Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield

The Takeaway:  A true reversible routing, the Red course is my preferred choice with a counter-clockwise routing that features better bunkering and visuals. In play on odd number days, the tame terrain is easy to navigate and devoid of stellar features.  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 (Red) 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 (Red) 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	6805	72.3	126
Middle	70	6064	68.7	117
Front	70	5006	63.5	107
Front (Ladies)	70	5006	68.3	114

Individual Hole Analysis

Signature Hole:  14th Hole – 185 Yard Par 3 – Playing due north, the 14th requires an aerial shot over a native grass area to a green that sits in a bit of a bowl. The hill in the back will help keep balls within the bowl while the opening in the back right feeds to an area that acts as the front of the green on the 4th hole of the Black course. The mounding around this greensite is attractive and creates a unique transition depending on what direction the course is playing.

Best Par 3:  11th Hole – 222 Yards – One of the most difficult greens in regulation to hit on the Red course is found here at the 11th; the longest one-shotter on the course. The two-tiered green for all intents and purposes features a third tier which is the swell in front of the putting surface and is quick to repel shots that don't fly all the way to the green. Being too aggressive in the air though can result in balls rolling off the back of the green to a bunker lying in wait. That being said, the hill in the back of the green can move balls back towards the hole if your finesse is just right.

Best Par 4:  1st Hole – 375 Yards – The opening hole of the Red course is an enjoyable way to kick things off with a shortish par four that features trouble on both sides of the fairway. A series of bunkers up the left side will prompt players to go up the right, but the late turn in the fairway will reward the bold players that will attack the left by giving them a favorable approach into the green that features a bunker the size of the green on the right.

Best Par 5:  9th Hole – 630 Yards – What can feel like a slog of a par five, the 630 yard 9th hole isn't going to be reached in two by most mortals. The hole plays due east with a large fairway bunker on the right before a trio of bunkers comes into play on the left with the second shot. The approach into the green must be played over a pot bunker that fronts the center of the putting surface that slopes from left to right and should be accounted for when attacking the flag.

Birdie Time:  12th Hole – 312 Yard Par 4 – Time to cut loose on your driver and try to poke a tee shot up by the green. This drivable par four calls for a baby fade that avoids the bunker short and right of the green and tumbles toward the flag. The green is twice as deep as it is long which provides a long runway for balls coming in from distance. Pick up a birdie here and use it for insurance later.

Bogey Beware:  18th Hole – 475 Yard Par 4 – The closing hole is a strong two-shotter that features more movement in the terrain than perhaps any other hole on the course. The tee shot plays to a wide enough fairway but has bunkers on each side that will quickly gobble up drives that go off their intended line. The uphill approach leaves players with no view of the green where missing to the left is preferable to the right due to the hollow found there that is tough to save par from. This is the most difficult green in regulation to hit on either routing of the Loop courses, so hopefully you have a birdie to offset the bogey that awaits most players.