Michigan has some of the most illustrious and historic private golf clubs in the country. But which are the best of the best?
Golfweek, part of the KeynoteUSA Network, has released its 2024 ranking of the top-rated private golf courses in each state, including the top 15 in Michigan.
If you’ve read about some of the best private clubs in the area, you won’t be surprised by the names.
Crystal Downs remains the number one golf club at The Mitten, an acclaimed Alister MacKenzie/Perry Maxwell design located on Lake Michigan in Frankfort. Opened in 1932, it is now considered one of the 50 best golf courses in the world, public or private.
“A combination of strong Lake Michigan breezes, rough thickets of fescue, rolling terrain and devilishly contoured greens make this one of the toughest Top 100 courses relative to its par 70,” Golf.com wrote in November.
TRENDS:Ranking Michigan’s Top 20 Public Golf Courses for 2024
Oakland Hills is the most famous club on this list, and its remade South Course ranks No. 2 among the best private clubs in Michigan. The Sur or “Monster” reopened in 2021 following a restoration by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner, and is also listed among the top 50 designs in the world. The club will host eight USGA championships between 2024 and 2051, beginning July 22 with the US Junior Amateur.
Golfweek’s rankings come from a vetted rating panel of hundreds of everyday golfers, who rate courses from 1 to 10 based on 10 criteria and present a unique overall rating for each course. Criteria include course, greens, variety and memorability of pars 3, 4 and 5 and conditions. Those overall scores are averaged to produce Golfweek’s annual Best Courses ranking.
If you’re looking for the best Michigan public golf course options, with more than 650 daily to choose from, here’s Golfweek’s top 20 for 2024.
Find the complete list of the top 15 private golf courses in Michigan:
Further:What makes the perfect golf trip? Book in advance, keep the peace and follow these tips.
15 Best Private Golf Courses in Michigan for 2024
1. Crystal Downs, Frankfort
2. Oakland Hills (south), Bloomfield Hills
MONSTER REMADE:I played the recently restored South Course at Oakland Hills in Michigan. Here is my review.
3. Club Kingsley, Kingsley
4. The Dune Club, New Buffalo
5. Franklin Hills, Franklin
6. Meadowbrook, Northville
T7. Lost Dunes, Bridgman
T7. Indianwood (old), Lake Orion
9. Orchard Lake, Orchard Lake
10. Barton Hills, Ann Arbor
11. Wuskowhan Players Club, West Olive
12. Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Hills
13. Detroit Country Club, Grosse Pointe Farms
14. Point O’Woods, Benton Harbor
15 True North, Harbor Springs
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