Warren Henderson and Rick Smith
Arcadia Bluffs - The Bluffs Course
The signature Michigan postcard round, with elevated Lake Michigan views and a big-event feel from the first tee through the closing holes.
USA
Golf Trips in Michigan
Lake Michigan views, deep resort golf and northern-woods routing built for a true summer golf trip.
Michigan — overview
Michigan is one of America’s best warm-weather golf trip states because the depth is real. Arcadia Bluffs brings Lake Michigan drama, BOYNE adds an 11-course resort network, Forest Dunes delivers architecture-first golf in the pines, and the Traverse City–Gaylord corridor gives groups enough variety to build a full northern golf week.
- Destinations
- 5
- Courses
- 26+
- Best months
- June through September
- Typical length
- 4 nights / 5 rounds
- Trips from
- $735
What makes it special
Why play golf in Michigan.
Michigan belongs on any serious buddies-trip shortlist because it combines scale, scenery and summer weather better than most Midwest destinations. You can play lakefront golf at Arcadia Bluffs, a full resort rotation at BOYNE, modern architecture at Forest Dunes and elevation-heavy golf at Treetops. JEL Golf Travel can turn that depth into a clean 4–7 day itinerary instead of a disconnected string of tee times and hotel changes.
The strongest Michigan golf trips usually run through the northern half of the state. Arcadia Bluffs gives the itinerary its postcard round with the Bluffs Course above Lake Michigan, while the South Course and The Dozen add enough variety to make the destination more than a one-round stop.
BOYNE Golf is the volume play. Its 11-course collection stretches across Bay Harbor, The Highlands, Boyne Mountain and Crooked Tree, giving groups enough golf to build a long trip without repeating the same style. Grand Traverse Resort adds another three-course base near Traverse City, led by Jack Nicklaus’ Bear and Gary Player’s Wolverine.
Forest Dunes and Treetops give Michigan a different personality. Forest Dunes is quieter and more architecture-driven, centered around Tom Weiskopf’s Forest Dunes course, Tom Doak’s reversible Loop and the Bootlegger short course. Treetops leans into elevation, resort energy and the famous Threetops par-3 course, making it a strong Gaylord stop for groups chasing variety.
Resorts & destinations
View all 5 destinationsWhere to play in Michigan.
The Michigan destinations we plan the most — each with the courses, lodging and seasonality our concierge knows by heart.
Signature courses
The courses that define Michigan.
These are the rounds we would build around first on a Michigan itinerary: one lakefront showpiece, one architecture stop, one deep resort rotation and one short-course experience that keeps the trip fun.
- Tom Doak
Forest Dunes - The Loop
A reversible routing that gives architecture-focused groups two distinct ways to play the same ground.
- Arthur Hills
Bay Harbor Golf Club - Links / Quarry / Preserve
The most scenic BOYNE stop, combining shoreline holes, quarry landforms and northern Michigan resort golf across three nines.
Plan your trip
When to go, how to get there.
- Best time to visit
- June through September
- Weather & climate
- Northern Michigan golf is seasonal. Summer days are generally comfortable compared with the Southeast, but weather can change quickly near the Great Lakes; shoulder-season trips should plan for cool mornings, wind off Lake Michigan and occasional rain.
- Typical trip length
- 4 nights / 5 rounds
- Getting there
- Most Michigan golf trips need a rental car because the major destinations are spread across northern resort towns. Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City is the most convenient gateway for Arcadia Bluffs and Grand Traverse Resort, Pellston works well for BOYNE, and Detroit or Grand Rapids can make sense for broader road-trip itineraries.
- Nearest airports
- TVC (Traverse City) · PLN (Pellston) · DTW (Detroit) · GRR (Grand Rapids)
- Who it's best for
- Buddies trips that want summer golf, resort convenience and enough course variety to build a 4–7 day itinerary.
- Trip styles
- Buddies tripResortSummer golfLakefrontArchitectureValue
Off the course
Local culture in Michigan.
A Michigan golf trip has a relaxed northern rhythm: early tee times, long daylight, lake towns, breweries, supper-club-style dinners and easy drives between resort hubs. Traverse City adds wine country, restaurants and Grand Traverse Bay, while Petoskey, Harbor Springs and Gaylord give groups easy post-round stops. The best trips leave room for a lakefront dinner, a casual replay or a sunset drive after the final round.
Frequently asked
Michigan golf FAQs.
What are the best golf destinations in Michigan for a trip?
The strongest Michigan golf trip destinations are Arcadia Bluffs, BOYNE Golf Resort, Forest Dunes, Grand Traverse Resort and Treetops Resort. Together they cover lakefront golf, deep resort golf, modern architecture, northern-woods routing and short-course variety.
How many days do I need for a Michigan golf trip?
Most groups should plan 4 nights and 5 rounds for a strong Michigan trip. A 6- or 7-day itinerary makes more sense if you want to combine Arcadia Bluffs, BOYNE, Forest Dunes, Grand Traverse and Treetops without rushing the drives.
What is the best time of year to play golf in Michigan?
June through September is the safest window because the resorts are fully open, daylight is long and conditions are usually at their best. May and early October can work well for value-focused groups, but temperatures are cooler and weather is less predictable.
Do I need a rental car for a Michigan golf trip?
Yes, most Michigan golf trips need a rental car. The major destinations are spread across northern Michigan, and driving gives your group the flexibility to connect Arcadia Bluffs, Traverse City, BOYNE, Gaylord and Forest Dunes.
Is Michigan better for buddies trips or couples trips?
Michigan is especially strong for buddies trips because of the course depth, replay options and resort lodging. It also works well for couples when the itinerary centers on Traverse City, Bay Harbor, Arcadia Bluffs or Grand Traverse Resort, where dining, lake towns and non-golf activities are easy to build in.
Can you combine Arcadia Bluffs and BOYNE in one trip?
Yes, Arcadia Bluffs and BOYNE can be combined in one northern Michigan itinerary, but the trip should be built around drive time and tee-time spacing. Adding Traverse City or another northern resort base helps the route feel intentional instead of like a series of long transfers.
Ready when you are
Let's plan your Michigan trip.
Share your dates, group size, and the courses you have in mind. We'll come back inside 48 hours with a tailored itinerary, real numbers and secured tee times.