Northern Michigan Golf Trip

Why this round

The Arthur Hills course is the right opener for this trip. It plays challenging enough to be memorable but does not punish a group that is still shaking off travel. The elevation changes and variety of the routing make it feel like Northern Michigan right from the first tee, and the proximity to your lodging base means there is no long drive before the round.

Tee time target

Late morning. 10:00–11:30 AM window. Gives the group time to arrive, settle in, and not feel rushed.

Evening

Dinner in downtown Harbor Springs or Petoskey.

Why this round

Bay Harbor is the anchor of this itinerary and the round the whole weekend is built around. The Links, Quarry, and Preserve nines each have a distinct character and the routing along Lake Michigan puts it in a category very few Midwest public courses can match. This is the round your group will be talking about on the drive home. Book it first, protect the morning tee time, and plan everything else around it.

Tee time target

Morning. 8:30 to 10:00 AM preferred. The course plays best in the morning light and an early start gives the group the full afternoon.

Evening

Elevated dinner night. Vintage Chophouse at the Inn at Bay Harbor is the natural choice if the group wants to keep it close and upscale.

Why this round

Belvedere is the right closer for this trip. A 1925 William Watson design in Charlevoix that has hosted the Michigan Amateur 40 times, it gives the weekend a sense of occasion without trying to top Bay Harbor on spectacle. The classic Golden Age routing, walk-in-history feel, and consistently excellent conditioning make it a memorable finish, and the departure routing from Charlevoix is clean when the group is ready to head home.

Tee time target

Morning. 8:00 to 9:30 AM preferred. Allows for departure after the round without rushing.

Afternoon

Post-round lunch in downtown Charlevoix before departure.