Course Strategy Guide

Chestnut Hills Golf Course – Hole-by-Hole Guide, Tips, Yardages & Strategy

Generate your personalised course strategy guide for all 18 holes at Chestnut Hills Golf Course, Bear Lake, Michigan which sits at 838 ft above sea level.

Total Yardage
6,302 yds
Par
72
Slope Rating
129
Course Rating
71.8
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Hole 1

Par 4 • SI 17 • 348yd • Elevation: 838ft

1
Tee
1
Green
Typical Wind Direction

About Chestnut Hills Golf Course

Chestnut Hills Golf Course presents a golf experience that demands thoughtful course management and strategic shot selection. The course is set at 838 ft, so bear that in mind with club selection and yardage calculations throughout your round.

Chestnut Hills Golf Course offers multiple tee sets, each featuring distinct course and slope ratings for men and women. This dual-rating system allows golfers to choose a setup that accurately reflects the challenge level for their playing category.

The below tee-by-tee breakdown gives golfers valuable yardage insights and helps them choose the setup that best matches their game, ensuring a challenge that rewards smart course management, strategic tee decisions, and well-planned landing areas.

Golfer on golf course
Golfer hitting from bunker

The prevailing wind, which typically comes from the West, adds an important layer of strategy to every round. This consistent wind direction influences club selection, ideal landing areas, and overall ball flight, making it essential for golfers to factor wind into their course management and approach planning. A detailed yardage guide or strategy guide can offer helpful tips for adjusting to these wind conditions.

Chestnut Hills Golf Course features 22 bunkers and 3 water hazards, each positioned to influence both tee strategy and approach play in subtle but meaningful ways. These hazards shape ideal landing areas and reward golfers who plan their shots carefully. Maintaining accurate yardage for each club and understanding how these features affect decision-making is essential for navigating the course efficiently and minimizing mistakes.

Whether you're planning your first round or looking to improve your strategy, a detailed course management approach with proper yardage calculations and club selection tips will help you navigate Chestnut Hills Golf Course more effectively. The elevation changes, combined with the strategic hazard placement, make this a course where course management and smart decision-making often trump raw distance.

Scorecard & Yardages

Course Statistics & Highlights

578
Longest Hole (yards)
127
Shortest Hole (yards)
350
Average Hole Length
4
Par 3 Holes

Front 9

Total Yardage:3035 yards
Total Par:36
Average Yardage:337 yards

Back 9

Total Yardage:3267 yards
Total Par:36
Average Yardage:363 yards

Hardest Holes

Hole 4Par 5456 yards
Handicap 1
Hole 14Par 4404 yards
Handicap 2
Hole 7Par 4377 yards
Handicap 3

Easiest Holes

Hole 11Par 4310 yards
Handicap 18
Hole 1Par 4348 yards
Handicap 17
Hole 17Par 3182 yards
Handicap 16

Nearby Golf Courses to Chestnut Hills Golf Course

If you're playing golf in Bear Lake, Michigan, there are several other golf courses nearby that are worth exploring. Below are courses close to Chestnut Hills Golf Course, along with their distance, tee difficulty ranges, par, and total yardage.

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is Chestnut Hills Golf Course for a 15 handicap?

Chestnut Hills Golf Course offers multiple tee sets with varying difficulty levels:

  • Blue tees (Men): Course rating 71.8, Slope rating 129
  • Blue tees (Women): Course rating 77.3, Slope rating 139
  • White tees (Men): Course rating 68.5, Slope rating 122
  • White tees (Women): Course rating 74, Slope rating 135
  • Red tees (Men): Course rating 63.8, Slope rating 110
  • Red tees (Women): Course rating 67.7, Slope rating 115

A 15 handicap golfer should expect a moderate test of their skills, with strategic course management being key to scoring well.

What tees should I play at Chestnut Hills Golf Course?

Chestnut Hills Golf Course offers multiple tee sets to accommodate different skill levels:

  • Blue tees: 6302 yards
  • White tees: 5709 yards
  • Red tees: 4656 yards

Choose tees that match your average driving distance and skill level for the most enjoyable round.

What are the hardest holes on Chestnut Hills Golf Course?

The hardest hole at Chestnut Hills Golf Course (stroke index 1) varies by tee set and gender:

  • Blue tees (Men): Hole 4 (Par 5, 456 yards, stroke index 1)
  • Blue tees (Women): Hole 4 (Par 5, 456 yards, stroke index 1)
  • White tees (Men): Hole 4 (Par 5, 403 yards, stroke index 1)
  • White tees (Women): Hole 4 (Par 5, 403 yards, stroke index 1)
  • Red tees (Men): Hole 4 (Par 5, 375 yards, stroke index 1)
  • Red tees (Women): Hole 4 (Par 5, 375 yards, stroke index 1)

These holes typically feature strategic hazards, elevation changes, and require precise shot placement. A personalized course strategy guide can help identify the most challenging holes based on your specific game.

What hazards should I watch out for at Chestnut Hills Golf Course?

Chestnut Hills Golf Course features 22 bunkers and 3 water hazards strategically placed throughout the course. With this many bunkers, you should definitely practice your bunker play ahead of time and be prepared for challenging sand shots throughout your round. While water hazards are present, they're limited in number, so you won't need to worry as much about water coming into play on most holes. Understanding the location and impact of these hazards is crucial for scoring well, which is why a personalized course strategy guide can be so valuable for navigating the course effectively.

How does wind affect play at Chestnut Hills Golf Course?

The prevailing wind at Chestnut Hills Golf Course typically comes from the West, which plays a significant role in club selection and shot strategy throughout your round. When playing into the wind, focus on keeping the ball low and maintaining control, as higher shots will be more affected by the wind conditions. When the wind is at your back, you can take advantage of the extra distance, but be careful not to overshoot your target. Being able to work the ball—shaping shots left or right to counteract the wind—is a valuable skill that will help you navigate the course more effectively. Adjusting your yardage calculations and club selection based on wind conditions, along with understanding how to keep the ball under the wind when necessary, can help you avoid costly mistakes and score better.

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