Land near the pin, for a 17-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Practice Programs
Complete Golf Practice Blueprint for Mackinaw Club
Discover tailored practice programs for this course.
Total Programs
13
13 complete programs built for this course
Unique Drills
75
Total unique drills across all programs
Skill Pillars
11
Accuracy · Aim · Alignment · Dispersion · Distance Control · Green Reading
Session Durations
7
3 days , 4 days , 5 days , 6 days , 7 days , 8 days , 9 days
Mackinaw Club Practice Profile
We've mapped a comprehensive practice profile for Mackinaw Club, identifying the specific skills this course demands most. The skill distribution below shows which areas of your game will be tested most frequently based on the hole-by-hole analysis (hole handicaps, stroke index, yardage, etc.), while the handicap ranges indicate the typical player profiles who perform well here.
Focus your practice on these key skills to maximize improvement and lower your scores. Check the practice programs below for targeted drills that address these specific skills.
Skill Distribution
Handicap Performance Insights
The handicap ranges shown represent the typical performance levels for this course. Players within these ranges can expect competitive scores, while those outside may yield benefits or may need additional practice in the highlighted skill areas to perform at their best.
Top Drills
Featured Drills for Mackinaw Club
Most-used drills from for this course. Practice as standalone drills or scroll down for full programs.
Sand | Perpendicular Ball Lines | Quadrants
Align a bucket of balls in the sand (avg. bucket is 40 balls) into 2 perpendicular lines 20 balls per line and stop sand shots inside quadrants. Count the number of successes.
All irons (9 to 2) | General Discovery
Discover tendencies by hitting various ball flights to various distances, using irons only. Hit one bucket of ~50 balls.
Sand | Perpendicular Ball Lines | 3 Landing Zones
Align a bucket of balls in the sand (avg. bucket is 40 balls) into 2 perpendicular lines 20 balls per line and hit-and-land sand shots inside landing zones. Count the number of successes.
All irons (9 to 2) | Tendencies Discovery
Discover tendencies amongst irons raise awareness, what is likely to happen in a given situation. Hit one bucket of ~50 balls.
Bump-n-Run | Perpendicular Ball Lines | 9 Stop Zones
Align a bucket of balls next to the green (avg. bucket is 40 balls) into 2 perpendicular lines 20 balls per line and stop bump-n-run shots inside 9 Stop Zones. Count the number of successful stops.
Bump-n-Run | Perpendicular Piles | 9 Stop Zones
Up to 5 players compete to stop a bump-n-run shot in the stop zone(s). The player with the most points at the end wins the challenge. One bucket of balls per player is needed.
Course Details
Everything you need to know about Mackinaw Club.
Contact Information
Phone
+44 (0)1250 872622
Fax
+44 (0) 1250 872622
info@mackinawclub.com
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Facilities
Location
11891 Mackinaw Hwy, Carp Lake, MI 49718, USA
Course Description
The Mackinaw Club is an 18-hole public golf course designed by Jerry Matthews located in Mackinaw City, Northern Michigan. The course winds through 310 acres of wetlands, forests, and open meadows, offering elevated bent grass greens and a challenging par-72 layout. It is open to the public and welcomes outings, with a driving range and a reputation for high-quality course conditions. The club has been recognized by Golf Week as one of the best courses to play in the region and is situated at 1891 Mackinaw Highway, Mackinaw City, MI 49701.
public golf course • michigan golf • mackinaw city golf • jerry matthews design • 18 hole golf • par 72 • driving range • bent grass greens • outings welcome • golf week best courses • scenic wetlands golf • open to the public • hole-in-one club • miles of farmland and forest golf • mackinaw club golf course • golf course • golfing • northern michigan • outdoor recreation • sports • recreation
Course Information
Holes
18
Par
72
Type
Parkland
Architect
Jerry Matthews
Opened
1997
Google Reviews
Mackinaw Club Social Media Presence
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Programs
Skill-Based Practice Programs for Mackinaw Club
We studied the course layout and prepared practice programs to lower your scores. The programs are purpose-built for each tee to align with the course strategy. Each program consists of curated drills, with pre-defined modules designed to deliver results.
Filter programs by category (select one)
Showing 13 Programs
% match to course practice profileStick chips near hole, for a 17-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Control short iron height, for a 30-handicap player, ~30 minutes.
Achieve distance consistency, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
14 Week Flagship Program for Mackinaw Club
A complete and progressive long-term development curriculum mapped from easier to harder drills, specifically for Mackinaw Club. Start with the basics and work your way towards more challenging drills. Commit to 14 weeks of training and get in proper shape. Four days counts as a week.
Short Game · Chip
Stop Ball on Dime
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 25.0
Short Game · Sand
Open up and let it fly: alignment for bunker shots
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 23.0
Short Game · Flop
Can you fly it over the bunker and stop it close?
Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 17.0
Short Game · Chip
Chip 10–25 Yds From Rough
Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 17.0
Short Game · Pitch
Land 3–4 Feet From Hole
Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 17.0
Driving Range · Short irons (9,8)
Control the height: spin and roll as needed
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 30.0
Driving Range · Wedges (LW,SW,GW,PW)
Center of the green: reduce spread on wedges
Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 17.0
Driving Range · Mid irons (7,6,5)
Challenge: eliminate off-target mid iron shots
Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 17.0
Driving Range · Driver
Driver Distance Consistency 200+ Yards
Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 17.0
Fly over bunker, for a 17-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Unlock Your Golf Potential
Get personalized coaching and custom training programs tailored to your game.
Get StartedSave par consistently, for a 13-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Save par on approaches, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Stop on a dime, for a 24-handicap player, ~20 minutes.
Vary landing spot, for a 25-handicap player, ~20 minutes.
Control mid iron rollout, for a 11-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Center green hits, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Eliminate off-target wedges, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Advanced accuracy, for a 1-handicap player, ~10 minutes.
Prepare for Tournaments at Mackinaw Club
Follow a complete multi-week structured practice program ahead of the upcoming events and arrive prepared.
No upcoming tournaments at this time.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Mackinaw Club
Get answers to common questions about playing Mackinaw Club and what to expect.
How difficult is Mackinaw Club for mid-handicap golfers?
Mackinaw Club presents a demanding test. The 120 slope rating keeps it accessible for developing players. The course rating of 70 reflects on scoring relative to par 72.
What tees should a 15 handicap play at Mackinaw Club?
A 15 handicap golfer should consider tees closer to 6000 yards. The back tees extend to 6500 yards, which makes approach shots longer and scoring more challenging.
What is considered a good score at Mackinaw Club?
With a course rating of 70 and par 72, a mid-handicap golfer would typically score in the mid to high 80s. Stronger players aiming to break 72 must manage approach shots and avoid penalty strokes.
How long is Mackinaw Club and how does yardage affect play?
At a full length of 6500 yards, it balances distance with positional strategy.
What type of course is Mackinaw Club and how should I play it?
Architecturally, it reflects a Parkland style. Overall, the setup will reward players who place the ball in safe positions far from hazards. Also, type of shot is more crucial rather than just trying to gain distance.
What features make Mackinaw Club strategically challenging?
The combination of a slope rating of 120 and yardage reaching 6500 yards creates consistent pressure on approach shots. You will need to balance risk and reward, especially on longer par 4s and protected greens.
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