Michigan is one of the most famous golf hubs in the US, with a large number of highly-rated and celebrated courses taking advantage of the diverse terrain and topography. While the design and difficulty varies between them, the scenery at all these beautiful Michigan courses is undeniably spectacular.
Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club, Arcadia
Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club, Arcadia
Founded in 1999, Arcadia Bluffs is without doubt a world-class public golf course with spectacular scenery to match the first-rate golf experience. On 245 acres overlooking Lake Michigan, it has been compared to British courses, and requires a complete game to master it. Golf Digest has named Arcadia as one of the Top 10 Public Courses you can play in the US.
14710 Northwood Hwy, Arcadia, MI 49613, USA, +1 231 889 3001
Arcadia Bluffs | © Rachel Kramer/Flickr
Crystal Downs Country Club, Frankfort
Crystal Downs Country Club, Frankfort
The highest-ranked Michigan golf course on Golf Digest‘s list of America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses of 2017-18, the private Crystal Downs Country Club in Frankfort was named the 12th best in the country. Designed by British golf-course architect Alister Mackenzie (who also designed Augusta) back in 1929, it features a series of challenging and unconventional but spectacular holes.
249 Crystal Downs Dr, Frankfort, MI 49635, USA, +1 231 352 9933
Forest Dunes Golf Club, Roscommon
Sports Center
Located within the Huron National Forest, the public Forest Dunes Golf Club promises “one of the country’s most peaceful and exciting golf experiences”. Being in a forest, the course unsurprisingly features challenges navigating around red and jack pines, but there are also wide meadows, sand dunes and beautiful lakes. It opened in 2002, and was designed by British Open Champion Tom Weiskopf.
CARIBBEAN COLOMBIA
Discover Colombia’s Caribbean coast, from Cartagena to Palomino via jungles, rivers and islands.
South Course at Oakland Hills Country Club, Bloomfield Hills
South Course at Oakland Hills Country Club, Bloomfield Hills
The private Oakland Hills Country Club dates back to 1916. The South Course, also known as “The Monster”, has played host to 16 major championships, including six U.S. Opens, the 35th Ryder Cup in 2004 and three PGA Championships. The stretch from the seventh hole through the 11th hole is particularly celebrated.
3951 W Maple Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301, USA, +1 248 644 2500
Timberstone, Iron Mountain
Sports Center
Part of the Pine Mountain Golf & Ski Resort on the border with Wisconsin in the Upper Peninsula, the public Timberstone course has been awarded five stars by Golf Digest on two occasions. The course offers amazing natural beauty and spectacular views, challenging holes that incorporate elevation changes and old sky slopes, and great value.
Become a Culture Tripper!
Sign up to our newsletter to
save up to 40% on our unique trips.
Tullymore Golf Course, Stanwood
Tullymore Golf Course, Stanwood
One of two courses at the Tullymore Golf Resort, the public Tullymore Golf Course was named the number one new upscale public course in America by Golf Digest when it opened in 2002. Embracing the raw landscape of the Michigan wilds, Tullymore is a par-72 set in 800 acres of woods, meadows, and wetlands.
11969 Tullymore Dr, Stanwood, MI 49346, USA, +1 231 972 4837
Kingsley Club, Kingsley
Kingsley Club, Kingsley
The private Kingsley Club is located in a remote spot south of Traverse City, and was opened in 2001. It has quickly achieved modern classic status, being included in Golf Digest’s list of America’s Second 100 Greatest Courses. For those who like to prepare thoroughly, there is a detailed course tour with descriptions, photos and maps of every hole.
600 Niblick Trl, Kingsley, MI 49649, USA, +1 231 263 3000
https://www.instagram.com/p/udI1zmMcZa/?taken-by=kingsleyclub
Eagle Eye Golf Course, Bath
Eagle Eye Golf Course, Bath
One of several public courses at Lansing’s Hawk Hollow, Eagle Eye was ranked the fifth best course in the nation by Golf Advisor raters in 2017, and it’s been consistently considered among Michigan’s best public courses. Hole 17 is the signature hole, with an “island green” to challenge even the best players.
15500 Chandler Rd, Bath Twp, MI 48808, USA, +1 517 641 4570
Bay Harbor G.C. (Links/Quarry), Bay Harbor
Bay Harbor G.C. (Links/Quarry), Bay Harbor
At the public Bay Harbor Golf Club, three very different courses can be combined into one great 18-hole experience. Golf Digest recommends pairing the Links nine with the Quarry nine, a combination it included among America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses. The Quarry course takes you in and out of a lakefront stone quarry.
5800 Coastal Ridge Dr, Bay Harbor, MI 49770, USA, +1 231 439 4028
https://www.instagram.com/p/BS1nnG-lhAn/?taken-at=648225283
Lost Dunes Golf Club, Bridgman
Lost Dunes Golf Club, Bridgman
Coming in at 141 on Golf Digest’s list, Lost Dunes is a private 18-hole golf course that opened in 1999. The par-71 course is located in west Michigan not far from the lake, set in the contours of a reclaimed sand quarry. However, unless you join as a member, the opportunities to play it are few and far between.
9300 Red Arrow Hwy, Bridgman, MI 49106, USA, +1 269 465 9300
Greywalls at Marquette Golf Club, Marquette
Greywalls at Marquette Golf Club, Marquette
With two full 18-hole courses, the public Marquette Golf Club is Upper Michigan’s only 36-hole facility. Opened in 1926, its highly rated Greywalls course didn’t open until 2005, but it soon became nationally recognised for its rugged and diverse terrain. Designed by golf course architect Mike DeVries (also the man behind the Kingsley Club), his design fully enhances the impressive setting.
1075 Grove St, Marquette, MI 49855, USA, +1 906 225 0721
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVpreALDjgL/?taken-at=1324533694291770
The Loop At Forest Dunes, Roscommon
Sports Center
The second public course on our list at Forest Dunes, The Loop is noteworthy in that it can be played in two different orders. The Loop Red course is a more traditional design, with the holes getting more challenging as you go around. However, if you prefer things a little different, The Loop Black course reverses that pattern, starting difficult and gradually getting easier.
The Bear at the Grand Traverse Resort And Spa, Acme
Sports Center
Another Michigan course on Golf Digest’s list of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses is The Bear, named for its designer, golf legend Jack “the Golden Bear” Nicklaus. It’s been ranked as one of the toughest 18 holes in Michigan ever since it opened in 1985, with 12 intimidating water hazards, tiered greens and plenty of moguls.
True North Golf Club, Harbor Springs
True North Golf Club, Harbor Springs
In northwest Michigan, the private True North Golf Club has been carved out of the region’s north woods, with many of the fairways flanked by tall and unforgiving trees. The land’s topography does provide stunning views of the surrounding landscape, but a number of ponds and the course’s 7,027-yard length will ensure you can’t enjoy the view too much.
2500 True N Dr, Harbor Springs, MI 49740, USA, +1 231 526 3300
LochenHeath Golf Club, Williamsburg
LochenHeath Golf Club, Williamsburg
On the coastline of the Grand Traverse Bay, the private LochenHeath’s Scottish name is reflected in its Scottish links style. Offering both a challenge and beautiful scenery among a former cherry orchard, it’s a great course for testing yourself through a number of tricky holes. Breathtaking views of the Bay will make any bad game worthwhile though. Limited outside play is offered.
7951 Turnberry Cir, Williamsburg, MI 49690, USA, +1 231 938 9800
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special. Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together. Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family. We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.