Public

Golf Course Site: http://www.teedream.com/
City: West Branch
County: Ogemaw

Yardages:
Blue - 6969
White -
Yellow -
Red -

Course Rating: 73.7
Slope: 135

Difficulty from the Tee: 9.5
Difficulty of the Bunkers and Water: 9
Course Condition, fairways, greens, etc:  10
Staff Customer Service:  9.5
Overall Value: 9
Overall: 9.4

Fees and Costs:
This course has MANY different prices depending on time of year, time of day, how many consecutive days, and combination of Nightmare and Dream play. For a full list of prices check out their Green Fees here.

Expect to pay between $40 and $60 depending on the aforementioned stipulations.

Pros:
This course is cut right out of the rolling hills and forests of Northern Michigan. Nearly every hole utilizes a variety of elevation changes, sloping fairways, undulated greens, or some sort of blind shot.

This is a thinking golfer's course. A very nice surprise was the highly detailed score booklet (yes book not card). Each hole is layed out with a top down graphic supplying yardages to each sand trap, distances to the green, tips for the best shot off the tee and positioning on the green. If used properly, it is like having a seasoned caddy at every hole. If you choose to skip the tips and grip it and rip it, you'll likely have a big score at the end of the day.

Some of the holes had clubhead washers next to the ball washers, which was a pleasant and often overlooked amenity.

The proshop had the typical golf essentials as well as top tier clothing brands.

You can bring your own beer... see final thoughts for details.

Cons:
Depending on how you look at it, there was only a single hole which featured water. It is a par three that puts the entire pond into play, which is fun to manage, but I would have liked to see more like this.

A few holes were situated next to I-75, which can produce a bit of road noise. Can be tough to make that crucial putt with an eighteen-wheeler shifting gears to make it up the hill 50 yards away.

This course may frustrate high handicappers at first, but if it is approached with an "enjoy the scenery" attitude, the round will be much more enjoyable.

Would you play it again, and why?
I am going to be playing this course again in the fall. When the leaves start to change color the entire tree lined course turns vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red. The price isn't oppressive for the quality of the course, which would be the only reason to pass it by. I'd gladly drive two hours to play this again!

19th Hole / Drink Cart?
They have an area in the clubhouse for standard "bar food" without the bar. My brother-in-law and I both got a hotdog to tide us over. It didn't take long to see that The Dream's hotdog is a full foot long!

There is NO drink cart, nor beer, nor liquor of any kind. This course does not have a liquor license. Plan accordingly.

Final Thoughts / Side Notes on the Course:
Although the course has no liquor license it is not a dry course. When I called to set up my tee time the manager informed me that I could bring my own beer and that they supply the coolers and ice to all guests for free. I had never heard of such a thing, but when I arrived I was pleased to see each cart had a cooler mounted ready to accept beverages.

Course Reviewer's Golf History:
 Playing for a couple of years, shoot in the 90's.


Author:  Dustin (No Fairway Staff)
Sumitted: 08-12-09
Date Played: 08-11-09