Northern Michigan is indeed a summer paradise, what with its abundant lakes, rivers and streams; natural woodlands and trails; campgrounds; gorgeous sunsets and near-perfect weather from May-October­­—to name just a few of its amenities. At the top of that list for some, no, make that many, of us is golf—world class golf. Northern Michigan is truly a linkster’s paradise, and the area caters to all colors in the golf spectrum: The weekend duffer, the beginner to the serious low-handicapper, the serious high-handicapper, the social set, kids, the after-work nine-holer and anyone and everyone else in between.

Here’s an unscientific and subjective guide to the “best ...” that Northern Michigan golf offers.

Best place to impress:

Bay Harbor. Call it class, call it attitude, call it atmosphere, whatever it is, Bay Harbor oozes it. Boyne USA’s crowning jewel, just west of Petoskey off U.S. 31, has established itself as one of the state’s, if not the Midwest’s, finest. You’ll never forget the view and the feeling of 27 of the best holes you’ll ever play. (231) 439-4028.

Best test of courage:

When they built Dunmaglas in Charlevoix more than a decade ago, they got what they wanted: A tough-as-nails unforgettable grab-it-and-hang-on ride. The course is not as rugged as it once was, but it still packs plenty of punch and you’d better bring your “A” game. Big-time trouble also lurks at Crooked Tree near Petoskey, as well as any Boyne USA course, all of which can be as testy as they are beautiful. Dunmaglas: (231) 547-4653. Crooked Tree: (231) 439-4030.

Best place for a family round:

Charlevoix Municipal Golf Club, Ye Nyne Olde Holles in Advance, The Mallard in East Jordan and Boyne Rapids Adventure Golf in Boyne City. Charlevoix and Ye Nyne are both charming old-style, nine-hole walking courses (though carts are available at Ye Nyne) and the atmosphere at both is relaxed. Those courses, along with The Mallard, will challenge even the most experienced of players, but they will not punish a beginner. Boyne Rapids is a scaled-down course with holes ranging from 15-100 yards. Each of the four courses come down on the affordable side. Charlevoix Municipal Golf Club: (231) 547-3268. Ye Nyne: (231) 582-7609. Boyne Rapids: (231) 582-3505. The Mallard: (231) 536-3636.

Best place for that ol’ time feeling:

Semi-private Harbor Point, which sits on the bluff above Harbor Springs and overlooks Little Traverse Bay, will take you back to a time when the biggest names in golf were Jones, Sarazen and Hogan. (231) 526-2951.

Best kept secret:

Indian River Golf Club. Just across the Emmet-Cheboygan county line in quaint Indian River, its well-kept course cuts through gorgeous tall hardwoods. (231) 238-7011.

Best place not to break the bank:

There are several good, solid area courses in this category, including The Mallard, Springbrook, Bear River Links Golf & Driving Range in Walloon Lake, and Maple Ridge in Brutus. You’ll get nice, fair golf at relatively reasonable rates. Springbrook: (231) 535-5155. Bear River: (231) 535-2400. Maple Ridge: (231) 529-6574.

Best newcomer:

True North in Harbor Springs. The 7,000-yard plus layout and amenities are first class all the way. Course designer Jim Engh was named Golf Digest’s 2003 Architect of the Year. Take advantage of your opportunity to play True North now because plans call for it to become a private club. (231) 526-3300.

Best place to find a “name” course:

Boyne Highlands features two that pop immediately to mind, the Donald Ross Memorial and Arthur Hills. The Ross is a compilation of the famed designer’s favorite holes, from Oakland Hills to Pinehurst No. 2. (800) 462-6963 (GO-BOYNE).

Best place to settle a bet:

Of course “Gambling is illegal at Bushwood,” and few among us ever plays a round with buddies for more than kicks and giggles. But if you have something more than, say, pride on the line, and you need an extra hole to settle it up, Chestnut Valley’s distinctive 19th hole, a par 3 in the shadow of the club’s beautiful log cabin clubhouse, is just what the doctor ordered. Chestnut Valley: (231) 526-9100.

Best bet you’ll go back again:  

Hidden River Golf & Casting Club. Extremely well-maintained, the unforgettable course is built along the meandering Maple River. Hidden River could be in the best kept secret category, but word is quickly spreading that this course—and its gorgeous log-cabin style clubhouse and first-class restaurant—should not be overlooked when it comes to the best the area has to offer. (231) 529-4653.

 

 

Best views:

There are several courses which take full advantage of sweeping views of Little Traverse Bay as well as the beautiful Northern Michigan countryside. Included in this group are Bay Harbor, Crooked Tree, Harbor Point and Little Traverse Bay Golf Club. The view from the Little Traverse Bay restaurant and from the Bay Harbor clubhouse are breathtaking postcard stuff. Little Traverse Bay: (231) 526-6200.

 

Best bet to join the elite:

The Chief in Bellaire opened its doors a few years ago, and it has established itself as a legitimate layout sure to be mentioned in the same breath as the Hidden Rivers, the Little Traverse Bays, and the Charlevoix Country Clubs of the Northern Michigan golf world. The unique layout features dramatic elevation changes and wide variety of holes carved through classic hardwoods. The signature finishing hole is a 420-yard par 4. The Chief’s sister course, Hawk’s Eye, is in the same league. (231) 533-9000.

Best classic courses:

Black Lake Golf Club in Onaway was designed with an old-style, classic course in mind—no mounds or moguls, just sweeps and natural grades. Holes blend in with the natural terrain.
Black Bear Golf Club in Vanderbilt shares similar traditional tree-lined holes alongside Scottish links style play. Plus, at Black Bear, the 19th hole allows a free par 3 “warm-up” before playing hole number 1. Black Lake (989) 733-4653; Black Bear (866) 983-4441.