The Preserve/Links at Bay Harbor Golf Club

Mighty Lake Michigan has its share of bordering golf courses. That list is understandably topped by Whistling Straits’ two layouts and the original Arcadia Bluffs 18, but Bay Harbor should not be overlooked, with two of its three nines supplying plenty of arresting water views. Draped on an up-and-down parcel of land and incorporated into a housing development, some holes are a little on the fiddly/narrow side, but not onerously so, at least as long as the wind isn’t howling.

The Quarry nine is the highlight here, with a run of holes that reminded me of some of Mike Strantz’s work – a compliment to Bay Harbor architect Arthur Hills. Greens wedged between ponds and rock formations make for some thrilling set-piece shots.

Bay Harbor’s clubhouse is excellent and well worth lingering in for a drink. You can even heckle the groups behind you from the deck perched high above Quarry #9 green.

The only major question mark around Bay Harbor is its green fee, which can surge past $440 at peak summer times. Incorporating a round into a stay-and-play package can take s good bit of the sting off the cost, though.

You won’t beat the views on this course! And the conditions were great! My only complaint was the driving range was closed, so we could not warm up. But other than that it was a great experience!

So this was the first out of a group stay-and-play thru the Highlands. Overall with the 5 courses we played the value was excellent; however, the single play is quite steep—definitely recommended the stay/play, great courses and great room accommodations.

The course was fantastic. Views out there are only matched by a few courses here in Michigan and the overlook onto the approach and green on 18th is spectacular. Zero issues with pace of play and the course is very fair, there just a few holes with construction on-going or nearby otherwise this would be 5/5.

Very friendly starter (host)

Play was a little slow due to the foursome I front of us

Course is beautiful

Every 9 at bay harbor is amazing and while I had played Links/Quarry a couple of times, I had never played Preserve before. It is wonderful! The golf is every bit as good as the others, it just lacks some of the views you get on Links/Quarry. It is more traditional up north michigan/tree lined, etc. Don't let that turn you away though, you can often snag a discounted tee time for early or twilight for a routing that includes the Preserve and you will love it. As with all the courses at Bay Harbor, conditioning was excellent.

My wife and planned to play a nice quite 9 holes on the Preserve. When we got to the second hole there was a backup and a group coming down 7 to the shared green between the 2 holes were screaming and laughing. They had tipped their cart over and seemed very drunk. Not what I would expect on a prestigious course. The have starters on this course but they don't seem to care about the pace of play or that people and partying pretty hard on this course.

Good views. Recently aerated and didn’t tell me or provide a discount. Fairways were nice. Definitely not worth the price considering the other options in the area.

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.