This semi-private club in Charlevoix is held in high regard for its connections to Tom Watson and the Michigan Amateur. The classic course, designed in 1925 by Willie Watson of Olympic Club fame, has hosted the Michigan Am a record 40 times. The event will return in 2025 for its centennial celebration. Watson spent summers in northern Michigan as a boy, honing his game at Belvedere before going on to win six majors. The club keeps a locker always at the ready in his honor. The course itself is infinitely walkable and playable, perfect conditions for the hickory golf tournaments held there, including two National U.S. Hickory Opens.

There are two Alister Mackenzie designs in the mitten and while Crystal Downs is remote and exclusive, Ann Arbor's University of Michigan Golf Course is near Metro Detroit and does offer limited public access (or just schmooze with a U of M alum and play with them).This course, opened in 1931, is set right in the heart of town and while it's a little cramped on the perimeter, the routing is bold and the green complexes are spectacular. So is the elevated 18th hole tee shot and heroic approach shot over a large pond. (You won't mistake the golf course clubhouse for being historic. It's brand new.)

One of the state's oldest clubs is a relatively new addition to the public realm. Washtenaw Golf Club, straddling Ann Arbor and its east side neighbor, Ypsilanti, dates back to 1899 and for most of its history was private. Ownership changes in recent years have transformed the facility into a character-filled daily-fee experience in southeast Michigan. This infamously tight course with slick greens is currently undergoing a restoration plan led by Michigan-based architect Ray Hearn that will widen playing corridors and enlarge greens to their original size. Fans of the classics will want to pair Washtenaw with U of M and, if they can score access, Ann Arbor's stately Donald Ross course at Barton Hills.

There was golf overlooking Lake Michigan around these parts well before Arcadia Bluffs. Just south of Arcadia on M-22 by about 20 miles is the coastal town of Manistee, home to 18 holes between the lake and town that dates back to 1901. If the brawny and more expensive Arcadia Bluffs sounds like too much, head to Manistee and pay as little as $30 walking to enjoy this pleasant lakefront layout that stretches to 5,614 yards.

Some of Rackham's roots to Donald Ross have been lost over the years. For a period, it looked liked the aging 6,555-yard course would be sold off for redevelopment by the city of Detroit, but it has been saved, hopefully for good. GolfPass reviews are decidedly mixed, although most Detroiters can overlook its shortcomings - slow play, spotty conditions - to enjoy the charming walk here that is just $40 on weekends.

Northern Michigan's main tourist hub of Traverse City is full of golf courses, and in particular modern, multi-course resorts. So Elk Rapids, a little 9-holer designed by Donald Ross overlooking Elk Lake, flies under the radar. 9 holes can be walked on this 3,000-yard, charming layout for as low as $22 and 18 for $29.

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A walk in the shadows of Northern Michigan's unsung golf courses

Cascades, another Bendelow project, is a Jackson County muni that both Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer played back in their hayday. Its front nine is 400 yards longer than the back, but the final nine holes are laced with more water. A 9-hole executive course of 2,000 yards accompanies the big course.

Verona Hills, dating to 1924 in tiny Bad Axe, makes a strong case as the best public course in Michigan's thumb. Its rolling topography and tree-lined doglegs would look right at home in northern Michigan. With every tee time under $50, it's a great bargain.

The Heritage Course gets overshadowed by the club's modern marvel named Greywalls. Two styles collide when comparing the two: The deceptive, straight-forward appeal of a classic course vs. the wild holes and rock outcroppings pieced together by Architect Mike DeVries. Classic designers William Langford and Theodore Moreau, best known for their work at Lawsonia Links in Wisconsin, routed the front nine of the Heritage in 1926 before a second nine with glimpses of Lake Superior was added in 1969 to create a 6,260-yard full 18.

Here's another backwoods gem in the upper peninsula near Escanaba and about an hour south of Marquette. Gladstone dates back to the 1930s with the design credit of A.H. Holly. It has been a favorite amongst our review community over the last few years and has been a selection of our Michigan Golfers' Choice annual lists. Golfers praise the secluded, wooded setting on interesting terrain, the course conditions and friendliness of the staff at this 6,400-yard layout. Peak rates are just $42 including golf cart.

Time stands still on Mackinac Island, where motorized transit is outlawed (besides the golf carts at the island's two courses, naturally). Horses and bicycles are the only way to get to the center of the island to uncover Wawashkamo, a tiny 9-holer that was a battle site between Americans and the British in 1814.

Wawashkamo may be the most authentically 19th century play in the state, created in 1898 at by Scottish-American golfer Alex Smith. It is minimally maintained lending itself to bouncy summertime conditions and there are some neat, albeit simple land features and a curious "circus ring" to navigate. Pair it with The Grand Hotel and you've got an iconic stay-and-play that shows off the Michigan of yesteryear. (The Grand Hotel's original nine holes, the Jewel, also date back 100+ years).

Tour historic nine-hole Wawashkamo Country Club on Michigan's Mackinac Island

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Golden retriever Obi Wan and club manager Chuck Olson greet golfers who make the trek to Wawashkamo Country Club on Mackinac Island. Brandon Tucker/GolfPass

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Best way to get to Wawashkamo on car-free Mackinac Island? Bike! Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor

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Hickory clubs can be rented at Wawashkamo for a more authentic 19th century experience. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor

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Keep an eye out for the "Public golf links" sign when making the trip to Wawashkamo. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor

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A cannon by the first tee commemorates the battle waged on these grounds in 1814 between American and British forces. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor

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The 8th/17th hole can play as a long par 3 or short par 4 at Washkamo and is guarded by a green in the back. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor

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Charming little shelters are sprinkled throughout the property. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor

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Scottish-American Alex Smith laid out Wawashkamo in 1898 before going on to win the U.S. Open twice in 1906 and 1910. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor

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Greens are very small at Wawashkamo and the 5th has a steep false front. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor

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Subtle design nuances, like a mound in front of the green, give Wawashkamo a 19th century Scottish flavor. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor

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A small tuft of rough encircles most of the 3rd green and is nicknamed the "circus ring." Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor

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On Mackinac Island, historic Wawashkamo is a 19th century throwback. The 9th/18th hole can play as a long par 4 or par 5. Brandon Tucker/GolfPass

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A good 19th hole or place to stay after golf at Wawashkamo is the Chippewa Hotel and Pink Pony Lounge, which has a big hot tub and great harbor view. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor

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Opened in 1912 and laid out by Bendelow, this quaint, hidden-away course in a summer community beloved of Chicagoans is frozen in time. It could have been more famous, as there were originally plans to turn it into a resort with a hotel called "Golfmore." But only nine quirky holes remain, slightly overgrown but dripping with charm. Open to the public, the course charges outsiders the princely sum of $13.50 to walk a loop, payable to the youngster scooping ice cream in the combination snack bar/pro shop. 

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5 Min Read

The other side of the lake

October 7, 2020

You've heard of Northern Michigan's Crystal Lake because of prestigious Crystal Downs. But did you know its eastern side has three welcoming and affordable courses?

By Brandon Tucker