The Links/Quarry at Bay Harbor Golf Club

Golf courses simply don’t come more beautiful than Bay Harbor.

Links and Quarry are 2 of the most unique nines you’ll ever see.

Must play if in the area.

I've played Bay Harbor 4-5 times now but this past summer was my first time including the Preserve nine in my rotation. There are some really different and interesting holes here and Arthur Hills moved a good bit of earth around to create some interest and blind shots. It is generally in the forest the whole time until the par-3 9th hole which plays along the bay. The shot values are pretty close to the other two, more resort-popular nines, which explains why the members play this nine a lot.

The Links nine is very dramatic beginning with an excellent, brawny par 4 that plays out to the bay and doglegs right. The par-5 7th hole is the best at Bay Harbor and arguably among Michigan resort golf.

None of the nines at Bay Harbor are walkable but this layout was built on an exceptionally difficult former industrial area with residential considerations. If you can look past the fact there are some long cart drives between holes this place is as good as it gets in Michigan.

Felt like my local forest preserve course for 10x the price

When you play a course that gives you images of other courses around the country - that is unique. Couple that with Fall colors and magical shots I had that day - there is nothing better. Better bring your "A" game because you will be challenged and could be frustrating but what the heck, it's like playing in Paradise and what else is better.

Open large fairways, beautiful greens, fantastic views,, great staff, can’t wait to go back.

Bay Harbor was designed by one of my favorite designers Arthur Hills. The course is set in beautiful Bay Harbor. The course is part of a collection of three 9s Links, Quarry and Preserve. The Links is routed along Lake Michigan offering outstanding views and lakeside holes on the majority of the nine. You can be easily distracted by the lake views and stunning summer homes but focus while not overly difficult the Links course does require decent approaches and you will often have to carry, water or marsh to reach the green. The Quarry was actually my favorite 9 as you get half of the holes with views or holes with the lake in play or in an Amazing Quarry. The Quarry course offers a fun journey playing golf into a quarry, with tall rock walls framing greens and fairways. My game was challenged and I was stunned by the beauty and conditions, this is a must-play for anyone in Northern Michigan.

Had a great day. If you have never played with a caddie, spring for it. And don't be macho. Play the correct tees. You will have more fun.

It doesn't get much better. This is a gorgeous course with an impressive layout. It was in superb condition, and only Arcadia Bluffs can compete with the views. I'd only put Arcadia above this one in Michigan as a matter of fact.

I really enjoyed this course. I played the Preserve and Links nines from the purple tees which played around 6400 yards. I rented clubs and played with a new set of Calloway clubs. It was a cool and windy day, 65 degrees with a 25+ MPH wind off of the lake. The course layout is very interesting with lots of elevation variation and a mix of wide open fairways and some target holes that require accurate shots.There are a lot of native grass areas that add to the beauty of the course. There are also quite a few holes that run along the lake that are just beautiful. The wind made the course very challenging. The course was in great condition; however, the greens were extremely slow.

The staff was very helpful and accommodating. Overall, I had a great day of golf, I shot an 82 and was happy with that score considering the conditions and using rental clubs(my index is 11.5) I would recommend this course for anyone looking for a place to play when in Northern Michigan. I will play here again if I am ever back in the area.

Although it's one of the most expensive rounds of golf you'll probably ever play, Bay Harbor offers an experience rivaled by few courses.

After signing a very thorough golf cart agreement, you step on to the first tee and catch a glimpse of what's in store. The links course provides beautiful, unprotected views of the Little Traverse Bay with some great hole design and tough conditions. The scenery is gorgeous, unlike anything I've seen. I didn't think the course could get much better until I made the turn.

The quarry nine might be my favorite none holes of golf in Michigan. The third hole introduces you to the vast quarry you'll spend a majority of your time on the back in. Its beauty and scale become apparent when you're traversing the winding cart paths. There are a few more forced carries than the front, one very long gap in particular, but the quality of the layout is unmatched. The last three holes bring you right to the waterfront, creating a perfecting finishing experience.

This course will challenge you, but it'll be a fun challenge. Visit this beautiful area and experience one of the most unique courses in the country.

Perfect condition. Amazing course with fantastic views of Lake Michigan, and in perfect condition.

The Boyne Resorts offer the most varied collection of golf course architecture anywhere in the US. Designers such as Tom Fazio, Robert Trent Jones and Donald Ross have all lent their names to courses here, but none is more stunning than the Arthur Hills masterpiece at Bay Harbor Golf Club.

Bay Harbor Golf Club stretches out along the shoreline of Lake Michigan near Petoskey in an area that vacationers discovered over 100 years ago. The course brings together the natural beauty of the northern Michigan coastline with some unnatural elements such as an abandoned shale quarry. The course consists of three distinctively different nine-hole layouts which create three different 18-hole combinations, each with its own personality. While each course is very different, the conditioning and quality remains consistent throughout.

For the most part the landing areas are generous, but where Bay Harbor challenges you is with your approach shot. Knowing where on the green to land your shot can be trying and will improve the more you play the course. Another trait each course has in common is that they all offer up at least one picture perfect view of Lake Michigan. The lake also figures into your round with unpredictable winds.

The Links was the first to open for play in 1996. At the time it was the most expensive nine-hole golf course ever built. This was due primarily to unexpected costs involving the kiln dust left over from the former cement plant. Many people who watched the construction process from start to finish felt that in its early stages of construction, The Links looked more like barren land you might find on the moon than a potential golf course. In its current state, The Links is a beautiful layout that follows the shoreline of Lake Michigan very closely, giving it a rugged Scottish feel while at the same time highlighting the magnificence of Lake Michigan The hole most remembered on The Links layout is Number 7, a par 5 that play 490 yards (Blue Tees). Given the scenery on this hole, it may the most memorable of all 27; it certainly is picture worthy! Not only that, but it’s a great risk/reward golf hole. From the Blue Tees it plays 490 yards. The hole hugs the Lake Michigan coastline down the entire right side, so it is best played down the left. The fairway is pretty wide and a well-struck tee shot will give you the opportunity to go for the green in two. Even if you don’t quite make the green, the landing area is very generous short of the green. The scenery that plays out as you make your way down the fairway is absolutely incredible.

The Preserve was the second course to be completed and does a great job of showcasing Northern Michigan at its finest. Its designed to allow golfers to experience the thrill of nature as if they were actually playing through a nature preserve. You’ll find an abundance of wildlife as well as dense hardwoods, all leading to lush fairways and greens. Be careful while you’re out there or you may just be consumed with the peaceful serenity that surrounds you. The course is built over rolling and tree-lined terrain that features subtle elevation changes and a generous amount of mounding on the fairway peripheries of the landing zones and around the greens. The signature hole on The Preserve is the par 5, 4th, which plays 542 yards from the Blue Tees. The neat thing about No. 4 is that there are a few different ways the hole can be played. Three fairway bunkers are strategically located in the middle of the landing zone off the tee; regardless of where you play from. This bunker complex divides the fairway in half. The left is preferred by most and provides the best view of your next shot whereas the right creates a blind second shot. Club selection is critical on your layup shot; you want to leave a short iron or pitch shot into the green which is fronted by a pond and slopes front to back. For most players it’s a three-shot hole as the risk greatly outweighs the reward.

The Quarry nine at Bay Harbor Golf Club was the last course completed. It features 5 holes built around a shale quarry giving the layout a rough, industrial edge with a dramatic finish. The Quarry will undoubtedly be one of the most unique experiences you ever have on a golf course, with spectacular views along the way. The Quarry nine finishes with dramatic routing along the shores of Lake Michigan and some of the most picturesque finishing holes that you'll find anywhere. It’s no wonder many people refer to Bay Harbor as the Pebble Beach of the Midwest! The Quarry’s Most Memorable Hole is Number 8 a Par 3, that plays 172 yards (Blue Tees). It’s yet another hole where the Lake Michigan coast steals the scene. This par 3 plays downhill to a green fronted by a rock-walled pond with Lake Michigan behind the green. The toughest part of this hole is choosing the right club, depending on the wind it could be +/- up four clubs. Ever hit a driver on a par 3?

Boyne Resorts has received numerous accolades from several national publications including Golf, Golf Digest, Golf for Women, Michigan Golfer. They’ve even landed several layouts on Golfweek's Top 100 Resort Courses in the Country. However Boyne is not only recognized for their outstanding selection of world class golf facilities, but also for their accommodations.

The flagship property of Boyne Resorts is The Inn at Bay Harbor and its design pays tribute to the grand hotels of the late 19th century. In 2014, it was voted one of Travel + Leisure Magazine’s Top 500 Hotels in the World.

The Inn is truly a luxury resort and is located literally steps away from Lake Michigan with its own private beach. It’s a perfect place to watch the sun set over Lake Michigan and exemplifies everything Boyne Resorts stands for. The Inn offers a variety of accommodations that include standard rooms and comfortably appointed suites.

Even if golf isn’t your game, odds are you’ll find something you enjoy doing at The Inn at Bay Harbor. There is a spa and a fitness center equipped with the latest cardio equipment. There’s also an outdoor pool area with hot tub. Outside you’ll find croquet and sand volleyball courts as well as an outside chess/checker board with pieces that are about 3-feet tall.

The clubhouse also offers up fantastic views of the lake. Inside you’ll find a beautifully stocked pro shop, men’s and women’s locker rooms with showers, a restaurant/lounge as well as meeting and banquet rooms. During the summer, you can dine on the patio with beautiful views of the lake.

Before your round, warm up on Bay Harbor Golf Club’s practice range which features a targeted grass range. There’s also a short game area complete with sand bunker and putting greens near both the pro shop.

Last Word: Bay Harbor has it all: long, treacherous forced carries off the tee, numerous elevation changes and plenty of sand and water hazards throughout. When the stunning blue waters of Lake Michigan are not before you, you’ll most likely be staring down old stone walls from the quarry. Each hole leaves you wondering what’s next!

That said, Bay Harbor is not exactly a resort-friendly golf course, although that’s not to say that you won’t have a good time. If you’re a serious golfer, you’ll appreciate the fact that each nine demands pinpoint accuracy and a solid mental game in order to score well. If you’re just out for fun, Bay Harbor will provide you with some of the most amazing golf course photo opportunities available in the US. Be sure to take a camera! The courses are like nothing I have ever played before.

Few courses rival the scenery supplied by Bay Harbor's Links and Quarry nines. When you're not staring dreamily off into the blue waters of Lake Michigan, you're confronted with the rugged rock walls of the old quarry.
Bay Harbor is very much a game of target golf, but Boyne has done a good job of softening a few spots over the years. There are still a few scary forced carries off the tee and plenty of wetland hazards throughout. The holes on the water - specifically no. 7 on Links and no. 8 on Quarry - are as good as it gets. A bucket-list course for sure.

By far, this is one of the best golf courses I have had the good fortune to play. We included a trip to the Links & Quarry as part of our Boyne Highlands package. What a great decision that was. The Links 9 is beautiful and challenging! A number of holes run either parallel to Little Traverse Bay or are in view of it.
The Quarry course, with fewer views of the bay, is just as spectacular! Routed out of an old quarry, this nine has wonderful elevation changes and copious amounts of water. Both 9's were wonderfully maintained with quick, yet fair greens. The starter, pro shop personnel, and cart girl all acted like they were happy that we were there and went out of their ways to make this a memorable experience. I can't wait to return to play this great track!

plain and simple, this is a top 5 course in Michigan. great views, interesting layout, and top notch conditions. played the tips which made it a tad long for my taste. When i come back, the blues will be a great test.

While I think there could be a few improvements in design (I'm not wild about blind lay-ups on par 5s), I always enjoy playing here for so many reasons. First off, the Links Nine (eight holes are linksy in nature) is gorgeous, with great views of Lake Michigan, almost Pebble Beach-ish. The Quarry Nine is also stunning with plenty of interesting holes, including a terrific downhill drivable par 4 that only players who are long and accurate should try to drive. Kudos, though, to the renovation on the short par-4 fifth hole on the Links. Opening it up over the giant bunker on the right makes it so much more playable. All-in-all, Bay Harbor is a bucket-list type experience because of the setting, the conditioning and the overall experience.

Very well kept and scenic course. I would have preferred hole pictures at the tee boxes as many shots are blind.
Did not appreciate the starter on the back nine saying to my playing partners "watch out he may shank it" while I was addressing the ball. I mean the "s" word really?!! Then he walked right behind my playing partner as he was swinging, totally disrupting him (the ball went straight right).
Also, my bag was not picked up-no big deal, except I felt like I was paying for the experience and was let down.