Five Michigan Golf Properties/Destinations Earn National Recognition in USA TODAY 10BEST Awards

    Newspaper publishing giant USA Today recently awarded a total of five Michigan golf properties and destination locations as 10BEST in the country. It’s an appropriate nod to the fact Michigan is widely regarded as America’s Summer Golf Capital with more than 650 public golf courses and award-winning resorts.

    Michigan’s multiple golf entities ranked high among USA Today’s 10BEST Golf Destinations, 10BEST Golf Resorts, and 10BEST Public Golf Courses in the country. The annual 10BEST Awards highlight the finest experiences across the country, with nominees selected by a panel of industry experts and editors, then voted on by the public.

    “Michigan continues to be recognized as a top-tier golf destination in the U.S.,” said Kelly Wolgamott, Vice President of Pure Michigan. “With more than 650 public courses, there is a golf experience for every level of play. From the historic and esteemed courses of Metro Detroit to the forests of the Upper Peninsula and the scenic beauty of northern Michigan with sweeping views of the Great Lakes, there’s no place like Pure Michigan for a truly memorable golf vacation.”

    Leading the way is Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, which earned the No. 1 ranking among the 10BEST Golf Destinations. Anchored by locations such as Island Resort & Casino and Bay Mills Resort & Casino, the Upper Peninsula features acclaimed layouts, including Sweetgrass Golf Club, Sage Run Golf Course, Greywalls at Marquette Golf Club, Bay Mills Golf Club, as well as The Jewel and Wawashkamo on Mackinac Island. These courses are known for their dramatic terrain, thoughtful design, and immersive experiences that blend championship golf with the region’s untamed wilderness.

    Long celebrated for its rugged natural beauty and better known for outdoor pursuits like hunting, snowmobiling, and its signature pasties, the Upper Peninsula has quietly emerged as one of the nation’s most compelling golf getaways.

    Also earning national recognition is the Petoskey Area, ranked No. 5 among the 10BEST Golf Destinations. Located on the shores of Little Traverse Bay in Northern Michigan, the region offers a dynamic collection of 17 courses suitable to all skill levels. Among its highlights is Bay Harbor Golf Club, one of the most visually striking courses in the country, featuring holes that run along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, through a quarry, and hardwood forests. Additional standout courses in the Petoskey Area include Belvedere Golf Club, Dunmaglas, Charlevoix Golf & Fitness, Hidden River Golf & Casting Club, Chestnut Valley Golf Club, to name a few, as well as a collection of courses at The Highlands — part of the renowned Boyne Golf portfolio.

    Among the 10BEST Golf Resorts category, coming in at No. 3, BOYNE Golf stands as Michigan’s sole resort representative. One of North America’s largest golf resorts, Boyne Golf encompasses three top-tier lodging properties and 11 championship courses across Northern Michigan, for 60 years running.

    At the center is Bay Harbor Golf Club, widely recognized as one of the most iconic public golf experiences in the United States. The 27-hole facility features the Links, Quarry, and Preserve courses, each offering a unique and widely varied landscape. The Highlands features five distinct layouts, including The Heather, Arthur Hills, The Moor, Donald Ross Memorial, and the recently introduced Doon Brae par-3 course, offering a diverse and complete golf experience. The third Boyne Golf property, Boyne Mountain, has two fantastic 18-hole layouts – the Monument and Alpine courses offering outstanding mountainside and valley golf and some of the better panoramas in the state.

    “These awards prove why Michigan is known nationally and internationally for offering great golf experiences. It's an honor to be recognized by USA Today 10BEST, alongside the best golf resort properties in the country," said Josh Richter, PGA, Senior Vice President of Golf Operations for Boyne Golf. 

    Michigan also earned recognition in the 10BEST Public Golf Courses category, with two standout golf courses making the national list. The Cardinal at Saint John’s Resort, located in Plymouth, was ranked No. 6. Designed by Ray Hearn, the course represents the Detroit region’s first high-end public golf development in more than two decades, transforming a former 27-hole layout into a modern championship experience set across 200 acres. Joining it is Black Lake Golf Club, ranked No. 7. Designed by renowned architect Rees Jones and owned by the United Auto Workers, the course is set within a pristine 1,000-acre forest along the shores of Black Lake and has been a golfer favorite for decades.

    The USA TODAY 10BEST rankings reinforce Michigan’s standing as one of the premier golf destinations in the country. With its diverse collection of courses, award-winning resorts, and unforgettable landscapes — from the shores of the Great Lakes to the forests of the Upper Peninsula — readers believe the state offers an unmatched golf experience that appeals to both casual players and seasoned enthusiasts alike.