8 of the Best Michigan Golf Courses for Leaf Peeping
Soon, Michigan will transform itself into one of the best fall golf destinations in the country, blending immaculate courses with brilliant fall color. What better time to hit the links than with a view of scarlet, rust, gold, and orange? The Great Lakes state boasts fantastic fall views, and golf destinations, in every region. Read more on a few of our favorites and visit michigan.org/golf for ideas and packages.
Fall Golf at Boyne Highlands | Photo Courtesy of Boyne Highlands Resort
Boyne Highlands has plenty of options for fall golf, but nothing tops the view from the 13th tee on the Hills course, which is one of the best sights looking out over 40-miles of northern hardwoods. In addition to the immaculate golf scene, the resort offers deluxe hotel rooms, condos, and cottages perfect for a weekend getaway meaning you’ll have more time to play and explore the many acres surrounding the area.
Named one of the top four resort courses in the United States by Golf Magazine readers, this Arnold Palmer-designed beauty was built with all levels of golfers in mind. “If you’re a 12 in Detroit, you shouldn’t be a 20 here,” Arnie stressed. Located at Shanty Creek Resort, this course offers unbeatable views from the 3rd tee and 4th green overlooking beautiful Lake Bellaire. Golf Digest gives The Legend an enviable four-stars, and a trip in the fall allows for more flexible tee times.
If you’re aching to see fall colors, make your escape to Greywalls soon. This spectacular course, located high above Lake Superior, offers some of the best fall color and lake views from the 1st and 7th tee boxes and the 9th green. This dramatic course had a banner year in 2005 (the same year it opened!), as it collected several highly acclaimed national awards from publications such as Golf Magazine, Golf Digest, and most recently, Travel + Leisure Golf and Golfweek. With the course being located in Marquette, the fall colors will begin to change during the first week of October.
The Masterpiece course offers several spectacular views that stretch for 40-miles overlooking the Pigeon River Forest. The 6th hole, from which Treetops was named, and the 15th tee, offer great backdrops for tee-shots. With numerous courses in the area receiving national rankings and hotels and resorts offering spectacular packages, Gaylord is known as America’s Summer Golf Mecca – and it only gets better in the fall.
Shepherds Hollow Golf Club | Photo Courtesy of Pure Michigan
Located just north of bustling Detroit, this Art Hills course, on its massive rolling land, looks like it could be set in northern Michigan. With 27 tour-caliber holes to challenge you and 350 rolling acres to inspire you, Shepherd’s Hollow golf course is truly a thing of beauty during the autumn season. Designed by Arthur Hills, this course has full practice bunkers, full-service locker room with showers, and a dining facility.
Located between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, both the north and south Stone Hedge courses at Gull Lake offers a variety of great fall color views. The new Stoatin Brae course also offers several spectacular views. These courses, situated near the coast of Lake Michigan, make for perfect autumn days as crisp fall temperatures keep you feeling refreshed while on the greens
This Art Hills designed course meanders in and out of wetland and bog areas with spectacular color spots, such as the 2nd tee, as well as some great sports on the back nine along holes 15 and 18. Here, four sets of forward tees (forward tee at 4,851 yards) allow you to choose the test that best suits your game. This quiet West Michigan region is perfect for a relaxing weekend as you take in the brilliant scenes around you.
Pinecroft might not get the attention some of the bigger courses do in the region, but it is a fun golf course with views that rival any place in northern Michigan overlooking Crystal Lake. An 18-hole championship course situated just 30 miles southwest of Traverse City, Pinecroft is nestled in the gently rolling hills perfect for an interesting game of golf.