Great Golf Off the Beaten Path!

Here's what I put together as a sample itinerary.

On the first day of any golf excursion, you never want to bite off more than you can chew so I suggest starting with something easy - OK, easier. The Summer Breeze Golf Course on Warner Ave in Fremont, MI is a par 3 course featuring 9 holes that range in length from the 75-yard 2nd hole to the 180-yard seventh. It is easily walkable, and you don't need more than an 8 and 9 iron, a couple of wedges, a putter, and whatever you hit 180 yards.

Considering it's a par 3 course - meaning you should hit the green from the tee box every time - there's no need to pay a lot of detail to the turf between the tee and green. The green complexes are well-maintained, and the greens are firm and fast with subtle undulations that will make you want to play the course again. If you're not using a tee, it's a great way to practice approach shots, and, with the greens being smaller than what you'll encounter the rest of the week, it helps with accuracy. Summer Breeze is a great place for beginners to learn and play the game.

After your first nine, head inside to Brew Works www.fremontbrewworks.com, where they have arguably the best steaks in the State. Their steaks are locally sourced and dry-aged for 21 days before they are hand-cut and served with mashed potatoes and gravy, a side salad, and a roll. Brew Works offers several local beers on tap, along with a full-service bar. Neither the golf course nor the food will disappoint you.

I suggest playing nine in the morning, grabbing a bite to eat at Brew Works, and playing nine more in the afternoon. Cap off Day One with dinner at Smugglers at North Shore. It's an amazing waterfront restaurant with outdoor dining and enough outdoor activities to keep the kids busy. They offer one-of-a-kind menu selections such as Pork Belly Lollipops and Mexican Street Corn Ribs for appetizers, a Fried Goat Cheese salad, and several interesting entrees like a Walleye Po Boy, a Truffle Mushroom Gruyere Burger and Lobster Mac and Cheese. Their wood-fired pizzas are very popular too.

You'll need a place to stay during your visit so check out the Harrington Inn in Fremont. This charming hotel offers well-appointed and spacious rooms, with many of the amenities you would find at luxury hotels including a complimentary hot breakfast, an onsite fitness center, and a heated outdoor pool. Best of all, it's centrally located to the golf courses you're going to play. Choose one of their State Rooms and bathe yourself in luxury!

Day two of this golf trip calls for 36 holes, beginning at Northwood Family Traditions Golf Course. (www.facebook.com/Northwoodfamilytraditions). According to Stan in the pro shop, the course fell on hard times a few years ago, and the new owners are determined to return it to its original glory. While it's still a little rough around the edges in some spots, it's player-friendly and provides a challenge. There's a small irons-only driving range and a putting green to get you warmed up before heading to the 1st - or 10th - tee. Northwoods offers two sets of tees (His and Hers) and a lot of cowbells that keep up the pace of play. The course plays 6,218 or 5,253 yards and has a large number of blind shots throughout the round that add to the challenge and intrigue of the golf course. Plus, it's the best golf value in the area.

There are some nice elevation changes, most notably on the 9th hole which features an approach shot over water and then uphill at least an extra club or two. The greens are well-maintained and are always in great shape. Grab a quick bite in the pro shop - they have fabulous hot dogs - before embarking on your second round of the day at Waters Edge Golf Club, about 6 miles away.

Waters Edge (www.watersedgefremont.com) is a somewhat demanding golf course. It came under new ownership in 2016, and the new owners have invested significantly in the property. When the building of The Bunker practice facility resulted in the rerouting of two holes, Waters Edge turned to renowned Michigan golf course architect Ray Hearn to redesign the 5th and 6th holes. He also redesigned the green complexes around the 9th and 18th greens and is slated to do further design work on the 10th and 12th holes. Overall, it's a well-maintained golf course that provides a fitting challenge for golfers of all abilities.

You'll find a fair amount of elevation change as you play the golf course. It's particularly evident on two of my favorite holes, Numbers 10 and 11. Both are par 4s - 380 and 335 yards, respectively, and both have water in play on the right side off the tee, which is not good for the average right-handed golfer. Number 10 can be a tricky tee shot with the fairway sloping left to right - towards the water.

At 335 yards, the 11th hole may seem easy, but with a creek running through the landing area, maybe not. You tee off from a highly elevated tee box to a narrow fairway with water right, trees left, and a creek in front.

After your afternoon round, head up the hill to The Lakes Restaurant and indulge in their delicious menu. Start with 1 lb. of smoked chicken wings before moving on to your main course. The steaks are fantastic and cooked to perfection; the baby back ribs and prime rib are only available on the weekend, so plan accordingly! The fireplace room makes it an excellent location for parties and large groups.

Cap the evening off with a visit to The Bunker, which features eight heated Toptracer bays that can seat up to six people. Toptracer uses some of the industry's top-rated range technology to enhance the overall driving range experience. The system captures a lot of data about the golf swing, which is vital for improving your game. When not being used for game improvement, Toptracer can be used to play famous courses virtually and for other games and competitions. These bays can be used year-round, and with a full-service bar and fixed food menu available, it's a great weekend entertainment venue during the winter months. Head back to the hotel and get ready to play again in the morning before departing the area.

Pilgrim's Run Golf Club in nearby Pierson, MI became an 18-hole golf course in July 1998, and since then, there has been no looking back. Pilgrim's Run has received high praise and several well-deserved accolades from notable golf media sources such as Golf Magazine, Golf Advisor, and Golf Week, and a 4 ½ star rating from Golf Digest.

The golf course is the brainchild of Robert Van Kampen, a Chicagoland entrepreneur who moved to the Grand Haven Michigan area to pursue his vision of building and owning a championship golf facility. Van Kampen was a devout Christian and a student of the Bible; he also collected rare and ancient copies of the Bible. One of his favorite works of Christian literature was The Pilgrim's Progress, a book written in the 1600s by an Englishman named John Bunyan. This is where the golf course and each hole get their names.

Van Kampen called upon six friends and business associates to help design the golf course. Each person selected three numbers out of a hat and designed that particular hole. Up-and-coming golf architect Mike DeVries took their designs and laid out the course, which is pretty much what you see today.

You'll find a good mix of holes, including several that offer risk/reward-type opportunities. Standing on several holes, the course first appears somewhat intimidating; however, the spacious landing areas and no out-of-bounds say otherwise!

One of my favorites is the 4th hole - aptly named Deception. It's the first par 3 of the day and truly lives up to its name. The hole plays slightly downhill, however, if you don't hit enough club and find the massive false front, you can expect the ball to roll back at least 25 ft. The green is protected by four deep and challenging bunkers.

This was my first time playing any of these courses, and I look forward to getting back and playing them again. For more information on golf in Newaygo County and to see all of the courses in the area, visit their website at www.newaygocountyexploring.com/golf-courses.