Since it was built in 1901, it uses every slope and undulation the lakeside land offers; the finishing stretch even hugs a spectacular dune (it's very much in play). It'll test your length less than a modern course, but it's not a pushover; you must shape the ball and lean on your short game to score well. A handful of holes are played best with a draw off the tee and a fade into the green, a tall ask for many players.

Due to its age, it's the perfect site for hickory golf. The club hosts a handful of tournaments, and some strictly require you to play with equipment from the hickory era. There are few better feelings than puring a hickory mid-iron at a flag framed by Lake Michigan. Where else can you do that for less than the price of a dozen golf balls?

Three lakeside greens and three lakeside tee boxes make your dollar worth even more. Glimpses of the lake appear on over half of the course, but the spots where the water isn't visible are still captivating. Gorgeous old trees, fun greens, and the occasional bustle of a nearby neighborhood keep your attention just as well as the passing freighters and crashing waves.