Harbor Shores

We go to MI at least once a year & must play Harbor Shores if we can. It is spectacular! Built on reclaimed land that used to be swamp & heavy industrial; it's pristine now. Right on Lake Michigan. It's got everything: water, sand, elevation changes, woods, grasses & length! Bring your A game! It's a little pricey, but treat yourself.

This is a very well maintained golf course. conditions, even in november, were pretty pristine. I am not particularly fond of many of Jack's designs and this was no exception. The biggest gripe about the course is how it is COMPELTELY UNWALKABLE. there are at least 4 transitions where you drive over 5 mins to the next tee. While the majority of golfers may not care about this at all, designing with the option of walking in mind is always appreciated in my mind. I have no idea how the Champions Tour guys walk it at the Senior PGA, there must be carts that shuttle them.

The practice area is stellar, could spend an entire morning utilizing all their facilities cause they are awesome. Course has some charm when you get to #7-9 stretch, playing out to Lake Michigan. But after those holes you drive another 5 mins to the 10th, only to begin another bland stretch of holes, then drive another 5 mins and play one memorable hole in the par 5, 15th. Besides that stretch there really wasnt any other holes worth memory.

If you did what i did and utilized the "temperature pricing" that i did then its worth the play in the fall because the conditions are still that good for the discounted rate. But overall its a course that leaves a lot to be desired with a lack of design strategy in any of the holes.

Do not play this course. It is beautiful. And the practice area is outstanding. The staff couldn't be nicer. But this place is one of the most bizarre and unplayable tracks I've ever been on. Deep fairway bunkers everywhere. Water hazards and thick fescue that can't be seen from the tee boxes. Long stretches between holes that take you over busy roads. And greens so sloped and strangely undulating so as to be virtually unputtable.

I generally love Nicklaus designs, but it seems like the developers of Harbor Shores said, "Hey, Jack, make us a monster. We want to make sure no one has fun here!"

We played from the Grey tees at a modest 6200 yards and nobody in my group of pretty experienced guys came within 10 shots of his handicap.

Play this one at your own risk. Only a masochist could enjoy it.

The Good: Beautiful, visually stunning Jack Nicklaus design is spread throughout a huge development complex near downtown Benton Harbor. Hosted several Senior PGA tournaments even though in its infancy. Has the now typical Nicklaus rugged feel with awesome variety in Par 4's and Par 5's, with devilish, deep sand traps engulfing the course at every turn. Massive, treacherous green complexes putt true and make for a significant challenge. Pro tour caliber conditions. Extremely nice clubhouse and full restaurant. Superb on-course amenities include GPS, multiple restroom facilities, and halfway house. Practice facility is strong with nice driving range, separate short game area, and putting green.

The Bad: Starter was grumpy and on-course service was to be desired. Course layout is very awkward and winds through a retirement community and the slums of Benton Harbor all in one. Some of the greens (especially #10) are so outrageous that its laughable. $125-$150 price tag would be justified if service matched the beauty of the course. Par 3's are good but not overly memorable.

The Verdict: One of the most challenging, yet gorgeous tracks in all of Michigan. Could (and should) be a top 5 public destination in the state but is brought down by lack of staff friendliness. I can now understand why course was fairly empty on a Sunday morning.

Best Hole: There are many great holes, but without a doubt it is the short, uphill Par 4 7th. A precise drive is required to drive water and sand, with a short iron approach to a green not visible from below.

Harbor Shores, is a great golf course and destination, only a short drive from Chicago, well worth the trip.

This is the most beautiful course in the Midwest I have played at.

My third time playing course since it's inaugural opening. Good layout with hard to read greens. Hole #7 is by far the most tricky hole I've every played. The bunker that guards the green is akin to something at St. Andrews Slope of hole can make you look foolish, when the ball comes back at your feet after not carrying enough frontage. Too long and you're on the beach of Lake Michigan.

Just go play it!!! One of Mr. Nicklaus' finest. Beautiful!

This is a great course it will have to step up you game to score good on this course. Lots of slopes on the greens and fast.

Look I have played everywhere in Michigan. I like HS just personsally dont like the routing. I think course is very over priced also. But I get it. It is a very nice course:)) I would recommend playing here especially for around $60..

A course of this calibre must implement pace of play
There is no place for hackers here. People ahead of us were losing balls, looking for balls, playing practice balls. They belonged to a big group. Ranges were roaming around telling us that it's a slow pace but nobody asked the big group to skip a hole or keep the pace. Is that the way to operate a world class course. I was sick for 5 hours
People behind us did not finish because it was dark
Course was aerated , Which is expected thus time if a year. grille was great,Pro shop was welcoming.

In simple terms, this course is the best.
There's a reason why the Champions Tour will be playing a total of 4 Senior PGA Championships here.... This course is majestic! It does not have the beautiful views of an Arcadia Bluffs, but there are still some amazing views. Not only that, a majority of the holes are "WOW" holes (much unlike Forest Dunes).
The course is stunning and fun. You should make it a point to play here at least once a year, but for me, I'd rather play here as many times as I can. Yeah, Arcadia Bluffs is fun to play once a season, but Harbor Shores gives EVERYONE a chance to play because they're on GolfNow.com.
What an amazing course!

Everything is on point pretty much as soon as you hop out of your vehicle. The practice facilities are what more courses should be like; you could really improve with what's available here. From the black tees the course has teeth, and wind is a major factor pretty much all the way around. Lake Michigan is not as prevalent as it is marketed to be, it is a beautiful golf course but there is way more highway/road frontage than there is frontage on Lake Michigan which makes the course seem loud in places. Overall it's a very nice place with a very goofy layout between holes.

Harbor Shores is a great course with every hole unique and memorable. It is challenging, but after playing it a few times it gets better and better. Forward tees are fair for women golfers. The course is kept in great shape. I don't understand why this course isn't on lists of best public courses, maybe just too new, but it should be on everyone's list! Restaurant is good and patio is really great place to grab a drink after golf.

A unique urban course with Lake Michigan as a backdrop. Scattered amongst wetlands, woods, ponds, a river and yes roads and highways every hole will grab your attention. Oh did I mention the place is kept in immaculate condition? If your not sure of coughing up the dough for this place don't even hesitate. It's worth it. Just bring your best flat stick game cause Jack knows how to design a green complex. Wow!

Don't let the starter fool you! The practice green isn't "the flattest green on the course." This is what we were told and it took us about 5 holes to finally stop over-reading greens. But enough about that...

What a nice course! Immaculate conditions, clever holes that gave you options of how to approach each shot. For the most part, the course rewarded you for keeping the ball in the fairway and away from the rough, trees and bunkers.

It is understandable that the Senior PGA Championship has played there twice given what Mr. Nicklaus has built. It is one of the more aesthetically pleasing course I have played in quite some time. Golfer's eye candy.

Decent pro-shop and locker room facilities, food was okay, but service was SLOW!

All in all, a fabulous course worth playing, even if you are driving a couple of hours from Chicago.

Immaculate course. Extremely well maintained. Very playable, but challenging. Tee shots are reasonable with a few forced carries. Second shots are demanding as you must be on the proper tier of the greens for scoring opportunities. Very few straight putts on the course. Greens will challenge the even the best putters. Only thing that kept the day from being perfect was the weather. 45-50 degrees with a 15-20 mile an hour wind. Made the course play extra tough.

The course is in excellent condition. The course gives you some room off the tee but your approach shot needs to be well placed for a chance at par. It's a hard up and down if you miss due to tricky greens. The course leaves me wanting to play in again to due better.

For the golfer who sometimes misses the fairway, finding your ball in the thick roughs can add considerable time to your round. Surrounding terrain is beautiful. Loved it!

With the exception of #7... just an outstanding variety of holes. While attractive and dramatic... #7 is dangerously close to goofy golf.