The Little Nine at Mistwood Golf Club serves as a short companion course to the club's main eighteen-hole layout in Lake Ann, a small community in northwest Michigan's Grand Traverse region. Designed by Jerry Matthews and Ray Hearn, the nine-hole course occupies rolling terrain characteristic of the glacially-formed landscape found throughout this part of the state, where hardwood forests meet open meadows and the topography offers natural movement and elevation change. The course functions primarily as a practice facility and introductory layout, offering golfers a less demanding option than the championship course while still presenting the design elements and playing conditions found on the main routing. The shorter yardages and more forgiving design make it suitable for beginners, juniors, and players looking for a quicker round, though the natural contours and green complexes still require thoughtful shot-making. The Matthews-Hearn collaboration reflects their regional work in Michigan during the period when many northern courses were expanding their facilities to accommodate growing participation. Mistwood sits in an area known for its concentration of golf courses, benefiting from the sandy soils and natural drainage that make the region favorable for golf course development. The Little Nine integrates into the property's overall wooded and meadow setting, maintaining the character of northern Michigan golf while serving its role as an accessible complement to the club's primary offering.