A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort

This weekend's featured destination is none other than A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort, near Traverse City. Meaning “on the shore” in Native American tongue, A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort spans 600 acres of pristine Northern Michigan golf paradise. Home to three championship courses — Torch, Antrim Dells and Sundance — and offering some of the best views in the state, make sure you bring your love for the game as well as your camera.

Hugging the shores of world-renowned Torch Lake, A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort isn't just another round of golf, no matter which course you head out on. Designed by Michigan's own Jerry Matthews, the Antrim Dells course has been a premier Golf Digest Four-Star destination for over 30 years and has even served as the co-host of the Michigan Amateur. Carved between two valleys, Antrim Dells paces off a respectable 6,606 yards from the back of three sets of tees.

The front nine is fairly wide open, and offers a you a chance to dial in your driver swing without much penalty. Making the turn is a different story, however. While power may have gotten you through the first nine, patience and control is the key to going low on the back. Cut from the majestic hardwoods, these fairways tighten up considerably, and that power fade you hit three fairways over from the first tee without much penalty is going to cost you on the back nine.

Renamed in 2005, the Torch Course was the original 18 holes at A-Ga-Ming, and has since been revamped to enhance your golf experience. Also adorned with a four-star rating by Golf Digest, the course is named for the lake it overlooks. Without question, Torch offers some of most spectacular views of Torch Lake, and is often regarded as one of the most scenic courses in all of Michigan. Taking you on a 6,612-yard sightseeing tour, Torch has the capability to eat you up with its 133 slope rating if you get a little too distracted by your gorgeous surroundings. Offering plenty of opportunity for risk to equal reward, the long hitter stands a good chance to go low on the Torch course with reachable par-5s, moderate par-4s and flawless putting surfaces.

The newest jewel added to the crown at A-Ga-Ming is the Sundance course. With a solid 4.5-star rating as well as the No. 3 "Best New Course in the Country" by Golf Digest in 2006, Sundance is purely awesome. Sundance offers an enticing blend of links-style golf coupled with pure Northern Michigan landscape. Choose one of five sets of tees from which to navigate the 6,932 yards of wide, heather-lined fairways, some 110 windswept bunkers and tournament-quality greens kept manicured to perfection. Bottom line: Sundance ought to be on your "bucket list" of golf, if it's not already.

A-Ga-Ming also offers an incredible practice facility to work out the kinks. Multiple chipping and putting areas are available for getting rid of the yips, and PGA Instructors can provide all the additional instruction you may need. Be sure to stop in the pro shop to snag a couple souvenirs as well as check out the fully stocked inventor from the biggest names in golf.

Looking for a good meal after a long day on the course? Look no further. Antrim Dells offers a weekend fish and prime rib dinner, and the views from the decks offer a great ambiance to blend great food with great company. The relaxed atmosphere will make you feel right at home, and the quality and attentive service will keep you coming back for years to come.

For a relaxed time full of great memories and incredible golf, head up north to the spectacular A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort!