
Arcadia Bluffs Course
Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course



About this course
Arcadia Bluffs, clinging to the Lake Michigan shoreline near the village of Arcadia, is a testament to audacious vision β a deliberate echo of classic links designs transposed onto the dramatic bluffs overlooking the water. The original course, designed by Warren Henderson and Rick Smith, opened in 1999 and immediately courted controversy for its unapologetic mimicry of celebrated Irish courses. Players will find themselves challenged by firm, fast fairways that bleed into fescue rough, demanding strategic positioning and a keen eye for the ever-present wind. Errant shots are penalized severely, often disappearing down the steep bluffs or into strategically placed pot bunkers. While Arcadia Bluffs hasn't hosted major championships, its dramatic setting and challenging layout have earned it a place in the conversation among golfers seeking a memorable and demanding experience. A second course, The South Course, was designed by Dana Fry and opened in 2018 as well, it offers an inland design with windswept dunes and unique challenges as well. Arcadia Bluffs benefits immensely from its location, perched high above Lake Michigan. The views are breathtaking, and the sunsets over the water are legendary. It is said that regulars often compete to predict the exact moment the sun dips below the horizon, a friendly ritual that adds to the club's unique character.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in MI
Quick facts
- Location
- Arcadia, MI, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1999
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Rick Smith
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 7,300 yards
- Difficulty
- 75.7/120
- Course Vaults score
- 8.8
Getting there
The pilgrimage to Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course begins at Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, roughly two hours southeast of the bluffs, though Traverse City's Cherry Capital Airport offers a closer northern gateway for those willing to navigate smaller regional service. The drive northwest traces Michigan's evolving topography - flat farmland yielding to rolling orchards, then finally to the dramatic coastal terrain where M-22 hugs the shoreline of Lake Michigan. As you climb the final ascent on Northwood Highway, civilization falls away, replaced by dense hardwood forest that suddenly breaks open to reveal the clifftop clubhouse perched 180 feet above the crystalline waters below - an arrival as breathtaking as any in American golf.

FAQ
Common questions about Arcadia Bluffs
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Arcadia Bluffs has a Course Vaults score of 8.8 out of 10 based on 340 logged golfers.
Arcadia Bluffs was designed by Rick Smith.
Yes. Arcadia Bluffs is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Arcadia Bluffs is 72.
Arcadia Bluffs plays 7,300 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Arcadia Bluffs is 120.





