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You’re driving down Stoney Creek Road, basically in the middle of nowhere on the border of Oakland and Macomb County, and then you see it. A massive rustic barn and a sign that sounds more like a fantasy novel than a fairway. The Myth Golf Course. It’s one of those places that people in Southeast Michigan either love to pieces or swear they'll never set foot on again. Honestly, the name alone sets a high bar, but is it a hidden gem or just a lot of marketing hype?
If you’ve spent any time looking for a tee time in the Rochester or Lake Orion area, you've probably seen their photos. Long wooden boardwalks snaking through thick Michigan pines and marshland. It looks like something you’d find in Traverse City, not forty minutes from Detroit. But the reality of playing here is a bit more complicated than the glossy brochure pictures suggest.
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What Actually Is the Myth Golf Michigan?
Basically, it’s a 27-hole facility managed by the Vargo Golf Company. You have the main "Regulation" 18-hole course, which is a par 71, and then there’s the "Little Myth," which is a 9-hole par-3 course.
The main course was designed by David Calhoun and opened back in 1991. Back then, it was actually called Beaver Creek Golf Links. If you talk to some of the old-timers in the area, they still call it that. It was rebranded to "The Myth" to lean into that "Up North" vibe people crave without the four-hour drive on I-75.
The layout is tight. Like, really tight.
If you’re the kind of golfer who likes to grip it and rip it with a massive slice, you’re going to have a bad day. You’ll probably lose twenty balls. I’m not even kidding. The course is built on mounded topography and surrounded by wetlands and woods. Most holes require you to carry your shot over marshes or ponds just to reach the fairway.
The Layout Breakdown
- Total Yardage: 6,206 yards from the back tees.
- Slope/Rating: 130 slope and a 70.3 rating.
- The Signature Trait: Those wooden boardwalks. Seriously, the cart paths are one of the coolest parts of the experience, even if they're a bit bumpy.
Why Some Golfers Honestly Hate It
Let's get real for a second. The Myth gets some pretty stinging reviews on sites like GolfPass and 18Birdies. Why? Usually, it comes down to two things: pace of play and conditioning.
Because the course is so penal—meaning if you miss the fairway, your ball is gone into a swamp—people spend forever looking for their Pro V1s. This leads to massive backups. It’s not uncommon for a weekend round to stretch into the five-and-a-half-hour range. If you're a fast player, that’s basically torture.
Then there's the condition. In recent years, players have complained about patchy fairways and beat-up tee boxes. One reviewer recently joked that the fairways looked like they were "lit on fire." While that’s probably a bit of an exaggeration, it’s true that The Myth doesn't always have the pristine, manicured look of a private club like The Wyndgate down the road. But then again, you aren't paying private club prices.
The "Little Myth" and Why It’s Actually Great
If the big course sounds too stressful, the Little Myth 9-hole Par 3 is surprisingly fun.
It’s perfect for beginners or if you just want to work on your short game. The holes range from a tiny 84-yard wedge shot over water to about 146 yards. It’s cheap, it’s quick, and it’s way less intimidating than the main track. If you have kids or a spouse who is just starting out, this is arguably one of the best spots in Oakland County to take them.
More Than Just a Golf Course
You can't talk about the Myth Golf Michigan without mentioning the weddings.
Honestly, the banquet side of the business seems to be what keeps the lights on. They have this massive, rustic barn-style clubhouse that can hold about 225 people. It’s got vaulted ceilings, knotty pine everywhere, and a huge deck overlooking an island green.
It’s voted as one of the most romantic wedding venues in Michigan pretty regularly. Even if the greens on the course are having a rough week, the banquet hall is usually top-notch. They do everything there: bridal showers, holiday parties, and even "winter weddings" where the floor-to-ceiling windows look out over the snow-covered fairways. It’s a vibe.
Getting the Most Out of Your Round
If you’re going to play here, you need a strategy. Don't just show up and expect a casual stroll.
- Bring "Water Balls": Unless you’re a scratch golfer, don't use your best balls. The wetlands eat golf balls for breakfast.
- Check the Tee Times: Try to go on a weekday morning if you can. Saturdays at 10:00 AM are notorious for those 5-hour rounds.
- Appreciate the Scenery: Even if you're playing like garbage, the views are genuinely pretty. Crossing the marshes on those long wooden bridges feels like a nature hike with clubs.
- The Turn: They have a decent pro shop and the usual hot dogs and beer at the turn. The staff is generally pretty friendly, even if they’re sometimes overwhelmed by the crowds.
Practical Insights for Your Visit
The Myth is located at 850 Stoney Creek Rd, Oakland, MI 48363.
Don't confuse it with other courses nearby like Blackheath or Copper Hills, though they all share that rugged, hilly terrain common in this part of Michigan. If you're coming from Detroit or Royal Oak, it’s a straight shot up I-75 to M-24.
Is it the best course in Michigan? No. But it offers a specific type of challenge that you don't find at your local muni. It’s tight, it’s scenic, and it’s unapologetically difficult for the average golfer.
If you want to play, book your tee time online through their website or a third-party app, but keep an eye on recent reviews for course conditions. If they’ve had a lot of rain, the course can get pretty swampy. If it’s been a drought, the fairways might be a bit crispy.
Ultimately, The Myth is exactly what it claims to be: a bit of Northern Michigan tucked away in the Detroit suburbs. Just make sure you bring an extra sleeve of balls. You're going to need them.