Michigan is a golfer’s haven, offering a stunning mix of public and private courses that blend natural beauty with architectural brilliance. From the windswept dunes of Lake Michigan to the historic parklands near Detroit, the Mitten State’s golfing landscape is as diverse as it is impressive. Below, we’ve assembled the top 25 courses (in alphabetical order), spanning public gems and private treasures across the Lower and Upper Peninsulas.
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1. American Dunes
Located in Grand Haven along Lake Michigan’s shores, American Dunes opened in 2021 as a Jack Nicklaus design. This public course pays tribute to military veterans, with proceeds supporting Folds of Honor; its rugged dunes and fescue-lined fairways offer a modern links-style challenge with breathtaking water views.
- Location: Grand Haven, MI
- Opened: 2021
- Designer: Jack Nicklaus
- Notable Feature: Proceeds benefit Folds of Honor; features a links-style layout with Lake Michigan views.
2. Arcadia Bluffs (Bluffs)
Perched on 265 acres of bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan in Arcadia, the Bluffs Course at Arcadia Bluffs debuted in 1999, designed by Warren Henderson and Rick Smith. This public gem, ranked among Golfweek’s top U.S. public courses, features windswept fescues and sod-walled bunkers, evoking Ireland’s coastal links.
- Location: Arcadia, MI
- Opened: 1999
- Designers: Warren Henderson & Rick Smith
- Notable Feature: Ranked among America’s top public courses; stunning Lake Michigan vistas.
3. Arcadia Bluffs (South)
Also in Arcadia, the South Course opened in 2018, crafted by Dana Fry and Jason Straka in the style of C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor. This public layout contrasts its sibling with wide fairways, large greens, and a treeless design, offering strategic play and panoramic Lake Michigan vistas.
- Location: Arcadia, MI
- Opened: 2018
- Designers: Dana Fry & Jason Straka
- Notable Feature: Inspired by Macdonald/Raynor templates; wide-open, strategic design.
4. Bay Harbor Golf Club
Situated in Bay Harbor near Petoskey, this public 27-hole resort course opened in 1996, designed by Arthur Hills. Known for its Links/Quarry combination hugging Lake Michigan’s shoreline, it blends dramatic quarry holes with scenic links-style play, earning accolades for its beauty and variety.
- Location: Bay Harbor, MI
- Opened: 1996
- Designer: Arthur Hills
- Notable Feature: 27 holes with Links/Quarry combo; scenic Lake Michigan shoreline.
5. Belvedere Golf Club
In Charlevoix, Belvedere opened in 1925, designed by William Watson and later restored by Bruce Hepner in 2017. A private course with limited public access, its rolling fairways and quirky, bunkerless greens showcase Golden Age architecture amid northern Michigan’s charm.
- Location: Charlevoix, MI
- Opened: 1925
- Designer: William Watson (restored by Bruce Hepner)
- Notable Feature: Golden Age design; limited public access via resort stays.
6. Birmingham Country Club
Nestled in Birmingham near Detroit, this private club dates to 1916, with its course shaped by Donald Ross and restored by Tom Doak. Known for its parkland elegance and subtle challenges, it’s a suburban gem with a rich history tied to Michigan’s golfing elite.
- Location: Birmingham, MI
- Opened: 1916
- Designer: Donald Ross (restored by Tom Doak)
- Notable Feature: Parkland layout; restored by Tom Doak in recent years.
7. Country Club of Detroit
Located in Grosse Pointe Farms, this private club’s course opened in 1912, designed by H.S. Colt and C.H. Alison, with updates by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Tom Fazio. A classic parkland layout, it hosted the 1954 U.S. Amateur and blends tradition with modern playability.
- Location: Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
- Opened: 1912
- Designers: H.S. Colt & C.H. Alison (updates by Jones Sr. & Fazio)
- Notable Feature: Hosted 1954 U.S. Amateur; classic parkland design.
8. Crystal Downs
Overlooking Lake Michigan in Frankfort, Crystal Downs opened in 1932, a masterpiece by Alister MacKenzie and Perry Maxwell. This private course, often ranked among the world’s top 50, features windswept dunes, fiendish greens, and a timeless design that tests every shot.
- Location: Frankfort, MI
- Opened: 1932
- Designers: Alister MacKenzie & Perry Maxwell
- Notable Feature: Globally ranked; fiendish greens and Lake Michigan views.
9. Eagle Eye Golf Club
In Bath, just north of East Lansing, Eagle Eye opened in 2003 as a public course designed by Chris Lutzke with Pete Dye’s influence. Its signature island green on the 17th echoes TPC Sawgrass, offering a challenging yet scenic layout ranked among Golfweek’s top public tracks.
- Location: Bath, MI
- Opened: 2003
- Designer: Chris Lutzke (with Pete Dye influence)
- Notable Feature: Island green 17th; ranked among top public courses.
10. Forest Dunes (The Loop)
Set in Roscommon, The Loop at Forest Dunes opened in 2016, a reversible public course by Tom Doak. Playing as Red one day and Black the next, its minimalist design through sandy pines offers strategic variety and a unique golfing experience.
- Location: Roscommon, MI
- Opened: 2016
- Designer: Tom Doak
- Notable Feature: Reversible layout (Red/Black); minimalist design.
11. Forest Dunes Golf Club
Also in Roscommon, the original Forest Dunes course opened in 2002, designed by Tom Weiskopf. This public layout winds through rugged dunes and water features, earning praise as one of America’s top public courses for its pristine setting and playability.
- Location: Roscommon, MI
- Opened: 2002
- Designer: Tom Weiskopf
- Notable Feature: Top public ranking; rugged dunes and water hazards.
12. Franklin Hills Country Club
Located in Franklin near Detroit, this private club opened in 1927, designed by Donald Ross with a 2019 restoration by Gil Hanse. Its rolling terrain and bold bunkering make it a hidden gem in Michigan’s private golf scene, blending history with modern flair.
- Location: Franklin, MI
- Opened: 1927
- Designer: Donald Ross (restored by Gil Hanse)
- Notable Feature: Restored by Gil Hanse; bold bunkering and rolling terrain.
13. Greywalls
Part of Marquette Golf Club in Marquette on the Upper Peninsula, Greywalls opened in 2005, designed by Mike DeVries. This public course, with its granite outcrops and Lake Superior views, offers a rugged, scenic test that’s consistently ranked among Michigan’s best.
- Location: Marquette, MI
- Opened: 2005
- Designer: Mike DeVries
- Notable Feature: Lake Superior views; rugged Upper Peninsula terrain.
14. Harbor Shores Golf Club
In Benton Harbor along Lake Michigan, Harbor Shores opened in 2010 as a public Jack Nicklaus design. Built on a remediated industrial site, its diverse terrain—featuring forest, dunes, and lakeside holes—hosted the Senior PGA Championship multiple times.
- Location: Benton Harbor, MI
- Opened: 2010
- Designer: Jack Nicklaus
- Notable Feature: Senior PGA Championship host; diverse terrain.
15. Indianwood C.C. (Old Course)
Situated in Lake Orion, the Old Course at this private club opened in 1925, designed by Wilfrid Reid with updates by Jerry Matthews. A former PGA Championship and U.S. Women’s Open host, its classic layout blends history with a stern test.
- Location: Lake Orion, MI
- Opened: 1925
- Designer: Wilfrid Reid (updates by Jerry Matthews)
- Notable Feature: Hosted majors; classic Golden Age design.
16. Kingsley Club
Near Traverse City in Kingsley, this private course opened in 2001, designed by Mike DeVries. Known for its minimalist design, split fairways, and natural dunes, it’s a strategic masterpiece that’s become a modern classic among golf purists.
- Location: Kingsley, MI
- Opened: 2001
- Designer: Mike DeVries
- Notable Feature: Minimalist design with undulating/split fairways and dunes.
17. Lost Dunes Golf Club
In Bridgman near Lake Michigan, Lost Dunes opened in 1998 as a private Tom Doak design. Carved from a former sand quarry, its bold bunkering and firm, fast conditions offer a links-like challenge in a secluded, scenic setting.
- Location: Bridgman, MI
- Opened: 1998
- Designer: Tom Doak
- Notable Feature: Former sand quarry; links-like conditions.
18. Oakland Hills C.C. (South Course)
Located in Bloomfield Hills, the South Course opened in 1918, designed by Donald Ross and restored by Gil Hanse in 2020. This private “Monster,” famed for Ben Hogan’s 1951 U.S. Open win, remains a championship icon with massive greens and fescue accents.
- Location: Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Opened: 1918
- Designer: Donald Ross (restored by Gil Hanse)
- Notable Feature: Hosted multiple U.S. Opens; known as “The Monster.”
19. Orchard Lake Country Club
In Orchard Lake near Detroit, this private course opened in 1926, designed by C.H. Alison with a 2012 Keith Foster restoration. Its intact Golden Age routing, bold bunkers, and undulating terrain make it a standout in Michigan’s private lineup.
- Location: Orchard Lake, MI
- Opened: 1926
- Designer: C.H. Alison (restored by Keith Foster)
- Notable Feature: Golden Age routing; bold bunkers.
20. Point O’Woods C.C.
Nestled in Benton Harbor, Point O’Woods opened in 1958, a private Robert Trent Jones Sr. design. Host of the Western Amateur for decades, its tree-lined fairways and strategic layout offer a classic parkland challenge in southwest Michigan.
- Location: Benton Harbor, MI
- Opened: 1958
- Designer: Robert Trent Jones Sr.
- Notable Feature: Western Amateur host; classic parkland style.
21. Shepherd’s Hollow
Located in Clarkston, this public 27-hole course opened in 2000, designed by Arthur Hills. Set on 350 wooded acres, its dramatic elevation changes and pristine conditions make it a northern Michigan favorite with a private-club feel.
- Location: Clarkston, MI
- Opened: 2000
- Designer: Arthur Hills
- Notable Feature: 27 holes; dramatic elevation changes.
22. Stoatin Brae
Part of Gull Lake View Resort in Augusta, Stoatin Brae opened in 2017, a public course by Tom Doak’s Renaissance Golf team. Its open, heathland-style layout with minimal earth-moving offers strategic play and sweeping views, earning it sleeper status.
- Location: Augusta, MI
- Opened: 2017
- Designer: Renaissance Golf (Tom Doak team)
- Notable Feature: Heathland style; minimal earth-moving.
23. Sweetgrass Golf Club
In Harris on the Upper Peninsula, Sweetgrass opened in 2008 as a public course designed by Paul Albanese. Part of Island Resort & Casino, its links-inspired design with water hazards and a strong finish has hosted Symetra Tour events.
- Location: Harris, MI
- Opened: 2008
- Designer: Paul Albanese
- Notable Feature: Symetra Tour host; links-inspired design.
24. True North Golf Club
Near Harbor Springs, True North opened in 2004 as a public Jim Engh design. Nestled in northern Michigan’s forests, its bold fairway movements and scenic elevation changes provide a memorable round with resort-quality amenities.
- Location: Harbor Springs, MI
- Opened: 2004
- Designer: Jim Engh
- Notable Feature: Bold fairways; northern Michigan forest setting.
25. Tullymore Golf Club
Also in Stanwood, Tullymore opened in 2002, a public Jim Engh design at Tullymore Golf Resort. Its flowing fairways, deep bunkers, and luxurious setting make it a standout, offering five tee options for golfers of all levels.
- Location: Stanwood, MI
- Opened: 2002
- Designer: Jim Engh
- Notable Feature: Five tee options; luxurious resort setting.
Michigan’s golf courses are a testament to the state’s natural splendor and architectural innovation. From championship venues like Oakland Hills to public stunners like Arcadia Bluffs, these 25 tracks offer a mix of history, challenge, and beauty. Grab your clubs, explore the Mitten State, and experience golf at its finest!
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