Carefree Travel Guide 2026

Featured Golf Courses

Ravines Golf Club Arnold Palmer envisioned and created an extraordinary golf course in West Michigan. Ravines Golf Club offers exceptional playing conditions, stunning natural surroundings, and professional, friendly service at an unmatched value. Saugatuck RavinesGolfClub.com 269.857.1616 Pigeon Creek Golf Course Enjoy a course where country club conditions meet family friendly service. You and your friends will be ready for another round, either on the course or the patio! West Olive GolfPigeonCreek.com 616.875.4300 LYNX GC The LYNX Golf Course pairs scenic riverfront golf with a welcoming atmosphere, friendly service, and The LYNX Grill - making it the perfect place to play, relax, and enjoy great food in Southwest Michigan. Otsego LYNXGC.com 269.694.5969 Crystal Mountain Crystal Mountain offers two 18-hole championship golf courses - Betsie Valley and Mountain Ridge course, which was recently named the 2025 Course of the Year by the Michigan Golf Course Association. Home to the Michigan PGA Women’s Open. Thompsonville CrystalMountain.com 800.968.7686

Pilgrim’s Run Golf Club One of West Michigan’s finest upscale public golf facilities, this is a “must play” for golfers who enjoy the combination of tranquility, beauty, and great golf. Pierson PilgrimsRun.com 888.533.7742 Tullymore Golf Resort Experience championship golf at Tullymore Golf Resort in Canadian Lakes, where pristine fairways, scenic landscapes, and premier amenities create an unforgettable West Michigan getaway for players of every skill level. Stanwood TullymoreGolf.com 231.972.4837 Meet Mt. Pleasant The central Michigan area boasts 13 courses within a half-hour drive, from championship, to “up-north,” and relaxed styles. After a round, check out the area’s entertainment and stay at one of the many lodging properties. Mt. Pleasant MeetMTP.com 800.772.4433 Indian River Golf Club Everyone loves the Indian River. The course is super convenient—just 3 minutes off of I-75 yet feels like it is in the middle of the Northern woods. Close to many of the major resorts, it is “the place to play wherever you stay.” New home of Birdies Tavern. Indian River IndianRiverGolfClub.com 231.238.7011

Golf is one of West Michigan’s premier outdoor experiences, blending championship-level play with some of the most scenic landscapes in the Midwest. From the Lake Michigan shoreline to rolling inland hills, the region offers an impressive variety of courses that appeal to every skill level. Golfers can tee off beside sweeping sand dunes, wooded fairways, wetlands, and riverfront greens, creating memorable rounds framed by natural beauty.

Seasonally, West Michigan golf shines from spring through fall, when mild temperatures and colorful scenery elevate every round. Summer brings lush fairways and lake breezes, while autumn transforms courses with brilliant reds, oranges, and golds. Whether visitors are chasing bucket-list championship courses or simply enjoying nine holes with friends, golf in West Michigan offers the perfect mix of recreation, relaxation, and unforgettable scenery, making it a must for sports travelers and leisure seekers alike.

What makes golf in West Michigan especially unique is the diversity of destinations. Along the lakeshore, renowned courses deliver a world-class experience with dramatic views and thoughtfully designed holes across multiple terrains. In central West Michigan, destinations near Otsego, Muskegon, and Traverse City offer classic links-style layouts and beautifully maintained public courses that are perfect for both casual outings and weekend golf trips. Golf also pairs seamlessly with the region’s tourism appeal. Many visitors build full getaways around tee times, combining rounds with beach sunsets, waterfront dining, craft beverages, and resort stays. From stay-and play packages in Southwest Michigan to golf weekends near charming lakeshore towns, the experience extends far beyond the scorecard.

Manistee National Golf & Resort Manistee

#WestMichigan | 2026 Carefree Travel Guide

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