Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield
The Takeaway: A good Tom Doak course, but not one of his best, Lost Dunes features extreme putting contours that dominate the experience. There are a handful of really good holes here, but too many forgettable ones to make Lost Dunes great. Grade B
Quick Facts
Designer: Tom Doak 1999
Cost: Private
Phone Number: 269-465-9300
Course Website: Official Website - Visit Lost Dunes Golf Club's official website by clicking on the link provided.
Directions: Get here! - 9300 Red Arrow Hwy, Bridgman, Michigan 49106 – UNITED STATES
Photos: See additional photos of Lost Dunes Golf Club
What to Expect: Located just off the southeastern coast of Lake Michigan, Lost Dunes is a Tom Doak design with the first seven holes located on the east side of I-94 while the remaining 11 holes are found on the west side of it. The noise from the interstate is more prevalent on the front nine but fortunately the sound dissipates more on the back nine as players get deeper into the property. The course was built on a former quarry with sand and trees dominating the landscape to the point that no views of the lake are offered despite the close proximity. Wide fairways and undulated greens monopolize the design with the greens being extreme at times given how fast the club maintains the speeds. Unless Doak was feeling particularly diabolical when designing Lost Dunes, the contours of the putting surfaces appear to be designed with the idea of having speeds of 10 or less on the stimpmeter and I can only imagine how hellish the pins can get for a member/guest type tournament. The terrain has a fair amount of movement in it but nothing that seems too taxing when walking the course with a caddie; though players can elect to take a cart and be accompanied by a forecaddie if they so choose. The elevation changes throughout the property allow for some creative design features, but the transitions are done smoothly so that it flows nicely from hole to hole. From a conditioning standpoint, Lost Dunes is top shelf with the bentgrass on the tees, fairways, and greens being maintained in a firm and fast fashion and thrives on the sandy base. In the end, Lost Dunes is a Top 10 course in the Great Lakes State that is generous off the tee and ornery around the greens.
By the Numbers
| Tees | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 71 | 6928 | 74.1 | 141 |
| Blue | 71 | 6543 | 72.3 | 137 |
| White | 71 | 6209 | 70.8 | 133 |
| Gold | 71 | 5953 | 69.6 | 130 |
| Red (Ladies) | 71 | 5293 | 71.4 | 130 |
Individual Hole Analysis
Signature Hole: 12th Hole – 414 Yard Par 4 – By far the most dramatic hole and tee shot at the course, the 12th plays westerly towards Lake Michigan though its water and blocked from view by the forest of trees that create the backdrop. A tee ball that carries the left side of the bunker on the right will find the ideal position in the fairway in which to attack the green from. The raised green is protected by bunkers on the left but is vulnerable on the right; other than the slope that will repel balls that don't come in with sufficient velocity.
Best Par 3: 13th Hole – 170 Yards – The 13th plays over a pair of score-wrecking features; first a pond and then a bunker. The ideal play is a high fade that stays away from the bunkers on the right and maintains an ideal line towards the putting surface. Pins located in the back right corner should be approached with caution as sticking one close is difficult to do consistently, with a more respectful shot to the center of the green generally yielding better scores.
Best Par 4: 11th Hole – 428 Yards – The 11th is going to require some shotmaking from players to walk away with a good result. The tee shot is more forgiving than you should consider as drives that don't go up the right side will result in a brutal angle for the approach shot. The green is tucked uphill and back into an amphitheater of trees where a deep bunker spills in from the right. The 11th is a great design that helps take players towards the high point of the back nine.
Best Par 5: 15th Hole – 510 Yards – The final par five at Lost Dunes bends slowly and steadily to the right around a lake before the water gives way to a sandy waste area; both of which should be constant reminders to stay left on this hole but will still tempt players trying to get home in two. The rolling fairway can yield some uneven lies that should be accounted for when approaching this green that is most forgiving on the left side and features undulations of its own to contend with.
Birdie Time: 10th Hole – 500 Yard Par 5 – The back nine gives you an instant chance to take a stroke back from Old Man Par if you coughed some up on the front. Tipping out at just 500 yards, the tee shot on the par five 10th just asks you to avoid the water on the left in order to yield a good chance at getting home in two. The approach shot plays over a water hazard to a narrow green but that is plenty deep and receptive to shots being struck by long clubs that need some additional runway to land on. Getting home, or near it, in two will virtually put birdie in the bag for many players and a burst of momentum to carry onto the 11th.
Bogey Beware: 5th Hole – 243 Yard Par 3 – From the tips, the 5th is borderline sadistic. The entire green is blind from the tee and the top of the flag is the only visual to give players an idea of direction and a measure of hope. From the forward tee it is clear to see the bunker that fronts the entire putting surface and calls for players to play it and hold the green, or attempt to feather a shot in from the left side in hopes of using the slope of the terrain to move the ball towards the flag. A larger slope on the left would have been more ideal for such a lengthy shot since hitting the spot required from that distance is something Tour pros would even struggle with. From the tips, pars here are as common as a Detroit Lions playoff appearance.
