Growing up in the Midwest, I’d heard of friends vacationing on this paradise little island in the middle of Lake Huron, but it wasn’t until I grew up with a family of my own that I got to experience it. Mackinac Island.
Mackinac Island is unlike any other island in the world. It is a journey back in time as there are no cars and the only forms of transportation are on foot, by bike or by horse. It is an enchanting vacation experience highlighted by the world famous Grand Hotel, and the opportunity to experience one of the most exclusive golf courses anywhere: The Jewel.
While Mackinac Island may not be famous for golf, as the course name suggests, the gem is certainly a hidden gem and one to add to any golf enthusiast’s rotation of what games to play in Northern Michigan or the Upper Peninsula.
Grand Hotel
The famous Grand Hotel dominates the island and is a must visit personally. Although you don’t have to stay at the hotel to play the course, it is something everyone should experience at least once in their lives.
Stepping into the Grand Hotel Property is like being transported back to the glory days of the early 20th century. The hotel’s ambiance is unique with its decor, Grand Porsche and 5-star service, and you’ll immediately begin to feel the “island time” influences that locals swear by.
This timekeeping is a way of explaining to visitors the need to slow down, enjoy their trip, and leave your schedule at home, for God’s sake.
jewel
Before reading anything I have to say about the Gem, be sure to watch the brief video I’ve put together to better understand the golf experience and the general charm of the island:
The big nine
The Grand Nine Hotel was built in 1901 and is located directly across from the Grand Hotel. Set against the backdrop of the Straits of Mackinac, the Grand Nine offers some challenging holes and unique terrain. The Grand Nine was redesigned in 1987 by golf course architect Jerry Matthews, at which time Woods Nine was also built on the interior of the island to create the 18-hole golf course as it is known today. This 67-par, 5,000-yard course may seem short by today’s standards, but what it lacks in distance it makes up for in the need for strategic tee shots, well-protected greens and rolling putting surfaces.
As you begin your tour of the Grand Nine, the sounds of horse-drawn carriages rolling by will remind you that you really are a world away. I’ve never felt more relaxed on Island Time than when I played The Jewel.
The first nine holes will ultimately challenge you with the need to place your shot off the tee and skill to avoid the dreaded three-putt.
The holes are 1/2
The first two holes on the Grand Nine offers what I would consider an executive par four. Due to the obvious size limitations being developed on an island, Jerry had to be creative in adding challenge to the holes in ways other than the initial distance. Water hazards, bunkers and rolling greens located throughout the opening holes combine to force strategic shooting from the tee and on the approach.
One of my favorite holes of the entire course is number two. This short course crosses the water twice, features several bunker patterns and a challenging green, to boot. Green wild hills wallpaper also provides a breathtaking approach and makes you forget about the ball or ball you may have just lost.
holes 3/4/5
The next stretch of holes will really test your accuracy with a long uphill triple followed by a short forty all requiring a long iron off the tee. Putting your shot is key to ensuring you get a chance to hit those greens in regulation. You will be tempted to drag the driver all your round, thinking you can go the distance and get easy shots on the green but trust me, leave it in the bag. The best strategy on this course is to play it safe, hit hard styles and win birdies with your bat.
holes 6/7
You will never find a more consecutive pair of opposite holes than these next three normal. Hole six is a short, one-shot hole that allows you to finally get a little relaxation on the tee. However, the best part of this slot is the noise. Located right next to the road, the rustle of horses and the rattle of chariot wheels is something you won’t soon forget. You may not have noticed either, but past several holes slowly increased in elevation, and as you walk to the sixth green, you will be greeted with a great view of the course, the lake, and part of town.
Hole number seven is an oddity to me against the scheme of the rest of the Grand Nine. This three-slope course is over 240 yards long, and is played on a green surrounded by water. For a front nine with quite a few short par fours, this hole really stands out as it will likely be one of the longest triples you will ever play. I honestly have never seen a long way on equal footing in all my years of golfing. The correct way to play this hole, in my opinion, is to lie down and try to get up and down on equal terms. If you get away from this hole with the original ball and anything less than a double, call it a victory.
Although you might be in for a shock while standing on the tee box in this spooky hole, take a minute to soak in it. It is not rated as one of the best holes in the entire Michigan for no reason! Enormous trees just off the tee box give a great view of Mackinac – and you won’t get a better view of the entire island. Enjoy this moment before trying to beat this monster because it’s only downhill from here (yes, pun intended!).
Holes are 8/9
Grand Nine finished two quadruples. These holes finally allow you to pull the big stick out of your bag and play for some short wedge putts on the green. The final views on the 9th are straight out of a postcard, with the back of the green complex flanked by the stunning Grand Hotel.
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You may be wondering why there is a section dedicated to navigating between the nines in this article. Well, The Jewel has something I promise you will not experience on any other golf property.
Once you’ve completed the front nine, the club will recommend a cold drink while you wait for your van. No, this is not a play on words – a trolley literally comes to pick you up and take you to Woods Nine. The mile and a half separating the two sides can only be crossed by this shuttle and is a special treat.
Nine Woods
Woods Nine was completed in 1987 and this second set of holes is the perfect complement to the Grand Nine. Upon exiting your horse-drawn carriage, you will arrive at Woods Restaurant, which also serves as your staging area and provides you with a new carriage to use during the ninth. The Woods has a more traditional golf course with long holes, terrific mansions and fast-running greens. The holes felt North Woods to me as they seemed to be carved through pine groves.
The holes are 1/2
The first hole at The Woods has one of the best views on the course, in my opinion. This mid-length model has four narrow bays but opens onto a wide fairway and a beautiful view of the surrounding bay. This is a gap you want to attack in hopes of catching a bird because it gets tougher from here.
Driving you to the second will make you understand where Woods’ title came from. This dog leg cuts through the island’s woods and provides a very different feel to the rest of the holes played to date. The hole is full of bunkers and tight greens that require precision to avoid any tree sap on your ball.
The holes are 3/4
The third triangle offers an over-water shot to a large, attractive green. Take a moment to look over the tee box when you get to the mounting deck – the frame provided by the rear garden area makes for a great photo opportunity.
The fourth is the last four foot with the left dogleg. The trail has some great terrain features including rocks and lawn grass. While a driver off the tee shouldn’t be a problem, a miss on your second shot could leave you with a lot of trouble.
The holes are 5/6
The fifth hole is another dramatic par par filled with a raised tee box and water vistas. At this point in your tour, you probably both love and hate these dramatic triangles. The well-guarded green force from the fifth makes another accurate springboard shot, but finding the throwing surface will be just the beginning. This multi-level, steeply sloping green will make you feel like a major victory.
For the big hitters, the sixth at last might be your first chance to attack your first property and only your fifth. A good tee shot will get you going in two, but beware of the narrow high green that is almost impossible to hold on to. I would recommend lying back and letting the wedge game win this birdie.
Holes are 7/8/9
Rounding out the final holes on Woods Nine are a pair of fours and threes. Hole 7 features tee shot with a challenging fairway. Sloping steps and invisible bunkers will punish those who don’t hit it right here. This is one of four longer distances at The Jewel and features a challenging approach taken on a well-protected green. Being evenly spaced out on the number seven is a great score.
I would call the eighth hole the airport hole. Running parallel to the Al Jazeera runway, this show features a dangerous length, bunkers and plenty of distractions. It’s hard not to watch planes as they run and take off, but keep your eye on the shot, too, even if a small mistake will have you heading out for a day at the beach earlier than planned.
The Woods Nine closed hole features a dogleg four with a great water feature. A precision drive on this hole will get you a reasonable approach distance, but beware of water. I’m sure more than a few balls have been sacrificed to the gods of golf in the nine-ball, but it’s definitely worth the adventure to watch back once you hit the green.
An unforgettable experience
A round at The Jewel will surely be a cherished memory of your golfing career. Its unique location, one-of-a-kind design and island atmosphere all contribute to creating a tactile charm that makes the experience truly special.
While you may not be looking for Mackinac Island specifically for golfing, it is well worth a visit to explore all the island has to offer, and a relaxing tour of The Jewel should definitely be on every player’s itinerary.
The Jewel in the Grand Hotel web site