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A detailed view of a golf ball during the second day of the Barracuda Championship 2025 at Tahoe Mountain Club on July 18.
Michigan offers over 850 golf courses, and among the cream of the crop is Boyne Golf, a collection of 11 courses spread across three resorts in Northern Michigan. This expansive setup has made Boyne synonymous with Midwest golf excellence.
Josh Richter, PGA Senior VP of Golf Operations at Boyne Resorts, highlights the accessibility–most golfers in the Midwest can drive there in under eight hours, and the nearest airport, Traverse City’s Cherry Capital, is only about 75-90 minutes away. Even more impressive, Boyne has upgraded its own nearby airstrip to accommodate private jets landing just 1,000 feet from the resort.
A Cornucopia of Courses
Boyne Golf boasts a staggering 162 holes, encompassing a variety of layouts—even within close proximity. Here’s how they break down:
Bay Harbor Golf Club features three nine-hole courses–The Links, The Quarry, and The Preserve–each sculpted by Lake Michigan’s shoreline and distinct terrain. From seaside links setups to rugged quarry challenges and serene nature-like parkland, it delivers variety within one venue.
At Boyne Mountain, two 18‑hole courses–The Alpine and The Monument–offer thrilling elevation changes and scenic views, presenting a dramatic contrast to Lake Michigan experiences.
The Highlands packs four championship-caliber 18‑hole layouts: Arthur Hills, Donald Ross Memorial, The Heather (a national Course of the Year in 2019), and The Moor–plus a newer 9‑hole par‑3 short course, Doon Brae, designed with families in mind.
Richter sums it up succinctly: “The quality and variety of our courses is unmatched in the United States.”
Designed for All Skill Levels—but Competitive at Heart
While the courses challenge even seasoned players, thanks to architecture from legends like Robert Trent Jones Sr., Donald Ross, and Arthur Hills, Boyne puts inclusivity front and center.
Every hole across these layouts includes six different tee boxes, making the courses playable and enjoyable for all calibers of golfers.
At Doon Brae, there’s a 27‑hole putting course called the Back Yaird–perfect for multi‑generational fun, teaching kids, or casual family engagement with the game.
This dual-focus–combining elite challenge with broad accessibility–drives Boyne’s appeal and was central to USA Today 10Best naming Boyne Golf the Top Golf Destination in the U.S.
Planning Your Golf Escape
Boyne Golf offers a range of Stay & Play and all-inclusive packages designed to cater for weekend warriors and die-hard golf vacationers alike:
Stay & Play: Simple and straightforward–stay at one of the resorts (The Highlands, Boyne Mountain, or Bay Harbor) and play a round each day.
Super 5 Vacation and Michigan’s Magnificent 10 Vacation: Extended getaways (five nights) that include lodging, unlimited golf on up to 10 courses, some meals, lessons, even shopping and casino vouchers.
These customizable options allow golfers to dial up intensity or keep things relaxed, all within a convenient and luxurious setting.
Season, Scenery & Beyond: More Than Just Fairways
Northern Michigan offers a unique seasonal charm. Despite shorter golf seasons, summer offers refreshing weather, tree-lined greens turning autumnal hues, and stunning landscapes. Boyne has become one of the Midwest’s most compelling golf destinations as a result.
In addition, other Michigan courses provide great alternatives for exploration. For instance, Chestnut Valley offers forested challenges, and the Sundance Course overlooks Torch Lake’s glacier-sculpted terrain. Still, reviewers often highlight Boyne’s consistent high quality and varied experience as key differentiators.
Alyssa Polczynski Alyssa Polczynski is a multimedia journalist covering Major League Baseball for Heavy.com. She has experience as an editorial producer for MLB.com and contributed to the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). More about Alyssa Polczynski
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