+ Incredible mix of distance challenges - 180' to 970' holes with par values of 3, 4 & 5.
+ Balanced mix of open field and tightly wooded fairways
+ Decent mix of left, right and straight hole designs with many baskets obscured from the tee
+ Interesting and challenging basket placement. Usually the flat holes will have the basket up a hill, greatly increasing the challenge level
+ Since you are often playing along the hill, there are many opportunities for your disc to roll (a loooong way) down the hill after landing or hitting a tree. Shot placement is paramount and a player will be well rewarded for paying close attention to hole management.
+ Nice mix of uphill, downhill and rolling terrain
+ Although situated next to a highway (US 31), the area is only traveled by disc golfers. Very secluded feel to the course, yet very easy to access.
+ The course is less than two miles from Lake Michigan, so there can be some considerable wind during the round.
+ Onsite camping available
+ Abundant wildlife and tons of delicious blackberry patches on the course

- No tees really to speak of, just dirt. (However, many of the tees have a stack of 2x4 lumber next to them, implying cement tees are on the way)
- No hole signage other than a post with a hole number. Next tee signs are just a slim white arrow. A first timer will find it very difficult to navigate the course without a map
-The course goes out one side of the drumlin, and then plays back the other side. Few trash cans are available and only one porta-potty on the back 9, so pack your bag expecting a long hike.
- Incomplete AM tees. Only about half of the holes have AM tees and the signage is even worse than the PRO tees.
- #14 ends near #18 tee, and three holes play out into a field and loop. These holes are rather lackluster compared to the rest of the course, but the loop can be easily skipped if you choose, and still get it a 17 hole round
- Ancient rusted out baskets with terrible chains. Don't expect high performance putting.
- Heavy brush and high grass all over the course makes it very necessary to use spotters when throwing. Caution should be used in a solo round, or you will be donating many discs.
- No water hazards, other than a swampy area to the right of two holes. It is only in play if you griplock.
- No practice basket

Given the Cons that I listed, you might be wondering why I rated this course a 3.5.

The course is actually quite fantastic. It is never a dull/boring round, and there are sufficient challenges for all skill levels. It would easily be a 4.0 with cement PRO tees and a complete set of AM tees. Further adding better signage and some new baskets would push this course close to a 4.5 for me, as it is incredibly well designed in the way it utilizes the beautiful rolling terrain. Despite the Cons of the course, I really enjoy my rounds here, compared to other area courses (which aren't too shabby themselves)

This course is built along a long drumlin of glacial till. A few words of caution:

1) Although the total elevation is not more than 75 feet or so, hills can be steep, and you often walk along the side of them, rather than up/down, so be sure to have footwear that supports your ankles
2) there are a number of stands of tightly packed pine trees that have broken branches on the lower half of the tree. Throwing hard can cause you to hit the jagged ends of the broken branches with the back of your hand. Throw with great care here.
3) Although I haven't encountered any poison ivy/oak, there are many thorny bushes off the fairway. Long pants are recommended if weather allows.

I first met the course designer (Ric Evans) over 20 years ago. He was an experienced dude way back then, and it is evident that he put all of his considerable skills into designing this course. Only the current (lack of) hardware lets this course down. The course kiosk claims it was established in 2012, but I do believe the public first was able to play it in 2019, so honestly, it should be treated as though it is still under construction.

There is onsite camping available, so this course is a great "home base" option for anyone looking to travel to Northern Michigan on a budget and play a bunch of courses over a long weekend. Lots of picnic benches and fire pits dot the area (there's even a fire pit on the course), and the campsites are expansive. The area is lush with both coniferous and leafy trees. Autumn is absolutely gorgeous on this course.

Despite the course's current shortcomings, I eagerly anticipate every round I play here. Charlevoix/Antrim residents are really lucky to have this as their local course. I would urge anyone to come and play Rocky Top whenever they get the opportunity.