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The fairways of Crooked Tree’s first nine holes are lined by old-growth trees, creating stunning sightlines from one hole to the next. The course is characterized by undulating greens that require careful, consistent putts for par.

A downhill tee shot, aim at the tree on the far side of the fairway. The hole then makes a sharp dogleg to the right to a green that is guarded by a bunker on the right.

Hole 1

The green complex has been designed and is now more receptive to approach shots from either the tee or short wedge shots. In addition to enlarging the green by 30%, the slope from left to right is less severe, and the tiering from the lower tier in front to the upper tier toward the back is more gradual. The left of the green is a safer approach target since there is more opportunity for shots to hit above the green to roll onto the green.

Hole 2

Your tee shot will need to carry a natural wetlands area to a fairway that slopes to the right. The green will most often be hiding behind a bunker and some mounds. Just pick your line and add one extra club here as the shot does play straight uphill.

Hole 3

Just as with the last hole, a forced carry from the tee can be a challenge. This time the hole is bending slightly to the right, but again, uphill. Avoid the hazard down the right, and you should have no trouble here.

Hole 4

A great par three that is framed by bunkers on the front right and left of the green. The green runs from front to back, making anything that is long here a real challenge. Play to the center of the green, and you should have a good look at birdie.

Hole 5

The sixth hole has a sharp dogleg to the left that will tempt you to cut the corner. The only hazard from the tee box is the bunker visible to the left of the fairway, but long hitters must be careful not to drive it through the fairway and over the mounds on the right side of the fairway. The hole then heads downhill to a creek crossing and then finally to the green. Your tee shot will dictate how to proceed for the rest of the hole.

Hole 6

Guess what? Another dogleg... Noticing a pattern yet? Cutting this corner can get dangerous with out of bounds on the right. Consider playing a long iron or fairway wood to the corner which will leave a mid to short iron approach to an uphill green. Be careful on this green. It can trick the most trained eyes.

Hole 7

The third par three of the front nine, number eight, is a Crooked Tree favorite. Once again, your shot must carry a wetlands area to a sloping green. Be sure to check the breezes from Lake Michigan that can affect this shot while you enjoy the views of Little Traverse Bay!

Hole 8 

Straight back uphill to the clubhouse. Use the left edge of the Clubhouse as a target for any shot that you cannot see the green. You'll get a better view from inside of 150 yards. Until you're there, keep plugging away. The green has bunkers on the left and shares its surface with number eighteen.

Hole 9 

A challenging start to the back nine, the tenth is longer than it seems at 472 from the back tees. The best plan of attack is to make sure that you get something in the fairway. Even if you have to hit a wood to the green, you are better suited than being in the rough. The green has a large slope on the left that may help an errant shot gather back towards the hole.

Hole 10

This par three is very exposed to the elements. The wind can really get moving here. A bunker on the front left can be a handful, but long and right is almost certain disaster as your ball can roll down a hill some 40-50 yards away.

Hole 11

A great reward of a short approach will be waiting for anyone who can successfully carry the water from the tee. The safer play is to the right. The green sits back uphill and is guarded by a deep front bunker.

Hole 12

Coming out of a long shoot, this par 5 finishes at the bottom of a ravine. Aim at the birch tree on the left center of the fairway for each of your first two shots unless you are going to the green. Shots to the right side of the fairway, in the lay-up area, will run the risk of drawing a difficult lie.

Hole 13

There is more room to play here than originally meets the eye. Your tee shot should be played to finish in line with the tallest tree in the distance.... left of the stand of pines. Two fairway bunkers will snatch tee shots too far down the right.

Hole 14

In the fifth and final par three of the course, not everyone will be able to swing properly with the distracting, incredible vista in front of them. Be careful of the wind here; when in doubt, be sure to take an extra club. Or 2, or 3!

Hole 15

A re-design by Arthur Hills has made this a signature hole at Crooked Tree. This hole is best played in two parts. Part 1: Get your ball in the fairway at the top of the hill and take advantage of all the downhill roll that is available. Part 2: hit your approach to the green that slopes towards the water. Note that this may not mean a driver from the tee. If you can make a birdie here then you need to make your friends buy the drinks!

Hole 16

Another Arthur Hills re-design. Aim your tee shot at the third pine tree on the left. Anyone who can take it deep may have a chance at reaching this par 5 in two shots. For everyone else, either choose to lay it up before the steep hill and hit your approach at the same height as the green or let it roll the hill and hit a shorter approach from well below the hole.

Hole 17

To the left, a wide landing area opens up after a bunker in the short right. It is possible to go over the trees or play a fade around the corner, thus setting up a much shorter approach. The green is then straight up the hill to the green that has two tiers from front to back.

Hole 18

Crooked Tree Golf Club

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Sublime, From Start To Finish

Crooked Tree Golf Club

Hole 1