Spotlight

Ravines Golf Club - hole 9

Good luck beating Ravines Golf Club, a tough Arnold Palmer design in Saugatuck

Ravines Golf Club doesn't let golfers relax. From the first hole to the final fairway, there's always an obstacle to clear, a challenge to meet. On a bad day, this demanding Arnold Palmer design will steal half a dozen of your golf balls. On a good day, it's a peaceful round through the woods.
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Macatawa Legends Golf & Country Club

Macatawa Legends Golf & C.C. lives on in Holland, Mich.

Almost every beach town along Lake Michigan offers a good public golf course. Holland almost lost theirs. Macatawa Legends Golf & C.C., a Ray Hearn design, went into receivership in 2009, but you would never know it these days. Once the recession cleared, Macatawa Legends came back to life.
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Manistee National - Cutters' Ridge golf course - 18th

Bring your 'A' game to survive Cutters' Ridge at Manistee National

How good are you? Cutters' Ridge at Manistee National Golf & Resort separates the haves from the have-nots. This Jerry Matthews design from 2000 just might be the toughest course, yard for yard, in Michigan. Wetlands lurk seemingly everywhere, and its slope from the tips soars to 149.
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Michigan Golf Destinations

  • Northwest Michigan

    The most coveted vacation spot in Michigan is the northwest coast, where you'll find many of the state's highest-ranked resort golf courses as well as charming lakes and bayside towns. Much of the state's most spectacular coastline can be found in the northwest, making it an ideal summer haven for boaters and those seeking natural, freshwater beaches.

    Eldorado
    Eldorado, located just south of Cadillac, has built a reputation as one of the best golf values in the Great Lakes area. The championship layout sprawls across rolling hills laced with flowering wetland areas. The golf course features elevated tees and generous green complexes with subtle but tricky undulations.
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    Cedar River Golf Course at Shanty Creek
    The Cedar River Course was Tom Weiskopf's first design in Michigan. It has been ranked as one of the top 100 resort golf courses in the country. The layout closely follows the natural contours of the landscape, providing a wealth of unique shot opportunities. The dramatic elevation changes define the traditional layout, which gives an excellent rhythm to the course.
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    The Natural at Beaver Creek Resort
    The Natural at Beaver Creek Resort sits along the western shore of Otsego Lake. As its name implies, the course blends seamlessly into the beautiful surroundings. The challenging layout requires accuracy so don't let the scenery distract you too much. Trees line the meandering fairways and water hazards come into play throughout. Strategically placed bunkers lurk along the greensides as well.
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  • Southeast Michigan

    The majority of Michigan's population and golf courses are based in and around metro Detroit in the state's southeast corner. They love their sports in Detroit, and they especially enjoy golf in the Motor City. While there are plenty of exclusive clubs for the auto industry elite, a smattering of daily-fee courses make the game affordable and accessible for everyone.

    Coyote Golf Club
    At 7,201 yards, Coyote Golf Club in New Hudson has a layout that will appeal to long hitters. The course requires more than just the ability to hit long drives, though, with abundant water features and numerous strategically placed bunkers. Accuracy and creative shot-making are necessary to successfully maneuver the variety of hazards.
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    Chemung Hills Golf Club
    Established in 1927, Chemung Hills Golf Club is one Livingston County's oldest courses. The classic design has withstood the test of time beautifully and it is still considered one of the area's toughest public courses. The layout stretches across lush, rolling hills that are dappled with mature trees.
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    Lake Erie Metropark Golf Course
    Lake Erie Metropark in Brownstown sits along the shoreline of its namesake lake. The location is a popular bird-watching spot with more than 300 species recorded. Golfers might catch a glimpse of a bald eagle and broad-wing hawk sightings are almost definite since the area is one of the best hawk-watching sites in North America.
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  • Northeast Michigan

    While Michigan's northwest may be the more nationally known vacation region, the northeast part of the state boasts a collection of small towns and natural wonders worth exploring, too, including one of the Midwest's top golf destinations, Gaylord.

    The Natural at Beaver Creek Resort
    The Natural at Beaver Creek Resort sits along the western shore of Otsego Lake. As its name implies, the course blends seamlessly into the beautiful surroundings. The challenging layout requires accuracy so don't let the scenery distract you too much. Trees line the meandering fairways and water hazards come into play throughout. Strategically placed bunkers lurk along the greensides as well.
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    Gaylord Golf Club
    The 18-hole Gaylord Golf Club in Gaylord, MI is a semi-private golf course that opened in 1975. Gaylord Golf Club measures 6472 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 129 and a 71.3 USGA rating. The course features 4 sets of tees for different skill levels.
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    Black Lake Golf Club
    The 18-hole Black Lake Golf Club in Onaway, MI is a public golf course that opened in 2000. Designed by Rees Jones, Black Lake Golf Club measures 7046 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 143 and a 74.
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  • Southwest Michigan

    Along Lake Michigan's coastline in the southwest corner of the state, a succession of small beach towns provide a quick escape from the city life of Detroit and Chicago. Value golf courses are a constant theme in Michigan, and the southwest corner is no exception.

    Pilgrim's Run Golf Club
    The 18-hole Pilgrim's Run Golf Club in Pierson, MI is a public golf course that opened in 1998. Designed by DeVries Designs Inc. , Pilgrim's Run Golf Club measures 7093 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 143 and a 74.
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    Willow Wood Golf Club
    Located just three miles south of downtown Portland, Willow Wood Golf Club sprawls across acres of rolling countryside laced with meandering creeks and ribbons of mature woodlands. The naturally hilly terrain lent itself perfectly to a challenging championship course. It's a layout that will keep you on your toes but it's not overly punishing for the high handicapper.
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    Lake Doster Golf Club
    Lake Doster Golf Club in Plainwell is ranked as one of the top 25 golf courses in Michigan. The layout has undulating greens and watered fairways that will test even the most experienced golfers. The course is home to the affectionately nicknamed "Little Monster," its third hole, which boasts a reputation as the toughest par 3 in the state.
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  • Upper Peninsula

    Wilderness is the big attraction in the Upper Peninsula. Hunting, fishing, hiking and boating are favorite pastimes of all "Yoopers." The summer golf season may be cruelly short, usually just June through September, but there are some real standout golf courses for those who make the trek.

    Gladstone Golf Club
    The 18-hole Gladstone Golf Course in Gladstone, MI is a public golf course that opened in 1936. Designed by A. H. Jolly, Gladstone Golf Course measures 6456 yards from the longest tees. The course features 3 sets of tees for different skill levels.
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    Escanaba Country Club
    The 18-hole Escanaba Country Club in Escanaba, MI is a semi-private golf course that opened in 1924. Escanaba Country Club measures 6233 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 122 and a 69.3 USGA rating. The course features 3 sets of tees for different skill levels.
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    Hessel Ridge Golf Course
    The 18-hole Hessel Ridge Golf Course in Hessel, MI is a public golf course that opened in 1997. Designed by Jeff Gorney, Hessel Ridge Golf Course measures 6415 yards from the longest tees. The course features 3 sets of tees for different skill levels.
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