Southeast Michigan

The majority of Michigan's population and golf courses are based in and around the state's southeast corner. All roads lead to the Motor City, where the Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings all play downtown. A full complement of casinos, bars, restaurants and entertainment add to the allure.

They love their sports in Detroit and their passion for golf has spread throughout the metropolitan area. Oakland County is home to Oakland Hills Country Club, which has hosted the Ryder Cup and U.S. Open. TPC Michigan, a Jack Nicklaus design, awaits in the shadow of the Ford Motor Company headquarters in Dearborn.

While there are plenty of exclusive clubs throughout the area for the auto industry elite, an impressive collection of daily-fee courses make the game affordable and accessible for everyone.

Another jewel of southeast Michigan is Ann Arbor, just 25 minutes from Detroit Metro Airport and home of the University of Michigan. When the Wolverines aren't packing the Big House on football Saturdays, this city has some of the state's best dining and culture that accommodates diverse tastes in music and arts.

About an hour northwest of Ann Arbor is the state capitol of Lansing, neighbor to East Lansing and home of Michigan State University. Golf is plentiful in this area -- including MSU's Forest Akers West Course and Eagle Eye Golf Club, a demanding design that is a regular on Top 100 panels.
 

Recommended: Pine Trace Golf Club in Rochester Hills

Pine Trace Golf Club offers 18 of the most challenging holes in southeastern Michigan. This public golf course was designed by Arthur Hills and built in 1989. It is nestled in among 193 wooded acres, featuring pine trees bordering all its fairways, and 60 acres of natural wetlands throughout the course. An abundance of natural features helps give Pine Trace a northern Michigan flavor.

Upon its opening in 1989, public golf in Michigan was forever changed. Pine Trace Golf Club set a standard that many have emulated but few have achieved. This first upscale public golf course in southeast Michigan introduced many different aspects to public golf. Professional golf course architecture, high maintenance standards and excellent customer service standards are all hallmarks of the Pine Trace brand.