Planning Your First Northern Michigan Golf Trip
A lack of options won't be your problem
I was recently asked to recommend a golf trip for someone who has never been to Northern Michigan before1. There couldn’t be an easier assignment than that, right? Where I would start? Traverse City. No, Harbor Springs. But what about Arcadia? Wait, I haven’t even thought of Forest Dunes yet.
This is harder than I thought.
If you start narrowing down a list of demands, such as a preferred homebase, or a preference not to drive, stay at a resort, or keep it affordable, then it becomes exponentially easier. But given a blank slate? Nearly impossible.
So let’s try two things. First, I’ll give an option for a “let’s try to hit everything” trip, which is exhausting, but doable, if you think this might be your only time in Michigan for the foreseeable future.
If that sounds insane (because it is), I will also list the pros and cons of various smaller trips that are more regionally-based, and allow you to decide what factors are most important for your group.
Three Limitations
To limit any sniping coming my way from the locals, there are three limitations that I will cop to right away:
The Upper Peninsula - I won’t be including stops in the UP. I don’t think you plan a “Northern Michigan” trip and then try to include stops in the UP. It’s worthy of it’s own trip. I just don’t think for a first-timer that’s the first trip you recommend, simply due to the travel.
Private courses - If you believe that Crystal Downs, Kingsley Club, or High Pointe might be in your itinerary… you don’t need my help.
Disagreements - Like I told you, this is an impossible task. I’m not sorry. But for the Michiganders, I’ll give you the option at the end to craft your own first trip.
The Everything Trip
If you must hit all of the headliners in one trip, you will likely need to plan for 8-9 days, at least. Proximity lends itself to including some lesser-known gems along the way while still accounting for driving times. Also shoutout to the Fresh Coast Flock (a group of No Laying Up followers in Michigan) for suggesting this particular itinerary.
Day 1:
Fly into Detroit
Playing options: University of Michigan GC (Ann Arbor) or The Nightmare (West Branch - add The Dream, depending on arrival time)
Stay at Forest Dunes
Day 2:
Forest Dunes
The Loop
Day 3:
The Loop + Bootlegger (the short course at Forest Dunes)
Day 4:
Belvedere
Champion Hill
Day 5:
Arcadia South
Arcadia Bluffs (in that order, Bluffs is always a slower round)
Day 6:
Arcadia - The Dozen (short course)
Wolf River
Day 7:
Pilgrim’s Run or The Mines
Diamond Springs
Day 8:
Fly home (from Grand Rapids, or Detroit)
If driving, adjustments can certainly be made to the front or back end of the itinerary. If circumstances allow an extension of the trip, then you could consider adding some of the Boyne courses while up at Belvedere, or perhaps another Grand Rapids course on the way back down, such as American Dunes.
This trip checks off most of the headliners in the state (Arcadia/Forest Dunes), mixes in an unheralded elite course (Belvedere), and includes some smaller gems that reflect the depth of quality in the state.
Regional Trips
If the Everything trip sounds exhausting to you, or you worry about missing out on some of the other non-golf aspects of Northern Michigan, or if you don’t have 8+ days for travel, or you don’t have the funds for a 7-night trip that also includes maybe 6-8 rounds of golf that are $100+ and climbing in the summer, then a regional trip is probably a better option. I will progress from North to South, and hit on some of the major hubs that will include the most golf.
Harbor Springs/Petoskey
Pros
Perhaps the most beautiful summertime option. It is neck and neck with the Sleeping Bear Dunes, in that regard. There are a number of great beach options, with Petoskey State Park being the highlight.
Petoskey is a great Michigan town with lots of shopping and restaurants (would recommend the Back Lot Beer Garden). Harbor Springs is also very unique, albeit with a very different crowd and vibe (east coast/yacht club).
If you want a resort experience, Boyne is the place. Lots of courses (Bay Harbor, Heather, Hills, Ross Memorial, Crooked Tree) and a Trackman range. Has multiple pools and an outdoor hot tub, as well as a ski lift experience. The Doon Brae short course will possibly be open.
Outside of Boyne you can add on Hidden River, and Belvedere would most certainly be worth the drive.
Bay Harbor
Cons
You will really need to work with Boyne on a stay and play option, or it will be among your most expensive options in the state. There is not an abundance of affordable golf in the area, but Hidden River is an option. Springbrook in Boyne Falls looks like a rollicking good time.
Many options in the area outside of Boyne are private. Could be a plus, though, if you have the connections.
Over an extended stay, driving back and forth on the one road around the bay can get tedious.
Charlevoix-Elk Rapids
Pros
Not an area mentioned a lot, but plenty of unique golf in this stretch: Belvedere, Ye Nyne Olde Holes, Elk Rapids.
Also multiple resort options in A-Ga-Ming and Shanty Creek. Cedar River would be the standout here.
Short's Brewery in Bellaire should be a hit for any beer drinker.
I haven’t looked into this to see if it’s remotely affordable in the summer, but an Airbnb at Torch Lake? That would be hard to beat.
Belvedere (Photo: The Fried Egg)
Cons
It maybe won’t satisfy the golfer wanting to check off the big name courses.
I’m not incredibly familiar with that particular stretch of coastline, so I can’t tell you what it will be like in the summer in terms of traffic, costs, and things of that nature.
Gaylord
Pros
Everything is generally in one location, not much travel involved at all.
It’s resort heavy, so stay and play is easy.
There are an embarrassment of options here. If I were planning my ideal Gaylord trip, I would play Gaylord GC, the Tribute at Otsego Club, Treetops Premier and the Loon, as a start.
Really cool topography in the area. You won’t see a shortage of massively downhill tee shots.
Otsego Club
Cons
You are landlocked, so it doesn’t have quite the same appeal as being on Lake Michigan.
If you want to put together an a la carte trip like I mentioned above and play the best options at each resort, you will likely be upcharged at each place for not staying and playing on one property.
Perhaps a personal preference, but after you see the massive downhill tee shots a handful of times, they become redundant, especially if you play multiple courses across the same resort (Treetops, for example).
Forest Dunes
Pros
Amazing courses. You have four options to play when you count both Loop directions, Forest Dunes and the Bootlegger.
The lodging is reportedly very nice.
You can add some other courses. It’s about 40 minutes to the Dream and Nightmare courses in West Branch, or about 50 minutes to get up to Gaylord, where you will have no shortage of options.
Cons
There is literally nothing else going on in Roscommon.
Traverse City
Pros
From the perspective of seeking a travel destination, you will have the most options here. In addition to TC itself, there is Suttons Bay (don’t miss Hop Lot), wineries, beaches, and the Sleeping Bear Dunes.
If you prefer a resort, Grand Traverse Resort offers three courses.
There are some great non-resort options, as well, and all quite affordable: Bahle Farms, Northport Creek, Champion Hill, Wolf River
Cons
If you are trying to keep the trip golfy, this is likely where you will run into the most tourists.
Despite the many options, they are fairly spread out. Making TC your base will likely result in a decent amount of driving, with the tradeoff being that you get a lot of coverage.
Unless you drive a little over an hour to Arcadia, you aren’t getting any of the big name courses in this trip. The small gems are a good consolation, though.
Arcadia
Pros
Arcadia Bluffs and Arcadia South course, obviously. Outside of the Loop and Forest Dunes, these might be the best two course options at one resort in the state.
Close proximity to other great options in Wolf River, Champion Hill, several Manistee courses, and don’t forget the Dozen, Arcadia’s short course.
Arcadia Bluffs
Cons
I haven’t tried recently, but I hear it is tough to book. You have to be on it early, as tee times go quickly once they are released for the season.
Again this may have changed over time, but I don’t believe Arcadia has a ton of lodging.
Not quite Up North - Grand Rapids
Pros
Northern Michigan is hard to beat, but Grand Rapids is often overlooked as a travel destination.
Lots of great public course options - American Dunes, the Mike DeVries trio of courses (Pilgrim’s Run, The Mines, Diamond Springs), and Thornapple Pointe.
With a little bit of a drive, you can reach other notable courses, such as Harbor Shores and Stoatin Brae.
There are a million things to do in Grand Rapids, and you can still access the lake with some driving.
Cons
It’s not Northern Michigan. It's a unique place in the state that is worthy of visiting, but it’s not an Up North experience.
There will be a decent amount of driving, whether to get from course to course, or to the beach.
What Would I Do?
If I didn’t think the Everything trip was on the table, and I wanted a first-timer to really get a taste of Northern Michigan, which trip would I recommend?
I think it has to be centered around Arcadia. Play both the Bluffs and the South course, and then play the local gems in Wolf River and Champion Hill.
Then I would allot 1-2 days for non-golf activities. Visiting Empire Bluffs and the Pierce Stocking Drive at the Sleeping Bear Dunes is a must.
Empire Bluffs Visit the small towns around the Leelanau Peninsula. Visit Glen Arbor. Visit Leland, Northport, and Suttons Bay. Make sure you spend an evening at Hop Lot.
If that’s not enough golf, you COULD drive to Forest Dunes, but it’s a bit of a hike (I did it last year). If you wanted to stay more local, you could play Bahle Farms or Northport Creek, or head back down towards Manistee or Grand Rapids to play there.
If you want more non-golf things to do, spend a day in Traverse City, or hit up some of the wineries and distilleries around the peninsula.
Locals: What would be the very first trip that you would recommend in Northern Michigan?
I don’t know if northern should be capitalized as I use it, Northern Michigan, or if it should just be northern Michigan. It feels important to me, though, so I will honor the greater northern part of the lower peninsula of Michigan as Northern Michigan.