Best courses to play spring golf in Southwest Michigan

The long winter wait is over. It’s golf time in Southwest Michigan. Our premier courses are lush and ready to match your and your companions’ skills, whether you are learning the game or finessing your championship drives. 

Better yet, it’s usually easy to set the spring dates and tee times you want — just call the clubhouse or reserve online at these top choices:

WHERE CHAMPIONS & CELEBRITIES PLAY

Brookwood Golf Course | Buchanan

At Brookwood Golf Course, history merges seamlessly with championship-quality play. Established in 1965, this 18-hole world-class layout is hilly and woody on the first nine. Its rustic clubhouse is a renovated dairy barn featured in the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. Play where many notable sports celebrities have graced its fairways. 

HAMPSHIRE COUNTRY CLUB | DOWAGIAC

A renowned 18-hole championship-level course, Hampshire Country Club challenges golfers with its classic open front nine and wooded back nine. For years, this majestic course was the site of the Western Amateur qualifying rounds — now it takes your game to the next level. 

HARBOR SHORES GOLF COURSE | BENTON HARBOR

Designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus, Harbor Shores Golf Course hosts prestigious tournaments such as the KitchenAid® Senior PGA Championship. Its stunning views of Lake Michigan and challenging links-style holes and tree-lined fairways make this one of the most thrilling courses in the Midwest. 

The course will be CLOSED to public play, May 15–May 28, 2024, for the KitchenAid® Senior PGA Championship. Join us to watch live some of the best golfers in the world. 

LAKE MICHIGAN HILLS GOLF CLUB | BENTON HARBOR

Always rated at the top of the Southwest Michigan public golf courses, Lake Michigan Hills Golf Club has consistently received a four-star rating from Golf Digest's — Best Places to Play. This course takes full advantage of its natural terrain with many elevation changes, generous tree-lined fairways, and large undulated greens. While top golfers love playing here, it’s fun for all levels.

POINT O' WOODS | BENTON HARBOR

Don’t pass on your chance to play at Point O' Woods, a "Top 200" Robert Trent Jones-designed course. Towering maples, pines, and oaks surround this hidden gem’s velvety greens. Golfing greats such as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf, Phil Mickelson, and Tiger Woods have played here — now it’s your turn. 

COURSES THAT KEEP THE GAME FUN FOR EVERYONE

DOGWOOD TRAILS | DOWAGIAC

Adjacent to Hampshire Country Club lies Dogwood Trails, a scenic 18-hole layout that’s aptly described as a shot maker and sporty. Its beautifully wooded and rolling terrain keeps the play fun whether you’re new to the game or striving to lower your score on the fairways or greens. 

INDIAN LAKE HILLS GOLF COURSE | EAU CLAIRE

This ranks among the top courses for springtime beauty! Indian Lake Hills Golf Course treats you to 27 holes of golfing bliss. Play amid majestic trees and blossoming dogwoods, in wide open areas and tight approaches, mixed with ponds and neighboring sweetly-scented orchards.  After your round, “hash” out your game highlights at the course’s dining room, bar, and two outside pavilions overlooking beautiful Indian Lake. 

ORCHARD HILLS COUNTRY CLUB | BUCHANAN

Bordered by the banks of the St. Joseph River, Orchard Hills Country Club, offers 18 challenging holes. Its rolling, bent grass fairways make flat lies hard to come by, its tee shots require accuracy as you drive between trees on both sides and putt on greens with slight elevation changes. Four sets of tees keep the competition friendly. 

PAW PAW LAKE GOLF CLUB | WATERVLIET

Perched on the shores of Paw Paw Lake, Paw Paw Lake Golf Club prides itself on keeping all levels of golfers engaged playing nine or 18 holes. This fully mature course meanders through lush woodlands and along tranquil waters, challenging even seasoned golfers with its smaller target greens. If you play golf to relax, this is the place.

PEBBLEWOOD COUNTRY CLUB | BRIDGMAN

Watching your golfing budget? Pebblewood Country Club is one of the most affordable nine and 18-hole courses in Southwest Michigan. Ask about their junior and senior discounts when you set your tee times. Bring your clubs, drive through the area’s only covered bridge, and enjoy a casual round while taking in the beauty of the course’s nine lakes and ponds.

PIPESTONE CREEK GOLF COURSE | EAU CLAIRE

Pipestone Creek was family-built and has been family-owned and operated for over sixty years. The course is carefully designed to test your long game with three wide-open par fives. It also challenges your short game on the beautiful, richly wooded back nine that was sculpted into the Michigan landscape.

HAVE GOOD TIMES FINE-TUNING YOUR GOLF SKILLS

PIPESTONE INDOOR COUNTRY CLUB | BENTON HARBOR

Golf, rain or shine at Pipestone Indoor Country Club. Equipped with state-of-the-art Golfzon Vision simulators, players enjoy a virtual round of golf from a choice of over 180 world-famous courses. It’s an immersive golfing experience for all ages and abilities.

WELTER'S FOLLY | THREE OAKS

Discover a wee bit of Scotland at Welter’s Folly, an 18-hole putting green behind Journeyman Distillery. Covering 30,000 square feet, this public course features dramatic mounding inspired by the renowned Himalayas Putting Green in St. Andrews, Scotland. Believed to be one of the 10 largest putting greens globally and the largest not affiliated with a golf course, Welter’s Folly is an unforgettable outing for all ages — especially when putters (21 and over) can sip cocktails on the green. 

PLAN A SPRING GOLF OUTING OR PERSONAL RETREAT

While you can certainly take a day trip to play at any of Southwest Michigan’s courses, spring is a great time to plan a multi-day outing with friends or family or indulge in a solo golf retreat.  Make plans now to secure the dates, amenities, and rates you want at hotels minutes from our top courses. 

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