The Kingsley Club golf course

Located in Kingsley just south of Traverse City, the Kingsley Club is a one-of-a-kind golf course in northern Michigan, paying tribute to traditional links style with a wild, natural look. Course designer Mike Devries moved almost no dirt during construction, reshaping the landscape only on the first tee and fairway.

Opened in 2001, the club swiftly won national attention from major golf publications for its minimalist approach. Forget fancy accouterments; this is a player's golf course. There's no gaudy clubhouse, just a temporary building. The fairways were planted with fescue grass instead of the more common bent to promote a fast ground game on firm, sloping greens.

Kingsley Club is private, but they currently allow limited public play for $150-200.

Kingsley Club golf course

Kingsley Club features wild rough and firm, rolling greens.

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Bunker on par-5 1st

The par-5 first features a double fairway split by a collection of bunkers.

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Bunkers at Kingsley Club

Wild bunkering is a familiar sight at northern Michigan's Kingsley Club.

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Kingsley Club

The Kingsley Club is located in Kingsley just south of Traverse City.

Brandon Tucker/GolfPublisher.com

Kingsley Golf Club

Architect Mike Devries moved almost no earth in his Kingsley Club design.

Brandon Tucker/GolfPublisher.com

Kingsley Club golf course

Natural undulation is a major feature of the Kingsley Club.

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Kingsley Club near Traverse City

The Kingsley Club near Traverse City, Mich.

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Par-4 12th at the new Kingsley Club

The green on the par-4 12th measures 13,000 square feet.

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Kingsley Club golf course

The Kingsley Club near Traverse City, Mich.

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17th at Kingsley Club

The par-5 17th hole at the Kingsley Club near Traverse City, Mich.

Brandon Tucker/GolfPublisher.com