14 Must-Try Public Golf Courses In Michigan
Meet Jake
Jake was a competitive golfer for over a decade dating back to the days of being the Captain of his high school golf team. He has played more than 200 courses across 32 different states in the US. Now semi-retired, Jake continues to golf 3-4 days a week with a current 2 handicap, gives golf lessons to his friends and family, and provides a wealth of knowledge to Golf Circuit from his competitive playing days. Jake combines practical expertise with technical knowledge to create golfing strategies and training techniques for both beginners and scratch golfers.
Golf has always been a favorite sport of Michigan natives, and it’s unsurprising that there are so many golf courses available in the state for the public to enjoy.
But which are the best public golf courses in Michigan for 2022?
Look no further, as this guide contains 14 of the top-rated public golf courses in the Michigan area that you can visit today! So, if you’re interested in finding out more, then simply read on.
Best Public Golf Courses In Michigan
If you’re interested in finding out more, then simply read on.
Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course
- Location: Arcadia, Michigan
- Public Golf Course Founded: 1999
Arcadia Bluffs is a pay-per-day golf club in Arcadia, Michigan, that is open to the public 7 days a week, with the season spanning from from the middle of April to the middle of November each year, depending on the weather conditions.
No private memberships (like those offered at ClubCorp for instance) are offered, and every design feature of the course was included to encourage enjoyment for players of all golfing abilities and backgrounds.
In addition to the premier layout, players can experience a full practice range and a separate short-game facility, too.
Top-quality GPS-equipped golf carts are easy to access, but you can utilize the caddy program too. The course has 18 holes, and its original architects were Warren Henderson and Rick Smith.
Greywalls Golf Course
- Location: Marquette, Michigan
- Public Golf Course Founded: 2006
The Greywalls public golf course was designed by Mike DeVries, and his focus was to create a natural wonder that encompassed the rugged beauty of the unique Marquette environment.
As a result, the course includes a diverse variety of terrain types, from fairways to bold slopes, stark elevation changes, and some truly breathtaking panoramic views across the magnificent Lake Superior.
Greywalls is well known throughout the golfing world.
It offers an inspiring and unforgettable day of golfing that is quite unlike any other course in Michigan.
Eagle Eye Club Golf Course
- Location: Bath, Michigan
- Public Golf Course Founded: 2003
Eagle Eye golf club is an 18-hole public championship course designed by Chris Lutzke, and it features some standout features such as railroad ties, harsh mounding, and pot bunkers.
It’s a ‘links-style’ course that provides a challenge from any of 5 sets of tees, and their signature “Island Green” number 17 should not be missed!
They also have a dramatic clubhouse which hosts events like weddings, so it’s a really social course that’s made to bring its players together!
Stoatin Brae Golf Course
- Location: Augusta, Michigan
- Public Golf Course Founded: 2016
Stoatin Brae public golf course is the latest offering from Gull Lake View in partnership with Renaissance Golf Design.
Their aim was to create a golf course where everyone of all skill levels can find a challenge that suits them, all the while having an unforgettable experience that’s as fun as ever.
The Stoatin Brae course sits at one of the highest points in Kalamazoo County, which means most holes provide a range of sweeping panoramic views of the beautiful surrounding landscape that you simply won’t be able to benefit from elsewhere.
Belvedere Golf Course
- Location: Charlevoix, Michigan
- Public Golf Course Founded: 1925
Belvedere semi-private golf course in Charlevoix is one of Michigan’s most historic golf clubs, and it was originally designed in 1925 meaning it is rich with traditional features.
It’s had the honor of hosting the Michigan Amateur Championship a record breaking 40 times, and it offers an experience unlike anything else in Michigan.
You won’t find GPS systems or beverage carts at Belvedere golf course – instead, you’ll find open fairways leading to challenging green complexes with short walks between different holes untouched by man-made machinery.
Pilgrim’s Run Golf Course
- Location: Pierson, Michigan
- Public Golf Course Founded: 1999
Pilgrim’s Run golf course is an upscale public golf course built on more than 400 acres, boasting the hallmark of premier design and construction everywhere you turn.
Whether you want more challenging playing or if you just want to make your golf game fun, you can choose your type of session at Pilgrim’s Run golf course.
An average golfing day here will take you down some of the most manicured fairways that are lined with tall white pines and black oaks, making for a picture perfect location.
Pilgrim’s Run is a must play for golfers who enjoy a relaxing combination of tranquility, natural beauty and brilliant golf!
The Orchards Golf Course
- Location: Washington, Michigan
- Public Golf Course Founded: 1993
The Orchards public golf course boasts classic looks and a traditional style of play, and it was designed by internationally acclaimed golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. in the style of the private clubs that were so popular during the twenties.
The Orchards aims to challenge each golfer by permitting a range of different approaches to each hole, so you can get creative with your game.
Black Lake Golf Course
- Location: Onaway, Michigan
- Public Golf Course Founded: 2000
The Black Lake golf course was designed in 2000 by Rees Jones, one of golf’s most celebrated course architects.
His aim was to create an environmentally responsible, championship caliber public course, and every hole at Black Lake golf course is stunning to say the very least.
Black Lake is open to the public and welcomes each guest as if they were lifelong members, making for a great atmosphere all around.
This golf course also has its own top quality practice area with a 350-yard double sided bentgrass tee range, as well as 4 practice bunkers and 4 chipping and putting greens to boot – everything you need for an excellent day of golfing.
Hidden River Golf Course
- Location: Brutus, Michigan
- Public Golf Course Founded: 1997
Hidden River public golf course is a unique course that is both enjoyable and relaxing for golfers of all skill levels and ages.
From the moment you arrive, you will likely fall in love with the tranquility of the course, as walking through the entrance you will immediately be greeted with tall pines, exquisite grounds, and the great Maple River rippling peacefully away.
This 18-hole course designed by Bruce Matthews should certainly make it into the list of the best public cold courses in Michigan!
Forest Dunes Golf Course
- Location: Roscommon, Michigan
- Public Golf Course Founded: 2002
Forest Dunes public golf course is situated on 500 acres of heavily wooded land within the Huron National Forest, and it has slowly but surely become one of the country’s most peaceful yet exciting golfing experiences.
British Open Champion Tom Weiskopf is the original designer of this course, and he opted for a parkland-style course featuring a limited number of modern enhancements to create the perfect environment for an enjoyable day of golfing, no matter what your skill level.
Forest Dunes boasts a variety of intriguing challenges and terrains, including but not limited to vast open meadows, century-old red and jack pines, rugged native dunes, harsh sand areas and even a range of water features, too.
Tullymore Golf Resort
- Location: Starwood, Michigan
- Public Golf Course Founded: 2002
Tullymore public golf course was designed by architect Jim Engh, and it was first inspired by a small, nature-reliant village in Ireland.
The course itself sits on land carved by ancient glaciers, with 800 acres of pristine Michigan woodlands and wetlands to set the scene like never before.
Tullymore features generous movements of the fairways with an array of clear approaches, and this course boasts 5 sets of tees for golfers of all levels to try their hand.
The resort includes a number of luxury facilities too, including unrivalled 5 star service accommodation and a range of premium amenities including a fitness center, swimming pools and 2 comfortable and inviting clubhouses!
Bay Harbor Golf Course
- Location: Bay Harbor, Michigan
- Public Golf Course Founded: Unknown
Bay Harbor Golf Club boasts a dramatic 27-hole design originally created by Arthur Hills, and this public golf course plays as 3 different course combinations (Links/Quarry, Quarry/Preserve, Preserve/Links).
The Links/Quarry course combines holes overlooking Lake Michigan, with a range of tough golf holes that flow in and out of an old limestone quarry finishing along the beautiful bay shoreline – what’s not to love?!
Kingsley Golf Course
- Location: Kingsley, Michigan
- Public Golf Course Founded: 2001
Kingsley public golf course has long been popular with golfers from across America, as it seems far too easy to lose one’s concentration while taking in the breathtaking scenery that surrounds you when you visit this course.
On the third tee, golfers can expect to see a great view of nearly every hole on the front nine, and the aesthetics are tremendous to say the very least.
Mike DeVries managed to design an inland course which plays more like a links set up – not to be missed.
New Golf Course Indianwood
- Location: Lake Orion, Michigan
- Public Golf Course Founded: 1998
The 18-hole ‘New’ public golf course at the Indianwood Country Club facility in Lake Orion features all of the most treasured hallmarks that are so often associated with Michigan golf.
It was originally designed by Robert E. Cupp and Jerry Pate.
There’s also an ‘old’ course on the grounds dating back to 1920.
