Best Golf Courses in Northern MI: A Guide to Teein’ it High

As the beloved game of golf has blossomed, course developers and architects have kept three ideas in mind; golf courses should be interesting to play, not disrupt the natural environment, and provide players with a beautiful outdoor experience. We might sound a bit biased, but we think our home state of Michigan is one of the best places to see these ideas in perfect harmony. 

Today, we’re zooming in on the region of Northern Michigan and discussing the best golf opportunities one can find here. This area provides some of the state’s most distinctive holes including the dunes and bluffs of Lake Michigan and the staggering cliffs of the Upper Peninsula (U.P.).

Golf Courses in the Upper Peninsula

Michigan has over 650 public courses and 122 private clubs, many of which were designed by some of the game's greatest minds.

We’ve made it easy on you and listed some of the best courses in the region. We also included our details in case you want to stay with us during your vacation (but more on that later).

Indian Lake Golf Course

Located: 1305 N Birch Street Manistique, MI

Holes: 18 Holes (Front + Back)

Par: 72



Play on well-manicured fairways and smooth-rolling greens at this local favorite. Centrally located in Manistique, Indian Lake has much to offer including a club house, bar and pro shop.

The course also has a restaurant to cure the post-18 blues. We’re confident the restaurant’s cheese curds can fix any day plagued by double bogeys.

Stony Point Golf Course

Located: 8102 US-2 Manistique, MI

Holes: 9 Holes

Par: 36

Embrace a challenge at Stony Point Golf Course. The course is located on US-2, between the Mackinac Bridge and Escanaba on the west side of Manistique. Stony Point features a challenging 9-hole course with plenty of opportunities to hit your ball into the water hazards. 

The course showcases lush, bentgrass greens, stretching fairways, and nice tee boxes. There is plenty of wildlife surrounding the course for nature lovers or those who’d rather enjoy an afternoon cheerleading cart-side and taking in the views.

Nahma Golf Course

Located: 8588 Ll Rd, Rapid River, MI 

Holes: 9 Holes

Par: 36

Enjoy the cooling breeze off the lake while cruising in your golf cart at Nahma. This course is the second oldest in Delta County, established in 1922 and is known for narrow holes and captivating views. The course sits right on the shores of Lake Michigan’s Big Bay Noc and provides stellar sights to complement your round. They also have a clubhouse and convenient rental options.

Timberstone Golf Course

Located: N3332 Pine Mountain Rd, Iron Mountain, MI

Holes: 18 Holes (Front + Back)

Par: 72

For many, premier golfing in Michigan starts at Timberstone Golf Course. Positioned on Iron Mountain, Timberstone is fastidiously managed and features a masterful design that even experienced pros gawk at.

Although we can’t guarantee a scratch game, we can guarantee a scenic experience at Timberstone.

Some of Michigan’s Best 

While we’re mentioning the best courses in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, we must give a shoutout to some of the players who paved the way for golf in the state.

Here’s a few of the most notable…

Walter Hagen

Known as the “father of professional golf”, Hagen is regularly rated as one of the greatest golfers to ever play the sport, not just in Michigan.

Although he wasn’t born here, he moved to the Detroit area in 1918 and became the first golf pro at Oakland Hills Country Club. A golf superstar of the 1940s-50s, Hagen’s tally of 11 professional majors is only third behind icons, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

His flamboyant nature and blue-collar upbringing made him paramount in dismantling golf’s aristocracy and making the sport more accessible to people from all walks of life.

Calvin Peete

A Detroit native, Peete began golfing at 23 years old, which is considerably later than most professional athletes. However, his natural talent shined through and he quickly became the most successful African American golfer prior to Tiger Woods.

Calvin Peete made history by winning 12 major PGA tournaments between 1979 and 1986, along with many other awards and trophies. His sheer talent and influence were instrumental in the diversification of golf and paved the way for future players from varying backgrounds and ethnicities.

Meg Mallon

One of the most successful female golfers from Michigan, Mallon moved to the glove state at a young age. Meg began playing golf at age 7 and excelled quickly, winning the Michigan Amateur Championship title in 1983. 

She became a member of the LPGA Tour in 1987 and won 18 tour events, including four major championships. Mallon won a total of 18 events on the LPGA tour and was inducted into the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.

Your Summer Golf Capital

According to some, Michigan has become the Nation’s summer golf capital in recent years. This might be due to our diverse landscape and location on the edge of the eastern time zone, providing long summer days with enjoyable temperatures.

If we’ve inspired you to dust off your clubs and play a round in our neck of the woods, then we welcome you at our property. 

Stay at Indian Lake RV Resort and Campground

We are located by some stellar recreation like the infamous Kitch-iti-kipi, and two Great Lakes. Our campground and RV Park offer convenient amenities like a modern bathhouse, onsite laundry, a private beach, picnic tables, and more.

Plan your golf weekend with us on the shores of scenic Manistique and come see what all the fuss is about in the U.P.

Book Your Stay Today!