Black Forest at Wilderness Valley

[COURSE CLOSED IN 2019]

6500 Nicklaus Drive, Gaylord, Michigan 49735

  • Office

    +1 (231) 585 7090
  • Pro shop

    +1 (231) 585 7090

About the course

  • The Course:

    18 holes. Tree-lined parkland. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb.

  • Surroundings:

    Woodland.

  • Designer:

    Wilderness Valley course designed by Al Watrous (1971). Black Forest course designed by Tom Doak (1991).

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Yards
7044
6097
4556
Par
73
73
73
SSS or slope
74.3
70.1
67.2

At the same location:

Above distances are for the Black Forest course. Starting from the same clubhouse is the 18-hole Wilderness Valley course (par-71, 6397 yds from back tees, designer Al Watrous, opened 1971).

Location

Latitude:

44.867009

Longitude:

-84.805689

How to get there:

15 mi SW of Gaylord.

Black Forest Golf Course at Wilderness Valley

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.

Est. 1991

Black Forest Golf Course at Wilderness Valley: COURSES PERMANENTLY CLOSED IN 2019.

[Original Where2Golf description]: Starting out from the same clubhouse, and located in a housing-free and roads-free natural environment, the Black Forest and Wilderness Valley golf courses are both well-rated and always popular places to play. These tree-lined parkland layouts are imbued with many attractive features and several excellent holes to enjoy.

The Black Forest layout (at one time known as the "New" course) was one of Tom Doak's earliest examples of minimalist golf course architecture. Each hole is carved through a canvas of pine, oak, and maple trees. The dramatic bunkering on Black Forest contrasts with the verdant forest backdrop.

The gentler but equally scenic Wilderness Valley layout (known for a time as the "Old" course) also presents an enjoyable golfing challenge for golfers of all abilities. Definitely a golf club to include on your play list if you are in the area.

List of courses: Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Course permanently closed in 2019.

Green fees

Course permanently closed in 2019.

Other information

Walking permitted on the Wilderness Valley course; golf cart compulsory on Black Forest. The Black Forest course starts o.5 mi from the clubhouse, with the 18th green located 1 mi from the clubhouse, in between is a 7.5 mi journey around this roaming woodland course.

Practice facilities

Limited

Did you know?

Black Forest's designer and Michigan resident Tom Doak, originally studied his craft under legendary course architect Pete Dye. Doak was also strongly influenced by the design philosophies and work of Dr Alister MacKenzie. Among an impressive portfolio of projects, Pacific Dunes in Oregon, Ballyneal in Colorado, Barnbougle Dunes in Tasmania and Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand are perhaps his best known designs.

Find a course

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Tournaments

124th US Open: the No.2 Course at Pinehurst once again plays host to this most illustrious championship (June 13-16). Wyndham Clark defends his title, having won at Los Angeles CC in 2023.

79th Women’s US Open: the second women’s major championship of the season gets underway at Lancaster CC in Pennsylvania. It’s the second time the championship has been held here.
(May 30-June 2).

Who's Who

Nelly Korda: won the Mizuho Americas Open (May 16-19) at Liberty National GC, continuing her extraordinary form in LPGA events. This was her sixth win in seven starts in 2024.

Xander Schauffele: recorded his first major championship win, and second record-equalling low score of 62 in a major. Only he, Branden Grace, Rickie Fowler and Shane Lowry have achieved this feat in a men’s major championship.

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.

Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.

Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available

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