50 must-play public golf courses in Michigan
Michigan’s must-play courses
We asked and you answered. Here’s a list of the 50 must-play public golf courses in Michigan with course details, rates and links to their websites.
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Angels Crossing Golf Club
Location: Vicksburg
Course: 7,169 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $42 weekday (Mon-Thur) w/cart, $49 weekend (Fri-Sun) w/cart
Website: golfangelscrossing.com
“This is probably one of those courses that both looks beautiful on post card as in person.” — Google commenter Chris Lim
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Apple Mountain
Apple Mountain Golf Course
Location: Freeland
Course: 6,947 yards, Par 72
Spring rates (April 28-May 18): $49 Monday-Thursday, $59 Friday-Sunday
Website: applemountaingolf.com
“This is the type of layout that one wishes he or she could play again immediately.” — Two Guys Who Golf
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Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course
Location: Arcadia
Course: 6,914 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $85 April 1 through May 14, $130 May 15 through June 4
Website: arcadiabluffs.com
“Arcadia Bluffs is a true links course with breathtaking views of Lake Michigan from every spot on the course.” — MLive commenter Johnson12lil
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Bay Harbor
Location: Bay Harbor
Course: 6,727 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: Varies by time of day from $90 to $125 (Opens May 5)
Website: boyne.com
“Amazing views! If you want a first class golf experience and can’t afford pebble beach then play this course.” — Google commenter Chad Simpson
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The Bear at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
Location: Acme
Course: 7,078 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $80 weekday, $95 weekend (Opening day until May 18)
Website: grandtraverseresort.com
“Just as with real bears, it is precisely when you start thinking that you’re safe and in control when you are in the most danger.” — Michigangolf.com writer Kiel Christianson
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Bedford Valley Golf Course at Gull Lake View Golf Club and Resort
Location: Battle Creek
Course: 7,020 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $30 all week (Tentatively opening week of April 3)
Website: gulllakeview.com
“One of my annual favorites. One of my favs in Michigan. Must play!” Google commenter Robert Walker
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Belvedere Golf Club
Location: Charlevoix
Course: 6,943 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $66 plus $22 for cart (Tentatively opening May 15) $77 plus $22 for cart summer rate
Website: belvederegolfclub.com
“Quite simply this was how golf was meant to be enjoyed. Hit it, find it, and hit it again — and never be bored.” — Travel Golf writer Mike Bailey
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Black Forest at Wilderness Valley
Location: Gaylord
Course: 7,044 yards, Par 73
Spring rates: $48 through May 12
Website: blackforestgolf.com
“Black Forest one of the toughest around, but is beautiful.” — Google commenter Kenny Hoover
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Black Lake Golf Club
Location: Onaway
Course: 6,743 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $50 (Mon through Thursday), $60 (Friday through Sunday) Tentatively opening April 21
Website: blacklakegolf.com
“Great course with beautiful views and hole layouts.” — Google commenter Ryan Merchant
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The Heather at Boyne Highlands
Location: Harbor Springs
Course: 7,154 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $62 (Opening May 12)
Website: boyne.com
“The Heather captures all that’s great about northern Michigan golf. It’s a golf-rich state and this one is top notch.” — Golf Advisor commenter dtshep37
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Bucks Run Golf Club
Location: Mount Pleasant
Course: 6,914 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $50 through April 23, $65 from April 24 through May 11
Website: bucksrun.com
“The course was in fantastic shape and the greens rolled fast and true.” — Google commenter Brad James
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Cascades Golf Course
Location: Jackson
Course: 6,651 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $21
Website: cascadesgolfcourse.com
“Very solid course with an amazingly friendly staff. For late summer, it was still in tip top shape and was quite challenging.” Google commenter Brad Kirshenbaum
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Cedar River at Shanty Creek Resorts
Location: Bellaire
Course: 6,980 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $69 (open through 10:50 a.m.) $64 (11 a.m. through 12:50 p.m.), $59 (1pm through 2:50 p.m.), $49 (3 p.m. to close) Rates good through May 28.
Website: shantycreek.com
“Short and intermediate iron play is a must.” — Google commenter Jim Newland
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Coyote Preserve Golf Club
Location: Fenton
Course: 6,912 yards, Par 71
Regular rates: $55 weekday, $65 weekend
Website: coyotepreserve.com
“Course conditions were great for April, greens cut and rolled. It is a very challenging course.” — Google commenter James Bastian
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Diamond Springs Golf Course
Location: Hamilton
Course: 6,800 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $25 Monday through Friday, $30 Saturday and Sunday (Good through April 16)
Website: diamondspringsgolf.com
“You may travel the state and not find a more ‘upscale’ style course for the money. Diamond Springs may well be the best value in Michigan.” -Randy Prichard, Michigan Golf
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Devil’s Ridge Golf Course
Location: Oxford
Course: 6,754 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $30 Monday through Friday, $40 Saturday and Sunday. Rates good through May 19
Website: devilsridgegolfclub.com
“If awards were to be given out to golf courses for renovations and improvements, Devils Ridge in Oxford would get our vote as the ‘Most Improved Course in SE Michigan’. — Two Guys Who Golf
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Eagle Eye Golf Club
Location: Bath
Course: 6,881 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $65 Monday through Thursday, $75 Friday through Sunday. Rates good through May 11
Website: hawkhollow.com
Rated the fifth best public championship golf course in Michigan in 2014 by Golf Digest.
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Forest Dunes Golf Club
Location: Roscommon
Course: 7,116 yards, Par 72
Regular rates: $79-99 (Spring)
Website: forestdunesgolf.com
2015 National Golf Course Owners Association — Course of the Year Finalist (one of four)
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The Fortress Golf Course
Location: Frankenmuth
Course: 6,813 yards, Par 72
Regular rates: $60 weekday, $70 weekend
Website: zehnders.com
“Likely the best course layout and condition in the area. A very enjoyable golf outing.” — Trip Advisor commenter VLAZ55
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Garland Resort-Fountains Course
Location: Lewiston
Course: 6,760 yards, Par 72
Regular rates: $85 weekday, $95 weekend
Website: garlandusa.com
“Love having 4 places to play and never have to drive.” — Google commenter Jeff Sopko
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The Golf Club at Harbor Shores
Location: Benton Harbor
Course: 6,852 yards, Par 71
Regular rates: $92 weekday, $117 weekend
Website: harborshoresgolf.com
Home of the Senior PGA Championship in 2012 and 2014 and returning in 2016 and 2018.
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Hawk Hollow Golf Course
Location: Bath
Course: Three nines (3384, 3128, 2878) yards
Regular rates: $59 weekday, $69 weekend
Website: hawkhollow.com
Rated 4 1/2 out of 5 stars by Golf Digest and listed among the top 200 “Places to Play.”
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Island Hills Golf
Location: Centreville
Course: 7,074 yards, Par 72
Regular rates: $45 Monday through Thursday, $60 Friday through Sunday. Rates good through May 11
Website: islandhillsgolf.com
Matt Ginella on Golf Channel’s Morning Drive show “highly recommended Island Hills as a golf destination.”
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Indian Lake Hills Golf Course
Location: Eau Claire
Course: Three nines (2856, 3187, 3345) yards
Spring Rates: $26 Monday through Thursday, $31 Friday through Sunday. Rates good through May 15
Website: indianlakehills.com
“Beautiful course, very well-kept, will definitely return in fall.” Google commenter Margaret Wtorkowski
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Interlochen Golf Club
Location: Interlochen
Course: 6,445 yards, Par 71
Regular rates: $45
Website: interlochengolf.com
“It is a bit of a tight course, lots of trees, but has character.” Trip Advisor commenter jkn371
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Leelanau Club at Bahle Farms
Location: Suttons Bay
Course: 6,651 yards, Par 71
Spring rates: $44 mornings, $34 afternoons
Website: traversecitygolf.com
“The elevations, orchards, woods and views make Bahle Farms pure golfing pleasure.” Trip Advisor commenter nototallage
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L.E. Kaufman Golf Course
Location: Wyoming
Course: 6,808 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $19 plus $12 for cart per person
Website: kentcountyparks.org
“I love L.E. Kaufman. Since they fixed the flooding problems on holes 1, 10 and 18 the course is more playable. It’s easily my favorite municipal.” — MLive commenter sandcityjon
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Leslie Park Golf Course
Location: Ann Arbor
Course: 6,914 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $30 all week, $22 after 3:30 p.m.
Website: a2gov.org
“The best municipal golf course in the State of Michigan!” – Golf Digest
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Little Traverse Bay Golf Club
Location: Harbor Springs
Course: 6,895 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $55 Monday through Thursday ($40 after 2 p.m.), $$65 Friday through Sunday ($45 after 2 p.m.)
Website: ltbaygolf.com
“Little Traverse Bay between Petoskey and Harbor Springs. Absolutely beautiful, and refreshingly forgiving.” MLive commenter 72Blue
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Marquette Golf Club — Greywalls Course
Location: Marquette
Course: 6,828 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $90 or $75 for GAM/UPGA members. Rates good through June 2.
Website: marquettegolfclub.com
“Truly magnificent course with rock croppings , elevations, views and just awe inspiring” — MLive commenter Ron
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The Meadows at Grand Valley State University
Location: Allendale
Course: 7,060 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $18 Walking only likely until week of April 17.
Website: gvsu.edu
Top-25 University Golf Courses in the U.S. — Links Magazine, 2010
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Moose Ridge Golf Course
Location: South Lyon
Course: 6,892 yards, Par 71
Spring rates: $40 Monday through Friday ($32 after 2 p.m.), $50 weekends ($35 after 2 p.m.)
Website: mooseridgegolf.com
“We arrived and departed feeling well-cared for and appreciated” –Weekend Warrior Golfer
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The Natural at Beaver Creek Resort
Location: Gaylord
Course: 6,330 yards, Par 71
Regular rates: $39 all week for 18 holes, $25 for 9 holes. Rates good through June 4.
Website: thenaturalgolfcourse.com
“Challenging course, scenic, nice rolling greens.” — Google commenter William Bush
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The Orchards Golf Club
Location: Washington
Course: 7,036 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $40 weekday, $50 weekend until April 10, then $48 weekday, $58 weekend through May 21 ($40 weekday after 2 p.m. and $45 weekend after 2 p.m.)
Website: orchards.com
“The Orchards is a great course, I grew up on it. They’ve hosted a number of large tournaments and if you’re out on the practice green you can even see the Detroit skyline.” — MLive commenter TheMadScientist
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Pierce Lake Golf Course
Location: Chelsea
Course: 7,005 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $28 weekday ($20 after 2 p.m.), $35 weekend ($25 after 2 p.m.). Rates good through April 30.
Website: piercelakegolf.com
“Pierce Lake Golf Course is one of the best courses for the money in the area. They may be a few dollars more than other area golf courses, but it’s well worth it.” — Google commenter Jason Young
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Pilgrim’s Run Golf Club
Location: Pierson
Course: 7,093 yards, Par 73
Spring rates: $42 throughout April, May is four players for the price of three with Monday through Thursday at $44.25 and Friday through Sunday $51.75
Website: pilgrimsrun.com
“Pilgrim’s Run is a course that I always look forward to playing. It is kept in excellent condition and every hole is a tremendous challenge. This course will be one of the best golfing experiences of your life”. — Frank Tanana, Major League Pitcher (1973-93)
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Pohlcat Golf Course
Location: Mount Pleasant
Course: 6,258 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $40 through April 24. Mid-season (April 25-May8): $45 Monday through Thursday, $57 Friday through Sunday.
Website: pohlcat.net
“We play the Pohlcat whenever there is an opportunity. It’s worth the hour drive for sure.” — MLive commenter RobbyY
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Quail Ridge Golf Club
Location: Ada
Course: 6,883 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $50 weekday, $55 weekend, both all of April
Website: quailridgegc.com
“It is only 10 miles from downtown Grand Rapids, but you feel like your in the middle of no where. Course conditions are second to none and the layout is fun! Lots of tees, HUGE fairways, great layout.” MLive commenter I Love Golf
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Red Hawk Golf Course
Location: East Tawas
Course: 6,515 yards, Par 71
Spring rates: April Monday through Thursday is $57, Friday through Sunday is $65. For May 1-12 it’s $67 Monday through Thursday, $80 Friday through Sunday.
Website: redhawkgolf.net
“The course is out in the middle of nowhere and it’s cut into a pine forest. It’s just absolutely gorgeous.” MLive commenter hail2thevict0r
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The Legend at Shanty Creek
Location: Bellaire
Course: 6,764 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $69 (open through 10:50 a.m.) $64 (11 a.m. through 12:50 p.m.), $59 (1pm through 2:50 p.m.), $49 (3 p.m. to close) Rates good through May 28.Website: shantycreek.com
“Each hole brought a new challenge for an average golfer like me.” Golf Advisor commenter Sue Ransom
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Shepherd’s Hollow Golf Club
Location: Clarkston
Course: Three nines (3585, 3651, 3584)
Spring rates: $40 weekday, $45 weekend
Website: shepherdshollow.com
“I don’t play a lot of courses but Shepherd’s Hollow really impressed me. I wanted to pull out my camera on every tee.” — MLive commenter needsumhelp
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Sweetgrass Golf Club
Location: Harris
Course: 7,275 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $55 April 29 through June 2
Website: sweetgrassgolfclub.com
“If you like nicely cut grass, awesome greens and a beautiful fairway.” Google commenter Darnell Wandahdega
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The Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe
Location: Grand Rapids
Course: 7,040 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $39 Monday through Thursday, $45 Friday through Sunday for March 31-April 13.
Website: thornapplepointe.com
“Well maintained course in a nice location. They do an outstanding job with large outings.” — Google commenter Seth Galentine
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Thoroughbred Golf Club at Double JJ Resort
Location: Rothbury
Course: 6,900 yards, Par 72
Regular rates: $39 Monday through Thursday $59 Friday through Sunday
Website: doublejj.com
“Thoroughbred in Rothsbury is great. Hole number two is the hardest in Michigan…IMO. Should be a par 5.” MLive commenter salesman3
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TimberStone Golf Course at Pine Mountain
Location: Iron Mountain
Course: 6,938 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $59 Monday through Thursday, $69 Friday through Sunday. Rates are good through June 2.
Website: pinemountainresort.com
Awarded a 5-star rating by Golf Digest
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The Tribute at Otsego Club and Resort
Location: Gaylord
Course: 7,347 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $65 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., $56 3 p.m. to close
Website: otsegoclub.com
Named the 8th Best Public Golf Course in Michigan by Michigan Golf Magazine
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Masterpiece at Treetops Resort
Location: Gaylord
Course: 7,007 yards, Par 71
Spring rates: Call 866-348-5249 for opening times and aerification rates
Website: treetops.com
“Toughest yet most gorgeous course I’ve played” Golf Adviser commenter ukiguy
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Tullymore Golf Resort
Location: Stanwood
Course: 7,181 yards, Par 72
Spring rates: $65 before 2 p.m., $60 after 2 p.m. through May 19
Website: tullymoregolf.com
“What sets it aside is the quality of the course, the fact that they have two courses (St. Ives), tee boxes well thought out for golfers of all levels” — MLive commenter ScottGreenlee
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Wild Bluff at Bay Mills
Location: Brimley
Course: 6,820, Par 72
Spring Rate: $55
Website: Wildbluff.com
“This place provides a special experience,” Google commenter Gordon MacDowell
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