Michigan is solidifying its position as a premier golf travel destination in the United States, boasting a remarkable depth and variety of courses. With over 650 public and resort courses spread across picturesque landscapes, from lake shores and forests to dunes and rolling northern terrain, the state has long been a significant player in national golf discussions. This reputation was further enhanced as five Michigan golf destinations and properties received prestigious national recognition in the USA TODAY 10BEST Golf Awards, showcasing the strength and diversity of Pure Michigan Golf.
From the rugged beauty of the Upper Peninsula and the refined resort experiences of Northern Michigan to the modern championship public courses in the Detroit region, Michigan’s golf identity continues to evolve while remaining deeply connected to its natural surroundings. These latest accolades not only celebrate individual course excellence but also underscore a broader statewide narrative: golf in Michigan is no longer a regional secret but a nationally recognized destination experience.
Upper Peninsula Leads the Way for Pure Michigan Golf Destinations
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan claimed the top spot in the USA TODAY 10BEST Golf Destinations list, earning the No. 1 ranking in the country. Historically known for outdoor adventures like dense forests, winter sports, and remote shoreline escapes, the U.P. has quietly transformed into one of the United States’ most compelling and distinctive golf regions over the past two decades.
What sets the Upper Peninsula apart in the Pure Michigan Golf story is its strong sense of place. Its golf courses are intricately carved into dramatic natural landscapes, where rock outcroppings, dense hardwoods, and expansive water views influence the playing experience as much as the architectural design.
Destinations such as Island Resort & Casino and Bay Mills Resort & Casino are central to the region’s golf tourism, while individual courses like Sweetgrass Golf Club and Sage Run Golf Course offer modern championship challenges. Additionally, the renowned Greywalls at Marquette Golf Club stands as one of the most visually stunning and strategically demanding courses in the Midwest.
The region’s combination of public access, resort hospitality, and secluded natural beauty offers a unique character that is hard to find elsewhere in the country. Even historic Mackinac Island contributes to this narrative with courses like The Jewel and Wawashkamo, blending tradition with an unmistakably scenic experience.
Long recognized for its rugged identity and outdoor culture, the Upper Peninsula has emerged as a flagship destination for Pure Michigan Golf, demonstrating that remote geography can be a significant advantage in modern golf tourism.
Petoskey Area Continues Its Ascent Among Elite Golf Regions
Ranking fifth in the USA TODAY 10BEST Golf Destinations category, the Petoskey Area has firmly established itself as one of the Midwest’s most concentrated and high-quality golf regions. Situated along the northern shores of Little Traverse Bay, this part of Northern Michigan offers an exceptionally dense collection of courses within a short driving distance, making it ideal for golf travelers seeking variety without extensive travel time.
Bay Harbor Golf Club remains a central attraction for many visiting golfers, widely considered one of the most visually dynamic courses in the nation. Its routing along Lake Michigan bluffs, through former quarry land, and into hardwood forest corridors creates a series of golf experiences that feel like multiple courses in one.
Beyond Bay Harbor, the region features an impressive array of respected courses, 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 enhance the area’s reputation by offering multiple championship-level options in close proximity.
Regional leaders indicate that this recognition validates what golfers have increasingly discovered: the Petoskey Area is no longer an emerging destination but a fully established cornerstone 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 out as Michigan’s sole representative and one of North America’s most influential resort golf operators. With multiple properties across Northern Michigan, BOYNE Golf boasts a 60-year legacy of destination golf built on variety, hospitality, and landscape-driven design.
At the core of its portfolio is Bay Harbor Golf Club, offering a 27-hole experience divided into the Links, Quarry, and Preserve courses. Each nine provides a distinct interpretation of Michigan’s terrain, from dramatic Lake Michigan shoreline cliffs to forested corridors and reclaimed quarry landscapes.
Nearby, The Highlands presents 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. Collectively, these courses create one of the most comprehensive golf resorts in the country, allowing players to experience multiple design philosophies during a single stay.
Boyne Mountain adds another dimension with its Monument and Alpine courses, featuring elevated mountain-style golf and sweeping views that contrast sharply with the lakeside experiences found elsewhere in the portfolio.
The lodging experience is equally crucial to BOYNE Golf’s identity, with properties such as The Inn at Bay Harbor, Mountain Grand Lodge, Chalet Edelweiss, and the recently reimagined Main Lodge at The Highlands, which combines boutique hospitality with classic resort architecture.
Within the broader Pure Michigan Golf ecosystem, BOYNE Golf serves as both a gateway and an 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 further 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 evolution of public golf in the Detroit metropolitan area. Designed by Ray Hearn, the course revitalizes a historic property into a contemporary championship layout, integrating strategic design with accessible public play. Its inclusion highlights the ongoing transformation 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 situated in a secluded forest setting along Black Lake. Owned by the United Auto Workers, the course is celebrated for its pristine condition, environmental integration, and championship pedigree. Its location within 1,000 acres of northern Michigan forest reinforces the state’s signature blend of seclusion and immersion in nature.
Together, these courses demonstrate that Pure Michigan Golf encompasses a wide range of geographies and styles, from metropolitan redevelopment projects and deep-forest championship tracks to 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 broad spectrum of experiences within a single state, from lakeside resort golf to rugged wilderness layouts and modern public championship courses.
What makes Pure Michigan Golf distinctive is not just its quantity but its 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. This 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 slogan—it is a tangible experience that continues to attract national attention, seasonal travelers, and repeat visitors who are drawn by both the variety and the quality.
Michigan’s latest accolades in the USA TODAY 10BEST Awards confirm what many in the golf world already know: when it comes to destination golf in America, Michigan is truly in a category of its own.
