Champion Hill Golf Course — Attraction in Homestead Township

This is a review from July 2023. Accidentally edited it, so says it’s new.

First time playing here, even though I'm up in the Manistee/Onekama area every summer for a week. Did not play the sister course - Pinecroft - so not able to compare the two. As others have mentioned they do not sell alcohol or have beverage carts on the courses. Not a big deal to me, but may be to others.

I am partial to links style courses, as I enjoy the creativity it requires to score. This layout is tremendous, and rivals many links style courses I have played. Holes 8 & 15 give some of the best views, as it is up on the highest ground. But, really all of the holes have unique undulation and routing. I was really surprised at how slow the greens were kept. While it was a windy day, and fairways rolled well hitting it into the green was not nearly as firm, and I would say putting was challenging because they were slow. The primary rough was long, which added some difficulty, and the bunkers were strategically placed. The tall wispy rough wasn't super thick, so you could find balls if you hit it in there.

Even from the tips at 6800 yards, you can score if you hit good shots. #11 was the hardest hole from the tips. At 240 and into the wind, I had to hit driver! Not sure that I've ever had to do that before on a par 3. 17-18 are back to back par 5's that play opposite directions, so usually one is down wind. Both nines feature some holes with massive elevation changes, and green complexes/contours that are fun. Just really was disappointed in the slowness of the greens.

I recommend this course. It cost $45 on a weekend after 3, which is a great deal in northern michigan during peak season. I will return because of the layout, but it would be a 5 star if they got it...

Course was absolutely gorgeous and had a great time playing for the first time. Manager in the pro shop was rude to our group when making the turn. Our foursome kept pace of play and played in under 2 hours on the front. Ended up being about a 3:45-4:00 hour round which is typical, especially with how long the course was and distance between green and tee box. We went to check the dog leg right at 10 to make sure the group in front wasn’t in the fairway. She walks out and tells us to hit immediately. And when I said, I was checking to make sure they were gone, she insisted I hit immediately again while walking back to the tee box. Zero understanding or safety precautions at that point. The course was overbooked and we were getting hit into every single hole for the front nine. We had to wait for the group in front of us on every green for our approach shots. I believe the course was overbooked due to time of year and aerating the greens at noon for the end of season. No marshals on course, no alcohol, no water jugs, no trash cans at the tee boxes. Pro shop was lackluster. Would recommend, but be prepared...

The lady at the counter was nice at check in and at the turn. The course has some of the best views in the state so overall it is a fun track to play. I do want to be honest with the review so all levels of golfers know what they should expect.

Overall the course is green everywhere it should be.

The tee boxes, fairways and driving range grass are left very long for typical course standards. The greens roll extremely slow but again, they are in nice shape. If you shoot 80 and above and don’t mind the long grass on the fairways/tees and driving range, this course is awesome. If you go low and typically play off of tight lies and quick greens, they aren’t set up that way.

This course would benefit from a mixed version of blue and white tees on the card because some holes play a lot shorter then what the card has listed due to sharp turns and elevation.

Overall it was a great experience and...