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Harbor Shores in Michigan — header

Michigan

Harbor Shores

A Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, waterfront hotel and Lake Michigan weekend in southwest Michigan.

Courses
2 golf experiences
Best for
Lake
Airport
SBN

Harbor Shores — overview

Harbor Shores brings a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, a waterfront hotel and southwest Michigan’s Lake Michigan shoreline into one easy long-weekend destination. The 18-hole course moves through four distinct landscapes—dunes, woods, river corridor and inland terrain—while The Inn at Harbor Shores puts dining, a spa and the St. Joseph River harbor close at hand.

Courses
2 golf experiences
Best months
May – October
Ideal length
2–3 nights
From airport
45 min from SBN

Golf at Harbor Shores

The main event is the 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, supported by the family-friendly Wee Course and Highland Greens putting course.

Swipe to view all 3 courses

Harbor Shores Golf Course
01 / 03

Michigan · Course 1

Harbor Shores Golf Course

Holes
18
Par
71
Yards
6,852
Est.
2010

Harbor Shores is the only public Jack Nicklaus Signature Course on Lake Michigan and the centerpiece of the resort. The par-71 layout moves through four distinct settings: inland ground, Lake Michigan dunes, wooded ravines and a finishing stretch along the Paw Paw River, Ox Creek and wetlands. It hosted the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship through 2024 and plays with the strategic scale expected of a Nicklaus championship design.

The Wee Course at Harbor Shores
02 / 03

Michigan · Course 2

The Wee Course at Harbor Shores

Short Course
Holes
9
Est.
2026

The Wee Course is a nine-hole short course designed by Colin Montgomerie, drawing on the accessible, social short-course culture of his Scottish junior golf. Players can choose a more demanding blue-tee route or a white-tee option that allows putting to the hole, making it a proper arrival-day round or a relaxed addition after the main course. It opened in 2026 alongside Highland Greens, the resort’s putting course.

Highland Greens Putting Course
03 / 03

Michigan · Course 3

Highland Greens Putting Course

Putting Course
Holes
18
Est.
2026

Highland Greens is Harbor Shores’ dedicated putting-course complement to the Wee Course. It is designed for a quick, social round before dinner, after a championship round or as a standalone family activity, and is available as part of the resort’s short-course experience.

Harbor Shores in Michigan — golf lifestyle

What to Expect at Harbor Shores

Why visit

This is an especially good fit for golfers who want a real resort stay without needing a sprawling, multi-course complex. Harbor Shores has one proper championship course—the only public Jack Nicklaus Signature Course on Lake Michigan—and it is substantial enough to anchor the trip. The routing changes character as it goes, from inland holes to dunes with Lake Michigan views, then wooded ravines and a riverside finish. Add the nine-hole Wee Course and Highland Greens putting course, The Inn’s waterfront setting, and St. Joseph’s beaches and downtown, and a two- or three-night trip feels full without being overbuilt.

Accommodations

The Inn at Harbor Shores is the natural base: a 92-room waterfront hotel with private balconies, indoor and outdoor pools, a full-service spa, Plank’s Tavern on the Water and Rise & Vine. Its location along the St. Joseph River harbor makes it easy to pair golf with the beach, downtown St. Joseph and the marina.

Resort amenities

Harbor Shores feels like a lakefront resort rather than a golf club with a nearby hotel. The Inn has 92 guestrooms, pools, a spa, fitness facilities and waterfront dining. At the golf complex, the championship course is complemented by the Wee Course—a nine-hole short course designed by Colin Montgomerie—and Highland Greens, an 18-hole putting course. The Grille serves the golf side of the property.

  • 92-room waterfront resort hotel
  • Jack Nicklaus Signature Course
  • 9-hole Wee Course by Colin Montgomerie
  • Highland Greens putting course
  • Spa, pools and waterfront dining
Where to stay

Stay at The Inn at Harbor Shores

A waterfront resort hotel close to the golf course, downtown St. Joseph and the beach.

Resort01 / 01

The Inn at Harbor Shores

Guest rooms and suites

The on-property waterfront base, with 92 guestrooms, private balconies, pools, spa services and dining at Plank’s Tavern on the Water.

The simplest stay-and-play option for golf groups and couples.

Included in packageView hotel

Plan Your Harbor Shores Trip

Golf, waterfront dining, the beach and downtown St. Joseph are all close enough to keep the weekend simple.

Getting there

Harbor Shores is in southwest Michigan, about 90 minutes from downtown Chicago and roughly 45 minutes from South Bend International Airport (SBN). It also works well as a drive trip from Chicago, Indianapolis and the wider Midwest.

Best time to visit

Late May through early October is the main golf season. June through September gives the most reliable Lake Michigan weather; September and early October are particularly good for cooler temperatures, fewer beach crowds and fall color.

Who it's best for

Couples, buddies trips and Midwest golfers looking for a polished two- or three-night resort escape near Lake Michigan.

Address
800 Whitwam Drive, St. Joseph, MI 49085
Course details
The Jack Nicklaus Signature Course is an 18-hole public course that plays across inland, dunes, woodland and river terrain. It is a par 71 measuring 6,852 yards for the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship setup. The resort also has the nine-hole Wee Course by Colin Montgomerie and Highland Greens putting course.
Location
St. Joseph & Benton Harbor, Michigan
Nearest airport
South Bend International (SBN)
Access
Public resort golf
Trip style
Resort
Best for
Lake Michigan golf weekends

Harbor Shores Golf FAQs

What to know before planning a Harbor Shores golf weekend.

Is Harbor Shores open to the public?

Yes. Harbor Shores offers public tee times on its Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, along with stay-and-play options at The Inn at Harbor Shores.

How many nights should a Harbor Shores golf trip be?

Two nights works well for one championship round plus the Wee Course, dining and time in St. Joseph. Three nights gives the group more room for a second championship round or a slower Lake Michigan weekend.

What is the Wee Course at Harbor Shores?

The Wee Course is a nine-hole short course designed by Colin Montgomerie. It can be played on its own or paired with the Highland Greens putting course, making it a useful arrival-day or second-day activity.

When is the best time to play Harbor Shores?

The primary season runs from late spring through early fall. Summer is best for beach weather; September and early October are excellent for cooler golf conditions and fall color.

How far is Harbor Shores from Chicago?

The resort is roughly 90 minutes from downtown Chicago, making it one of the more convenient full-service golf weekends for Chicago-area groups.

On the map

Where is Harbor Shores?

3 courses1 lodging option

Whitwam Drive, Saint Joseph, Michigan 49085, United States

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