Northern Michigan University Golf Course (Marquette, MI)

Formerly known as Chocolay Downs, the Northern Michigan University course is a 1992 Bruce Mathews III design. While the course is inland from Lake Superior, the topography is rolling sand hills thus it has all the characteristics of a heathland course. The playing corridors are defined by an assortment of trees, scrub, and vegetation. 

There’s not many times where I just randomly show up and play a course. As the pictures will reveal, it was a dreary day in the UP, and we just decided to play golf somewhere. This little course turned out to be way cooler than I originally thought it would be. The ground had really good movement in it. The rolling hills showcased premium locations, often times the highest point in the fairway, while the lowest points were the worst angles. Of course the low points were the easiest to find especially when most of the land rolled out to those areas. 

(Look how the right half of the fairway has plenty of room yet the angle leaves a shot over the trees…
…a drive placed on the left has an opened look and allows several varying shot shapes into the green.) 

My only gripe about NMU was the use of sentinel trees. I seemed to have a lot of shots that were blocked out by them or I had to maneuver the ball around them.  If this was my home course, they would give me a significant advantage over visiting teams and players. I had read that Mathews likes to incorporate trees in his designs, so this is part of his philosophy. 

(The pin was located directly behind the large pine on the 323 yard par four fourth. The smart play is laying up to the left trap which opens up the entire green…

…here’s the 377 yard par four sixteenth with three trees guarding the left side. Note the base of the trees where rough is allowed to grow…
…finally the 332 yard par four eighteenth hole. I’ve never seen trees so close to putting surfaces on multiple holes. The rough at base of trees is more obvious here.) 

From the white tees, the course is only 5662 yards so we played the blues (tips) at 6221. The blue tees were in such cool places that some of the tee shots were unbelievable. I had the feeling they needed to lengthen it so they just found these spots and placed a tee there. It was my favorite part of the course. I found myself looking forward to seeing the next tee and what shot I had to hit. 

(From this tee, the shot was right to left. The left side was the garden spot that opened up the green. This is the 353 yard par four eighth…

…how about this view?! It’s only 334 yards but if you have any trouble elevating the ball, the blue tees are not for you. Note the tire tracks. It’s all sand. Btw, the white tees are nearly 100 yards ahead right of the trees…
…the eighteenth doglegged to the left which meant straight shots need to be worked into green with trees guarding the right. Note previous picture of eighteenth green)

The biggest takeaway I had from NMU was the sandy terrain. Last month when I was in Iowa with The Walking Golfer Society, one of the guys from dinner exclaimed that Michigan should have ten Bandon Dunes! That’s how good the terrain and coastline views are! After seeing the playing characteristics at NMU, I’m starting to wonder if he was right. As for this course, it’s in good condition, has a fair price, and has plenty of interesting shots. I definitely would recommend it if you’re looking for an affordable place to golf while in Marquette. I give it a 5 (good)(worth driving an hour to play). 

[A side trip for those who enjoy hiking is a trail called Hogback. It’s pretty rugged with roots and rocks to walk over. The last quarter mile ascends verticallly about 200 feet. The view from the top is amazing! On a clear day, one can see the Keneewah Peninsula.]