What are the best courses in Michigan.

[Skragbait]

Anyone play the new

I haven't played it yet but I live about 2 miles from it. I've driven by it many times and it looks beautiful but tough. I'm eager to give it a shot. A guy I work with has played it and loved it. He usually shoots in the mid-low 80's at Lake Michigan Hills and he shot over 100 at Harbor Shores.

[MSchott]

Really? Is that including Bay Harbor?!?

Bay Harbor is not at Boyne Highlands. If I were to rate the two though, I think I'd choose Bay Harbor for the views but the Ross for the great strategies and incredibly interesting holes. However it's been many years since I played Bay Harbor so my memory is fuzzy.

[Skragbait]

I just played Indian Lake Hills in Eau Claire, MI today. It was a lot of fun. Not the nicest facilities, but not the worst either. Kind of average as far as the clubhouse amenities go, but the course is in really, really nice shape. I loved how open it is, i.e. I felt like there was no bad place to hit the ball off the tee on any of the holes I hit driver on. Didn't matter if I missed right or left, I still had a shot at the green. The greens and fairways were all in great shape and there were barely any leaves on the course. Definitely a nice change from the usual tight Michigan courses I play. I played the North and West course. I didn't get a chance to try the East course since they were aerating the greens. I'll definitely play it again sometime. I shot a 91 which is not bad at all for me on a course I've never played before.

[Ninja15]

Just played a couple great tracks at the Boyne Highlands Resort this week.
Bay Harbor (Links/Quarry)-playing the Links was an incredible experience, tough as nails with the wind blowing in off the water. The Quarry wasn't quite as scenic but still a great test.
Arthur Hills -a subtle layout but makes you think on every shot. The back nine has a bit more character with some drastic changes in elevation.
True North -a true gem, definitely one of my new favs....a must play!
Black Forest -a decent track but not in the same class as the aforementioned.

A list of my favorite north Michigan courses in order of preference....
Forest Dunes
Arcadia Bluffs
True North
Black Lake
Bay Harbor (Links/Quarry)
Red Hawk
Boyne-Arthur Hills
Elk Ridge
Tullymore
The Gailes
Grand Traverse Bear
Black Forest
Treetops Masterpiece
Otsego Tribute
Shanty Creek Legends

[alf174]

Just played a couple great tracks at the Boyne Highlands Resort this week.

Thats quite the list!

[Ninja15]

Thats quite the list!

Fortunately my better half enjoys the game as much as I do....we've been doing north Michigan for the last 4 or 5 years. Matter of fact I'm already working on next years trip....any suggestions would be more than welcome!

[jlh1508]

Fortunately my better half enjoys the game as much as I do....we've been doing north Michigan for the last 4 or 5 years. Matter of fact I'm already working on next years trip....any suggestions would be more than welcome!

Its not Northern Michigan, but Eagle Eye just outside of Lansing is a must play

[Ninja15]

Just saw that track featured on Golf Destinations (from the Golf Channel) along with Shepherds Hollow.....might have to switch to a southern/western swing next year. Still haven't done the U.P. yet either.

[alf174]

Its not Northern Michigan, but Eagle Eye just outside of Lansing is a must play

And Hawk Hollow across the street. Both are excellent choices.

[Ron Stewart]

St. Ives and Tullymore are the 2 nicest courses I've ever played. Moose Ridge is a veery nice layout for southern Mi, as is Island Hills where I played for the first time last week. Luckily for us Michiganders we have access to great websites like golfnow.com and lessonongolf.com that allows us to play some very nice tracks at very affordable rates

[alo1984]

So So many:
In St Joseph area: Harbor Shores (Nicklaus design), Lake Michigan Hills, Berrien Hills Golf Club
Close by: The Ravines (Arnie course - stunning), Hawkshead, Whittaker Woods
In Southbend: Blackthorn (one of my all time favorites)
North: Grand Traverse Resort Courses - The Bear (Nicklaus), The Wolverine (Player) - Treetops Resort (Rick Smith), Crystal Mountain Resort courses
Arcadia Bluffs, Lost Dunes, Point O Woods,

These are all absurdly beautiful and well maintained tracks.

[spogan]

I played Arcadia Bluffs a couple of years ago and it was really great. Playing the new Harbor Shores course next Sunday. Hear great things about it. Half off greens fees as well. Think we're paying $75. I'll post when I get back.

[alf174]

FYI, free golf this week at Raisin River in Monroe, part of their annual customer appreciation week. $13 for cart fee. This week's 70s temperatures may be the last hoorah of the year.

[Letsplaythetips]

We have been doing a Michigan golf trip every year, last year we went up to the U.P. that was a great deal. Stay and play at the Island resort and casino. The consensus among the guys is that Arcadia hands down #1 for us then I think in a tie for second would be Forest Dunes and True North. By the way Greywalls up in the U.P. is fantastic, kind of a tricked out course reminded me alot of Tot Hill Farms in N.C.

Our order of courses from most to least favorite would probably go like this:

Arcadia Bluffs
Forest Dunes
True North
Tullymore
Greywalls
Bay Harbor Links/Quarry
Timberstone at Iron Mtn.
Kingsley Club
Sweetgrass
A-GA-MING Sundance
Hawks Eye
Black Lake
Treetops "Masterpiece" and Threetops
Hidden River
Manistee National


Hope this helps, we have also played a lot of courses in SE Michigan but nothing compares to the true up north courses

[Ninja15]

Great list.....now you have me considering the U.P for next summer.

Totally agree with your top 3...only change I would make would be to slide Black Lake into the #4 spot. I thought it was an amazing track!

[Ninja15]

Took longer than planned but finally made it to the U.P.....here's my updated list (in order):

Arcadia Bluffs

Forest Dunes

Timber Stone

True North

Black Lake

Shepherds Hollow

Greywalls

Red Hawk

Bay Harbor

Elk Ridge

Arthur Hills

Tullymore

The Gailes

Sweetgrass

Grand Traverse Bear

Treetops Masterpiece

Black Forest

Ostego Tribute

Shanty Creek Legends

Blackheath

Fore Lakes

Next up.....western Michigan.

[teeitup22]

I played Timberstone when I was visiting my grandpa and wow best couse I have ever played. It was so gorgeous. I played well too. What are people's thoughts on Timberstone?

[egolf]

Timberstone is an excellent course. Try Sweetgrass in Escanaba next time you're up there.