A week-long golf trip to northern Michigan featured 166 holes played across several resorts, including The Bear at Grand Traverse and Garland Golf Resort. The author recounted experiences with course difficulty, on-site dining, and resort party scenes.

Northern Michigan Golf Excursion

The trip, which involved groups of 16 and 40 people across different segments, saw participants play at courses such as The Bear, a Jack Nicklaus design known for its numerous bunkers. The Grand Traverse Resort was noted for its upscale amenities, including a beer hut and high-end carts. Garland Golf Resort, described as being in a remote forest setting, offered a tiki hut bar and was praised for its hanger steak and firecracker shrimp. Short's Brewery in Bellaire was highlighted for a turkey avocado sandwich.

The author noted personal golf performance challenges, particularly around the greens, and experienced varied weather conditions from cool mornings to hot, humid afternoons after significant rainfall.

Pricing for the trip included packages at Shanty Creek Resort and Garland, with costs covering hotel stays and multiple rounds of golf. The Sawyer, a 10-hole reversible course at Garland, was described as a unique, barefoot-walking experience.

Holiday Travel Outlook

Separately, Clint Henderson, managing editor of The Points Guy, reported that an estimated 72.2 million Americans were expected to travel during the July 4th weekend. Despite high gas prices, many travelers were still proceeding with their plans. Henderson advised early morning departures for drivers and suggested using tools like Google Flights to find more affordable destinations. Airline vacation packages were also mentioned as a potential cost-saving option.

Broader Observations

In broader observations, the author touched on a trend of women riding along on golf courses, contributing to cart shortages. There was also a mention of rising energy costs and the potential implications of smart thermostats and power company control over home temperatures, particularly during periods of high heat.