Formula 18 Golf

Formula 18 Golf

Courses / Best in state

Best Public Golf Courses in Michigan

Experts + Golfers + Story + Architect + Challenge + Access = the Total Score

Top 10Top 25
  1. 1Rackham Golf CourseHuntington Woods · Municipal · Est. 1925Donald Ross5.7PlayableNo golfer reviews yet
  2. 2Harbor ShoresBenton Harbor · Public · Est. 2010Jack NicklausUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  3. 3Boyne Resorts - Heather CourseHarbor Springs · Resort · Est. 1966Robert Trent Jones Sr.UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  4. 4Bay Harbor GcBay Harbor · Public · Est. 1998Arthur HillsUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  5. 5Crystal Downs CcFrankfort · PublicAlister MacKenzie & Perry MaxwellUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  6. 6Shepherd's HollowClarkson · Public · Est. 2000Arthur HillsUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  7. 7Treetops ResortGaylord · Resort · Est. 1987Robert Trent Jones Sr. (Masterpiece); also Tom Fazio, Rick SmithUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  8. 8Cascades GcJackson · Municipal · Est. 1929Tom BendelowUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  9. 9Black Forest & Wilderness ValleyGaylord · Resort · Est. 1992Tom DoakUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  10. 10Boyne Resorts - Hills CourseHarbor Springs · Resort · Est. 1995Arthur HillsUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  11. 11Grand Traverse Resort & SpaAcme · Resort · Est. 1985Jack Nicklaus (The Bear), Gary Player (The Wolverine), William Newcomb (Spruce Run)UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  12. 12Radrick FarmsAnn Arbor · University · Est. 1965Pete Dye (with Alice Dye)UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  13. 13Tullymore Golf ResortStanwood · Resort · Est. 2002Jim EnghUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  14. 14University of Michigan Golf CourseAnn Arbor · University · Est. 1931Alister MacKenzie (with Perry Maxwell)UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  15. 15Stonebridge GcAnn Arbor · Public · Est. 1991Arthur HillsUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  16. 16The Links At Crystal LakePontiac · Municipal · Est. 1923Michael Hurdzan (1995 redesign)UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  17. 17American Dunes Golf ClubGrand Haven · Public · Est. 2020Jack NicklausUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  18. 18Elk Ridge GcAtlanta · Public · Est. 1991Jerry MatthewsUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  19. 19Forest Dunes Golf ResortRoscommon · Resort · Est. 2002Tom Weiskopf (resort also home to The Loop, a reversible course by Tom Doak)UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  20. 20Timber Ridge GcEast Lansing · Public · Est. 1989Jerry MatthewsUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  21. 21Bedford Valley GcBattle Creek · Public · Est. 1965William MitchellUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  22. 22Ella Sharp Park GcJackson · Municipal · Est. 1924Tom BendelowUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  23. 23Huron Hills GcAnn Arbor · Municipal · Est. 1922Tom BendelowUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  24. 24Bay Harbor - The LinksPetoskey · Public · Est. 1996Arthur HillsUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  25. 25Black Forest at Wilderness ValleyHayes Township · Public · Est. 1992Tom DoakUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.

How we rank

Public courses only — anyone can book a tee time (public, municipal, resort, semi-private, university). Each course gets a Formula 18 Golf Total Score out of 10 with one word (Legendary, Destination, Memorable, Playable, Unsolved), cited on its page. Not enough to go on yet? It reads Uncharted. Expert lists, golfer stars, challenge, access and threads make the score. A notable architect and a real story add bonus points, and missing ones never count against a course. See the full formula →
Editor’s picks are placed by the Formula 18 Golf team. Played one that belongs higher? Tell us.