Forest Dunes Golf Club
Hidden deep in the Huron National Forest, Forest Dunes is one of the finest public rounds in America. Tom Weiskopf carved his course out of pine and sand in 2002, and the quiet, walkable beauty of the place has made it the anchor of one of the country's best multi course golf destinations.
Photo: Forest Dunes Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
The original Weiskopf course at Forest Dunes is a quiet masterclass in restraint. Tom Weiskopf routed it in 2002 through a remote tract of pine forest and natural duneland, and rather than force drama he let the land set the terms, framing fairways with sand, keeping the corridors generous and saving the difficulty for approach shots into firm, subtly contoured greens. It is a course that asks you to think and to commit, and it gives nothing away cheaply.
For the traveling golfer it is the reason Forest Dunes became a destination rather than a single round. The seclusion is part of the appeal: there are no houses, no road noise, just golf in the forest. Pair the Weiskopf course with The Loop, Tom Doak's reversible course on the same property, and the short course, and you have a two or three day stay that ranks with the best public golf trips in the Midwest. It walks beautifully, conditions immaculately, and rewards every visit.
Forest Dunes at a glance
- Opened
- 2002
- Designer
- Tom Weiskopf
- Type
- Forest and sand
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 7,100 yds
- Green fee
- From around $200
Designer, opening year, par and length verified June 2026 from the resort and leading course databases. The Weiskopf course at Forest Dunes is a par 72 of about 7,100 yards, opened in 2002 within the Huron National Forest. Indicative 2026 peak season green fees run from around 200 to 250 dollars, with resort guest and multi round packages reducing the per round cost. Fees change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Weiskopf course opens quietly through the trees and builds its case hole by hole, with wide fairways that tempt an aggressive drive and greens that demand a precise number. The sand is everywhere, used to frame and to gather, so the smart play is often to favor the safe side and leave an uphill putt rather than flirt with a bunker that swallows a missed approach.
The middle stretch is where the course shows its quality, with a run of holes that mix risk and reward and a set of par 3s that ask for different shapes and trajectories. The closing holes return through the pines to a finish that rewards two committed swings, and the whole round has a rhythm that makes it feel shorter than its yardage. There are no weak holes and no filler; every one earns its place.
Throughout, the conditioning is superb and the greens are firm and true, which is exactly what a Weiskopf design wants. The course is honest and strategic rather than tricked up, and it is a joy to walk. Take a caddie if you can and let the forest and the quiet do their work between shots.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Public access golf resort; tee times are open to visitors, with priority and packages for guests staying on property |
| Green fee | Around 200 to 250 dollars at peak for the Weiskopf course, lower in shoulder season and as part of multi round stays (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Reserve online or by phone through the resort; the prime summer dates and 36 hole stays fill early |
| On the day | Walking with a caddie is the way to play; a collared shirt and the usual resort dress; bring layers for cool forest mornings |
| Getting there | At Roscommon in north central Michigan, roughly 90 minutes from Flint and within easy reach of the Gaylord resorts |
| Best months | May through October, with high summer the most reliable for warm, settled weather and firm turf |
Access and indicative green fees verified June 2026; they change without notice, so always confirm directly before booking with the resort or your trip planner. Check tee time availability.
Where to stay nearby
The natural base is the lodging at Forest Dunes itself, the cottages and rooms beside the courses, which keep you steps from the first tee and make early starts and 36 hole days effortless. Staying on property is how most golfers play the destination and is essential if you want to take in the Weiskopf course and The Loop in the same trip.
Beyond the resort, the towns of Roscommon and Grayling offer simpler accommodation within a short drive, and the broader Gaylord golf country sits close enough to fold into a longer northern Michigan tour. We can build the lodging and the routing around the rounds you want to play.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts around Roscommon and Gaylord.
Build a Forest Dunes golf trip
We build a trip around the Weiskopf course and The Loop, add the best of northern Michigan within reach and sort lodging, transfers and tee times. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Forest Dunes questions
Who designed Forest Dunes Golf Club and when did it open?
The original Forest Dunes course was designed by Tom Weiskopf and opened in 2002 at Roscommon, Michigan, set within the Huron National Forest. It is widely ranked among the very best public access courses in the country.
What is the par and length of Forest Dunes?
The Weiskopf course at Forest Dunes is a par 72 that plays to about 7,100 yards from the back tees. The routing winds through pines and dunes with sand framing nearly every hole, and it walks beautifully.
How much does it cost to play Forest Dunes in 2026?
Indicative 2026 peak season green fees for the Weiskopf course run from around 200 to 250 dollars, with resort guest and multi round packages reducing the per round cost. Fees change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
Is Forest Dunes a public course and what else can you play there?
Yes, Forest Dunes is a public access golf resort. Alongside the original Weiskopf course it is home to The Loop, Tom Doak's reversible course, plus the short course Bootlegger, making it a leading multi course destination in northern Michigan.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.