Michigan Golf Holiday: An Adventure To Remember
Who wants a golf vacation to a place that boasts of four of the five Great Lakes as its periphery, 850 courses across a diverse terrain and a perfect weather? I hear more ‘ayes’ then ‘nays’ for Michigan. The Wolverine State takes its name from the Ojibwe term “mishigami” meaning ‘big lake’ and true to its name, Michigan never leaves you too far from a water body. Can you imagine the sheer number of water hazards Michigan golf cannot avoid?

Spread over two discontinuous peninsulas, Michigan to a golf holiday maker is an adventure and a fascinating journey of discovery and exploration. And this is an adventure embarked upon by the big city homers like Oprah, the Chicago Bears and everyone in between! That and the 850 courses which include championship courses created by the best in business seem like good enough reasons to start putting together an exclusive Michigan golf package.

Let’s see then what would be a great place to start… if you are one of those energetic people who think nothing of 36 – holes on a bad weather day, you need to plan your golf travel to Northern Michigan in summer. Long and pleasant summer days aid and abet a 54-holes play and this is just July! Leave the wife to stir up ways for calling your bluff while you pack in your clubs and head to Arcadia Bluffs, a Rick Smith – Warren Henderson designed 18-holes links style course located in Arcadia.

At 7,300 yards, par 72 this is a monster course with a devilish $160 green fee. But you play it anyway because of the experience it offers – capricious weather makes the course more testing than it was meant to be, wide fairways, large undulating greens and wicked, wicked bunkers make you draw out every club in your bag. In the end the fine view of Lake Michigan makes it all worth it.

Another great course to play on your golf vacation is the Arthur Hills designed Bay Harbor Golf Club. A 27-hole public course, Bay Harbor is a visual treat and a sharp test of skills. You can play all three courses (The Quarry, The Links and The Preserve) for anywhere from $149 to $240. Northern Michigan also offers some very affordable golf – try courses like The Crown and The Heathlands.

Route your golf tour to central Michigan if you are in the mood for a few rounds that are not preceded by robbing banks and sweet old ladies with umbrellas. Must plays in Central Michigan are: Tullymore Golf Club, and St. Ives, Forest Akers West, and Pierce Lake Golf Course.

South eastern Michigan offers great golf and if you are looking for aesthetically pleasing courses, Detroit is the place your golf travel should be headed. Consider playing the Orchards Golf Club, the Glacier Club and Greystone Golf Club for one good weekend of golf.

A few other courses that would look good on your golf tour itinerary and feel good to your golfing muscles are the Robert Trent Jones designed Treetops Resort, Lakewood Shores in Oscoda, Pilgrim’s Run Golf Club and The Ravines, an Arnold Palmer course.

Michigan is not a small state and the golf landscape fits the size. So, also include Crystal Downs in Frankfort, Oakland Hills in Bloomfield Township and Lost Dunes in Bridgman in your golf package.