Forest Dunes | The One That Set the Bar

The Range

Forest Dunes keeps things fresh with a rotating range setup—near tees one day, far tees the next—so you’re always hitting off prime turf into the same target field. The range itself is spacious, with clearly marked target flags and enough room to loosen up without feeling rushed. Balls are always stocked and set up for you, and the practice green sits conveniently near the first tee, making it easy to roll a few putts right before you start. There’s also a chipping area where you can work on your short game if you arrive early. The starter? Friendly and easygoing—exactly the vibe you’d expect from a course of this caliber. Everything about the warm-up experience feels dialed in and effortless.

The Round

Forest Dunes kicked off the journey, and it couldn’t have been a better tone-setter. I showed up carrying a bit of road dust and that usual “Do I even know how to swing a club?” pre-trip doubt. Didn’t take long for the course to answer that. This place is pristine—one of those rare tracks where you feel like the only person out there, and the conditions are so pure they make your mishits feel polite.

I played the main Forest Dunes course, not The Loop, and honestly? The design is one of the best balances of playability and challenge I’ve ever walked. Wide fairways that forgive just enough, greens that reward a confident stroke, and bunkering that’s more strategic than punitive. It’s smart, beautiful golf.

The Holes

• Front Nine: Meant for settling in. A gentle handshake from the starter, but don’t get too comfortable. The par 5s are where you can pick up shots, but only if you navigate the fairway bunkers and stay aggressive without getting greedy.
• Back Nine: Turns up the heat. Holes start to shape harder, views get bolder, and the closing stretch asks for your full attention.
• 18th: A strong closer. It doesn’t try to trick you—it just says, “Hey, you better finish with a good swing or this could get expensive.”

And Then…

The 19th Hole.

Yes, it’s real. The actual 19th hole. A short par 3 island green, smack dab in the middle of the green is a pot bunker— yeah, it’s true. More vibe than scorecard, but no less intense. After the round, it’s tradition. Grab a drink, throw a couple wedges in the bag, and go settle the day with one more shot.

Me? I flushed it to the middle of the green. Might be the best shot I hit all day. And it didn’t even count. But damn, it felt good.

The Vibe

The whole day was golf zen. Quiet, peaceful, but never boring. The way the light moves through the pines, the routing that keeps you guessing, and the solitude—it’s a place that lets you get lost in the round and find yourself a bit by the end. Played solo. Played free.

The Takeaway

Forest Dunes isn’t just a bucket list stop—it’s a reminder that golf, when done right, can heal. It’s not loud or over-the-top. It’s thoughtful. It’s balanced. It’s just right.

And that 19th hole? That’s just the cherry on top of an already perfect sundae.

🧾 On the Road Golf Scorecard™ | Forest Dunes

🏆 Overall Golf Score: 9.2 – Golf Zen in the Pine