11 Best Golf Courses in Michigan Open To The Public

Michigan has over 850 golf courses, making it one of the most populous states by course quantity and per capita. 

Given the natural beauty of Michigan’s dense hardwood forests, and vast sand-dune shorelines running along the great lakes, the state is seemingly designed for golf.

All of these incredible courses are open to the public, so discover our top-rated courses in Michigan that you can play.

1. The Links/Quarry – Bay Harbor

Boyne’s Bay Harbour Golf Club sits spectacularly perched on the shores of Lake Michigan’s Little Traverse Bay. With crystal clear water and sweeping views, on a warm summer’s day you could be mistaken for thinking you’re in the Caribbean. 

The fascinating 27 holes at Bay Harbour are best combined as the Links/Quarry eighteen. The Links, while not a true traditional links, uses the natural sand dune shoreline to create a sense of a Scottish classic. Combine wispy long rough, undulating fairways, and the strong breeze coming off the lake, and it will test your game just like you’re in Scotland.

The Quarry Nine is in stark contrast, utilizing a disused shale quarry, dramatic rock faces, and undulation changes to create a remarkable and memorable round. The Quarry also includes the signature Par 3, 8th (played as the 17th in this routing) reminiscent of the famous 7th at Pebble Beach.

Opened: 1997
Par: 72 
Length: 6845 yards
Designers include: Arthur Hills (1997)
Difficulty: 146 Slope / 74.3 Rating

2. Arcadia Bluffs – The Bluffs Course

Regularly included in the USA’s top 100 course lists, Arcadia Bluffs is a golfing oasis on the shores of Lake Michigan. Its remote setting in the state’s northwest may not be the easiest to access but it’s definitely worth the effort. 

The entire course is built into the natural dune bluffs from which it gets its name, creating a testing layout with penal rough compounded by steep slopes. The most notable feature of this beautiful course is the unspoiled views out over Lake Michigan, which are framed dramatically in varying ways throughout the round.

Opened: 1999
Par: 72
Length: 7300 yards
Designer: Warren Henderson
Difficulty: 146 Slope / 75.7 Rating

3. Forest Dunes Golf Club

In the heart of the secluded dense woodlands of Michigan’s lower peninsula, Forest Dunes resort is home to both Tom Weiskopf’s spectacular 18, and The Loop, Tom Doak’s unique reversible layout. 

The parkland-style Forest Dunes offer two different personalities throughout the round. The front weaves through the Huron National Forest, in contrast, the back nine utilizes the historic sand dunes to create its own unique challenge.

Opened: 2002
Par: 72
Length: 7116 yards
Designers include: Tom Weiskopf (2002)
Difficulty: 150 Slope / 75.6 Rating

4. The Heather at The Highlands

This Robert Trent Jones Sr. design is the headline at Boyne’s Highlands resort, located near the picturesque lakeside town of Harbor Springs. 

Dating back to 1966, Boyne’s first course, the layout weaves timelessly through the slopes of the wooded dunes and inland lakes. Winner of prestigious national awards, this championship layout is a Michigan must-play.

Opened: 1966
Par: 72 
Length: 7143 yards
Designers include: Robert Trent Jones, Sr. (1966)
Difficulty: 147 Slope / 75.4 Rating

5. Crooked Tree Golf Club

Sitting inland from Bay Harbor Golf Club, Crooked Tree may not have the benefit of being right on Lake Michigan’s shoreline, but takes advantage of the views presented by its more elevated position. 

Elegantly weaving through the bluffs near Petosky, overlooking Little Traverse Bay, the beauty of the dense fruit trees and complex greens ensure a stern test. Crooked Tree is immaculately maintained – as all the Boyne courses are – ensuring a memorable experience.

Opened: 1991
Par: 71
Length: 6669 yards
Designers include: Harry Bowers (1991) & Arthur Hills (2014)

Difficulty: 139 Slope / 72.8 Rating

6. Arthur Hills at The Highlands

It’s almost impossible to choose between Arthur Hills and The Heather at Boyne’s Highlands resort. This is the most secluded of the layouts on the property, with a real sense of golf in the wilderness. Each hole is lined by hardwood, and while not a tight track, positional play off the tee is critical to scoring well. 

Expert tip: Large green complexes may seem inviting, but runoffs and false fronts add to the difficulty. Consider playing in the fall to see this course at its best, when it offers panoramic views of the spectacular colors.

Opened: 1995 
Par: 73
Length: 7312 yards
Designers include: Arthur Hills (1995)  Arthur Hills (1999)
Difficulty: 144 Slope / 75.4 Rating

7. Harbor Shores

Host of the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, Harbor Shores is a track worthy of such a prestigious event, with an incredible location in Benton Harbor on southwest Michigan’s lakeshore. 

Harbor Shores’ Jack Nicklaus Signature layout combines a stretch of 3 holes running along Lake Michigan, with a further 9 weaving around the Paw Paw River. The natural undulations of the region’s wetlands lend themselves to an enjoyable variation of shotmaking, while the conditioning of the course is always exemplary.

Opened: 2010
Par: 71
Length: 6,734
Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Difficulty: 146 Slope / 73.6 Rating

8. Alpine at Boyne Mountain Resort

Located at Boyne Mountain, the Alpine-themed golf, ski, and outdoor activity resort, this course is a worthy addition to any Michigan golf shortlist. 

You’ll need a cart to access the first tee – which is positioned at the top of a 1,200ft hill! The course then dramatically weaves its way down, offering beautiful views out over the Michigan countryside, and the pretty Deer Lake below. 

The layout is very inviting, with many holes beautifully framed by hardwood trees, while six sets of tees, as is the case at all Boyne courses, make it playable for all standards.

Opened: 1972
Par: 72
Length: 7056 yards
Designers include: Bill Newcomb
Difficulty: 138 Slope / 73.3 Rating

9. American Dunes

Another Jack Nicklaus Signature course on the shores of Lake Michigan, American Dunes is located near the quaint beach town of Grand Haven. American Dunes was the rebirth of Grand Haven Golf Club, reopening in 2001, by Lt. Col. Dan Rooney with many of its proceeds donated to Folds of Honor. 

The course is worthy of its admirable mission to support fallen and disabled U.S. veterans. The open, sand dune landscape invites views of Lake Michigan, while typical Nicklaus greens ensure the test isn’t over until the ball is in the hole.

Opened: 2001
Par: 72
Length: 6,832
Designers include: W. Bruce Matthews, Jerry Matthews, Jack Nicklaus
Difficulty: 148 Slope / 75.4 Rating

10. The Moor at The Highlands

Playing around a more compact area of Boynes Highlands resort, the Moor is an AJGA Championship course and a greater test of shotmaking than strength, with many holes incorporating tight fairways lined by bunkers and water hazards. 

The course feels like moorland, due to the density of the water and undulating fairways, however it plays as a true parkland course, with exceptional conditioning elevating its status to rival the best in the state. The signature of the layout is the many doglegs, which particularly favor a left-to-right for shot shape on the front nine.

Opened: 1974
Par: 72
Length: 6850 yards
Designers include: Bill Newcomb (1974)  John F. Robinson (1974)  Mike DeVries
Difficulty: 144 Slope / 73.5 Rating

11. Donald Ross Memorial at The Highlands

The unique Donald Ross Memorial Course at Boyne’s Highlands, is a homage to some of the finest holes ever created by the legendary architect. Research for the project included many trips to his greatest courses (a tough task) including some of the finest private courses in the country. Holes include favorites from Seminole, Oakland Hills, Pinehurst, Scioto, Inverness and Royal Dornoch. 

This concept may appear a gimmick at first glance, however, the quality and execution make it one of the most enjoyable and memorable courses you’ll ever play.

Opened: 1989
Par: 72
Length: 6814 yards
Designers include: Newcomb, E. Kircher, Flick & S.Kircher (1989)
Difficulty: 143 Slope / 73.9 Rating

12. The Monument at Boyne Mountain Resort

Running parallel to Boyne Mountain’s Alpine course, the only reason The Monument doesn’t sit higher on the list, alongside its counterpart, is the layout reaches ground level sooner, therefore the vistas are not so long-lived. 

Every other element of The Monument is exceptional with pristine conditioning and elegantly tree-lined holes. The highlight of the round is the pretty Island green on 18, offering a dramatic finish to a successful round, or a potential scorecard ruiner.

Opened: 1984
Par: 72
Length: 7003 yards
Designers include: Bill Newcomb
Difficulty: 141 Slope / 73.9 Rating