Located about 75 miles from downtown Chicago sits one of the most heralded private golf clubs in North America. The Dunes Club is located in New Buffalo, Michigan and is so unique and low key that there’s no signage anywhere on the exterior of the course. In fact, I drove right past the front entrance twice before recognizing the clubhouse and the secluded front gate.

The Dunes Club is the brainchild of designer Dick Nugent and Dunes Club owner Mike Keiser.

– Walter Lis, The Dunes Club – New Buffalo’s Hidden Gem, Chicago Golf Report

Mike Keiser has noted that the course welcomes visitors if they promise to employ a caddie during their round:

If you call me and say “Hi, I’m not a member, but I’ve heard good things about the Dunes Club,” and you sound respectable and respectful, Todd, or Matt, or Woody will find a time for you that doesn’t conflict with a member time, and get you a tee time with the promise that you’ll employ our caddies… It’s harder when you say “I’m coming into town and I’d like to play July 5th”; we can’t fill those. If you call… and say… “it sounded good, when is a good time to come,” then my guys will find a good time for you to come and all we ask is that you pay a greens fee, which goes for the good of golf, and employ caddies.

—Mike Keiser on Random Golf Club