it is. Beautiful setting, unique course, especially for the area. Will definitely be back and would recommend to friends in Michigan.