Forest Dunes Golf Club

Forest Dunes Golf Club in Roscommon, Michigan, operates a distinctive par-3 course designed by Tom Doak that opened in 2021. Known simply as "The Par 3," this layout features thirteen holes ranging from approximately 70 to 180 yards, routed through the property's natural sand and pine forest terrain. The course occupies land adjacent to Forest Dunes' two reversible eighteen-hole layouts, The Loop and its counterpart that plays in the opposite direction on alternating days. Doak's design emphasizes strategic variety and green complexity over length, with each hole presenting different angles of approach and recovery options. The routing takes advantage of the site's sandy soil and native vegetation, creating playing corridors that feel isolated within the northern Michigan landscape. Several greens feature significant contour and multiple pin positions that change the character of holes considerably from round to round. The Par 3 serves multiple purposes at Forest Dunes: as a warm-up or practice facility for guests playing the longer courses, as a quick evening round option, and as a competitive venue for match play or stroke play among members and visitors. The course reflects a broader trend in modern golf design toward short courses that emphasize shot-making and green reading while requiring less time and physical demand than traditional eighteen-hole layouts. Walking is standard, and rounds typically take ninety minutes or less.