True to its name, The Alpine Course at Boyne Mountain offers a golf experience shaped by dramatic elevation changes, breathtaking vistas and unforgettable holes as it winds gracefully down its Northern Michigan mountainside.

Early morning tee times reveal the mountain at its most enchanting. A veil of fog blankets the slopes, gradually lifting to unveil a towering landscape that inspires equal parts awe and anticipation. It’s a preview of the exciting challenges and serene beauty awaiting your round.

Designed by Bill Newcomb and opened in 1972, The Alpine’s mature trees frame each fairway, not only speaking to the course’s history but also creating a sense of seclusion that allows you to immerse yourself in the moment. The tranquility of the mountain amplifies the unique character of the round from start to finish.

The journey to the first tee is an adventure in itself: a 10-minute cart ride that feels akin to a ski lift, winding past winter slopes awaiting snowfall.

Upon arrival, players are rewarded with a panoramic view of SkyBridge Michigan and the expansive valleys below, setting the stage for an unforgettable round.

Shivering slightly in the crisp mountain air, Paul, Rich, Brian and I stood on the first tee, soaking in the stunning vista.

With excitement building, we teed off into the heart of this spectacular course, ready to embrace all it had to offer.

A Hole-By-Hole Overview of The ALpine Course

Hole 1

The first hole sets the tone for the rest of the round on The Alpine.

This downhill dogleg left features steep elevation change and required target placement off the tee. While this shaped hole suits my draw, I started the day with a nice top and promptly used my “breakfast ball.”

This was probably the narrowest fairway of the day and the hole players are most penalized on if out of position off the tee.

The greens complex is guarded by sneaky trees and a large sand complex. To add to the challenge, a fast and sloping green will test if you really spent enough time at the practice area.

Hole 2

Serious “Alpine” vibes make hole two one of my favorites on the course.

Although a shorter par four, a water hazard forces a layup off the tee and an accurate approach to stay dry.

My favorite feature on two was the bridge connecting its green to the third tee box. This simple structure made me feel like I was in the Swiss Alps.

Holes 4 and 5

Halfway through the front nine, it’s finally time to let the big stick go for a walk!

The fourth and fifth holes are characterized with gradual elevation changes, unique bunkering and overall length.

I think both of these holes are set up well to appeal to any level of golfer with plenty of forgiveness off the tee, risk/reward opportunities and large greens to catch approach shots.

While I normally avoid sand at all costs, the grass islands inside bunkers are very unique features on these holes. I would however recommend enjoying these mirages from a distance as the bunkering on this entire course will test even the most seasoned sand player.

The Alpine provides great opportunities for watching wildlife, too. A small group of apple trees on the front nine provided a perfect gathering spot for deer during the early morning mist. They weren’t at all phased by our presence and were respectfully quiet patrons as we tapped in our putts.

Hole 6

The sixth might be one of the best par fours on the entire property at Boyne Mountain. With a fairway that bends slightly right to left, this is a long (451/433 from the two back tees) hole with trouble lurking all around, including three bunkers off the left side of the fairway, trees to the right and a green that has significantly more break in it than appears to the eye.

Hole 7

A descending par three offers a “what you see is what you get” opportunity as you stand on the seventh tee box.

With a generous green flanked by large traps, the hole is framed well by its surrounding tree line. Although the hole seems relatively simple I found it to be quite intimidating. The sand bunkers seemed to be ball magnets on this course, in general.

Hole 8

A long par five, the eighth plays slightly left-to-right off the tee and then significantly downhill to a picturesque green site surrounded by trees.

Hole 9

The ninth is one of the toughest, most scenic holes on the entire Alpine Course, featuring a right-to-left fairway that bends around a tree line and finishes in an imposing, beautiful greens site.

Position off the tee is key here as anything but the fairway will bring one of its four greenside bunkers into play, or worse out-of-bounds to the left.

Hole 10

As you round the turn the course begins to descend the mountain back toward the clubhouse.

Hole 10 allows for aggressive play if you can shape a drive around the dogleg to set up a short approach. The more risk-averse option off the tee is just fine, too, and will leave a mid-iron shot that plays a touch shorter because of the elevation drop.

This green is scary fast but the slope can be used to funnel approach shots.

Hole 11

A “fun” little par three, the 11th will either leave you with a satisfying par or a head-shaking double.

The large green is surprisingly hard to hit and even if you do a three-putt is waiting.

Paul and I were both able to stick our approach shots close. He drained a nice birdie and I had to scramble to make par after my first putt caught the dangerous front slope.

The deer that watched us play this hole seemed to have understanding in their eyes as some of us walked off the green with heads hanging low.

Hole 12

A monster par 5 with a textbook dogleg awaits on the 12th tee box.

I personally found this to be one of the best views on the course as we were able to survey a good portion of its remaining holes. A good drive is required to leave a peek around the corner for your second shot. Be wary of trying to cut too much off the left, though, as mature trees and waist-high fescue will swallow any ball that head their way.

Believe it or not the tee shot is the easiest part of 12 as the second swing dares players to leave their setup 150 yards short or take on the water that guards the entire right side. Our group made several donations to the golfing gods here!

A mounded green demands a highly lofted shot to stick and the bunkers that guard the front approach will test even the best bunker player. Bunker Brian dunked an amazing shot from the sand here en route to the ultimate scrambling par!

Hole 13

One of the tightest driving holes on the golf course, the 13th is a long par four through a tree line to an elevated green with two huge sand traps fronting it.

Hole 14

The 14th showcases some of Newcomb’s most creative bunkering, utilizing a spattering of traps off the fairway to distract golfers’ eyes from their actual target which is the tallest tree in the distance.

A highly elevated green is surrounded by more traps, making this a great hole to dial in your accuracy on.

Hole 15

Decisions, decisions, decisions!

A wishbone-shaped fairway characterizes the 15th, and I found it to be one of the most unique holes on the Alpine Course.

Both fade- and draw-biased players will appreciate the setup of this hole layout. If you’re like Paul and never know which way your ball is headed, feel free to aim right down the middle at the big group of trees and see what happens. Playing up the right side allows players to eliminate a significant amount of distance, but you’ll have to contend with the pond off the tee.

The only bunkers on this hole reside near the green and leave enough open space for error on the approach. This is a great birdie opportunity if you can play the hole up the right.

Hole 16

The final holes on The Alpine are demanding, including the par four 16th, par three 17th and par five 18th.

The 16th is straightforward off the tee: Just hit the fairway. From there, though, players will have the option of going for the green in two or laying up for an easier wedge shot.

The green here is separated from the fairway by a sizable pond, so make sure you hit your approach shot clean

Hole 17

Even with an intimidating visual over water toward dense woods, the 17th was my favorite par three on the Alpine Course.

Measuring a comfortable 150-160 yards, be sure to take an extra club on the 17th tee shot as a hard front slope is difficult to see but will grab hold of anything short.

I hit my shot long and left and had an impossible putt at a back pin location. I walked away with a disappointing bogey and more respect for the challenge of this green.

Hole 18

The final descent to the clubhouse will use up any remaining strength you have.

This 562-yard behemoth has it all. A tough tee shot makes you decide whether to clear the water at 255 or hit a tight fairway off to the right. Large bunkers guard the perfect layup location and more water right in front of the green demands perfect placement.

If you manage to hit two great shots you can be aggressive on your third and hopefully set yourself up for a birdie. If you have any final bets or were counting on a par five birdie opportunity, chances are you may walk away disappointed.

Alpine Adventures Await

Before setting foot on The Alpine Course at Boyne Mountain, my only “Alpine” experience was watching Julie Andrews twirl through the Austrian mountains in The Sound of Music.

Little did I know that the brisk drive up Boyne’s mountainside to the first tee – through a veil of morning mist and into a golden sunrise – would create its own unforgettable, cinematic moment. The sense of anticipation as we soaked in the stunning views at the first tee set the tone for a round that was equal parts scenic, challenging and enchanting.

What makes The Alpine truly special is its ability to cater to golfers of all skill levels.

Bill Newcomb’s design offers forgiving fairways that welcome players with higher handicaps while simultaneously presenting strategic risk/reward opportunities for more seasoned players. Each hole invites careful decision-making, from the precise layups required on shorter par fours to the bold approach shots demanded by its dramatic fives.

The course’s unique bunkering, quickly sloping putting surfaces and perfectly manicured green surrounds reminded us of many high-end country clubs. These tightly mown approach areas add to the challenge, as well, ensuring every player feels a sense of accomplishment (or frustration) regardless of score.

The elevation changes are breathtaking, both visually and in terms of playability. From the downhill doglegs that tempt you to go for broke to the serene par threes framed by towering tree lines, every hole feels like a story unfolding.

Some, like the wishbone-shaped 15th or the intimidating 18th, are punctuated by moments of decision that can make or break your round. Even when the course humbles you – which it probably will – it does so with a beauty that keeps your spirits high.

Adding to the charm is the setting itself. Wildlife sightings, like deer gathered under apple trees, enhance the tranquil, mountain-immersed atmosphere. These details, combined with the Alpine-style bridges and vistas of SkyBridge Michigan, make players feel as though they’ve stepped into a postcard.

The magic of The Alpine lies in its balance. It’s rare to find a course that challenges without overwhelming, inspires awe without distraction, and invites everyone – from weekend warriors to low-handicappers – to be immersed in the experience.

Whether drawn by its scenic beauty and strategic design, or the allure of conquering one of Boyne Mountain’s signature challenges, The Alpine delivers a uniquely mountainous Midwest experience where, just maybe, Julie Andrews’ spirit still twirls through the mist.

The Alpine Course at Boyne Mountain Website

All original photography in this article by Paul Seifert, Troy Giljohann and Brian Murphy for WiscoGolfAddict