Spotlight

Ravines Golf Club - hole 9

Good luck beating Ravines Golf Club, a tough Arnold Palmer design in Saugatuck

Ravines Golf Club doesn't let golfers relax. From the first hole to the final fairway, there's always an obstacle to clear, a challenge to meet. On a bad day, this demanding Arnold Palmer design will steal half a dozen of your golf balls. On a good day, it's a peaceful round through the woods.
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Macatawa Legends Golf & Country Club

Macatawa Legends Golf & C.C. lives on in Holland, Mich.

Almost every beach town along Lake Michigan offers a good public golf course. Holland almost lost theirs. Macatawa Legends Golf & C.C., a Ray Hearn design, went into receivership in 2009, but you would never know it these days. Once the recession cleared, Macatawa Legends came back to life.
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Manistee National - Cutters' Ridge golf course - 18th

Bring your 'A' game to survive Cutters' Ridge at Manistee National

How good are you? Cutters' Ridge at Manistee National Golf & Resort separates the haves from the have-nots. This Jerry Matthews design from 2000 just might be the toughest course, yard for yard, in Michigan. Wetlands lurk seemingly everywhere, and its slope from the tips soars to 149.
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Michigan Golf Destinations

  • Southeast Michigan

    The majority of Michigan's population and golf courses are based in and around metro Detroit in the state's southeast corner. They love their sports in Detroit, and they especially enjoy golf in the Motor City. While there are plenty of exclusive clubs for the auto industry elite, a smattering of daily-fee courses make the game affordable and accessible for everyone.

    Rolling Meadows Country Club
    The 18-hole Rolling Meadows Country Club in Whitmore Lake, MI is a public golf course that opened in 1978. Designed by William Shively, Rolling Meadows Country Club measures 6474 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 119 and a 69.
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    Eagle Eye Golf Club at Hawk Hollow
    Eagle Eye Golf Club is part of Hark Hollow, which offers a very popular 27-hole layout. Eagle Eye manages to stand out on its own as one of the top 30 public courses in the U.S. The course was a collaboration between Pete Dye and Chris Lutzke. They utilized the rolling landscape to provide a true links-style layout with a range of shot values.
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    East Course at Forest Akers MSU
    Forest Akers' East and West Courses are the home courses for the Michigan State University's men's and women's golf teams. The West Course is the longer and tougher of the two, but the East Course has plenty of challenges in store as well. Forest Akers East was redesigned in 1997, which converted it from a par 71 to a par-72 layout. New trees were planted and several bunkers were also added. The generous fairways are wide open and the golf course offers a few opportunities for birdies.
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  • Southwest Michigan

    Along Lake Michigan's coastline in the southwest corner of the state, a succession of small beach towns provide a quick escape from the city life of Detroit and Chicago. Value golf courses are a constant theme in Michigan, and the southwest corner is no exception.

    Woodlands Course at Whittaker
    Woodlands Course at Whittaker is located in southwest Michigan but being only 90 minutes from downtown Chicago and just steps from the Indiana state line, it's very much a part of the Chicagoland golf scene. The course is a formidable test for even the best players, weaving through a diverse landscape of mature woodlands, ponds, and wetlands.
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    Lake Doster Golf Club
    Lake Doster Golf Club in Plainwell is ranked as one of the top 25 golf courses in Michigan. The layout has undulating greens and watered fairways that will test even the most experienced golfers. The course is home to the affectionately nicknamed "Little Monster," its third hole, which boasts a reputation as the toughest par 3 in the state.
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    Willow Wood Golf Club
    Located just three miles south of downtown Portland, Willow Wood Golf Club sprawls across acres of rolling countryside laced with meandering creeks and ribbons of mature woodlands. The naturally hilly terrain lent itself perfectly to a challenging championship course. It's a layout that will keep you on your toes but it's not overly punishing for the high handicapper.
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  • Northeast Michigan

    While Michigan's northwest may be the more nationally known vacation region, the northeast part of the state boasts a collection of small towns and natural wonders worth exploring, too, including one of the Midwest's top golf destinations, Gaylord.

    The Natural at Beaver Creek Resort
    The Natural at Beaver Creek Resort sits along the western shore of Otsego Lake. As its name implies, the course blends seamlessly into the beautiful surroundings. The challenging layout requires accuracy so don't let the scenery distract you too much. Trees line the meandering fairways and water hazards come into play throughout. Strategically placed bunkers lurk along the greensides as well.
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    Black Lake Golf Club
    The 18-hole Black Lake Golf Club in Onaway, MI is a public golf course that opened in 2000. Designed by Rees Jones, Black Lake Golf Club measures 7046 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 143 and a 74.
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    Gaylord Golf Club
    The 18-hole Gaylord Golf Club in Gaylord, MI is a semi-private golf course that opened in 1975. Gaylord Golf Club measures 6472 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 129 and a 71.3 USGA rating. The course features 4 sets of tees for different skill levels.
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  • Northwest Michigan

    The most coveted vacation spot in Michigan is the northwest coast, where you'll find many of the state's highest-ranked resort golf courses as well as charming lakes and bayside towns. Much of the state's most spectacular coastline can be found in the northwest, making it an ideal summer haven for boaters and those seeking natural, freshwater beaches.

    Gaylord Golf Club
    The 18-hole Gaylord Golf Club in Gaylord, MI is a semi-private golf course that opened in 1975. Gaylord Golf Club measures 6472 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 129 and a 71.3 USGA rating. The course features 4 sets of tees for different skill levels.
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    The Natural at Beaver Creek Resort
    The Natural at Beaver Creek Resort sits along the western shore of Otsego Lake. As its name implies, the course blends seamlessly into the beautiful surroundings. The challenging layout requires accuracy so don't let the scenery distract you too much. Trees line the meandering fairways and water hazards come into play throughout. Strategically placed bunkers lurk along the greensides as well.
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    Hawk's Eye Golf Resort
    Hawk's Eye Golf Resort in Bellaire is one of the top 15 public courses in the state of Michigan. The championship course is the centerpiece of a tucked away golf community in the northern part of the state.
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  • Upper Peninsula

    Wilderness is the big attraction in the Upper Peninsula. Hunting, fishing, hiking and boating are favorite pastimes of all "Yoopers." The summer golf season may be cruelly short, usually just June through September, but there are some real standout golf courses for those who make the trek.

    Gladstone Golf Club
    The 18-hole Gladstone Golf Course in Gladstone, MI is a public golf course that opened in 1936. Designed by A. H. Jolly, Gladstone Golf Course measures 6456 yards from the longest tees. The course features 3 sets of tees for different skill levels.
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    Escanaba Country Club
    The 18-hole Escanaba Country Club in Escanaba, MI is a semi-private golf course that opened in 1924. Escanaba Country Club measures 6233 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 122 and a 69.3 USGA rating. The course features 3 sets of tees for different skill levels.
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    Hessel Ridge Golf Course
    The 18-hole Hessel Ridge Golf Course in Hessel, MI is a public golf course that opened in 1997. Designed by Jeff Gorney, Hessel Ridge Golf Course measures 6415 yards from the longest tees. The course features 3 sets of tees for different skill levels.
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