The Loon Golf Course Review
Grade: B-
Teacher’s Comments: Pleasant, with its fair share of challenges from the back tees, but overall not particularly memorable.
Nestled in the Loon Resort’s trio of golf courses, The Loon stands alongside Lakes and Ridge. This course, characterized by its park-and-woodland ambiance, came into existence in 1994, orchestrated by the acclaimed instructor Butch Harmon. Branded as a “Butch Harmon Signature Course,” it holds a unique spot in Harmon’s catalog, with the only other known venture being a nine-hole par three in Florida—unless my research skills have let me down here.
You’ll find The Loon on I-75 North’s eastern flank just below Gaylord; its second hole is even visible from the road. The eighth hole also catches the eye from the MDOT rest area across Loon Lake.
The layout is relatively flat throughout, with the front nine leaning more towards a park setting, and the back nine offering a more wooded terrain. Although houses appear periodically around the forested back section, they generally don’t interfere with play.
Now, let’s talk about the hole designs. They’re enjoyable, though with the exception of the par three second hole, they may not leave a lasting impression. Yet, it’s also true there aren’t any subpar holes either; the word “workmanlike” fits well here.
And that’s not a bad thing. Workmanlike can be a blessing at a resort course—a blueprint that promises fun without unnecessary gimmicks or excess dirt reshuffling. After all, intricate courses may captivate for a single round, but to have players eager to return each year, it’s essential they leave with positive memories.
Now, on to what keeps it interesting: six doglegs varying in angle bring spice into play, and water hazards flirt with 11 of the holes, though they only truly test your mettle on holes like the par three second, the third, and the closing hole. Don’t overlook some clever bunker placements, too.
A personal favorite? The par five fifth hole. It starts with a slight rise and meanders around a marshy pond on the right. Playing safe towards the left means trading safety for a longer journey. From the tee, the fairway dips slightly, rises at the curve’s peak, gently rolls down, and ascends once more to reveal a green poised on a slight rise.
What makes this hole intriguing are the choices: gauge how much risk to take against the marsh and plan whether to secure a flat second shot landing or brave a more ambitious approach.
Another standout is the short yet tricky par four seventeenth hole—241 yards from the tips, teasing the possibility of being reached in one by many. However, this tight area filled with menacing branches (completely hypothetically speaking) encourages precise judgment.
To wrap up, there’s the signature hole—a 398-yard par four, where you can either boldly cross the water on your second shot or safely navigate around via the surrounding fairway.
With its length stretching to 6,677 yards from the back tees and playing at a 72.0/140, The Loon’s challenge is undeniable.
Course conditions varied, with some areas in pristine shape and others somewhat lacking, which left an impression somewhere around average.
A round here using the Northern Michigan First Tee players’ card came to just $39, including a cart—though they seem quite insistent on cart use, as an amusing exchange with the counter staff demonstrated:
Me: Can I walk?
Guy: The cart is included in the price.
Me: That’s fine. I’ll pay the fee and skip the cart.
Guy: But it’s part of the package.
Me: I get that. But I’m more than happy to skip the cart.
Guy: The package says it includes a cart.
Me: A hotel package includes a pool, but I don’t have to swim.
Guy: You don’t pay extra for the cart.
Me: Ok. I give up.
Though I resorted to using the cart, I couldn’t shake the feeling it would have been more delightful on foot.
This review captures impressions from a round played during the 2024 season, shared in the original publication on March 4, 2025. For more of GolfBlogger’s reviews on Michigan golf courses, follow the link provided.
A tour of The Loon course follows, showcasing its highlights and charm.
