Top 25 Public Golf Courses in Michigan - Golfers' Choice 2025

With hundreds to choose from, Michigan's public golf scene is among the nation's best.
harbor-shores-7.jpg
Built on a hazardous industrial site, Harbor Shores has hosted numerous KitchenAid Senior PGA Championships in Benton Harbor.

A little known golf fact: Michigan boasts more public golf courses than any other state in America. That fact alone makes picking the 25 best public golf courses in Michigan quite a task. The GolfPass community is here to help.

GolfPass releases a Top 25 Public Golf Courses in Michigan every March thanks to YOU. We create our annual Golfers' Choice lists by curating the reviews submitted by everyday golfers. We use GolfPass' Ratings Index logic that weights newer reviews and combine it with a course's subcategory averages.

Each course needed at least two reviews and at least some public access to qualify. The Loop and the Dunes Course at Forest Dunes Golf Club, American Dunes in Grand Haven and the two courses at Arcadia Bluffs didn't receive enough reviews to qualify. If you believe they belong, make sure you leave a review next time you tee it up. Top private clubs like the South Course at Oakland Hills Country Club, Lost Dunes Golf Club and Franklin Hills Country Club weren't eligible.

We make our Golfers' Choice best-of lists user friendly. Simply click on the photo of each course to learn more about the facility or to book a tee time (in most cases).

Want to get involved with determining the top public golf courses in Michigan or any other future Golfers' Choice lists? Click here to review the next golf course you play.

Michigan golf courses reviewed in 2024: 233
Reviews of Michigan golf courses in 2024: 5,633

Best Public Golf Courses in Michigan

  1. Eldorado Golf Course

    Cadillac, Michigan
    Public
    4.6464747688
    286

    Green fee: $77-$87
    What they're saying: "Wonderful course! Tough and challenging! Great condition! We stop in and play this course a couple of times every year when we come up from Florida. Well worth the money and totally enjoyable experience. The hot dogs and brats are also worth stopping for at the turn. We will be back next year and every year! Must play!" - GolfPass reviewer

  2. Grand Traverse Resort & Spa - The Wolverine

    What they're saying: "Course was in great condition for this time of year. Greens have been plugged but still very playable - not as fast as usual but that's fine. Fairways and greens kept clear of leaves - rough, don't go there, gotta put the leaves somewhere! Shot 79 ... not my first 79 but finally age caught up to my score." - Pete 3922166

  3. Harbor Shores

    Benton Harbor, Michigan
    Public/Resort
    4.7568891308
    222

    Green fee: $135-$245
    What they're saying: "Great course with fantastic staffing across the board. The Greens are the most undulating I’ve ever played in my 20+ years of playing all over the US. Bring your A game and most importantly the putter will be your most important club in the bag." - RamClassic

  4. The Alpine at Boyne Mountain Resort

    Boyne Falls, Michigan
    Resort
    4.8540552585
    49

    What they're saying: "Played with the wife driving the cart. Got there a little early and they got me out in front of a foursome. Ten minute drive up the mountain to the first tee, right next to the Skybridge. Didn’t play particularly well but it didn’t matter. She laughed a lot. Great day. Course in beautiful shape. Staff very friendly." -jimdandy1013

  5. The Heather at The Highlands (Boyne)

    Harbor Springs, Michigan
    Resort
    3.7794117647
    42

    What they're saying: "I've been playing this course at Boyne Highlands Resort for over 40 years. It was the first course built there in the 60's I believe. (9 holes of the Heather + 9 holes of the Moor course). This course is a challenging layout that will test your game in all facets. The greens will break according to the ski mountain that borders the course to the west. The 18th hole is one of the finest finishing holes I've played anywhere." - GolfPass Reviewer

  6. Bay Harbor Golf Club

    Bay Harbor, Michigan
    Resort
    4.6833105335
    58

    Green fee: $145-$440
    What they're saying: "Enjoyed playing Links/Quarry. Definitely include it on next golf trip!" - GolfPass Reviewer

  7. Crooked Tree Golf Club

    Petoskey, Michigan
    Public
    4.8632478632
    74

    What they're saying: "Seasonal color change makes this course a must. Nick was at the club house grille and he is always polite and friendly." - PetoskiGolfer

  8. Alpena Golf Course

    Alpena, Michigan
    Public
    4.6005764706
    65

    Green fee: $44-$49
    What they're saying: "Great course for a great price. I would come back anytime. Love the layout of this course." - eddiering43

  9. Missaukee

    Lake City, Michigan
    Semi-Private
    4.6341221034
    124

    Green fee: $37-$60
    What they're saying: "The course is very deceiving for the money. Great place for the money." - salty58

  10. Black Lake Golf Club

    Onaway, Michigan
    Public
    4.8235148934
    238

    Green fee: $85-$120
    What they're saying: "Very nice course. Very well maintained. Very beautiful. Staff was very nice and very accommodating." - GolfPass Reviewer

  11. Loon Golf Resort - The Lakes

    Gaylord, Michigan
    Public
    4.6237810632
    73

    What they're saying: "This is a must play golf course. Great condition and a beautiful layout." - collingwood4

  12. Eagle Glen Golf Course

    Farwell, Michigan
    Public
    4.7979162703
    265

    Green fee: $37-$69
    What they're saying: "Never disappointed. Enjoy this course so much for the value and they are adding a few improvements to the appearance." - mchev007

  13. Stoatin Brae of Gull Lake View Golf Club & Resort

    Green fee: $99
    What they're saying: "Fun and challenging course! Course was in great condition -- greens were very challenging but fair. A lot of variety in this layout with great use of the elevation changes. Would play again for sure!" - jbergsma

  14. Gladstone Golf Course 

    Gladstone, Michigan
    Public
    4.9401335002
    160

    Green fee: $41-$59
    What they're saying: "We travel from Wisconsin to play here often. Always well cared for, clean greens and fairways. Well marked. Excellent rolling hills and I don’t lose too many balls here! Love the pine trees, stream, covered bridges." - abrahamdawn

  15. Hills of Lenawee Golf Club & Banquet Center

    Green fee: $50+
    What they're saying: "When playing here, you better have accurate irons because if you miss the small postage stamp greens, you will struggle. All around great shape! This course used to be private a few years back. You can definitely tell by the way the course was laid out that it was a private country club! All around enjoyed my round here and will be back!" - apocse

  16. Lakewood on the Green

    Cadillac, Michigan
    Public
    4.6163411765
    137

    Green fee: $39-$59
    What they're saying: "We had a blast. The course was fun and beautiful, I highly recommend this place." - fozzie1461

  17. Manitou Passage Golf Club

    Cedar, Michigan
    Resort
    4.7408769852
    153

    Green fee: $65-$115
    What they're saying: "After seeing good reviews, I decided to book a round at Manitou Passage. The course design, layout, and condition all exceeded my expectations. The course is a good challenge, but is fair. The greens rolled nice, but do also have slopes that can lead to some 3 putts. There are some big elevation changes on several holes, which only adds to the aesthetic of the course. Another plus we had was playing with the trees having some great fall color!" - shomrich

  18. Gaylord Golf Club

    Gaylord, Michigan
    Semi-Private
    4.6931038276
    411

    Green fee: $50-$70
    What they're saying: "The course was on great condition. Very well maintained greens and fairways. The gentleman in the pro shop gave a a few course tips and we enjoyed it. We plan to come back." - Lowdown1

  19. The Medalist Golf Club

    Marshall, Michigan
    Semi-Private
    4.4936605878
    337

    What they're saying: "This course is a lot of fun while still quite challenging. It’s in great condition." - reloewen

  20. The Links of Bowen Lake

    Gowen, Michigan
    Semi-Private
    4.5815823529
    145

    Green fee: $39-$55+
    What they're saying: "The course was an excellent shape considering the time of year. Had a great time." - Sully1956

  21. Crown Golf Course

    Traverse City, Michigan
    Public
    4.602333259
    187

    What they're saying: "I've played here (before). I would give it a full 5 stars probably 10 times in the last 10 years. I love the layout as the front is relatively easy, which then prepares you for the difficult back with lots and lots and lots of hills and elevation changes. Both sides are immaculately maintained. The greens are extremely challenging. I call it "hit and hope for the best." I would give it 5 stars except the cost of the alcohol is way overpriced - even at The Bear I paid less." - null

  22. Loon Golf Resort - The Ridge Course

    Gaylord, Michigan
    Resort
    4.5104177628
    66

    What they're saying: "Fun course to play in good shape. Some very tough holes. Beautiful course to play in the fall." - GolfPass Reviewer

  23. Timber Trace Golf Club

    Pinckney, Michigan
    Public
    4.6451984246
    227

    Green fee: $45-$59
    What they're saying: "The course is in great shape. It's a fun track with reasonably placed hazards. They have made some modifications with sand traps, so they all have fresh sand. Even the rough is in good condition. We ended up playing with Jamie, the course pro, and she was very enjoyable to share the round with. The other staff members were all friendly. The clubhouse is clean and well appointed. Timber Trace is at the top of the courses I like to play." - Hoornstra

  24. The Fortress Golf Course

    Frankenmuth, Michigan
    Public
    4.8148650975
    258

    What they're saying: "Beautiful golf course. Well manicured course, with a good variety of holes, over rolling terrain. I am a 9-10 handicap golfer and found it to be a good challenge." - AntoniusD

  25. George Young Golf Course

    Gaastra, Michigan
    Public
    4.7326203209
    43

    Green fee: $45-$70
    What they're saying: "Very friendly staff fairways and greens were in good condition for mid May. Had a great day and will definitely play there again." - GolfPass reviewer

Jason Scott Deegan has reviewed and photographed more than 1,200 courses and written about golf destinations in 28 countries for some of the industry's biggest publications. His work has been honored by the Golf Writer's Association of America and the Michigan Press Association. Follow him on Instagram at @jasondeegangolfpass and X/Twitter at @WorldGolfer.
Brooke Taylor is an intern for GolfPass and a senior at the University of Central Florida studying Entertainment Management, Digital Media, and Managing Sporting Events.

Comments (2)

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So no Arcadia Bluffs, Forest Dunes or Tullymore ?

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Top 25 Public Golf Courses in Michigan - Golfers' Choice 2025
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