Mid-Michigan Golf Overview
Mid-Michigan doesn't have the coastline drama of Northern Michigan or the resort concentration of Gaylord, but it has something those regions can't match — Forest Dunes Golf Club in Roscommon, home to one of the most innovative and acclaimed golf courses in the United States. Beyond that centerpiece, Mid-Michigan has a healthy collection of public and semi-private courses serving the Lansing, Flint, Midland, and Saginaw metro areas at prices that make regular golf genuinely accessible.
Roscommon — A National Golf Destination
Houghton Lake country hides one of the most talked-about golf courses in America.
Forest Dunes Golf Club
$$$$Nationally ranked among the top public golf courses in the United States, Forest Dunes is a Tom Weiskopf design through towering pines with a layout that earns every bit of its reputation. The property is also home to The Loop — designed by Tom Doak and the only reversible 18-hole golf course in the country, playable clockwise one day and counter-clockwise the next. Two completely different experiences on one piece of land. A must-play for any serious Michigan golfer.
Greater Lansing Area
The state capital has more good public golf than most people realize — including two courses on MSU's campus.
Forest Akers Golf Course at MSU
$$Two championship courses — East and West — on the campus of Michigan State University, open to the public. Forest Akers West is the more celebrated of the two and has hosted significant college and amateur tournaments. Playing a round on MSU's campus with the Big Ten setting around you is a genuinely fun experience. Well-maintained, fairly priced, and genuinely challenging.
Eagle Eye Golf Club
$$A well-regarded public course in Bath just north of Lansing that's consistently ranked among the better daily-fee options in the capital region. Eagle Eye plays through open, links-influenced terrain with water features and a design that rewards strategic play. A solid step up from municipal-level golf for Lansing-area players looking for a better experience.
Flint & Genesee County
Home to a legendary PGA Tour venue and several solid public options.
Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club
PrivateFormer home of the Buick Open PGA Tour event for decades, Warwick Hills is the most historically significant golf course in the Flint area. It's a private club, but its place in Michigan golf history is undeniable — Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and nearly every PGA Tour star of the last 30 years has competed here. The surrounding Grand Blanc area has public options for those who want to golf in the same zip code.
Swartz Creek Golf Course
$A reliable municipal course serving the Flint metro area at an accessible price point. Swartz Creek is well-kept for a public course, easy to get on, and a good option for casual rounds in the Genesee County area. The course has hosted local and regional amateur events and maintains a better standard than the typical city-run track.
Midland, Saginaw & Bay City
The Tri-Cities area has a loyal golf community and several well-maintained options.
Currie Municipal Golf Course
$A well-run municipal course in Midland that punches well above the typical city course standard. Currie has 27 holes, good conditioning, and is operated with more care than most municipal golf operations in Michigan. A reliable daily option for Midland-area golfers and a solid stop for travelers passing through the Tri-Cities corridor.
Bay Valley Golf Club
$$A semi-private course and resort in Bay City that's been a regional golf staple for decades. Bay Valley offers a solid 18-hole layout, good conditions, and a full resort experience with lodging and amenities that make it a natural choice for golf outings and group trips in the Saginaw Bay area. A reliable, mid-range option for the Tri-Cities market.
📋 Mid-Michigan Golf — Insider Tips
- Forest Dunes is a destination course — plan the trip around it and book both Forest Dunes and The Loop if possible
- Forest Akers West at MSU is genuinely tournament-quality golf at a public price — a great value round
- Mid-Michigan courses are generally less crowded than Northern Michigan resorts — easier tee times in summer
- The Roscommon area is a natural stopping point on the drive north — consider a Forest Dunes round on the way to Gaylord
- Midland is a surprisingly upscale small city — good restaurants and a well-run golf scene
- Fall is underrated in Mid-Michigan — beautiful color, empty courses, and some of the best rates of the year
Mid-Michigan Golf FAQ
What are the best golf courses near Lansing Michigan?
Forest Akers Golf Course at Michigan State University offers two public courses on MSU's campus. Eagle Eye Golf Club in Bath is another well-regarded public option in the capital region.
Is Forest Dunes Golf Club in Mid-Michigan?
Forest Dunes is in Roscommon at the northern edge of Mid-Michigan. It's one of the top-rated public courses in the US and features The Loop — a reversible 18-hole course designed by Tom Doak, the only one of its kind in America.
Are there good golf courses near Flint Michigan?
Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club in Grand Blanc — former home of the Buick Open PGA Tour event — is the most storied course in the Flint region, though it's private. Swartz Creek Golf Course is a solid public option in Genesee County.
What is The Loop at Forest Dunes?
The Loop is a reversible 18-hole golf course designed by Tom Doak — the only one of its kind in the US. The same 18 holes play in two different directions on alternating days, creating essentially two different courses on one piece of land. It has been ranked among the best new courses in the country.