There is a new golf course (or should I say two new golf courses) opening in mid-Michigan at Forest Dunes Resort in late June. There is nothing like it in North America and I am aware of only one 18 hole example in the entire world (arguably the most iconic course in the world, The Old Course at St. Andrews, was built to be played in two directions).
I am talking about The Loop, Tom Doak's reversible golf course in Roscommon, MI opening for limited public play on June 27, 2016. The Loop's Black routing will play clockwise and the next day, its Red routing will play the same greens counterclockwise. These courses, built on relatively flat, well-draining soil will be "walking only". And I am excited to report I will be one of a group of eight people staying at Forest Dunes in late August to experience this unique creation.
Doak has had this idea in his back pocket for many years and when Forest Dunes Resort owner Lew Thompson hired him to create a complimentary course to Tom Weiskopf's highly rated Forest Dunes, Doak completed an initial routing. Convinced he finally had the piece of land to make his concept work, he presented the idea to Thompson and it was full speed ahead.
Why the need for a flat piece of relatively open land? Doak explained that hilly land could lead to blind shots in one direction or the other and trees out of play in one direction may be an issue in the other direction.
I am talking about The Loop, Tom Doak's reversible golf course in Roscommon, MI opening for limited public play on June 27, 2016. The Loop's Black routing will play clockwise and the next day, its Red routing will play the same greens counterclockwise. These courses, built on relatively flat, well-draining soil will be "walking only". And I am excited to report I will be one of a group of eight people staying at Forest Dunes in late August to experience this unique creation.
Doak has had this idea in his back pocket for many years and when Forest Dunes Resort owner Lew Thompson hired him to create a complimentary course to Tom Weiskopf's highly rated Forest Dunes, Doak completed an initial routing. Convinced he finally had the piece of land to make his concept work, he presented the idea to Thompson and it was full speed ahead.
Why the need for a flat piece of relatively open land? Doak explained that hilly land could lead to blind shots in one direction or the other and trees out of play in one direction may be an issue in the other direction.
Key to the design are The Loop's greens which must be accessible from 360 degrees for the concept to work. And because of this, there are no crazy undulations or contours.
The tees at The Loop required their own special consideration as the routing of each course has multiple changes in direction. My research indicates there are some tees in fairways or just on the edge of fairways. But because each tee will only be used 50% of the time, each tee can be half the size of a standard tee.
As you can tell, this is an exciting but complicated design. I can't wait for this experience. I've played the first course several times and it is a treat in its own right. And as a long time walker and carrier of my own bag, I appreciate that The Loop prohibits driving golf carts. Stay tuned for a full report on my experience.
The tees at The Loop required their own special consideration as the routing of each course has multiple changes in direction. My research indicates there are some tees in fairways or just on the edge of fairways. But because each tee will only be used 50% of the time, each tee can be half the size of a standard tee.
As you can tell, this is an exciting but complicated design. I can't wait for this experience. I've played the first course several times and it is a treat in its own right. And as a long time walker and carrier of my own bag, I appreciate that The Loop prohibits driving golf carts. Stay tuned for a full report on my experience.
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