The Tradition at Treetops Resort

Many people believe that Treetops Golf Resort in Gaylord put Northern Michigan on the map as a great golf destination. Although there are several golf resorts in the area with multiple courses, Treetops emerges each year as one of the most recognizable golf resorts in the state. With 81 holes of spectacular golf at two locations (Treetops North is about a 7-minute drive), 226 guest rooms and suites, a spa, a salon, and more than 25,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, it’s easy to see why Treetops Resort is a popular venue for golf getaways, weddings, and business conferences.

If golf’s not your game there are plenty of other activities including mountain biking, fly fishing, tennis, disc golf, and horseback riding. When the white stuff starts to fall, Treetops transforms into one of Northern Michigan’s top ski resorts, with 23 expertly groomed ski runs, and 14 kilometers of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails.

Over the years Treetops has received its share of accolades from the golf world. Golf Magazine awarded them its Silver Medal Award as one of the finest resorts in the United States, 7-times. In 2002, Treetops was ranked #32 on Golf Digest’s list of “America's Top 75 Golf Resorts”, and in June 2000, Conde Nast Traveler recognized them as a “Top 50 International Resorts.” Pinehurst and Pebble Beach were the only two golf resorts ranked higher that year. Year in and year out Treetops is awarded at least 4 stars by Golf Digest’s Places to Play. And with courses designed by three of the industry’s top golf architects – Tom Fazio, Robert Trent Jones Sr., and Rick Smith – you’re sure to be challenged.

For my money, there are two other qualities necessary for a golf resort to earn consideration (besides exciting golf): good dining and comfortable accommodations. On either point, Treetops does not disappoint. Treetops offers three restaurants on the main property that are all located within steps of each other: Legends on the Hill, Hunter's Grille, and the Sports Bar. The food is outstanding and, in many respects, unique. Hunter’s Grille offers an ever-evolving menu of eclectic cuisine and spectacular views from the top of the ski hills. Legends on the Hill has a pasta dish that features a giant elk meatball and handmade herb pappardelle pasta covered in a rich tomato sauce and served with shaved Parmesan, and garlic toast. There’s also fresh Michigan rainbow trout and a Sous Vide Pork Chop that is incredibly delicious.

At the Sports Bar, you can indulge in your favorite made-to-order pizza or enjoy a hot and spicy Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich. The Southfork Ranch Steak Sandwich is delicious too; 8oz of prime rib, sauteed onions, fresh spinach, and garlic aioli, served on fresh rosemary Herb Bread.

The Jones Tavern at Treetops North is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. It’s primarily a grab-and-go menu with items like a Signature Burrito, Smith Breakfast Sandwich, the Fazio Grilled Ham and Cheese, and the Traditions Southwest Wrap.

Bar 81 is located on the main floor of the lodge just past the reception area. There are several TVs, making it a perfect spot to relax with your friends, recap the day, and watch your favorite sports teams. They even offer a light menu, something to snack on between sips of your favorite adult beverage.

As far as the rooms in the lodge go, the rooms are some of the largest I’ve stayed in. Each room is equipped with a refrigerator, microwave, and coffeemaker as well as a large flat-screen TV, and bathrooms with huge walk-in showers. In the lodge, you’ll find an indoor pool, hot tubs, and a fitness center as well as the Treetops Spa.

The newest addition to the Treetops lodging collection is the Jones Cottages, located on the 4th hole of the Masterpiece. Each cottage sleeps eight people comfortably, making them perfect for small groups and outings. All are outfitted with modern amenities and the two-floor layout provides added space and unbeatable views.

Treetops' other three courses can be found at Treetops North, about a 7-minute drive up the road. The Signature was the second 18-hole layout built on the resort property. It was also the first golf course design for Rick Smith who then went on to design the Tradition Course and Threetops. Smith used the insight and knowledge he gained from his numerous trips to Scotland and Ireland to help him shape the courses, giving them the look and feel of some of the world’s best courses.

Recently, Treetops unveiled the “new and improved” Tradition Golf Course which will appeal to golf enthusiasts who want to experience the game as it was intended to be played – a good walk spoiled by a little white ball! Course Designer Rick Smith has incorporated many of the traits of a links-style golf course on an inland layout. The conversion resulted in the removal of many trees, which brings to life subtly rolling fairways and native grasses. The rough areas have been cleaned up and seeded with various fescue grasses. According to General Manager Barry Owens, “With these links-style changes, you can see up to fifteen different greens on different parts of the golf course.”

Treetops Resort is located about 5 miles east of Gaylord and only 10 minutes from I-75. With great golf, fantastic dining, and spacious, comfortable rooms, you won’t go wrong in choosing Treetops as your next golf getaway destination.

Many people believe that Treetops Golf Resort in Gaylord put Northern Michigan on the map as a great golf destination. Although there are several golf resorts in the area with multiple courses, Treetops emerges each year as one of the most recognizable golf resorts in the state. With 81 holes of spectacular golf at two locations (Treetops North is about a 7-minute drive), 226 guest rooms and suites, a spa, a salon, and more than 25,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, it’s easy to see why Treetops Resort is a popular venue for golf getaways, weddings, and business conferences.

If golf’s not your game there are plenty of other activities including mountain biking, fly fishing, tennis, disc golf, and horseback riding. When the white stuff starts to fall, Treetops transforms into one of Northern Michigan’s top ski resorts, with 23 expertly groomed ski runs, and 14 kilometers of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails.

Over the years Treetops has received its share of accolades from the golf world. Golf Magazine awarded them its Silver Medal Award as one of the finest resorts in the United States, 7-times. In 2002, Treetops was ranked #32 on Golf Digest’s list of “America's Top 75 Golf Resorts”, and in June 2000, Conde Nast Traveler recognized them as a “Top 50 International Resorts.” Pinehurst and Pebble Beach were the only two golf resorts ranked higher that year. Year in and year out Treetops is awarded at least 4 stars by Golf Digest’s Places to Play. And with courses designed by three of the industry’s top golf architects – Tom Fazio, Robert Trent Jones Sr., and Rick Smith – you’re sure to be challenged.

For my money, there are two other qualities necessary for a golf resort to earn consideration (besides exciting golf): good dining and comfortable accommodations. On either point, Treetops does not disappoint. Treetops offers three restaurants on the main property that are all located within steps of each other: Legends on the Hill, Hunter's Grille, and the Sports Bar. The food is outstanding and, in many respects, unique. Hunter’s Grille offers an ever-evolving menu of eclectic cuisine and spectacular views from the top of the ski hills. Legends on the Hill has a pasta dish that features a giant elk meatball and handmade herb pappardelle pasta covered in a rich tomato sauce and served with shaved Parmesan, and garlic toast. There’s also fresh Michigan rainbow trout and a Sous Vide Pork Chop that is incredibly delicious.

At the Sports Bar, you can indulge in your favorite made-to-order pizza or enjoy a hot and spicy Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich. The Southfork Ranch Steak Sandwich is delicious too; 8oz of prime rib, sauteed onions, fresh spinach, and garlic aioli, served on fresh rosemary Herb Bread.

The Jones Tavern at Treetops North is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. It’s primarily a grab-and-go menu with items like a Signature Burrito, Smith Breakfast Sandwich, the Fazio Grilled Ham and Cheese, and the Traditions Southwest Wrap.

Bar 81 is located on the main floor of the lodge just past the reception area. There are several TVs, making it a perfect spot to relax with your friends, recap the day, and watch your favorite sports teams. They even offer a light menu, something to snack on between sips of your favorite adult beverage.

As far as the rooms in the lodge go, the rooms are some of the largest I’ve stayed in. Each room is equipped with a refrigerator, microwave, and coffeemaker as well as a large flat-screen TV, and bathrooms with huge walk-in showers. In the lodge, you’ll find an indoor pool, hot tubs, and a fitness center as well as the Treetops Spa.

The newest addition to the Treetops lodging collection is the Jones Cottages, located on the 4th hole of the Masterpiece. Each cottage sleeps eight people comfortably, making them perfect for small groups and outings. All are outfitted with modern amenities and the two-floor layout provides added space and unbeatable views.

Treetops' other three courses can be found at Treetops North, about a 7-minute drive up the road. The Signature was the second 18-hole layout built on the resort property. It was also the first golf course design for Rick Smith who then went on to design the Tradition Course and Threetops. Smith used the insight and knowledge he gained from his numerous trips to Scotland and Ireland to help him shape the courses, giving them the look and feel of some of the world’s best courses.

Recently, Treetops unveiled the “new and improved” Tradition Golf Course which will appeal to golf enthusiasts who want to experience the game as it was intended to be played – a good walk spoiled by a little white ball! Course Designer Rick Smith has incorporated many of the traits of a links-style golf course on an inland layout. The conversion resulted in the removal of many trees, which brings to life subtly rolling fairways and native grasses. The rough areas have been cleaned up and seeded with various fescue grasses. According to General Manager Barry Owens, “With these links-style changes, you can see up to fifteen different greens on different parts of the golf course.”

Treetops Resort is located about 5 miles east of Gaylord and only 10 minutes from I-75. With great golf, fantastic dining, and spacious, comfortable rooms, you won’t go wrong in choosing Treetops as your next golf getaway destination.

Many brown out dead areas on the tees and fairways. Also the bunkers were full of rocks that made them unplayable. The greens however were in really good shape. Course was packed si it took over 4:15 to play with 2 groups in front of us dropping out midway through the round. Halfway house was closed and you didn’t know that until you were on the way to the course.

The typical knock on the Tradition is that it is not as nice as the other Treetops courses. While that is true, it's still a great golf course and if it were located elsewhere, people would focus on how great it is rather than comparing it to other courses. It is also the easiest of the Treetops courses, so that is something to keep in mind.

With the sustained heat and lack of rain in Gaylord, the course is having some conditioning issues. Almost every fairway has some large brown spots that make the course not look as visually appealing. Aside from those brown spots, the fairways are green and thick. Around the edges of a few greens there were some large brown/dead spots as well. Overall, though, the greens were in good shape and were rolling true. Their bunkers have a lot of rocks working their way to the surface, so that was an issue too.

The layout is very nice and pretty open. It doesn't have the huge elevation changes or views that the other courses have, but as far as the actual golf course goes, it has varied hole design and no bad holes. Even if it isn't as great as the other courses, it's still definitely worth playing!

out of the 4 courses in Tree tops this is the worst of all 4.
The greens were too slow and putts were not rolling.
Need to improve the course conditions and though the lay out ws very good

This is the most inexpensive of the courses at Treetops. We played between bouts of rain. There were only a couple other groups on the course at the time, so we didn't have to wait for anyone. In fact, we were able to tee off about a half hour early, which was great. The fairways are wide and well groomed. The greens were fast. Everything looked good and I'd definitely come play this course again.

The Tradition does not have the dramatic views that the Premier and Masterpiece do, but is easily the most playable and subtly challenging. Between those three, the Tradition usually plays as the 2nd toughest behind the Masterpiece.

The fairways are generous and can be deceiving, as you still need to play to the right areas of the fairway to approach the greens. Playing an approach from a bad angle makes it tough to get close to the hole, and the greens have enough movement to make putts difficult. Along with the generous fairways, the max length of 6300 yards says easy course, but it's challenging without bashing you over the head like some of the courses at Treetops (*cough cough Masterpiece*).

The lack of cartpaths does make for a bumpy ride through the rough, but that's the natural side effect of not having cartpaths. I'm not a fan of cartpaths, but on the other hand with the course being so far from the clubhouse and the overall resort being heavy on golf cart use, it seems like the decision to make a walking course didn't really fit the location here.

Other than that, the course was in beautiful shape, the best out of the three we played. I thought this course was subtly good the first time I played it, and it confirmed that opinion again this year. I haven't played the Signature, but out of the other Treetops courses I enjoy this one the most.

This not normal for Treetops to have slow pace of play. Course easily played in 4 to 4:15 hours. It took 1 hour to play the first three holes and improved some only after we called the resort, in the end we played in 4 hours 40 minutes which caused us to rush to the Masterpiece. If the ranger had not got the group moving likely would have been over 5 hours. We did have late start due to weather was supposed to 15 minute delay was 45 minutes because the group in front of us couldn't decide on teams and get going. I would like to play this course again with better pace of play instead of hit and wait. Note the amount paid is unknown it was part of package.

This course is in Treetops North area (3.5 miles from main check-in at Treetops) and is in the same area as Treetops Premier, Signature, and Threetops. Played tough due to intermittent rain but in very good shape for being their cheapest 18-hole course.

The Tradition fairways and greens were just fine.
To drive or ride the golf cart one mile to tee #1 and to
ride or drive over the roughs was very rough, ruts all over ,
They should smooth out the course, they have the bucks....

Threetops was an awesome 9 holes to play, one of the
best anywhere. However, it was October and the guy
blowing the leafs was in my way or following and it
sounds like a fire warning. Not good.

This course is what I would call plain. Nothing special.

Great course for average golfer, very wide fairways, well maintained, yet a bit challenging at times.

I can not say enough good things about Treetops. I have played all 5 courses. Tradition is fairly easy. Signature and Premier are hard. Masterpiece is super challenging. Great staff, courses are in great shape!

The Tradition course at Treetops is supposed to be their walking course. It does not have paved cart paths. But very few people walk it, and it is a very nice venue. Not perfection at Treetops, like the Premier. But it is a great course and a great value.

We had a nice enjoyable round on the Tradition. We played fast and the course was in good shape. One of the easier Treetops courses to play.

The course is laid out to be fun and very beautiful. We were intrigued by the drive in the cart just to reach the course. This course was extremely well marked. There is a lot of sand but that made it even better.

a little out of the way. a very long cart ride to the course and back. no beverage cart. we told the starter that our cart had no power and we felt that it would die on us. we asked if another could be brought out. this did not happen . we dealt with this slow real slow cart all round.

Links style course cut into the hills of gaylord is of pga quality. Immaculate course conditions coupled with breathtaking scenery made this one of the best courses played

Other than lacking paved cart paths, Treetops - Tradition was in very good shape. Greens were not overly challenging but rolled well and the fairways were well manicured. Not too busy for a Saturday morning in June, so we were able to get around the course quickly.