Michigan Strengthens Its Place at the Center of American Golf Travel
Few states in the country can match the depth, variety, and seasonal appeal of Michigan when it comes to golf. With more than 650 public and resort courses spread across lakeshores, forests, dunes, and rolling northern terrain, the state has long been a quiet giant in the national golf conversation. That reputation was reinforced again as five Michigan golf destinations and properties earned national recognition in the USA TODAY 10BEST Golf Awards, underscoring the strength and diversity of Pure Michigan Golf.
From rugged Upper Peninsula landscapes to polished resort experiences in Northern Michigan and modern championship public courses in the Detroit region, Michigan’s golf identity continues to evolve while staying grounded in its natural surroundings. The latest honors reflect not just individual course excellence, but a broader statewide story: golf in Michigan is no longer a regional secret—it is a national destination experience.
Upper Peninsula Sets the Standard for Pure Michigan Golf Destinations
At the top of the USA TODAY 10BEST Golf Destinations list, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula earned the No. 1 ranking in the country. For many travelers, the U.P. has traditionally been associated with outdoor adventure—dense forests, snow sports, and remote shoreline escapes. Yet over the past two decades, it has quietly developed into one of the most compelling and distinctive golf regions in the United States.
What makes the Upper Peninsula such a standout in the Pure Michigan Golf story is its sense of place. Courses are carved into dramatic natural terrain where rock outcroppings, dense hardwoods, and expansive water views shape the playing experience as much as any architect’s design.
Destinations such as Island Resort & Casino and Bay Mills Resort & Casino anchor the region’s golf tourism footprint, while individual layouts like Sweetgrass Golf Club and Sage Run Golf Course deliver modern championship challenges. Meanwhile, the acclaimed Greywalls at Marquette Golf Club stands as one of the most visually striking and strategically demanding courses in the Midwest.
The region’s mix of public access, resort hospitality, and remote natural beauty gives it a character that is difficult to replicate anywhere else in the country. Even historic Mackinac Island contributes to the narrative with courses such as The Jewel and Wawashkamo, blending tradition with an unmistakably scenic experience.
Long known for its rugged identity and outdoor culture, the Upper Peninsula has emerged as a flagship for Pure Michigan Golf, proving that remote geography can be a powerful asset in modern golf tourism.
Petoskey Area Continues Its Rise Among Elite Golf Regions
Ranking No. 5 in the USA TODAY 10BEST Golf Destinations category, the Petoskey Area has firmly established itself as one of the most concentrated and high-quality golf regions in the Midwest. Located along the northern shores of Little Traverse Bay, this stretch of Northern Michigan offers an unusually dense collection of courses within a short driving radius, making it ideal for golf travelers seeking variety without long travel times.
The centerpiece for many visiting golfers remains Bay Harbor Golf Club, widely regarded as one of the most visually dynamic courses in the country. Its routing along Lake Michigan bluffs, through former quarry land, and into hardwood forest corridors creates a sequence of golf experiences that feel like multiple courses in one.
Beyond Bay Harbor, the region features an impressive roster of respected layouts including Belvedere Golf Club, Dunmaglas, Charlevoix Golf & Fitness, Hidden River Golf & Casting Club, and Chestnut Valley Golf Club. The Highlands courses, part of the BOYNE Golf portfolio, further elevate the area’s reputation by offering multiple championship-level options in close proximity.
According to regional leadership, the recognition validates what golfers have increasingly discovered for themselves: the Petoskey Area is no longer an emerging destination—it is a fully established pillar of Pure Michigan Golf. With its blend of lake views, rolling terrain, and walkable resort communities like Petoskey and Harbor Springs, the region offers both golf depth and lifestyle appeal.
BOYNE Golf Sets the Benchmark for Resort Excellence
In the 10BEST Golf Resorts category, BOYNE Golf stands as Michigan’s sole representative—and one of the most influential resort golf operators in North America. Spanning multiple properties across Northern Michigan, BOYNE Golf represents a 60-year legacy of destination golf built on variety, hospitality, and landscape-driven design.
At the heart of the portfolio is Bay Harbor Golf Club, a 27-hole experience divided into the Links, Quarry, and Preserve courses. Each nine presents a different interpretation of Michigan terrain, from dramatic Lake Michigan shoreline cliffs to forested corridors and reclaimed quarry landscapes.
Nearby, The Highlands offers a diverse collection of layouts, including The Heather, Arthur Hills, The Moor, and the Donald Ross Memorial course, along with the newer Doon Brae par-3 experience. Together, they create one of the most complete golf resorts in the country, where players can experience multiple design philosophies within a single stay.
Boyne Mountain adds another dimension with its Monument and Alpine courses, offering elevated mountain-style golf and sweeping views that contrast sharply with the lakeshore experiences elsewhere in the portfolio.
The lodging experience is equally central to BOYNE Golf’s identity, with properties such as The Inn at Bay Harbor, Mountain Grand Lodge, Chalet Edelweiss, and the newly reimagined Main Lodge at The Highlands, which blends boutique hospitality with classic resort architecture.
Within the broader Pure Michigan Golf ecosystem, BOYNE Golf functions as both a gateway and anchor—connecting travelers to multiple regions while maintaining a consistently high standard of play and service.
Modern Public Golf Strength in Michigan’s Urban and Forest Landscapes
Beyond resorts and destination regions, Michigan’s strength in public golf was also recognized through two standout courses in the USA TODAY 10BEST Public Golf Courses category.
The Cardinal at Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth represents a modern transformation of public golf in the Detroit metro area. Designed by Ray Hearn, the course reimagines a historic property into a contemporary championship layout, blending strategic design with accessible public play. Its inclusion reflects the continued evolution of Michigan’s urban golf landscape, where redevelopment and design innovation are reshaping expectations.
Joining it is Black Lake Golf Club, a Rees Jones-designed course located in a secluded forest setting along Black Lake. Owned by the United Auto Workers, the course is known for its pristine conditioning, environmental integration, and championship pedigree. Its location within 1,000 acres of northern Michigan forest reinforces the state’s signature blend of isolation and immersion in nature.
Together, these courses demonstrate that Pure Michigan Golf is not limited to one geography or style. It spans metropolitan redevelopment projects, deep-forest championship tracks, and everything in between.
A Statewide Identity Built Around Pure Michigan Golf
The national recognition of these five destinations reinforces what golf travelers and industry professionals have increasingly acknowledged: Michigan is one of the most complete golf states in the country. Few destinations offer such a wide spectrum of experiences within a single state boundary—from lakeside resort golf to rugged wilderness layouts and modern public championship courses.
What makes Pure Michigan Golf distinctive is not just quantity, but contrast. A golfer can experience dramatic cliffside holes overlooking Lake Michigan, then travel a few hours inland to forest-lined fairways or polished resort environments with full-service hospitality. That diversity creates a travel experience that feels both expansive and cohesive.
As national rankings continue to highlight Michigan’s strongest properties and regions, the state’s golf identity becomes even more defined. Pure Michigan Golf is no longer just a marketing phrase—it is a lived experience that continues to attract national attention, seasonal travelers, and repeat visitors who return for the variety as much as the quality.
Michigan’s latest recognition in the USA TODAY 10BEST Awards confirms what many in the golf world already know: when it comes to destination golf in America, Michigan is playing in a category of its own.
