If you’re looking for some of the best golf courses in Michigan to play this season, today’s article has got you covered. We’ll look deeper into these golf courses by providing you with some history behind Michigan Golf in addition to the location and price of the Michigan golf courses.
Facts about golf courses in Michigan:
- Detroit Golf Club was the first golf course opened in Michigan in 1889.
- There are over 650 public golf course in Michigan.
- The best known course in Michigan is Oakland Hills having hosted 6 US Opens and 1 Ryder Cup.
Some people like to talk about “can’t miss golf courses” or “bucket list golf courses”. Whatever term you use to describe your dream destination, read on to find out more about a few golf courses in the wonderful state of Michigan you should play and check “off the bucket list”
Free Bonus: Download my list of the 15 best golf practice drills
Best Golf Courses in Western Michigan
Pilgrim’s Run Golf Club
Address: 11401 Newcosta Ave., Pierson, MI 49339, USA
Rates: $59-69, includes cart fee and a small bucket of balls
Golf Course Info: Opened for play on 9 holes in July of 1997-Designed by Devries Designs Inc.-5 sets of tees ranging from 4863 yards to 7093 yards-Rated #10 by michigangolfmagazine.com
This course is perfect for all levels of players. It is always in pristine condition and is a treat to play. The fairways are wide and inviting and the greens are large with ample undulation. Special deals can be had most times of the year for the dollar conscious out there. Do yourself a favor and get out to Pilgrim’s Run before the secret is out.
Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club
Address: 14710 Northwood Hwy, Arcadia, MI 49613, USA
Rates: $85-190 includes cart fee
Golf Course Info: Opened for play in 1999-Designed by Warren Henderson-5 sets of tees ranging from 5024 yards to 7300 yards-Rated #1 public course in all of Michigan
Unique in design, Arcadia Bluffs bears resemblance to a seaside links course. The rolling terrain and fabulous fescue which is natural to this region will leave you at times speechless…and at other times overwhelmed. The designer moulded many holes to mirror some of the same at Lahinch and Ballybunion. Lake Michigan can be viewed from most vantage points on the golf course.
A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort
Address: 627 Agaming Drive, Kewadin, MI 49648, USA
Rates: $29-89 includes cart fee
Golf Course Info: Opened in the early 1970’s and enhanced in 1986 with the current layout completed in 2005-Most recent redesign by Jerry Matthews-Sundance Course has 5 sets of tees ranging from 5172 yards to 6935 yards-Although unrated, it is a popular resort destination
The Sundance Course at A-Ga-Ming opened to much acclaim in 2005. The wide fairways and immaculate greens will make this a round to remember. Even the low handicap player will find this layout a challenge to say the least. In 2006 Golf Digest Sundance “Third Best New Public Course in the Country”. This links style courses adds a dimension not seen in most links layouts. Elevation changes that will get and keep your attention.
Best Golf Courses in Central Michigan
Tullymore Golf Resort
Address: 11969 Tullymore Dr, Stanwood, MI 49436, USA
Rates: $75-150 includes cart fee
Golf Course Info: Opened for play in 2002-Designed by Jim Engh-5 sets of tees range from 4668 yards to 7250 yards-Tullymore is rated #7 in the state by michigangolfmagazine.com
In 2002 Tullymore was named the #1 new public course in America by Golf Digest magazine. It has also been ranked as high as 15th when it comes to “Greatest Public and Resort Courses in America by Golf Digest. From pace of play to course facilities, it is nearly impossible to find a bad review of this course. It is definitely a “bucket list” course. To top it all off, the 19th hole experience is perhaps the best that Michigan has to offer. Miss out on playing Tullymore and you will have done yourself an injustice.
Eagle Eye Golf Club
Address: 15500 Chandler Rd, Bath Twp, MI 48808, USA
Rates: $85-95 includes cart fee
Golf Course Info: Opened for play in August of 2003-Designed collaboratively by Chris Lutzke and Pete Dye-5 sets of tees ranging from 5105 yards to 7323 yards-2017 Golf Advisor rated Eagle Eye #5 in the nation…2014 Golf Digest rated it #5 best public course in Michigan…Golfworld subscribers rated it #27 best public course in America in 2009
Eagle Eye is best described as “a true test for even the stoutest of lads”. The course boasts a tremendous set of par 3 holes with #17 being modeled after Dye’s famous #17 at TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course. A bit pricey by Michigan standards, Eagle Eye definitely will get and keep your attention from the moment you step up to register right through to the 19th hole.
Timber Ridge Golf Course
Address: 16339 Park Lane Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA
Rates: $40-60 includes cart fee
Golf Course Info: Opened for play in 1989-Designed by renowned course architect Jerry Matthews-4 sets of tees ranging from 5175 yards to 6620 yards-Timber Ridge had the distinction of being one of only 13 golf courses in America to receive a FIVE STAR rating from Golf Digest in 2002
One local resident described Timber Ridge thusly. “This is golf the way it was meant to be played. Nothing forced or phony. No gimmicks”. In an area where most everything is flat, Timber Ridge offers some dramatic elevation change, which is an added bonus in Central Michigan. Their staff has been described the least pretentious and most accommodating of any in the area. Jerry Matthews has hit a home run with his Timber Ridge design. The bottom line is, when you play this course, you leave wanting to come back.
Best Golf Courses in Northern Michigan
Forest Dunes Golf Club
Address: 6376 Forest Dunes Dr, Roscommon, MI 48653, USA
Rates: $69-149 includes cart fee and practice facility
Golf Course Info: Opened for play in 2002-Designed by Tom Weiskopf-4 sets of tees ranging from 4993 yards to 7116 yards (combo II and III tees are an interesting mix)-Golf Magazine (2014) ranks Forest Dunes #1 in Michigan…Golf Digest (2015) rates it as #23 Greatest Public Golf Course
Tom Weiskopf has designed, in this course what many refer to as their ultimate “bucket list” golf course. It starts with a top notch practice facility, continues on to a staff that is as friendly as can be, moves into a golf course that is, simply put, a royal treat to play and finishes off with a 19th hole experience that will leave you wanting to return soon.
In typical Weiskopf fashion, risk/reward is a prominent feature in this course. Forest Dunes will offer you plenty of seemingly manageable birdie opportunities that can flip to a double bogey if you’re not careful. If Mark Twain would have ever meandered this piece of land, I am sure he would have altered his description of golf as “A good walk spoiled”. For this is one of the most pleasant walks you will ever take.
Black Lake Golf Club
Address: 2800 Maxon Rd, Onaway, MI, 49765, USA
Rates: $60-75 includes cart fee
Golf Course Info: Opened for play in 2000-Designed by renowned architect Rees Jones-5 sets of tees ranging from 5049 yards to 7035 yards-Golf Digest (2013) ranked Black Lake #39 Top Courses in America for Women…Certified by Audubon International…Golf Digest (2009) ranked it #9 in Best Value in America…Ranked #6 in Michigan by michigangolfmagazine.com
Rees Jones wanted to produce a golf course that had nothing artificial or contrived. He says, “No mounds or moguls here, just sweeps and natural grades”. While most courses will have one or two signature holes, Black Lake has a full slate of them. Every hole will leave you marvelling at nature and what Jones has been able to create without leaving much of a footprint.
Tribute-Otsego Club & Resort
Address: 696 M-32 East, Gaylord, MI 49735, USA
Rates: $65-89 includes cart fee
Golf Course Info: Opened for play in 2002- Designed by Rick Robbins and PGA tour veteran Gary Koch-4 sets of tees ranging from 5085 yards to 7347 yards-Ranked #8 by michigangolfmagazine.com…Tribute is one of the courses featured on Microsoft’s Links 2003 Video Game
Tribute offers some of the most dramatic golf course views in all of Michigan. Needless to say, be prepared for elevation changes you might not see at most courses in this state. I like to consider what I call the “WOW factor” when it comes to golf courses that I rate. This one sits at the top of the list in Michigan. WOW…what a treat.
In a perfect world, we would all have unlimited access to Private Country Club golf. The truth is that most of us are not there…yet. That means we have to search out public golf courses that offer both value and challenge. The courses I have talked about may or may not offer both of those things, but I will leave it up to you to decide which one fits your palette. Golf in Michigan is, in one word, fantastic. Do yourself a favor and sample some of these courses. They will not disappoint.
Golf Practice System for Lower Scores
Learn the exact golf practice routines thousands of students at Foy Golf Academy are using to lower their golf scores.
Follow these step by step practice plans and watch video lessons to learn how to improve your golf swing, chipping, and putting fundamentals.
Get access to hundreds of golf drills to practice as well as content on the mental side of golf, fitness plans, worksheets, and many more resources. This is a complete golf practice system.
Start Following These Practices —> Nick Foy Golf Practice System
Work hard,
Nick Foy, Instructor