Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield

The Takeaway:  A true reversible routing, the Black course is played on even numbered days and goes in a clockwise routing. It features a more difficult start and easier finish, but the wide open course is plenty playable for all skill levels.  Grade B

Quick Facts

Designer:  Tom Doak 2016

Cost:  $105 - $195 Click for current rates

Phone Number:  989-275-0700

Course Website:  Official Website - Visit The (Black) Loop's official website by clicking on the link provided.

Directions:  Get here! - 6376 Forest Dunes Drive, Roscommon, Michigan  48653 – UNITED STATES

Photos:  See additional photos of The (Black) Loop

What to Expect:  One of the most talked about and unique designs in the 21st century, Tom Doak was employed with the task of designing a reversible routing that would play one direction one day and the opposite direction the next day (Red on odd numbered days and Black on even numbered days). Not only does it create two courses out of one parcel of ground, it encourages visitors to stay multiple days in order to experience each playing direction. It had to be a taxing effort to consider angles and slopes of greens, positioning and facing of bunkers, and shaping the fairways to be playable one direction and act as tee boxes going the other way. The result was an impressive offering that delivers multiple options and ways to enjoy it. My personal preference was the Red routing as I felt the visuals of the bunkering and the use of the terrain was maximized in the counterclockwise loop. That being said, the terrain that encompasses the Red's front nine and Black's back nine has more movement in it and creates some great holes including Black's 14th which was one of my favorites. The Loop is a great course to walk with an easy routing and tame terrain, but that gentle property combined with the need to make the fairways playable in both directions ends up eliminating the option to create more dramatic and memorable holes. The Loop is a great addition to Forest Dunes, but I think the resort will find more daily play on the original course than it will on the younger sibling. Oh, and don't forget your bug spray!

By the Numbers

Tees	Par	Yardage	Rating	Slope
Back	70	6704	71.5	125
Middle	70	6078	68.8	118
Front	70	4982	63.8	105
Front (Ladies)	70	4982	68.2	115

Individual Hole Analysis

Signature Hole:  4th Hole – 348 Yard Par 4 – This short par four is unassuming off the tee with a wide open tee shot, but it is the approach shot that brings creativity to this hole that stands as Doak's favorite. The green sits in a dell and doesn't offer a full view of the putting surface that must be attacked with precision to be successful. With the green running away from the player, generating plenty of spin on the second shot is advisable unless you can creatively use the mounding around the greensite.

Best Par 3:  13th Hole – 222 Yards – Featuring one of the better uses of the terrain at The Loop, the 13th plays from one small hilltop to another in classic European style. The left side has a bunker protecting the green while missing to the right will leave a tricky up and down from a tight lie. A par here will win in match play the majority of the time.

Best Par 4:  14th Hole – 489 Yards – Playing due north, the 14th is a long hole that can be shortened up the left side that will find a speed slot. From there, approach shots need to be straight at the green or to the right which may be counterintuitive consider a bunker is found short on that side, but taking the "safe" landing area on the left will result in a chip to a green sloping away from the player and difficult to leave close to the hole. Only gamers will walk away from this hole with a par.

Best Par 5:  10th Hole – 613 Yards – Playing the opposite direction of the 600+ yard 9th hole of the Red course, the 10th covers the same terrain but instead travels westerly to the greensite. The massive fairway bunker on the left side of the hole is the main obstacle to avoid enroute to the green that features two more bunkers behind the putting surface.

Birdie Time:  7th Hole – 308 Yard Par 4 – The drivable par four 7th begs players to miss the fairway bunker in the center of the driving zone 250 yards from the tee with the ideal tee shot flying it with a baby fade into the green. The putting surface is small so you'll need to be precise with your second shot, but with a scoring club in hand you should be aggressive and pick up a birdie.

Bogey Beware:  9th Hole – 484 Yard Par 4 – The closing hole of the front nine nearly stretches out to 500 yards with only four shots to secure a par with. The green is located at the southeast corner of the property with two bunkers located on the right side of the putting surface and a waste area on the left. The terrain is flat and will play the full distance with this hole yielding perhaps the longest approach shot to reach in regulation.