BOYNE Golf in northern Michigan
Somewhat quietly – at least on a national level — BOYNE Golf has assembled one of America’s most impressive golf empires, creating an unmatched collection of courses and experiences across Northern Michigan that rivals just about any destination in the country. With 11 distinct courses, billed as “Michigan’s Magnificent 11,” spanning three resort properties, BOYNE Golf offers a bounty of variety and value, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Wolverine state’s pristine lakes and forests.
BOYNE boasts more than 170 holes in total, making it one of the largest golf resort operations in the United States.
The courses are laid out across 10,000 acres – from the shores of Lake Michigan to the lush, rugged hills of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula – and are varied in topography and play despite being only about 25 miles apart at most.
There are five courses at The Highlands, including BOYNE’s newest addition, Doon Brae, a par-3 layout which may be the first modern course built on a ski hill and exemplifies the current destination golf trend of adding short courses. There are 27 holes at Bay Harbor Golf Club, with three distinct nines providing three very different 18-hole experiences, two more championship courses at BOYNE Mountain, and a standalone course on bluffs high above Little Traverse Bay called Crooked Tree Club.
The broad mix of offerings sets BOYNE apart from many other golf destinations, ranging from championship tests designed by renowned architects to family-friendly courses.
The Highlands: A golfer’s paradise
At the heart of BOYNE’s golf empire is The Highlands, which has become a popular destination for golfers looking to play as many holes as possible during Northern Michigan’s long summer days.
The Heather is the property’s crown jewel, a Robert Trent Jones Sr. design that was the first BOYNE course in 1966 and presents a still-timeless challenge today, with a multitude of risk-reward options and one of the best closing holes – and intimidating carries — you’ll find. Complementing The Heather, which was the first resort course in Northern Michigan, is the Arthur Hills course.
That routing from its namesake designer is marked by wide, bunker-dotted fairways and tighter approaches that take full advantage of the property’s natural elevation changes and wooded terrain. Perhaps most unique to The Highlands is The Donald Ross Memorial, a “Greatest Hits” tribute of sorts that recreates some of the best-known holes in the legendary architect’s deep portfolio and combines them in a single course.
The versatile Moor course rounds out the regulation offerings and is a members’ favorite, with water, wetlands, trees and plenty of doglegs.
BOYNE Highlands, The Heather
New additions
The summer of 2025 marked a milestone for the family-friendly Highlands with the opening of Doon Brae, a groundbreaking nine-hole short course designed by Ray Hearn.
The course name itself tells a story, as Doon translates to “going down into a valley” and Brae means “steep bank or hillside” in Scottish. With dramatic elevation changes and scenic vistas along the lower ski slopes, Doon Brae features holes that range from 57 to 134 yards, is lighted for nighttime play, and is defined by imaginative shots and relaxed vibes.
The green complexes draw inspiration from famous templates found in the British Isles, including scaled-down versions of the Eden, Punchbowl, Redan, and Biarritz holes. Small greens, sod-faced bunkers, and tight mowing patterns create a links-style experience that’s both challenging for accomplished players and welcoming for families and beginners.
Complementing Doon Brae is the Back Yaird, a 1.5-acre, 27-hole putting course that brings the spirit of St. Andrews’ famous Himalayas putting green to Northern Michigan. Featuring three different nine-hole combinations, this putting experience offers seemingly endless variety with slopes, swales, and wild undulations. Located just off the Slopeside Patio of The Highlands lodge, the Back Yaird creates a perfect gathering space for evening entertainment, complete with lights, music, and fire pits.
The Highlands is known for its all-season allure – for some that means skiing, boating, mountain biking or other adventure activities beyond golf – and the resort has several lodging options, from upscale hotel rooms in the renovated Main Lodge to condos and full home rentals.
Doon Brae
Bay Harbor
While The Highlands showcases BOYNE’s variety and innovation, the Inn at Bay Harbor and Bay Harbor Golf Club represent the operation’s flagship luxury experience.
Situated along a spectacular five-mile stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline, Bay Harbor offers 27 holes designed by Arthur Hills across three different course combinations that provide distinctly different experiences: Links/Quarry, Quarry/Preserve, and Preserve/Links.
The Links 9 is accented by towering bluffs and windblown dunes above the lake; the Quarry 9 has 40-foot gorges and stone cliffs in and around the remains of a massive shale quarry; and the Preserve 9 is nestled into a hardwood forest that hugs the shoreline. Meanwhile, just across the main road from the inn, about three miles from Bay Harbor Golf Club, is Crooked Tree, a par-71 layout that tips out at just over 6,600 yards but is characterized by undulating green complexes.
With a stunningly scenic lakefront location, the Inn at Bay Harbor is a boutique Northern Michigan retreat just outside of Petoskey that offers hotel rooms and suites in addition to private, spacious cottages that serve as a home away from home.
BOYNE Mountain
Completing the BOYNE triumvirate is BOYNE Mountain, which has been recognized by one leading national golf publication as a Top 10 Destination for family golf trips.
The property features two picturesque 18-hole courses – The Monument and The Alpine – both of which start at the top of Disciples Ridge and play downhill through the beautiful surrounds of BOYNE Mountain.
The resort has become a go-to destination for introducing the next generation to golf, with nationally recognized junior and kids’ programs that make the game accessible and fun for young players. The combination of quality golf and family-friendly amenities creates a unique niche in the Northern Michigan golf market.
There’s also 415 acres of slopes in the winter, along with other family amenities such as the Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark and SkyBridge Michigan, the world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge, which sways 118 feet above the BOYNE Valley. The Mountain Grand Lodge & Spa is a popular homebase for families, connected to the waterpark, while Chalet Edelweiss is a European-inspired guest haus in the heart of the slopes that delivers a traditional mountain experience. The property also has year-round accommodations at the Clock Tower Lodge and the Boynehof Lodge.
BOYNE Mountain, The Monument
Northern Michigan’s golf advantage
Northern Michigan has significant natural advantages that yield special golf experiences: scenic surrounds, great lakes (wink), dramatic elevation changes, dense forests, and long summer days.
And the region’s accessibility to major metropolitan areas like Chicago, Detroit, and Milwaukee has helped build a loyal base of return visitors who appreciate both the quality of golf and the authentic Northern Michigan hospitality. For travelers outside the Midwest, Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City — served by direct flights from 20 U.S. cities — is just over an hour from the BOYNE properties.
And with 11 courses now, BOYNE Golf has established itself as not just Northern Michigan’s largest golf operation, but one of the most unique golf destinations in the U.S. – one that offers exceptional golf value combined with genuine hospitality and endless variety.