Few areas in the world have such a massive amount of quality golf as in northern Michigan. Brandon Tucker looks at five resort golf venues that are best bets for great deals on stay-and-play packages, afternoon replay rates and unlimited golf specials.
... full article »
Detroiters and Chicagoans have been escaping to Northern Michigan for pure, natural golf for more than a century. Here's a look at some of the top golf courses for the traditionalist golfer. What constitutes "traditional?" We're looking for classic golf courses, or modern courses built to resemble the classics.
... full article »
Folks in Michigan's Upper Peninsula - or "Yoopers" - are rightly proud of their best golf courses. Timberstone and Sweetgrass, which, along with Greywalls in Marquette, complete a triangle on the western side of the U.P., are three gems worthy of national attention, but they're hardly similar to each other, native son Brandon Tucker writes.
... full article »
Set on 320 acres on Hannahville Indian land, Sweetgrass Golf Club is a design from Paul Albanese that's geared toward making Michigan's Upper Peninsula a genuine golf destination. Two hours from Green Bay, three and a half hours from Milwaukee and five and a half hours from Chicago, Sweetgrass and the Island Resort & Casino definitely offer a secluded getaway.
... full article »
Northern Michigan has no shortage of high-profile golf gems, but don't head home until you experience a few of the north's overachieving lesser-known gems. A golf course is around every corner in this neck of the woods. Here are some of the most memorable and unique you may not know about.
... full article »
Does northern Michigan have room for another golf destination? The golf-rich village of Bellaire thinks so. Located west of northern Michigan's most trafficked and marketed golf spot, Gaylord, and north of the region's biggest hub, Traverse City, Bellaire offers its own niche.
... full article »
Business travelers are certain to have a layover in Detroit eventually. As in most areas of golf-obsessed Michigan, many golf courses and driving ranges are close enough that you can squeeze in a round without missing your connection.
... full article »
Forgive the golf courses of the Gaylord Golf Mecca for boasting a bit of a cool swagger, it's just that for the last decade they've been at the top of the Midwestern golf game. And it keeps getting bigger and better. Originally founded in 1987 with a modest seven courses, the Gaylord Golf Mecca sees more than 350,000 rounds each summer.
... full article »
When it comes to cost, Northern Michigan upscale isn't the same thing as Las Vegas or Scottsdale upscale - far from it. The golf, however, is second to none. Native son Brandon Tucker spotlights some of the best luxury golf destinations in the area, including Arcadia Bluffs, Grand Traverse Resort, Forest Dunes Golf Club, Bay Harbor Golf Club and Treetops Resort.
... full article »
There's nothing quite like the beautiful, rustic northern Michigan. Come summer time, it's the home of some of the Midwest's most stunning scenery, from the mighty Sleeping Bear Dunes to Torch Lake and other inland beauties. That's all fine, we suppose, but northern Michigan's real beauty comes from a spectacular, elevated tee box, overlooking an endless expanse of forest or lake, as well as a wide, appetizing fairway 100 or more feet below.
... full article »
You can debate how much the actual club matters in a golf swing all you want. Many golfers swear by the irons they played in high school two decades ago. Others are always on the lookout for the newest edge, whether it be a more consistent shaft or bigger sweet spot, dropping hundreds of dollars in the process.
... full article »
Northern Michigan may be the summer golf haven of the masses, but in-the-know Midwesterners head to a destination a little closer to home. Located about 20 minutes from Lake Michigan, Grand Rapids has plenty to offer golfers, including fine tracks like Boulder Creek Golf Club, The Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe and L.E. Kaufman.
... full article »
For Traverse City's golf industry, its biggest competition in a saturated northern Michigan market has often been said to be - Traverse City. Gaylord and Boyne Falls are recognized as golf destinations," said John Jessup of the Traverse City Visitors Bureau. "There's so much to do in Traverse City, people often forget about the golf."
... full article »
Of course, Michigan golf fans have long known that the Wolverine State is spectacular in its own right, with a diverse and glorious golfing history. So in tribute to what could be a classic Super Bowl in a classic golf state, here are the Top V (5) Super Bowl and Michigan golf moments.
... full article »
When it comes to golf, there is nothing to laugh about in Kalamazoo, the town with the funny name. Just saying it - K-a-l-a-m-a-z-o-o - brings on a smile; certainly a big grin for golfers. This area may be one of the best in Michigan for good, affordable golf and that's no joke. You’d be hard-pressed to find this many good golf courses within just a few minutes of each other for such comfortable prices.
... full article »
At the turn of the 20th century, the small beach town of Holland on the west coast of Michigan was considered the "Coney Island" of the Great Lakes. Sun-thirsty Chicagoans would head by boat across Lake Michigan to their cottage or hotel and would enjoy a weekend getaway or summer retreat enjoying one of the area's many restaurants, beaches and golf courses.
... full article »
Planning to be in Detroit for All-Star Weekend? Here are one-day itineraries for four different classes of baseball fans and golfers looking to get their fix of fun and golf in Motown.
... full article »
While Detroit will never mistake itself for the golf Mecca of northern Michigan, visitors can enjoy top-notch playing conditions during their stay. All of the courses that make this MichiganGolf.com list of Detroit's top 10 public tracks were built within the last 15 years. That's when "modern course design" featuring wide fairways, fancy bunkers and huge greens all became necessities to attract players. Needless to say, the Motor City golf scene has received a major facelift.
... full article »
If you want to play the baffling yet beautiful thrill ride of a course known as LochenHeath Golf Club, make friends with a property owner in the development or maybe even snatch up a lot of land yourself. Private since the beginning of 2004, LochenHeath now only allows members and their guests on the course. The privileged few have the chance to tangle with throw-back course architect Steve Smyers' flagship design in the Wolverine state.
... full article »
Now easing into retirement after a successful run as CEO of the Michigan PGA Section, Ken Devine still loves to talk about the business side of the game of golf - and about the Ryder Cup Matches at Oakland Hills. Having earned a reputation as the "lifeblood" of the Michigan PGA, Devine tells TravelGolf.com he leaves the Section "positioned for great growth" under the leadership of new Kevin Helm.
... full article »