Northern Michigan Golf
Whether you are a scratch golfer or a weekend duffer, there are plenty of great courses in the Northern Michigan region to try to hone your game.
In no particular order, here are a few of the most impressive courses within easy driving distance of any Up North starting point:
- Hidden River Golf and Casting Club: Located on the banks of the Maple River, outside Brutus, in northern Emmet County, this course takes advantage of the river’s natural edges, with both fairways and greens situated on the scenic river and ranked among GolfWeek’s “Best Courses You Can Play” in 2013-2020. The lodge-like clubhouse includes the Rainbow Room dining room, with great dining opportunities overlooking a wide arc of the tea-colored river.
- Little Traverse Bay Golf Club: Since its opening in 1982, this course, along with its dining facilities, has offered award-winning golf in the hills above Little Traverse Bay. Set among the towering hardwoods that mark the seasons with their color, the course is also affordable, with greens fees held under $100 for eighteen holes with a cart.
- Springbrook Golf Club: a long time local favorite, this forgiving course situated in the rolling hills southeast of Walloon Lake, near the Bear River, offers 18 holes, over more than 5,000 feet of greens and fairways, including plenty of sand traps and water hazards to challenge any game. South-facing exposure means early season availability, and you will never go hungry, their dining facilities, Salty’s Bar and Grill, is open year-round.
- Boyne Golf: This is the most complete golf experience in the region, with several courses to play, all complemented by the Boyne traditions. With the Heather and Ross courses located at Boyne Highlands, near Harbor Springs, or the Alpine or Monument, located at Boyne Mountain, near Boyne Falls. Regardless of which course you choose the golfing opportunities are abundant and fit any schedule or ability. Each property offers a full array of dining and lodging options as well.
Lessons are available from the working professionals at any of these spots, as well as plenty of others in the area, if you are looking to hone your practice, whether working on your tee shot or your putting, or something in between. If you can’t find your way to a lesson, you might try some indoor action, like that available at Petoskey Golf Center in Petoskey, offering an array of simulation practice.
From the local flair of Springbrook Hills to the excellent experience of a Boyne golf destination to taking swings at the indoor simulator, there are plenty of ways to improve or simply enjoy your golf game in Northern Michigan.
