An independent, unbiased review of The Fortressin Saginaw County, Michigan using the Michigan Golf Matrix Scoring System. We consider all public Michigan Golf Courses for review. This post may contain referral/affiliate links. Please read our disclosure for more info.
Front 9: Par 36
Back 9: Par 36
Overall Course: (all 18) Par 72
Yardage: Gold tees – 4,837; Maroon tees – 6,271: Black tees – 6,813
Stimp meter: 10.3
Clubhouse and Amenities – Rating 8.77
The Clubhouse at The Fortress in Frankenmuth, Michigan offers a delightful experience for golfers and visitors alike. Inside, you’ll find a large variety of apparel, including caps, shirts, shorts, jackets, and blankets, all reasonably priced. The pro shop provides a decent selection of equipment such as balls, tees, ball markers, divot tools, gloves, bags, and clubs, all at average prices. The Fortress Pavilion features a full menu for dining, along with hot dogs, wraps, small sandwiches, and packaged items like candy and chips for grab-and-go players. There’s also a full bar serving beer, soda, and other beverages.
With amenities such as a target-oriented driving range, chipping green, putting green, and practice bunker, enjoy space to work on all characteristics of golf. The carts are in top shape, the cart paths are well-maintained, and parking is outstanding with a convenient bag drop service. The impeccable service all around enhances the overall experience at The Fortress and makes it a great place for special events.
The Fortress Front Nine
Hole 1 – Par 5 – Rating 6.86
Gold: 415 yds
Maroon: 494 yds
Black: 522 yds
Start your round from medium-sized, level, elevated tees, offering a clear view of the rolling fairway ahead. Flanked by trees with medium rough on either side, the path forward is straightforward and hazard-free. The well-maintained fringe surrounds a large, receptive green. The putting surface is medium speed, rolling, and tiered, with a slope from back to front.
Hole 2 – Par 3 – Rating 7.14
Gold: 82 yds
Maroon: 140 yds
Black: 167 yds
This challenge begins with large, level tee boxes providing a comfortable start. The play requires a shot over a small stream water hazard. The absence of a fairway directs players toward a rolling approach, with medium-length rough bordering the path. Real sand bunkers are strategically placed. The approach is met with a well-maintained fringe that encircles a large, tiered green. This putting surface is both receptive and medium in speed.
Hole 3 – Par 4 – Rating 7.71
Gold: 342 yds
Maroon: 431 yds
Black: 456 yds
This par 4 begins with large, level tees that set the stage for an inviting drive. The rolling fairway takes a dogleg right with medium-length rough and patches of fescue that border the fairway, ready to catch any wayward shots. Real sand bunkers are placed throughout, with multiple rakes available to keep them in pristine condition. Approaching the green, players encounter a well-maintained fringe that leads to a large, receptive putting surface. The green itself is medium in putting speed.
Hole 4 – Par 3 – Rating 7.33
Gold: 83 yds
Maroon: 119 yds
Black: 149 yds
The second par 3 of the course features large, level tee blocks that provide an ideal starting point for the hole. Golfers must tee off over a gully, navigating a stream water hazard below. The large green is well-guarded by medium rough and real sand bunkers equipped with multiple rakes to maintain their pristine condition. Surrounding the green is a well-maintained fringe, leading to a receptive and medium speed putting surface.
Hole 5 – Par 4 – Rating 8.00
Gold: 275 yds
Maroon: 324 yds
Black: 353 yds
This hole starts with large, level tees that guide players onto a rolling fairway, which plays uphill. The medium rough borders the fairway, while fairway bunkers, kept in great shape, lie in wait for errant drives. As players approach the green, they must be wary of the pond water hazard situated to the left. The green is large and well-protected by real sand bunkers. Surrounding the green is a maintained fringe, leading to a tiered, rolling putting surface. The green is receptive, sloping from back to front, and runs at a medium speed.
Hole 6 – Par 5 – Rating 8.00
Gold: 390 yds
Maroon: 467 yds
Black: 501 yds
The second par 5 on the front nine features large, level tees that open up to a flat fairway. The fairway is bordered by medium-length rough and a pond water hazard that runs forward from the tee down the right side. Real sand bunkers and expansive waste bunkers are strategically placed. As players approach the green, there is a maintained fringe and a large putting surface. This green is fast, receptive, and slopes from back to front.
Hole 7 – Par 4 – Rating 8.00
Gold: 288 yds
Maroon: 390 yds
Black: 437 yds
This hole starts from small, level tees, pointing players to a flat fairway bordered by medium-length rough. The fairway is guarded by excellent fairway bunkers, strategically placed. These bunkers, along with the greenside ones, are filled with real sand and maintained with multiple rakes. There is a well-maintained fringe and a large, receptive putting surface. The green itself is fast and slopes from back to front.
Hole 8 – Par 4 – Rating 7.67
Gold: 278 yds
Maroon: 378 yds
Black: 409 yds
Start with level, medium-sized tee blocks that lead to a rolling fairway, which flattens out in areas and plays downhill. The fairway is bordered by medium rough; fairway bunkers are strategically placed and in great condition. Near the green, players must navigate real sand bunkers greenside, each equipped with multiple rakes. The well-maintained fringe surrounds a large, receptive green that runs at a fast speed.
Hole 9 – Par 4 – Rating 8.00
Gold: 325 yds
Maroon: 437 yds
Black: 453 yds
As you head back to the clubhouse, the final hole on the front nine offers large, level tees leading to a rolling fairway. The fairway sides are medium rough and there are no hazards to this hole. At the green, players find a well-maintained fringe around the large, receptive green that runs at a fast speed.
Average Rating Holes 1-9: 7.63
The Fortress Back Nine
Hole 10 – Par 4 – Rating 8.00
Gold: 272 yds
Maroon: 336 yds
Black: 369 yds
The back nine starts with large, level tee boxes that provide a clear view of the flat fairway ahead. Medium-length rough edges the fairway. Expect real sand bunkers strategically placed along the fairway and near the green and equipped with multiple rakes. The large, receptive green has a well-maintained fringe, is rolling and runs at a fast speed.
Hole 11 – Par 4 – Rating 8.00
Gold: 254 yds
Maroon: 363 yds
Black: 391 yds
This challenging hole begins with large, level tees leading to a rolling fairway that plays uphill. The long rough on either side adds difficulty, while outstanding fairway bunkers test accuracy with their strategic placements. All bunkers have real sand and multiple rakes. Approaching the green, you encounter a well-maintained fringe that transitions to a large, receptive putting surface. The green slopes from back to front and runs at a fast speed.
Hole 12 – Par 3 – Rating 8.00
Gold: 109 yds
Maroon: 181 yds
Black: 209 yds
The first par 3 on the back nine features large, level tees that set the stage for an uphill play. The shot is framed by medium rough and patches of fescue. A large bunker on the right, along with other strategically placed bunkers, all filled with real sand and equipped with multiple rakes, guard the approach to the green. The large green, surrounded by a well-maintained fringe, offers a receptive, rolling surface that runs at a fast speed.
Hole 13 – Par 4 – Rating 7.75
Gold: 315 yds
Maroon: 410 yds
Black: 443 yds
This hole features level, large tee blocks leading to a flat fairway that gently doglegs left around a picturesque pond water hazard. Another pond water hazard lies to the right, making accuracy paramount. Strategically placed real sand bunkers have with multiple rakes. Bordering the green is a well-maintained fringe, leading to a large, tiered putting surface. The green is both receptive and fast in putting speed.
Hole 14 – Par 5 – Rating 8.00
Gold: 398 yds
Maroon: 496 yds
Black: 523 yds
The first par 5 on the back nine begins with large, level tees that provide a commanding view of the rolling fairway ahead. Edged by medium rough and patches of fescue, the fairway runs downhill, inviting long drives. Real sand bunkers, placed throughout, are all well-maintained with multiple rakes available. As players approach the green, they encounter a carefully tended fringe. The large green features a receptive surface and runs at a fast speed.
Hole 15 – Par 4 – Rating 8.00
Gold: 239 yds
Maroon: 309 yds
Black: 350 yds
This visually intimidating hole starts from large, level tee boxes, where players must tee off over a waste area and a series of bunkers positioned uphill. The flat fairway unfolds with a gentle dogleg left and medium rough flanks the fairway. A stream runs along the left side, adding a natural hazard to consider. Real sand bunkers are strategically placed. At the large green there is a well-maintained fringe leading to a receptive putting surface. The green putts fast.
Hole 16 – Par 4 – Rating 8.00
Gold: 247 yds
Maroon: 333 yds
Black: 380 yds
This hole begins with level, large tees that lead to a flat fairway with a slight dogleg right. The fairway is flanked by trees and sided by medium rough and patches of fescue. The bunkers are real sand and a stream crosses in front of the green, creating an additional hazard to navigate. There is a well-maintained fringe that surrounds a large, receptive green. The green is crowned, which can affect the roll of the ball, and it runs at a fast speed.
Hole 17 – Par 3 – Rating 8.00
Gold: 89 yds
Maroon: 153 yds
Black: 172 yds
The final par 3 features large, level tee blocks that set the stage for an exciting finish. The hole plays downhill, with the tee shot required to carry over a stream water hazard, accentuated by a beautifully landscaped bank facade. Medium rough borders the approach and there is a well-maintained fringe leading to a large putting surface. The green is both fast and receptive.
Hole 18 – Par 5 – Rating 8.00
Gold: 436 yds
Maroon: 510 yds
Black: 529 yds
The finishing par 5 starts from large, level tee boxes and features a rolling fairway that doglegs left and plays uphill. The fairway is lined with short rough and trees and there is a pond water hazard sits in front of the tee. Real sand bunkers edge the fairway and are greenside. As players approach the green, they encounter a maintained fringe leading to a large, fast-paced green. The green is receptive and slopes from back to front.
Average Rating Holes 10-18: 7.97
Overall Course Rating: 7.80
SUMMARY:
The Fortress Golf Course located near downtown Frankenmuth, Michigan, is a premier public golf course destination that blends challenging play with a great layout. Designed by renowned golf architect Dick Nugent, this par-72 course spans 6,813 yards of formidable play from the back tees and is characterized by its meticulously maintained fairways and expansive greens that deliver challenging putts, bent-grass tees, strategic bunkers, and water hazards that test players of all skill levels. The course’s rolling terrain and tree-lined fairways provide a picturesque backdrop, enhancing the overall golfing experience. With five tee placements on each hole,
The Fortress accommodates golfers of all abilities, ensuring an enjoyable round for everyone. In addition to its exceptional course layout, The Fortress is known for its top-notch facilities, including a well-stocked pro shop, a driving range, and practice greens. The welcoming atmosphere, combined with the high quality of the course and amenities, makes The Fortress a must-visit for golf enthusiasts visiting Frankenmuth. See our video of The Fortress.
Pricing: Refer to www.zehnders.com or call (989) 652-0460 for tee times and pricing
Value Rating: +3.12
