Northern Michigan: The Most Underrated Golf Trip in America

As some of you know, I recently underwent hip replacement surgery.

The good news is that recovery is progressing well. The bad news is that I've been spending more time thinking about golf than actually playing it.

If you've ever been sidelined by an injury, you know exactly what I mean. When you can't get out on the course, your mind starts wandering to great rounds you've played, places you've visited, and golf trips you'd like to take again.

Over the last few weeks, I've found myself thinking about Northern Michigan.

Long before Edison Golf, I attended Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Those years gave me an appreciation for a part of the country that many golfers overlook. The summers are beautiful. The people are friendly. The scenery is spectacular. And the golf is as good as you'll find anywhere in America.

In fact, the more I've thought about it, the more convinced I've become that Northern Michigan may be the most underrated golf destination in the United States.

Escape the Summer Heat

One of the biggest advantages of a Northern Michigan golf trip is something every golfer can appreciate this time of year: cooler weather.

While much of the country is dealing with temperatures in the 90s, high humidity, and afternoon thunderstorms, Northern Michigan often enjoys summer days in the 70s and low 80s. The air is cooler, the evenings are comfortable, and walking 18 holes is actually enjoyable.

For golfers from Florida, Texas, Arizona, the Carolinas, or even the Mid-Atlantic states, it's a welcome change of pace.

If you're looking for a summer golf getaway, escaping the heat may be reason enough to head north.

Outstanding Golf Without the Crowds

Northern Michigan is loaded with exceptional golf.

Many golfers are familiar with destinations like Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, Bandon Dunes, or Streamsong. Those places deserve their reputations, but they're also expensive, crowded, and often require planning months in advance.

Northern Michigan offers a different experience.

The region is home to outstanding golf destinations including Forest Dunes, Arcadia Bluffs, Boyne Golf, Garland Lodge, Treetops Resort, and dozens of lesser-known gems that deliver memorable golf without the crowds or the premium pricing.

The courses are beautifully maintained, the settings are spectacular, and the atmosphere tends to be relaxed and welcoming.

It's serious golf without taking itself too seriously.

And for recreational golfers, that's often the perfect combination.

A Great Trip for Couples

One reason I often recommend Northern Michigan is that it works wonderfully as a couples golf trip.

More women are playing golf today than ever before, and Northern Michigan offers countless opportunities for husbands and wives to enjoy the game together. Whether you're looking for championship-caliber courses, scenic resort layouts, or simply a relaxing round surrounded by beautiful views, you'll find options that golfers of all skill levels can enjoy.

But what makes the trip truly special is what happens after the round.

Spend the afternoon exploring charming waterfront towns, enjoying local restaurants, visiting wineries, taking a boat ride, shopping, hiking scenic trails, or simply relaxing along the shores of Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, or Lake Superior.

Some of our favorite vacation memories aren't just from the golf course. They're from the conversations over dinner, watching a sunset on the water, discovering a hidden local restaurant, or exploring a place neither of us had visited before.

Northern Michigan offers all of that.

It's one of the few golf destinations where the golf itself is outstanding, but it's only part of what makes the trip memorable. For couples who enjoy traveling and playing golf together, it's hard to imagine a better summer getaway.

Cross the Mackinac Bridge

No Northern Michigan trip is complete without crossing the Mackinac Bridge.

Known throughout Michigan as the "Big Mac," the bridge stretches nearly five miles across the Straits of Mackinac, connecting Michigan's Lower Peninsula with the Upper Peninsula.

Even after all these years, I still enjoy making that drive.

There's something special about seeing the water stretching out in every direction as you cross one of the most recognizable bridges in America.

For many visitors, crossing the bridge feels like entering a completely different world.

And in some ways, it is.

Spend a Day on Mackinac Island

Just beyond the bridge sits one of America's most unique destinations: Mackinac Island.

If you've never visited, it's hard to describe.

There are no cars.

Transportation comes by bicycle, horse-drawn carriage, or simply walking.

The island moves at a different pace than the rest of the world.

You can spend the day exploring historic sites, enjoying the waterfront, sampling the famous fudge, or simply relaxing and taking in the views.

Golfers can even play historic courses that have been part of the island's landscape for generations.

Whether you stay for a day or a couple of nights, Mackinac Island is one of those places everyone should experience at least once.

Continue North to Sault Ste. Marie

For me, however, the trip doesn't end at Mackinac Island.

About fifty miles farther north sits Sault Ste. Marie, home of Lake Superior State University and some of my favorite memories.

When I was a student there, I probably didn't fully appreciate how unique the area was.

Like most college students, I was focused on classes, friends, and whatever came next.

Back then, crossing the International Bridge into Canada for dinner or spending an afternoon watching freighters move through the locks was just part of everyday life. Looking back, I realize how unique those experiences really were and how fortunate I was to spend those years in such a beautiful part of the country.

Every time I return, it feels a little like coming home.

Experience the Soo Locks

One of the highlights of any visit to Sault Ste. Marie is the Soo Locks.

These remarkable locks allow ships to travel between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes by overcoming the elevation difference between the two waterways.

Watching a massive freighter move through the locks is impressive enough from shore.

But if you really want to appreciate how they work, take one of the Soo Locks boat tours.

The tour actually takes you through the locks, allowing you to experience the rise and fall of the water firsthand.

It's part history lesson, part engineering marvel, and part sightseeing adventure.

I've done it more than once, and I still find it fascinating.

More Than Just a Golf Trip

What makes Northern Michigan special is that it offers more than great golf.

It's a place where you can slow down.

It's a place where you can enjoy the outdoors, spend time with family, reconnect with old memories, and experience parts of America that still feel untouched by time.

As I've been recovering from surgery and thinking about future golf trips, Northern Michigan keeps finding its way back to the top of my list.

Maybe that's because of the golf.

Maybe it's because of the scenery.

Or maybe it's because some places simply leave a lasting impression on us.

Whatever the reason, if you're looking for a golf destination that offers cooler weather, exceptional golf, beautiful scenery, and plenty to do beyond the course, Northern Michigan deserves a spot on your list.

And if you make it all the way to Sault Ste. Marie, take a moment to appreciate the Soo Locks.

You just might find yourself understanding why an old Lake Superior State graduate still enjoys going back after all these years.

---

Have you ever taken a golf trip to Northern Michigan, Mackinac Island, or Michigan's Upper Peninsula? I'd love to hear about your favorite courses, destinations, and experiences. Share them in the comments below.

— Bill