Harbor Shores
201 Graham Ave.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Phone(s): (269) 927-4653
Fax: (269) 927-1818
Website: www.harborshoresgolf.com
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Phone(s): (269) 927-4653
Fax: (269) 927-1818
Website: www.harborshoresgolf.com
Harbor Shores boasts a Jack Nicklaus Signature layout that plays through a stunning landscape of forest and wetlands. The golf course tumbles across hills and ravines blanketed with hardwood trees, providing a round that is as scenic as it is challenging. Thanks to the massive white sand dunes that edge along the water, the course has a truly links feel. When combined with the trees and natural water hazards provided by the landscape, the golf course becomes a truly formidable test. The seaside location also guarantees that some holes will be played into the prevailing wind. The trio of holes from the seventh through the ninth plays along the water and offer scenic views of Lake Michigan. There are 10 holes that border the Paw Paw River, Ox Creek, and their surrounding marshland.
(based on 8 reviews) 
Golf course details
- Holes: 18
- Designed by: Jack Nicklaus
- Public/Private: Public
- Year opened: 2009
- Golf Season:
- Guest Policy: Open
- Tee times welcomed: Yes
- Fairways:
- Greens:
Facilities
- Pro in house: Yes
- Driving range: Yes
- Rental clubs: Yes
- Rental carts: Yes
Green fees price ranges
- Week days: $75 - $150
- Weekends: $75 - $150
- Tee times from $77 - Check prices
Course policies
- Metal spikes allowed: No
- Dress code:
- Credit cards accepted: Yes
Length, slope and rating for each tee
| Tee | Par | Yardage | Slope | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 71 | 6861 | 143 | 74.7 |
| Grey | 71 | 6254 | 137 | 70.8 |
| White | 71 | 5755 | 133 | 69.1 |
| Blue | 71 | 4932 | 123 | 69.4 |
Reader Ratings / Reviews
- We just played this course and thought it was a great layout and very challenging. The staff in the pro shop, on the range and in the restaurant were extremely accommodating and friendly. While the elevated green may put some people off, the challenge was fun. The setting is beautiful and during the fall the trees were lovely. We liked the double green and found it difficult but fun to play. There are many courses that we have played and this one will definitely bring us back! As the other reviewer said--go play it! Great course!Great layout. Interesting and challenging. Need to play it a few times to find best positions to green. Pricey but a great experience.Not a great course. Holes 6 and 7 are silly, with forced carries. The 10th green is ridiculous- a two tiered nightmare that rises ten feet from bottom to top. The root system hasn't grown in yet, and the course doesn't drain well, leading to many iron shots from soggy lies in the fairway.
No one rakes the bunkers and the greens are cratered with unrepaired ball marks. For the price, I expected the course to be in much better shape.
The sand in the bunkers is consistent, leading to escapable plays, IF the people in front of you actually rake.
All the par threes are challenging in a good way.
After all the fanfare that this course had, I am very disappointed.Place is like being in the middle of the twilight zone. It is the epitome of a forced layout that doesnt flow naturally. For the price it is a joke. With all the great michigan golf courses stay clear of this overrated odd course. Without Jack Nicklaus's name this would be a 40 dollar course at best.Absolutely one of the best courses I've played. Loved it. The staff was extremely nice and friendly. Loved the Titliest golf balls on the range. Real Class! Can't wait to return.Observations from a 12 handicap. There is no question that the holes themselves are immaculate. Rolling fairways with plenty of uphill/downhill/sidehill lies. Greens have as much undulation and sloping as any I have ever played. 3-break putts are not uncommon.
Back nine is most "playable". Front nine (where you can see Lake Michigan on a couple of holes) has 2 or 3 really "tricked up" holes that make you want to curse Jack. One par four has big islands of "death" (3 foot tall grass) in the middle of the fairway. Not quite fair to hit a ball straight and lose it. The course is not long, but the number of forced carries makes it difficult for short hitters. A playing partner would hit 180 yard drives which required a half-wedge layup to the front of trouble, followed by a 160 yard carry.
The course is really spread out throughout the Harbor Shores development. Driving from 9 green to 10 tee took about 4 minutes. At two points you drive across a highway. At another point you drive under an overpass. You could never walk the course.
Overall, the course conditions are great the course is solid and certainly challenging. A month ago I played Arcadia Bluffs. Harbor Shores is no Arcadia. But then again, what is?Jeremy must be a hack with his lousy opinion--One of the best courses in the state! Go play it!!!