Set just 500 yards from Lake Michigan along the same dune ridge of Mike Kieser’s Dunes Club, Lost Dunes Golf Club repurposed a flat-bottomed-abandoned sand quarry with visually stimulating bunkering and what Tom Doak refers to as “the most undulating set of greens I’ve ever built.” While the course occupies a serene setting with towering dunes, large lakes, and mature trees, it is also bisected by Interstate 94, similar to Oakmont and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. This bisection, along with swaths of environmental restrictions, created a routing nightmare for Doak to solve. Despite the multitude of hurdles, the sandy soils and creativity of Doak and his novice shapers created a unique golf course that’s highly playable off the tee and mentally invigorating (or perhaps infuriating) on the green.
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Take Note...
Lost Dunes. The dunes that once occupied this site are quite literally lost. Prior to the golf course, the land was used for sand mining which destroyed much of the natural dune landscape. What’s left are large, undisturbed dunes that sit on the perimeter of the course and are home to elevated back tees. In addition, the second green is strategically placed behind a large mound that resembles a dune but is actually a byproduct of the mining process.
Memorabilia. The Lost Dunes clubhouse is rich with sports memorabilia of all kinds. The most standout piece is the certified banner for the 1934 Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks that hangs from the rafters in the main dining area. A few other notable items include a signed Muhammad Ali robe and boxing gloves, Masters badges signed by each winner from the mid-80s to mid-2000s, and several other signed jerseys, helmets, and more.
Baked Goods and Beers. Ten minutes south of Lost Dunes is Luisa’s Swedish Bakery & Market. If you have a sweet tooth or need a baked good, Luisa’s is worth going out of your way for. Also, directly across the street from the Lost Dunes entrance is Haymarket Brewery and Taproom which has some fantastic beers and food. The outdoor patio space makes a terrific hangout spot for after the round.
