249 E Crystal Downs Dr,
Frankfort, Michigan 49635
Office
+1 (231) 352 9933Pro shop
+1 (231) 352 7979Fax
+1 (231) 352 5095Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Matthew Smith (PGA Golf Professional).The Course:
18 holes. Inland, links-style. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Woodland. Course is close to the shoreline of Lake Michigan, but without direct lakeside holes.
Designer:
Dr. Alister MacKenzie in collaboration with Perry Maxwell.
44.702521
-86.234543
4.5 mi N of Frankfort / 43 mi SW of Traverse City.
Crystal Downs
Crystal Downs Country Club is home to a championship golf course that ranks with the world's best. Here you will find one of the USA's most admired courses, laid out on rolling hills, some wooded, others more open and links-like. As the reputation of designer Dr Alister MacKenzie grew in the United States, so it seems did the regard for his courses. Crystal Downs is no exception.
Superb strategic bunkering, large severly sloping greens, thick rough beyond the good-width fairways, and a natural setting, all contribute to the immense appeal of a round here. From the 1st tee the whole of the front-nine is laid out before you. There's also occasional views out onto Lake Michigan and down to nearby Crystal Lake.
Pick of the holes: the par-4 5th, which plays across a bunkered ridge, and par-5 8th, one of MacKenzie's best, are frequently described as two of the world's greatest golf holes.
Limited access: this private course is generally playable only by members and their invited guests.
Private club; visitors/guests may only play if hosted by a member.
Walking permitted.
Excellent
Why the name Crystal Downs? Apparently when MacKenzie first saw the terrain upon which the course would be built, he said that in England they would call this type of land "downland" or "the downs". Since the course overlooked Crystal Lake, the course was named Crystal Downs.
Michigan's No.1 course (Golf Digest, 2023/24).
USA's 14th best course (Golf Digest, 2023).
World's 34th best course (GOLF Magazine, 2023/24).
Women’s (British) Open: the last women’s major championship of the season is hosted by Royal Porthcawl GC. It’s the first time this fabulous seaside links course has hosted the event (July 31-Aug 3).
Walker Cup: the 50th playing of this prestigious men’s amateur event sees the GB&I go head-to-head against the defending USA team at Cypress Point Club, California (Sept 6-7). After that, all eyes turn to Bethpage State Park on Long Island, NY, where the American and defending European professional teams engage in the 45th Ryder Cup (Sept 27-29).
Lottie Woad: 21-year-old Woad burst onto the professional scene in July, with wins in the Women’s Irish Open (as an amateur) and three weeks later in the Women’s Scottish Open (as a professional). She nearly picked-up a major championship, placing third in The Evian in the same month.
Pádraig Harrington: the ever-likeable Irishman added the (British) Senior Open Championship title to his stellar array of tournament successes. His win came on Sunningdale’s spectacular Old Course. Harrington had already bagged the U.S. Senior Open title in June this year.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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