Friday Feature: True North Golf Club
Located in Harbor Springs, Michigan, True North is about as serene and pure as 'Up North' gets.
By Matt Fernandez
The name is incredibly fitting. True North is about as serene and pure as ‘Up North’ gets. Located in Harbor Springs, Michigan, and a short drive from town, this private gem is tucked off the beaten path in the best way possible. The drive-in winds through tall pines and up the hilly terrain of Northern Michigan. I’m a big believer that a drive-in can really set the tone for the round to come and let me tell you, the True North ride-in is the absolute tone-setter.
Not Your Average Private Club
There aren’t homes lined along the holes. No pool, tennis court or overly exuberate clubhouse. It’s definitely not your traditional private club. The amenities include on-property cottages, hiking trails and trout fishing. Yeah, we could get used to this place.
The Land
The property and land at True North are both idyllic and dramatic. The elevation and property features make for an unbelievable loop, although I can’t imagine designing and building it was particularly easy. Some of the elevation changes tee-to-green are the most severe I’ve seen anywhere. Sure, there’s far-fetched elevation drops like the infamous Par 3 6 th hole at Treetops Masterpiece. But, overall, this easily takes the cake for most elevation change throughout a round without being over-the-top and remaining extremely playable. You’re down, then up, then down, then up again.
Some holes, like the Par 4, 4th and 6th are so sneakily uphill you won’t really notice the scale until you’re standing on the green. Others are quite obvious, like the downhill Par 4 2nd , downhill Par 5 7th and uphill Par 5 8th (back-to-back par 5’s can really make or break the card). It’s a literal rollercoaster out there in the best way possible.
The Elevation
My one hitch with True North, is also a main reason I love it. Some of the elevation changes are so drastic that you need to play the course a few times to really get a feel
for it. Or play with a member that knows the holes like the back of their hand. Yes, this is my obvious plea to get out there once again.
Overall Experience
True North is criminally underrated and overlooked in my mind. It’s unknown to most of the golfing world, even to most Michiganders. But maybe that’s the way it’s meant to be. It has the feel of an upscale resort course, with the amenities, service and course conditioning of a high-end private club. The best of both worlds. It’s not overly busy, so finding a tee time and feeling like you are the only group out there is an everyday occurrence. It’s a true gem that’s different than the rest of the ‘big boys’ of Michigan golf. When I think of ‘Up North golf’, this is the blueprint. Cut through the dense, hilly terrain of Northern Michigan, unique amenities like fishing and hiking on-site, along with acres of untouched land.
True North, you’re a true gem.
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