Short courses are all the rage these days. Not the old-school, executive par-3s plunked between the buildings of your grandma’s condo complex, but full-on, state-of-the-art golf courses with sophisticated designs that mirror championship links, just in smaller form.

More than one of every three new golf courses built these days is a “short course” – meaning it either has fewer or shorter holes than a traditional layout. One of the best examples, and a brilliant addition to northern Michigan golf, is The Sawyer, which opened in 2025 at Garland Lodge & Golf Resort. 

Named in honor of the area’s lumbering history and the men who cut logs into planks, The Sawyer is a great way for resort guests to play a warmup round before tackling one of Garland’s four 18-hole courses. It’s also a nice way to end the day, by playing a quick 9 after dinner.

The Sawyer was designed by Kelly Shumate, the longtime course superintendent at the Greenbrier Resort where golf legend Sam Snead once was the head pro. Here’s a look at some defining characteristics of Shumate’s work that make The Sawyer a prime illustration of what Golfweek has called the “greatest trend in golf development” over the past several years:

5 Distinctive Features of The Sawyer Short Course at Garland

You can tell from the aerial photo above that The Sawyer has numerous bunkers. At ground level, you also could see that it’s full of grassy swales and challenging greens. In those ways, the short course at Garland is a lot like the resort’s other courses. Yet, it’s quite different in a handful of ways:

• The Sawyer can be played fast. Since the longest hole measures only 118 yards, you can complete the loop in an hour or less.

• The Sawyer is beginner-friendly. No problem if you can’t hit a golf ball very far. Because every hole on The Sawyer is short, it’s a good fit for people who might otherwise have a long day on a traditional 18-hole course.

• The Sawyer is relaxed. The short course is more casual than the championship tracks. And it can be more social, too, as you walk alongside the rest of your group from tee to green. You could even play barefoot if you want!

• The Sawyer is walking-only. No golf cart needed. Just carry a putter and a wedge or two and swing away. Lighter “Sunday” golf bags are available for rent in the pro shop.

• The Sawyer is ideal for groups. While the 18-hole courses at Garland limit you to a foursome to keep things moving, slow play is not so much a concern on the short course because it’s so quick. You can play with as many as 12 people in your group!

READ MORE: Stay & Play Packages at Garland: Where to play and where to stay

1 More One-Of-A-Kind Highlight Of The Sawyer

One of the most distinctive aspects of The Sawyer – which is unique among short courses in Michigan and extremely rare worldwide – is the fact that it’s reversible. You can play the same course in two different directions: The Sawyer plays as a 9-hole White Loop one day, for example, and a 10-hole Green Loop the next day. Each loop uses the same greens, just with different tee boxes at different angles. 

Both loops consist entirely of short holes ranging from 57 yards to 118 yards, making them the shortest short courses in northern Michigan. Total yardage of the 9-hole White Loop is 772 yards, which is actually shorter than some individual holes on other golf courses. The average length of the 10 holes on the Green Loop is only 84.3 yards, barely half as far as the world record for longest putt!

Whichever way The Sawyer is playing when you’re at Garland, it’s a fun addition to your visit and a nice complement to the longer 18-hole courses. If you’re on a golf trip to Garland, The Sawyer is perfect for a round on the day of your arrival or for some after-dinner competition before it gets dark. You can even rent out the entire course.

As one of the best examples of the current short course craze, The Sawyer is also a destination on its own. You can play one loop one day, have dinner, spend the night, eat breakfast, and play the other loop the next day to see how it compares to other short courses in Michigan and around the country.

READ MORE: Celebrating 75 Years of Garland Memories