For fun, I recently asked an AI model to analyze my 323 Michigan golf course reviews and respond with the twenty best golf courses, organized alphabetically.
Overall, I think it produced a pretty good list. I thought it interesting that the AI didn’t include Kingsley Club or Point O’ Woods, both of which I might have considered. Perhaps it is best, though, because all of the remaining courses are available for public play (although Harbor Point is only open to the public on the shoulder seasons).
I asked the AI to list them alphabetically because I struggle with the idea of “best.” Best for whom? Best when? Best by what criteria? Best design? Best conditioning? Best views? Is “best” the same thing as “favorite”? Can a course be the “best,” but be one that you think “I don’t really need to play that again?
Also, I was interested by the AI summaries for each course. There are quite a few phrases I would not have used. I also think it was dropping in phrases it borrowed from elsewhere.
Michigan’s top A+ courses on GolfBlogger.com form a surprisingly diverse group: rugged northern layouts, classic parkland tests, modern resort designs, and a few genuinely original concepts. Taken together, they show why Michigan remains one of the deepest golf states in the country for golfers who value both quality and variety.
Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course
Arcadia Bluffs is one of the most famous golf destinations in Michigan, known for its dramatic Lake Michigan setting and bold, wind-swept style. The course combines scenery and strategy in a way that makes it memorable even for players who have seen a lot of top-tier golf. Its A+ reputation comes from the strength of the routing, the challenge of the terrain, and the sheer visual impact of the property.
Review: Arcadia Bluffs
Arcadia Bluffs South Course
The South Course gives Arcadia Bluffs a different look, with a more inland feel and a routing that plays a little softer around the edges. That contrast makes it a valuable complement to the original course, especially for golfers who want a second round at the same destination without feeling like they are repeating themselves. It earns top marks for design balance and overall golf experience.
Review: Arcadia Bluffs South
Belvedere Golf Club
Belvedere is a classic Michigan golf treasure, shaped by traditional architecture and a smart, walkable layout. It has the kind of understated design that rewards good decision-making rather than overpowering length. That old-school charm is a big part of why it belongs in any A+ conversation.
Review: Belvedere
Black Lake Golf Club
Black Lake delivers a northern Michigan experience with plenty of terrain movement, tree-lined corridors, and a layout that asks for accuracy. It feels secluded and thoughtfully routed, with enough variety to stay interesting from the first tee to the final green. Its A+ status reflects both playability and challenge in equal measure.
Review: Black Lake
Diamond Springs
Diamond Springs offers an intriguing design and top tier conditions. The course is especially appealing because it mixes broad appeal with enough strategic detail to keep better players engaged. That combination of friendliness and quality is what lifts it into the top tier.
Review: Diamond Springs
Forest Dunes – The Loop
The Loop at Forest Dunes stands out immediately because of its reversible design, which turns one property into two different golf experiences. That kind of creativity is rare and gives repeat play an entirely different feel. Its A+ standing comes from innovation, strategy, and fun.
Review: The Loop at Forest Dunes
Forest Dunes Weiskopf Course
The original Forest Dunes course provides a more traditional championship test, with big playing corridors and risk-reward holes. It has the kind of polish and routing strength that makes a resort round feel substantial rather than casual. The course’s A+ grade reflects its quality from start to finish.
Review: Forest Dunes Weiskopf
Greywalls at Marquette Golf Club
Greywalls is one of Michigan’s most dramatic golf experiences, built into a rugged landscape above Lake Superior. It feels wild, unforgettable, and completely tied to its setting. The course earns elite status because it offers both challenge and personality in a way few layouts can match.
Review: Greywalls
Harbor Point Golf Course (Harbor Springs, MI)
Harbor Point is a compact, tree‑lined layout in Harbor Springs that GolfBlogger explicitly grades A+ and calls “everything I love in a course.” Its tight fairways, thoughtful green complexes, and strong sense of place make it a standout among Michigan’s A‑listers.
Review: Harbor Point
Harbor Shores (Benton Harbor, MI)
Harbor Shores is a Jack Nicklaus–designed championship resort layout that winds along the St. Joseph River and the Lake Michigan shoreline. GolfBlogger treats it as one of the state’s top‑tier “you can play” experiences, with A‑level praise for its mix of risk‑reward options, large well‑sited greens, and its ability to feel both resort‑friendly and tournament‑tough.
Review: Harbor Shores
Indian River Golf Club
Indian River Golf Club is a classic northern Michigan course with a quiet, wooded atmosphere and a strong sense of place. It is the kind of layout that rewards thoughtful shot-making and provides a relaxed but still meaningful test. Its A+ designation reflects the quality of the architecture and the charm of the round.
Review: Indian River Golf Club
Pilgrim’s Run
Pilgrim’s Run is one of those courses that earns respect through consistency rather than hype. It is well routed, well conditioned, and demanding in a way that feels fair. That makes it an easy fit for a list of Michigan’s best-reviewed courses.
Review: Pilgrim’s Run
Sage Run
Sage Run brings a modern resort look with open space, big landforms, and a strong sense of scale. It is visually striking and enjoyable for a wide range of golfers. The A+ review recognition reflects how well it balances beauty, strategy, and fun.
Review: Sage Run
Stoatin Brae
Stoatin Brae delivers a links-style experience in southwest Michigan, with firm turf, elevation changes, and thoughtful green sites. It feels different from many other Michigan courses because it emphasizes ground game and creativity. That distinct identity is a major reason it stands out.
Review: Stoatin Brae
Sweetgrass
Sweetgrass is one of the most polished resort layouts in the state, with strong visual character and a routing that uses natural terrain effectively. It gives players a memorable round without becoming overly severe. Its A+ standing reflects that combination of beauty and balance.
Review: Sweetgrass
The Heather at Boyne Highlands
The Heather is a classic Michigan resort course that has aged extremely well. Its tree-lined holes, smart doglegs, and demanding setup make it a favorite for golfers who enjoy precision and course management. It remains one of the most respected layouts in the state for good reason.
Review: The Heather at Boyne Highlands
Timberstone
Timberstone offers a rugged, wooded golf experience that feels distinctly northern Michigan in character. Elevation, trees, and a thoughtful routing make it both attractive and demanding. It is the kind of course that sticks in your memory after the round is over.
Review: Timberstone
Tullymore
Tullymore is a polished destination course with wide fairways, dramatic greens, and a strong resort feel. It is designed to be enjoyable for many skill levels while still offering plenty of challenge. That broad appeal helps explain its A+ reputation.
Review: Tullymore
University of Michigan Golf Course
The University of Michigan Golf Course is a smart, strategic layout in Ann Arbor that asks for accuracy and patience. It is not the longest course on the list, but it makes up for that with design intelligence and subtle difficulty. That makes it a standout among classic college-town courses.
Review: University of Michigan Golf Course
Washtenaw Golf Club
Washtenaw Golf Club blends historic character with a layout that still feels relevant and fun today. Its traditional feel, solid routing, and strong playing conditions make it a natural fit for an A+ list. It is one of the more distinctive golf experiences in southeast Michigan.
Review: Washtenaw Golf Club
Together, these 20 A+‑graded GolfBlogger‑reviewed Michigan courses give golfers a clear, alphabetized bucket list of the state’s best‑vetted layouts—from dunes‑lined drama and resort‑style polish to Golden‑Age‑style classic tests. All of them appear on the Michigan Golf Course Reviews index, making this list an easy reference for planning a Michigan‑only golf trip built strictly around GolfBlogger’s highest‑rated experiences.