A-Ga-Ming — Torch

Torch Lake is one of the clearest inland lakes in the United States, and the Torch course at A-Ga-Ming occupies a hillside position above its eastern shore that puts the water in view from numerous points on the routing. The lake is the first thing golfers notice and the last thing they remember, which is both the course's greatest asset and a fair summary of its character. This is a layout where the setting does substantial work.

The course was originally designed by Chick Harbert in 1974 and rerouted by Jerry Matthews in 2005. The Matthews redesign improved the flow of the routing and took better advantage of the hillside terrain, creating a course that plays through a series of elevation changes with the lake as a near-constant visual reference. At 6,693 yards with a slope of 133, the Torch is accessible to a wide range of golfers without being a pushover. The difficulty comes primarily from the sloped lies and the green complexes, which are built into the hillside and require careful attention to where approach shots land.

The hillside positioning creates natural drama on several holes without requiring the kind of heroic forced carries that can frustrate higher-handicap golfers. Tee shots that find the fairway leave manageable approaches, and the greens, while contoured, are large enough to accept a range of shot shapes. The course succeeds as a layout that can be enjoyed by golfers of varying abilities, which is appropriate for its role as a public course serving both locals and visitors.

A-Ga-Ming sits in Kewadin, roughly 25 minutes northeast of Traverse City, making it one of the most convenient courses in the northern Michigan market for golfers based in the Traverse City area. The proximity to town, combined with green fees of $65 to $105, positions the Torch as an ideal complement to the more expensive and more demanding courses on a multi-day itinerary. It is the round that balances a trip, offering relaxed golf with views that rival anything in the region at a fraction of the premium-course price.

The par 72 layout at 6,693 yards with a slope of 133 is forgiving enough from the middle tees to accommodate higher-handicap golfers while still presenting decisions for lower-handicap players who choose to play from the back. The routing includes a good mix of hole lengths and shapes, with several par 4s that offer risk-reward options off the tee and par 3s that play to different compass points, varying the wind exposure. The greens are well maintained and putt honestly, without the extreme contour that can frustrate recreational golfers on more ambitious layouts.

The proximity to Traverse City, combined with the accessible pricing, makes A-Ga-Ming Torch a natural fit for the opening or closing round of a northern Michigan trip. It works particularly well on arrival day, when the goal is to shake off travel fatigue with an enjoyable round rather than to face a demanding test on tired legs. The views of Torch Lake provide a proper introduction to the northern Michigan landscape, and the course serves as a reminder that the region's appeal is not limited to its most expensive or most celebrated layouts.

The season runs from May through October, consistent with the broader northern Michigan window. Late afternoon rounds in June and July, when the light settles across Torch Lake and the temperature drops to a comfortable range, are particularly rewarding. The course does not demand the same level of course management as the region's top-tier layouts, which makes it a good choice for days when the goal is enjoyment rather than examination.