Crooked Tree Golf Club
Crooked Tree Golf Club is an 18-hole public course near Petoskey that balances approachable fairways with challenging doglegs and firm, true greens. Its back nine features elevated lake views, providing a scenic and engaging experience for golfers of all skill levels.
Course Overview
Crooked Tree Golf Club offers an 18-hole layout that blends thoughtful design with natural beauty along the Lake Michigan shoreline near Petoskey, Michigan. This public course presents a mix of parkland features and subtle elevation changes that keep players engaged from the first tee through the closing holes. The front nine challenges with sharp doglegs and well-placed bunkers demanding precision off the tee, while the back nine opens to expansive views of the lake, creating a visual and strategic contrast as you move through the round.
Players will find the course welcoming to a range of skill levels. The fairways are generally generous, but hazards—including water in play and pockets of rough—reward smart shot selection and course management. The greens are praised for their smooth roll and firm surfaces, inviting confident putting and tactical approach shots. Although the layout includes some narrowly angled holes that require careful shot shaping, it remains approachable without sacrificing challenge for mid- to low-handicap golfers.
Maintenance is a highlight at Crooked Tree, with well-manicured fairways and undisturbed putting surfaces. Certain holes on the back nine, notably the 16th, make use of elevation and lake views to enhance the experience, combining scenic ambiance with shot-making tests. The course is favored by golfers seeking a solid, scenic round without the crowds of more prominent resort courses.
While the club provides golf carts equipped with GPS technology to assist navigation, players who prefer walking should prepare for moderate terrain and may want to bring appropriate footwear for grass conditions. Hydration options on the course are limited, so planning to carry water is advisable, especially during warmer months.
Crooked Tree complements its golf with a welcoming clubhouse offering a comfortable setting for post-round relaxation. Its location in the northern Michigan golf corridor adds convenience for travelers exploring the region. Whether playing a competitive round or a casual game with friends, Crooked Tree creates a satisfying test where natural elements and course design combine to make every shot meaningful.
Course Highlights
The course features several sharply angled doglegs on the front nine that test driving accuracy, combined with scenic elevation changes and protected greens. The back nine offers stunning vistas of Lake Michigan, particularly on holes 15 through 18, where you experience elevated greens and strategic bunkering that challenge approach shots and putts. The blend of parkland style with natural lake-influenced terrain provides an engaging balance of scenic beauty and tactical golf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Mike Malady
Final course on our July Michigan golf trip. Couldn't have picked a better finishing course. Course in excellent shape. Greens rolled great. Nice elevation changes and several challenging doglegs. Really enjoyed this course. Do not overlook it. Highly recommend
Shane Werner
What an absolute treat this course is. The back nine offers stunning views and the entire course is in pristine condition. This is a can’t miss course if you’re up in the petoskey area.
ERIC BEAUDET
Shane Werner
What an absolute treat this course is. The back nine offers stunning views and the entire course is in pristine condition. This is a can’t miss course if you’re up in the petoskey area.
sandy polacek
What a awesome course would love to back and play again
Kitty Marquardt
I only played the back nine. The women’s tees were well placed, making it a very enjoyable course.
Marc Reaume
Crooked Tree is a decent layout. I'm not sure what the day rate is as it was part of our package. The range was in poor shape at 1pm on a Sunday. The course was in good shape. It's unnecessarily tricky with a 90 degree dog leg to start your round. Not exactly the best way to encourage a brisk pace of play with trouble right, left, and long. My smallest complaint is with the lack of drinking water on the course. Bottled water is available for the low, low price of $5 for 20oz bottle. This was on a 95 degree day. My biggest complaint is with the cart GPS system. For the second year in a row, merely pulling to the side of the cart path on 15 set of an obnoxious, consistent beeping sound for about a minute. Mind you, I hadn't been in the tall grass, or parked in a bunker, just two wheels off the path to let another cart past. See the little video. Pretty views of the lake on a couple holes if that strikes your fancy.
Brian Keith Hodges
This was perhaps one of the best kept secrets in all of national golf reporting. Crooked tree golf course combines everything you like about good golf courses. Really good greens really good fairways manageable, rough nice difficulty great opportunity…
Caitlin Cain
Such a beautiful course. The last 4 holes you get a glimpse of the Lake. Hole 16 is incredible. A very fun, challenging course with immaculate fairways and greens. Very comfortable golf cart and we loved the technology inside! We played the twilight round which was worth every penny. Really appreciate the staff letting us out early to play as a two-some instead of being paired with another cart (like we were scheduled to). Overall, fantastic experience and would love to play again!
Marc Reaume
Crooked Tree is a decent layout. I'm not sure what the day rate is as it was part of our package. The range was in poor shape at 1pm on a Sunday. The course was in good shape. It's unnecessarily tricky with a 90 degree dog leg to start your round. Not exactly the best way to encourage a brisk pace of play with trouble right, left, and long. My smallest complaint is with the lack of drinking water on the course. Bottled water is available for the low, low price of $5 for 20oz bottle. This was on a 95 degree day. My biggest complaint is with the cart GPS system. For the second year in a row, merely pulling to the side of the cart path on 15 set of an obnoxious, consistent beeping sound for about a minute. Mind you, I hadn't been in the tall grass, or parked in a bunker, just two wheels off the path to let another cart past. See the little video. Pretty views of the lake on a couple holes if that strikes your fancy.
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Course Details
Access & Location
600 Crooked Tree Dr, Petoskey, MI 49770, USA
Modern clubhouse with dining and lounge facilities
Walking permitted and encouraged; moderate elevation changes require comfortable walking shoes; carts available for longer rounds.
Open to the public with required tee time reservations; twilight rates available seasonally.
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