Some places in Golf seem more myth than reality – talking about Gedempte Tones, rarely photographed and almost impossible to find without knowing anyone who knows someone. The Dunes Club in New Buffalo, Michigan is one of those places.
Hidden inland just interior of the southern coast of Lake Michigan, this nine-hole estimates is just as elusive as it is honored. There is no Poorthuis, no signage to talk about and no hint that one of the most influential layouts in the country is hidden beyond a fence with chain switching and gravel driveway that winds through trees.
This is where Mike Keizer, the developer behind Bandon Dunes and the USGAs 2025 Bob Jones Award recipient (recognizing character, sportiness and respect for the game), took what he liked about Pine Valley – long considered one of the world’s best courses – and distilled it in 60 hectare Pure Pure Pure, Pure Pure Pure, Pure, Pure, Pure, Pure, Pure, Pure, Pure, Pure, Pure, Pure Pure.
This is true “Dream wave”Started.
The Dunes Club experience
The drive in tells you everything: blink and you will miss the modest grinding, guarded by trees and a “no violation” sign.
On arrival I came to General Manager Todd Molitor in the clubhouse to wait for a storm. We spoke to Golf and Baseball, watched the RBC Canadian Open Playoff (where Ryan Fox Sam Burns survived with a remarkable shot on the umpteenth Playoff -and spoke all Dunes Club.
After the sky had disappeared, I walked back and did my best to take everything I could of what turned out to be an interesting sunset – the falling sun over Lake Michigan sometimes illuminated the track beautifully, perhaps best recorded in this photo of the sixth:
By 5:15 the next morning I unlocked the gate, drone in my hand, while the first light crawled over the horizon. The morning started with heavy Canadian Wildfire Haze – there was only a small piece of pink sun on the horizon. But when it came up, I was treated to a remarkable sunrise.
I flew through six batteries with my DJI Mavic 2 Pro and did not want to stop. Stripes of golden light interrupted over fairways mowed in perfect roof boards and shadows of the tree lines were beautifully illuminated the many T pieces and greens from the track.
Later that morning, Wiscogolfaddict.com that writer Brian Murphy, our new friend Kevin and I, contributes with Caddies Gideon, Josh and Joe. Joe, our 90-year-old Caddy, walked every step with Brian’s bag on his shoulder, just like he has been for decades. He is known as the oldest who carries professional Caddy in the world, and spending time with him would have been special everywhere – but to be here it was even more. His German accent, contagious positive attitude and joyful personality (features shared about the staff) immediately made him a favorite.
And the hospitality did not stop there. Paul, who changed pins behind us during our first loop, secretly pushed a hand-painted, wooden wiscogolfaddict tag on my vessel VL’s. I found it before my approach to seven lap – and couldn’t stop smiling.
The Dunes Club does not try to impress you. It is not necessary – it has achieved something that few clubs could dream of its enormous golf experience and the not -losing level of Prestige. That can lead to the first visitors expect an uncomfortable visit, but that never even came close. There was no pretentiousness, no fringe, nothing tense – just great wave in its roughest form and people who love it.
Their motto says it all: “No T -Pieces Boxes.” There are no tee markers on the course – only wide corridors of grass and the concept that corresponds to play rules. Winners of the previous gap are encouraged to choose where the next gap will be, and the routing and litany of Tee Boxes offer countless options. That freedom ensures that every loop feels different, ensures that the course becomes repetitive and embraces a spirit of creativity that defines the most elite golf experiences.
Although only nine holes, the Dunes club plays as much more. Between alternative Tee boxes and rotating pens each feels nine fresh. T -pieces are not only longer or shorter – they shift completely. On the Par Three Three Hole, for example, we went from 162 yards while we went from the left to 92 on the right, which required completely different approaches of the same greens complex.
Likewise, the Tee locations of the second hole are 45 degrees separate and separated by forest, both play over a gorge from sand to the same, enlarged well surface.
Probably my two favorite course on the track have also built in the fifth and seventh a lot of flexibility.
The seventh, with its raised T pieces and greens complex that flows low and right, is perhaps the best of all.
In Match Play, the winner of the previous hole can force their opponent (s) to exploit a draw from the left or a right to false shot shape from the right and rear pieces is smart and strategic, words that perfectly define this incredible golf feature.
With a approach that is played on the only water feature in the building, the T -pieces that are chosen on five – more than anything else – determine the length of the required players of players. Played forward, there is a good chance that a high iron will succeed, but if they are played, players may have to hit as long as a 5 or 6 iron to safely come across in two.
This brings me to an interesting point: there are no T -pieces for men or ladies in the Dunes Club. Instead, all tee areas are available by everyone at any time. In Match Play this can lead to playing a drivable par four or a long par five, a par four and a half or short three that requires pinpoint-precision.
Although I did not play Augusta National, the approach in five evoked how I think the drama of 15 feels – all wearing all the pressure.
Two unforgettable perfives
The eighth, a long pear five rolling through dunes, has a greens complex and approach that recalled memories for me at the 15th on Tobacco Road.
Of elevated t pieces next to the [left-side] Sixth Tees and Fifth Green, players hit a free -walled fairway that is constantly narrower before they are shared in two by a beautiful nod to the Golden Age architecture and Pine Valley: a great danger.
The great danger at eight dictates distance from the tee while setting up an uncomfortably long approach has been shot – an inconvenience that is exacerbated by an elevated green shifted slightly left, and hidden by bunkers and hills.
This hole is beautifully designed and even better executed.
The ninth, with the mouth bunker of his lion, subtle bend and the clubhouse next door, is a suitable finish of a course that is so full of intention.
Keep your t -shirt straight or on the right side of the fairway for a good look at coming home to the regulations, and make sure you take enough club to prevent the central sandfall in the front.
The building at the Dunes Club
The grass in the Dunes club is flawless. The greens are quickly and well connected. The sand is natural and heavy – the kind that your entire body requires, not just your hands, to escape. This is similar to other dream golf properties where Caddies tell you: “You can’t only use your arms, you have to get your whole body through the ball.”
Although I understand that conceptually, it is never well translated for my sand game … I will ever find out!
The natural areas of the course are also used in great effect. Solid sand bladder and exposed waste areas act as visual and strategic ‘large dangers’ during the routing, especially on the second, third, sixth and eighth holes. These functions not only frame the landscape too artistic, but influence the decision -making of the tee and in the greens.
For example, the third hole has a 40 to 50-year long zone of bumps and chocolate drops that cut through the fairway.
Earlier grown as a fescue, this ‘great danger’ now offers a chance – if you catch a flyer lie, you will come home in two a seductive opportunity. It is classic risk-rewards, disguised by naturalism.
And the atmosphere? Serious wave, seriously nice people.
There is a Honorystem Cooler in the clubhouse. Locally produced brats and hamburgers on the grill. A pro store in the caste format filled with Peter Millar, imperial and other high-end equipment. It is unpretentious and it is all the better for.
It would have been easy to build something flash. Emperor had the means. But the Dunes Club reflects what he likes about the game – nuance, charm and soul. From what I have heard, it is Pine Valley Vibes with Midwestern Sensibility. And that is a powerful combination.
A rare honor
I was originally invited to play this legendary layout – a rare and special chance in itself – in the last winter. Working with Dream Golf, I was also able to coordinate drone photography – an even rarer experience that only several others have had in the more than 30 years since the club was opened. I was told that I have ever approved the third person to take drone photos here, in fact, in the footsteps of The baked egg And my friend and colleague, Patrick Koenig.
This is a course that regularly ends up on national lists-of the name of the top nine hole course in the country by Golf Digest’s Ron Whitten and number four in the world, to 56th place Golf Week’s Top 100 Modern jobs. It is only useful for the club to have visuals that match the reputation, and I hope that some of me will find their way to large publications, including Golf Digest and Golf Week.
Closing thoughts
With another threatening storm that rushes in, we only played 18 holes. However, it was more than enough to leave a stamp. From the course architecture to the people, and from the completely simple clubhouse lunch to all personal details, the Dunes Club is a place that lingers.
There is no signage, no tee boxes, no haste – just golf as it was intended to be played. You walk, you talk and when it’s over, you just want to play it again.
Places such as the Dunes Club do not exist everywhere, and they are certainly not easy to go on. You can play it once, if you’re lucky. I am grateful. Inspired. And although there will be a next visit.
Have you ever played so special somewhere that you already hoped to return before you walked the last green?
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