Boyne Mountain reviews
10
0
Down is good!! 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Oct 17, 2009
Played the course:once
Pros:
What a way to start a round - a free chairlift ride to the top of the mountain, a stunning view, and a brew from the Eagle's Nest!
This course starts at the top of the Boyne Mountain ski runs, just past the Eagle's Nest restaurant. Ride the lift up (I was told there's no charge for the lift here), then follow the sidewalk at the top a few yards past the restaurant to find the first tee marker just off the path to the left. The first pin is in the woods across the dip.
Most tee areas are marked with brightly colored and numbered paddle-shaped posts. They've also topped most baskets with a flag or cone to make them more visible. It appears that numerous trash cans have been added for this year, as well.
Distances vary widely with 6 holes over 375'! Many of the shorter holes have more closed-in or difficult fairways. Holes #1, #5, #7-#10, and #13-#18 are all mostly open while the remainder are mostly wooded. Fairways in the wooded areas are all very well defined, and several holes start in close wooded areas then open up past the initial drive. Basket placement was interesting on most holes, with several being on hill sides or surrounded by trees. Uphill, downhill, cross-valley, and over hill shots abound as many of the elevation changes and terrain undulations inherent in a ski area were put to good use.
Holes #3, with its wooded tee area, uphill drive, left turn in the open around a giant sand pit and back into the woods, then its basket buried behind the sand hill in the woods; #6 with its short, sharp right through the woods and its sidehill basket placement; #11 with its elevated tee area on a steepish hiking path and its downhill, wooded basket; and #16's short right turn behind the woods are the highlight holes on this course. They are all challenging and very creative in their use of elevation, vegetation, and basket placement.
This course starts at the top of the Boyne Mountain ski runs, just past the Eagle's Nest restaurant. Ride the lift up (I was told there's no charge for the lift here), then follow the sidewalk at the top a few yards past the restaurant to find the first tee marker just off the path to the left. The first pin is in the woods across the dip.
Most tee areas are marked with brightly colored and numbered paddle-shaped posts. They've also topped most baskets with a flag or cone to make them more visible. It appears that numerous trash cans have been added for this year, as well.
Distances vary widely with 6 holes over 375'! Many of the shorter holes have more closed-in or difficult fairways. Holes #1, #5, #7-#10, and #13-#18 are all mostly open while the remainder are mostly wooded. Fairways in the wooded areas are all very well defined, and several holes start in close wooded areas then open up past the initial drive. Basket placement was interesting on most holes, with several being on hill sides or surrounded by trees. Uphill, downhill, cross-valley, and over hill shots abound as many of the elevation changes and terrain undulations inherent in a ski area were put to good use.
Holes #3, with its wooded tee area, uphill drive, left turn in the open around a giant sand pit and back into the woods, then its basket buried behind the sand hill in the woods; #6 with its short, sharp right through the woods and its sidehill basket placement; #11 with its elevated tee area on a steepish hiking path and its downhill, wooded basket; and #16's short right turn behind the woods are the highlight holes on this course. They are all challenging and very creative in their use of elevation, vegetation, and basket placement.
Cons:
Loose, sandy terrain can make walking this course a bit treacherous, so you'll want to wear supportive shoes or hikers.
Poor or missing signage in a few places didn't cause any real problems in navigation, but it did detract from the experience a bit.
A lack of true tee boxes and loose sand footing in most places made teeing off a pain on many holes. The footing on holes #9-#11, in particular, is horrendous (not just the tee areas, either)!
Holes #14-#18 just work their way back and forth across mostly open ski runs and they got a bit repetitive, especially compared to the challenge and variety of the earlier holes. Fortunately, the wooded bottle neck and hidden basket on #17 and the long downhill bomb on #18 meant they weren't completely ho-hum.
This is a big course, and there's no refreshment available once you've passed the Eagle's Nest, so bring water.
Poor or missing signage in a few places didn't cause any real problems in navigation, but it did detract from the experience a bit.
A lack of true tee boxes and loose sand footing in most places made teeing off a pain on many holes. The footing on holes #9-#11, in particular, is horrendous (not just the tee areas, either)!
Holes #14-#18 just work their way back and forth across mostly open ski runs and they got a bit repetitive, especially compared to the challenge and variety of the earlier holes. Fortunately, the wooded bottle neck and hidden basket on #17 and the long downhill bomb on #18 meant they weren't completely ho-hum.
This is a big course, and there's no refreshment available once you've passed the Eagle's Nest, so bring water.
Other Thoughts:
If you're not a skier and haven't spent any time in the base area, finding your way around can be a challenge. The roundabout in the main village is technically a no parking zone, but they're not real picky about it most of the summer.
The food in the bar right at the tip of the roundabout is pretty good although a bit pricey. Take a tour through the toy and candy shop downstairs in the village and get some giant Smartys to snack on while you're playing. The store directly across the way also has beverages and such for sale.
As is usual with Boyne properties, no one really seems to know what's going on, so don't be surprised if you get the blank look from some employees. While the site says there's a charge for the chairlift, I was told it runs most of the summer and can be ridden for free. If the fam doesn't play make sure they bring their swim gear and drop them off at Avalanche Bay.
JMHO, but, given a choice to play Avalanche Park or here, I'd pick Boyne every time.
The food in the bar right at the tip of the roundabout is pretty good although a bit pricey. Take a tour through the toy and candy shop downstairs in the village and get some giant Smartys to snack on while you're playing. The store directly across the way also has beverages and such for sale.
As is usual with Boyne properties, no one really seems to know what's going on, so don't be surprised if you get the blank look from some employees. While the site says there's a charge for the chairlift, I was told it runs most of the summer and can be ridden for free. If the fam doesn't play make sure they bring their swim gear and drop them off at Avalanche Bay.
JMHO, but, given a choice to play Avalanche Park or here, I'd pick Boyne every time.
1
5
rlbontrager
Experience:
19 years
13 played
7 reviews
One of the better ones 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:May 17, 2009
Played the course:once
Pros:
Fun course, quite a bit of variety.
Cons:
Not the most accessible of courses. If you've never been to Boyne Mountain before, parking and finding the right building for the "front desk" can be a bit confusing. Also, the course isn't the most well maintained. Seems like they throw in the baskets in the spring and don't touch anything again until they take 'em out in the fall.
Other Thoughts:
When we were there, they gave us a free shuttle to the top, and, judging from other reviews, getting to the top free seems pretty common. Just be aware that there is supposed to be a charge for riding to the top.
