With summer in full swing, Michiganders are heading north to enjoy beaches, trails and forests, and a few might be looking to play a little golf while traveling through the Upper Peninsula.
Once you’ve crossed the Mackinac Bridge and gotten away from it all, there’s still plenty of golf to be played.
Of course, most of Michigan’s roughly 850 courses are in the Lower Peninsula, but the UP has numerous courses that are off the beaten path.
In addition to well-known resorts and courses like Greywalls in Marquette, the Island Resort near Harris, and Bay Mills’ Wild Bluff, there are less-visited courses that will allow you to have an afternoon of fun.
Here’s a look at five that span the Upper Peninsula from Wisconsin to Lake Huron.
Gogebic Country Club in Ironwood
Gogebic Country Club, 200 Country Club Road, turned 100 years old in 2022 and it has the feel of an old-style course. Relatively short by modern standards — 6,030 yards from the back tees — the 18-hole course winds through woodlands east of the city.
The club dates back to 1917 when local members of the community pooled their resources and efforts and began raising capital to build the course, the course website notes. Founders made progress on the first six holes, then expanded to nine holes. In early 1922, construction on the grand clubhouse began, and it was completed in 1924. The course remained nine holes only from its opening until the 1990s when the second nine holes were added.
Why you should play: History, No. 1. How many century-old golf courses are there? Plus it’s just a fun course: not a lot of trouble, good conditions, friendly staff.
What else is nearby: The city of Ironwood is just down the road where you can find Cold Iron Brewery, the White Rabbit Tasting Room and Rigoni’s Italian bakery. Close by is the Copper Peak ski jump hill, and waterfalls to chase on the Black and Presque Isle rivers.
Keweenaw Mountain Lodge near Copper Harbor
Keweenaw Mountain Lodge offers the farthest north course in Michigan, just up the hill from Copper Harber.
The lodge is a privately-owned, WPA-era “wilderness” resort that is open year-round.
In October 1933, the Keweenaw Road Commission commissioners reviewed several areas to build what was then known as the Keweenaw Park & Golf Course project. 167 acres was given to the county by the Keweenaw Copper Company. The land came with the condition that a nine-hole golf course would be constructed and the park would be open to the people of Keweenaw County.
In 2018, Keweenaw County sold the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge. As of Sept. 5, 2018, Keweenaw Resort became the owner and operator of the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge.
“We are a quiet place, Audubon International Green Lodging establishment, and an international dark sky park with a focus of getting people closer to nature,” the lodge sayd on its website.
The golf course, still nine holes, comes in at 6,240 yards from the back tees and just 2,525 from the forward tees. Among the highlights is the view of Brockway Mountain from the first tee.
Why you should play: The view off the first tee is worth the greens fee on its own. But the clubhouse and property overall ooze history. While the course may seem a little rough around the edges, the operators bill it as a “wilderness” course — “expect the course to be maintained in-line with the history of golf and along the lines of the natural landscape of the rugged Keweenaw” — the layout is fun and quirky, and entertaining.
What else is nearby: The Copper Harbor area features Fort Wilkins State Park, numerous hiking and mountain biking trails, several nearby waterfalls, the Brockway Mountain Drive, Lake Superior beaches where you can search out agates, fishing and not far away, in Eagle Harbor, is the Jampot, where monks from the Byzantine Catholic Monastery sell homemade jams and other goods.
Terrace Bluff Golf Club in Escanaba
The 18-hole golf course sits atop a bluff across U.S. 41 from Little Bay de Noc. The course was “cut out of the woods and no two holes are the same,” the course says on its website. “Situated on a high bluff, this course has been designed for scenic beauty overlooking beautiful Little Bay de Noc.”
Terrace Bluff can stretch to 6,360 yards from the back or play down to 5,333 yards. A nature trail wraps around the outside of the course.
Why you should play: The course is a solid challenge, but not overly so. While water and sand hazards do come into play on occasion you have options to avoid them. And the clubhouse will make you feel like you’ve stepped right back into the 1970s.
What else is nearby: Downtown Escanaba is features numerous small shops along Ludington Street. At Ludington Street’s east end, there is a lighthouse, marina and park on Lake Michigan. Upper Hand Brewery is just outside of downtown and Hereford & Hops is on Ludington Street. With Lake Michigan lapping at the shore, fishing in the area is outstanding.
Pictured Rocks Golf Course is close to a national lakeshore
Pictured Rocks Golf Course is an 18-hole golf course just outside Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, east of Munising. The course features rolling terrain, natural hardwoods, carefully placed bunkers and water hazards, according to its website.
The course plays 6,243 yards from the back tees.
Why you should play: Well, golf of course. But seriously, how often can you say you played golf at Pictured Rocks?
What else is nearby: It almost goes without saying that Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on its own could provide days of hiking, waterfall chasing, kayaking, camping and more. Downtown Munising offers numerous restaurants, including Dogpatch Restaurant, which features the characters from the L’il Abner comic strip.
The Rock at Drummond Island Resort
From DeTour Village, take the car ferry across to Drummond Island, and then drive some more. The island is a lot bigger than you might think.
Once you reach the resort, designed in a log cabin style, you’ll find a restaurant and other amenities. Getting to the golf course requires another lengthy drive in a cart deep into the woods.
Once there, you’ll feel like you’re miles away from anything.
The course, which features water on several holes and marshy areas, can stretch as much as 6,800 yards or play as short at 4,992. You’re nearly guaranteed to see some sort of wildlife while out playing.
Why you should play: The course is a solid challenge with some serious water hazards and a few forced carries. But there are a variety of tee options that make it fair. More importantly, the setting makes it worthwhile — you’re simply out in the middle of no place and it feels like it.
What else is nearby: Nearby is a relative term, the resort is several miles from most things. On the island, though, you’ll find off-roading opportunities, Maxton Plains, fossil ledges, as well as places to boat and kayak, or go hiking. Dining options can be limited, but there are several good restaurants.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Tired of sight-seeing in the UP? 5 golf courses to try when you’re ‘up north’
Reporting by Dan Basso, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
