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Michigan has seven of the top 200 modern courses in the United States, according to Golfweek.
It's no surprise to see Michigan all over the 2026 ranking, released June 1 – The Mitten is one of the very best states for golf in America (and it might be the best when you factor in value).
Courses must be opened since 1960, and have a minimum of 25 votes to qualify for this list from Golfweek – which, like the Free Press, is part of USA TODAY Co.
Why 1960? Golfweek says, in part, the "design and construction techniques for courses shifted fundamentally" after 1960 with the popularization of the sport soaring.
Golfweek's panel of hundreds of raters must have had rounds played in the past 10 years for ratings to be included in the compilations.
Here's a look at the seven Michigan courses built since 1960 to make Golfweek's premium list, as rated by the publication, along with more information about each course.
Average rating: 6.80.
Location: West Olive.
Architect(s): Rick Smith, Warren Henderson.
Year opened: 1996.
Type: Private.
Average rating: 6.94.
2025 ranking: T143.
Location: Roscommon.
Architect(s): Tom Doak.
Year opened: 2016.
Type: Resort (daily fee).
Marlowe says: Yet to play it, but The Loop is a first-of-its-kind reversible 18 by the acclaimed Tom Doak. Forest Dunes is a must visit.
Average rating: 6.95.
2025 ranking: T130.
Location: Marquette.
Architect(s): Mike DeVries.
Year opened: 2005.
Type: Daily fee.
Marlowe says: Every golfer should experience this place at least once. There is nothing like it.
[ Greywalls golf course in Marquette feels like a time warp back to Jurassic era ]
Average rating: 6.96.
2025 ranking: T139.
Location: Bridgman.
Architect(s): Tom Doak.
Year opened: 1999.
Type: Private.
Average rating: 7.21.
2025 ranking: 91.
Location: Arcadia.
Architect(s): Warren Henderson, Rick Smith.
Year opened: 1999.
Type: Resort (daily fee).
Marlowe says: Golf, lake views, sunsets, sandy soil. What more could you ask for to build and play a golf course? It's the long-reigning No. 1-rated public course in Michigan for a reason.
Average rating: 7.39.
2025 ranking: 56.
Location: New Buffalo.
Architect(s): Dick Nugent.
Year opened: 1995.
Type: Private.
Average rating: 7.61.
2025 ranking: T37.
Location: Kingsley.
Architect(s): Mike DeVries.
Year opened: 2001.
Type: Private.
For more, find Golfweek's entire top 200 ranking.
Marlowe Alter is an Assistant Sports Editor at the Detroit Free Press. Email him at: [email protected].
Follow the Detroit Free Press on Instagram (@detroitfreepress), TikTok (@detroitfreepress), YouTube (@DetroitFreePress), X (@freep), and LinkedIn, and like us on Facebook (@detroitfreepress).
Stay connected and stay informed. Become a Detroit Free Press subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan dominates top 200 ranking of U.S. best modern golf courses
Continue reading...
It's no surprise to see Michigan all over the 2026 ranking, released June 1 – The Mitten is one of the very best states for golf in America (and it might be the best when you factor in value).
Courses must be opened since 1960, and have a minimum of 25 votes to qualify for this list from Golfweek – which, like the Free Press, is part of USA TODAY Co.
Why 1960? Golfweek says, in part, the "design and construction techniques for courses shifted fundamentally" after 1960 with the popularization of the sport soaring.
Golfweek's panel of hundreds of raters must have had rounds played in the past 10 years for ratings to be included in the compilations.
Here's a look at the seven Michigan courses built since 1960 to make Golfweek's premium list, as rated by the publication, along with more information about each course.
T183. Wuskowhan Players Club
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Average rating: 6.80.
Location: West Olive.
Architect(s): Rick Smith, Warren Henderson.
Year opened: 1996.
Type: Private.
T145. Forest Dunes (The Loop Red & Black)
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Average rating: 6.94.
2025 ranking: T143.
Location: Roscommon.
Architect(s): Tom Doak.
Year opened: 2016.
Type: Resort (daily fee).
Marlowe says: Yet to play it, but The Loop is a first-of-its-kind reversible 18 by the acclaimed Tom Doak. Forest Dunes is a must visit.
T137. Marquette Golf Club (Greywalls)
Average rating: 6.95.
2025 ranking: T130.
Location: Marquette.
Architect(s): Mike DeVries.
Year opened: 2005.
Type: Daily fee.
Marlowe says: Every golfer should experience this place at least once. There is nothing like it.
[ Greywalls golf course in Marquette feels like a time warp back to Jurassic era ]
T132. Lost Dunes
Average rating: 6.96.
2025 ranking: T139.
Location: Bridgman.
Architect(s): Tom Doak.
Year opened: 1999.
Type: Private.
T91. Arcadia Bluffs (Bluffs)
Average rating: 7.21.
2025 ranking: 91.
Location: Arcadia.
Architect(s): Warren Henderson, Rick Smith.
Year opened: 1999.
Type: Resort (daily fee).
Marlowe says: Golf, lake views, sunsets, sandy soil. What more could you ask for to build and play a golf course? It's the long-reigning No. 1-rated public course in Michigan for a reason.
T59. Dunes Club
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Average rating: 7.39.
2025 ranking: 56.
Location: New Buffalo.
Architect(s): Dick Nugent.
Year opened: 1995.
Type: Private.
39. Kingsley Club
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Average rating: 7.61.
2025 ranking: T37.
Location: Kingsley.
Architect(s): Mike DeVries.
Year opened: 2001.
Type: Private.
For more, find Golfweek's entire top 200 ranking.
Marlowe Alter is an Assistant Sports Editor at the Detroit Free Press. Email him at: [email protected].
Follow the Detroit Free Press on Instagram (@detroitfreepress), TikTok (@detroitfreepress), YouTube (@DetroitFreePress), X (@freep), and LinkedIn, and like us on Facebook (@detroitfreepress).
Stay connected and stay informed. Become a Detroit Free Press subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan dominates top 200 ranking of U.S. best modern golf courses
Continue reading...
