Betsie Valley Golf Course
Betsie Valley Golf Course at Crystal Mountain blends a tree-lined, strategic layout with approachable playability across 18 holes. Recent upgrades have enhanced this Northern Michigan resort course, making it a rewarding destination for golfers seeking diverse challenges amid scenic surroundings.
Course Overview
Betsie Valley Golf Course, located within the Crystal Mountain Resort in Northern Michigan, offers an 18-hole challenge set among gently rolling terrain and mature forests. A public resort course, it blends natural beauty with thoughtful design, appealing primarily to golfers seeking a balanced test of shot-making over raw power. The course’s layout features tree-lined fairways dominated by pines and hardwoods, creating corridors that reward precision while punishing wayward shots. Water hazards make appearances on several holes, providing strategic elements without overwhelming the player.
Recent renovations completed between 2021 and 2022 have enhanced Betsie Valley’s playability without sacrificing its original character. Fairways have been widened for better accessibility, tee boxes redesigned for variety, and brush cleared through a focused forestry management approach. These improvements have made the course more inviting for all skill levels, while its smaller, well-contoured greens challenge approach shots and putting alike.
The course’s 129-yard 7th hole is a standout for its narrow approach and protective bunkers placed just right of the green, demanding accuracy even on such a short par 3. Another noteworthy hole is the uphill, dogleg right 10th, which at 444 yards tests players with a deceptively long carry and tight fairway confines between towering trees. These holes reflect the course’s subtle emphasis on strategic thinking over brute force.
Visitors to Betsie Valley can start their rounds at the shared Crystal Mountain clubhouse, where a well-equipped pro shop and the Thistle restaurant set the stage for a complete golf outing. The resort’s practice facilities include a large driving range and a dedicated short game area, perfect for warm-ups or refining technique before play. Players often walk the course, enjoying the natural surroundings and the gentle challenge that Betsie Valley provides.
Whether arriving for a quick round or a longer stay, golfers will find Betsie Valley an approachable yet rewarding layout. Its combination of scenic variety, manageable length, and thoughtful design ensures an engaging experience amid Northern Michigan’s changing seasons.
Course Highlights
Betsie Valley stands out for its blend of natural forest framing and rolling terrain. Key holes include the tight, bunker-guarded short par 3 seventh and the uphill, tree-lined dogleg tenth that stretches perceived distance. The course underwent a major renovation completed in 2022, which expanded fairways, improved tees, and upgraded cart paths without changing its original shot-making appeal. Its location within a year-round resort adds access to refined practice facilities and varied lodging options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
David Theoret
Depending on your perspective – or favorite season – Crystal Mountain is either a ski resort with 59 well-groomed downhill runs or a golf resort with 36 holes of championship golf. Yet, regardless of the season, it’s one of Northern Michigan’s best resorts. Golf entered the equation at Crystal Mountain in 1977 with the opening of the Betsie Valley golf course. Mountain Ridge followed in 1995. Both Betsie Valley and Mountain Ridge have received the prestigious 4-star rating from Golf Digest Magazine and are members of America's Summer Golf Capital, a collection of resort properties that feature 26 golf courses across northern Michigan. Both courses play out of the same clubhouse, which features a well-stocked pro shop, The Thistle restaurant and bar, and an outdoor patio complete with a bar, grill, and oftentimes live music. Before your round, be sure to visit Crystal Mountain’s 10-acre learning center and practice facility. You’ll find a targeted grass range, along with a short game area featuring chipping and putting greens complete with sand bunkers for practicing. Everything you need for a quick tune-up before heading to the first tee! The Learning Center is also home to Crystal Mountain Golf School, which has been recognized as one of the best golf schools by Golf Digest. They feature a variety of single or multi-day lesson options including private, group, women-only, and juniors. Since opening in 1977, the Betsie Valley course has received many upgrades, most recently from the summer of 2021 to the spring of 2022. Renovations included widening the fairways, building new tee boxes, a forestry management project to clear out brush, redesigned cart paths, and more. Even with all of these changes, the course still retains its original character and is now more playable than ever before. Betsie Valley is spread across the rolling terrain which is blanketed in mature forests of pine and hardwoods. Water comes into play on several holes, and although there are only a few bunkers on the entire course, the majority of golfers tend to find at least one during their rounds. The tight, tree-lined fairways are often accented with wildflowers and lead to small, severely sloped greens making Betsie Valley more of a shot-maker’s course. Golfers are welcome to walk or ride the course. Remember those “few bunkers” I mentioned? Two of them are located just right of the 7th green, which is bad news for most golfers. It’s a short, 129-yard par 3 with a narrow approach that feeds errant tee shots right of the green and into those bunkers! You may think that the 10th hole is a short par 5, at only 444 yards, but as you stand on the tee box studying the dramatic uphill nature of the hole, all of a sudden 444 yards isn’t short anymore! In fact, it may play up to 75 yards longer! It’s a dogleg right that just seems to keep on turning, and with trees lining both sides of the fairway, it emphasizes shot control over distance. When it comes to accommodations, Crystal Mountain has the widest variety of any golf or ski resort—everything from hotel-style rooms that sleep two or four guests to mountainside homes that sleep up to 14. There are bungalows and cottages to choose from; all are equipped with everything you’ll need during your visit and, if you need something, just ask. They have the politest staff I have ever met. Crystal Mountain offers several dining alternatives from pizza and subs at Betsie River Pizza to casual fine dining at The Thistle. As its name implies, this Scottish-themed venue has something for everyone. Breakfast is served daily at the Wild Tomato with just about any breakfast food you can think of. They also serve lunch and dinner. During the winter, Wild Tomato adds several “igloos” to their property where you can enjoy a cocktail and shareables outside under the twinkling lights of the Michigan sky.
Caitlin Cain
Disappointment to say the least. This is a $120 round and unfortunately it is not at all worth the price. The carts are extremely outdated and just old- they need to upgrade these… They have no GPS tracking system (we went in the pro shop to buy a new rangefinder battery and conveniently they were sold out of those). The cart storage area up front was not impressive. No tees or divot tools were prepared in our cart. Range balls are not included in your $120 round - you have to pay for those too :) The course itself was not impressive. Some holes with water which were somewhat aesthetically pleasing, but for Crystal ‘Mountain’ - this course is a joke. It’s flat. Women’s tee box on 3 is an abomination (see photo below). Some holes were challenging. You’re best to take your money and go to Boyne Mountain and play the Monument or the Alpine for $20 more. Would not play this course again. Would give 1/5 starts truly, but their staff was really friendly and helpful! So 2/5.
Dean
Kaleb Beelen
Course layout is decent. The greens could use some love and restoration, and the traps aren't super well manicured. The real reason for the 2-Star was the fact that in front of us was several groups of very drunk people. I'm guessing a group of 30 or do. Not exaggerating, it took us 5 hours and 10 minutes to play our round. We started at 4:30 and didn't finish until 9:40pm which was quite frustrating. Saw the ranger once, but he didn't say anything.
Kaleb Beelen
Course layout is decent. The greens could use some love and restoration, and the traps aren't super well manicured. The real reason for the 2-Star was the fact that in front of us was several groups of very drunk people. I'm guessing a group of 30 or do. Not exaggerating, it took us 5 hours and 10 minutes to play our round. We started at 4:30 and didn't finish until 9:40pm which was quite frustrating. Saw the ranger once, but he didn't say anything.
Jay Roma
Initially I thought seeing 3 stars was a little harsh. Got to play it finally, the layout is awesome. Very cool course. The conditions, had I paid full price, I might have asked for my money back. I got this round on Groupgolfer and I think I paid $40. For $40, I would certainly play it again. For their SPRING rate at $85 I would have been really upset. Conditions were really bad. The staff and the facility are great. But the course was in such bad shape. Again, for the price I paid, I would play it again. But if I went peak season and paid $85+ I would have been really upset.
Dianne Johnson
There was no starter or bev cart, which the pro shop stated there would be. Also stated there cart staff would direct us but no staff out there. We took care of our own clubs. A bit disappointing. We will not return
Jay Roma
Initially I thought seeing 3 stars was a little harsh. Got to play it finally, the layout is awesome. Very cool course. The conditions, had I paid full price, I might have asked for my money back. I got this round on Groupgolfer and I think I paid $40. For $40, I would certainly play it again. For their SPRING rate at $85 I would have been really upset. Conditions were really bad. The staff and the facility are great. But the course was in such bad shape. Again, for the price I paid, I would play it again. But if I went peak season and paid $85+ I would have been really upset.
Jordan
Careful booking an online tee time. They’ll send you into a monsoon & unplayable course to take your $130 without letting you cancel. As with every course over the last 5 years, green fees have climbed precipitously without any of that being reinvested into the course. Not sure who these guys think they are, but go spend your money elsewhere
Jordan
Careful booking an online tee time. They’ll send you into a monsoon & unplayable course to take your $130 without letting you cancel. As with every course over the last 5 years, green fees have climbed precipitously without any of that being reinvested into the course. Not sure who these guys think they are, but go spend your money elsewhere
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Course Details
Access & Location
12328 Crystal Mountain Dr, Thompsonville, MI 49683, USA
Crystal Mountain Clubhouse with pro shop, The Thistle Restaurant, and outdoor patio seating
Walking is permitted and encouraged; course terrain is moderate—comfortable walking shoes with good traction are advised.
Open to resort guests and public; advance tee time reservations recommended during peak season.
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