Garland Lodge & Golf Resort - Monarch Course

About
The Monarch Course at Garland Resort is just one of four championship golf courses available at the resort. It's Garland's original design and has earned the nickname "King of Michigan Golf Courses." The course was carefully carved from mature pine forests and the terrain is dotted with several lakes, ponds, and streams. At 7,145 yards from the back tees, there is plenty of room to grip it and rip it. The water hazards mostly come into play along the manicured fairways while strategically placed bunkers flank the generous greens. Warming up before tackling the Monarch Course will serve you well since it opens with the no. 1 handicap hole. Distance and accuracy are needed off the tee on this par 4 to avoid the lake and trees to the right. Monarch's front nine is known as one of northern Michigan's toughest stretch of holes.
Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
---|---|---|---|---|
Black | 72 | 7166 yards | 74.8 | 143 |
Blue | 72 | 6649 yards | 72.2 | 134 |
White | 72 | 6257 yards | 70.4 | 130 |
Gold | 72 | 5411 yards | 66.7 | 121 |
Gold (W) | 72 | 5411 yards | 71.4 | 125 |
Red | 72 | 4904 yards | 68.3 | 120 |
Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Black M: 75.5/142 | 451 | 413 | 209 | 429 | 500 | 160 | 447 | 549 | 393 | 3551 | 581 | 451 | 178 | 435 | 518 | 152 | 438 | 422 | 440 | 3615 | 7166 |
Blue M: 73.1/140 | 427 | 383 | 188 | 352 | 472 | 143 | 419 | 520 | 352 | 3256 | 551 | 428 | 162 | 407 | 487 | 124 | 410 | 399 | 425 | 3393 | 6649 |
White M: 71.1/134 | 412 | 374 | 182 | 343 | 457 | 129 | 395 | 505 | 342 | 3139 | 461 | 413 | 147 | 382 | 429 | 112 | 386 | 378 | 410 | 3118 | 6257 |
Gold M: 66.2/112 W: 70.8/126 | 324 | 289 | 168 | 341 | 346 | 125 | 331 | 495 | 335 | 2754 | 450 | 266 | 144 | 276 | 425 | 111 | 380 | 281 | 324 | 2657 | 5411 |
Red M: 64.5/108 W: 68.7/120 | 314 | 289 | 166 | 252 | 345 | 90 | 327 | 403 | 241 | 2427 | 399 | 260 | 135 | 270 | 393 | 96 | 323 | 281 | 320 | 2477 | 4904 |
Handicap | 1 | 3 | 11 | 17 | 9 | 13 | 5 | 15 | 7 | 12 | 4 | 14 | 2 | 16 | 18 | 10 | 6 | 8 | |||
Par | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
Handicap (W) | 1 | 9 | 11 | 17 | 5 | 15 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 14 | 8 | 18 | 4 | 6 | 16 | 2 | 12 | 10 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Bar, RestaurantAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse, Banquet FacilitiesAccolades
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Golf Advisor: Top Courses in Michigan (2016 #14)
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
Disappointed
Very disappointed in the course conditions and the pace of play. Course was full of groups and we waited constantly. Finally drove in from 16. 4 foursomes on the 17th.
The bunkers were a disgrace. Full of coarse sand and pebbles / stones. The power rake used by course maintenance left ruts in most bunkers. Players were not smoothing their tracks. I talked to a staff member who admitted that when they play they lift their ball, rack the sand and then replace their ball before playing. Good strategy, almost a must.
The resort caters to groups - 8, 12, 16 whatever. Unfortunately this has a huge impact on others out for pleasure. Often the group members are playing from the wrong tees; move up, enjoy, and play faster.
Challenging Course
Course is the longest of the Garland courses and like Swampfire has water on most of the holes. Great conditions, great greens and great fun all made for a great day!
#1 At Garland? Possibly
Monarch is a fantastic course. The longest and possibly hardest course at Garland. Great layout. Great condition. Maybe my favorite course at Garland.
Bunkers......not!
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!!!!!
Monarch is King!
Enjoyed a 3 round 1 night stay at Garland last week and the Monarch was the first course we played. It was great fun with just enough water. Greens were bent grass and ran true. Would be happy to come back and play again in the future.
Play the Monarch
Probably the most playable of the four courses at Garland. Very large landing areas, easy to find your ball if you spray. There are some very tight tee shots though on some of the holes. Greens were in good shape. Warned about ticks in some of the areas.
long and challenging
Having played the much easier Reflection and Fountains courses the day before, this was a step up in terms of course length, difficulty and beauty. This and Swampfire are clearly the two best courses on the property.
Great Resort and Value
Nothing to complain about. Great place and value.
4 courses on property, all very good.
wonderful. going back
Wonderful
It was a beautiful day for golf. My husband and I enjoyed the round. We were not pushed nor were we held up. Just enough sand and water to keep it interesting.
Beautiful course
Pristine conditions on whole course, park lime settings. Staff was very helpful and friendly since it was our first visit. Planning on playing the other courses soon.
Great value . User friendly
Wife and I played. I played from the White tees and found course a good challenge . My wife played from the Red tees. She enjoyed the terrain and was not pressured by the water. She enjoys golf but is not too good.
Good time except for all of the gnats buzzing around your face!
Overall we had a good time. Nice layout. it was a beautiful day around 75 and sunny, but all of the gnats were driving everyone in the group crazy, not sure there can be much to do to correct that problem. I think it was #13 needs a little attention on the cart path....thought we were going to sink into the swamp...it was very difficult to get to the tee box.
Challenging Yet Fair
Played the Monarch course. There's water on 15 of 18 holes. The course was in good condition and the greens were holding nicely after a couple days of heavy rain. Booked my tee time through Golfnow.com and got a great deal. Overall had a good experience. Looking forward to playing their other 3 courses in the future.
Challenging but Fair!
The Monarch course at Garland is a beautiful, well kept course. This course challenges you with distance and subtle breaks in the greens but other than that it is really a fair golf course that can be had if your game is on. The greens roll very smooth, and roll at a speed that's not too fast and not too slow. The fairways are maintained well, but we played after a heavy rainfall so they were alittle mushy. The rough is long but nothing to challenging to hit out of. The hardest part about the course is that there is a water hazard located on almost every hole. Avoid the water, and you'll do well. Overall I was really happy with the course and would definetly go back. One of my favorites in Northern Michigan!
No Tips
Played the MOnarch from the Tips. Wow is all I have to say. Better be able to hit a somewhat straight tee shot about 285 plus on most holes. Most par 4s over 420 many with doglegs that require a long shot to have a good look at the green from the black tees. From a long hitter perspective, it was a heck of a challenge (7166) but my buddies had a really difficult time. Probably would play the blue tees next time as the black tees never offer a break. Course in great shape. Very private as we barely saw anyone at noon on a sunday. Will surely be going back next year.
Relaxing golf
Great place to golf with friends and challenging at the same time.