The 10 Best Public Golf Courses in Metro Detroit

Once upon a time, during the auto boom, the Detroit area was one of the richest metros in the world. That coincided with Golden Age golf in the 1920s, and the area benefited from the creation of stellar clubs like Oakland Hills, Barton Hills, Indianwood, Franklin Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Orchard Lake, Meadowbrook, and many more.

The area’s public golf scene, while vast with 100+ options, doesn’t carry the same star power. Thanks to a combination of modern semi-private courses, a few resort courses, some munis and metroparks, there are courses around every corner. So access isn’t much of an issue. But in terms of true bucket-list public golf, you’re better off heading west and north towards Lake Michigan.

I tend to tell people that Detroit is a fun place to visit if you know where to go. Same goes for golf. It’s spread out, so I’ve done my best to pick some courses in various parts of the metro area, spanning as far west as Washtenaw County and Ann Arbor.

Whether you’re in town for the Rocket Classic on the PGA Tour or upcoming U.S. Open at Oakland Hills - or just here on business, rev up your engines and bring your sticks.

1. Shepherd’s Hollow Golf Club

North of Detroit near Clarkston, Shepherd’s Hollow is probably the premier “up north feel” facility in the metro area. It features 27 scenic and quiet holes of Arthur Hills-designed golf. It’s certainly among his best public courses - and it’s not easy, either. Most holes are framed on all sides by tall trees, and fairways have a lot of movement in them. Overall, it’s the best daily-fee experience in the metro area. $125-150 weekends.

2. University of Michigan GC & Radrick Farms

If you’re a real architecture buff, getting on one of the University of Michigan’s two courses is the obvious choice. However, be warned, these tee sheets are popular, and public access is limited, so call and email early and often and have a backup plan when you get the Heisman. Better yet, Michigan has a massive alumni and faculty, so scour your nework and find someone affiliated with Big Blue to get you on easier and about half the cost of the $160-185 unaccompanied rate.

With that out of the way, UofM GC is a wonderful Alister Mackenzie design with outstanding bunkering and greens on a severe and compact site in the heart of town. Holes No. 3 and 6 are two of my favorites in the world. 18 as a closing tee shot overlooking the campus never gets old.

Given the Mackenzie pedigree, Michigan is coveted, but I prefer Radrick Farms. I love early Pete Dye designs (far more than his 21st century stuff that went a bit overboard) - and this is a sprawling and challenging routing on peaceful farmland east of town. It’s a real players' club that requires all the shots. It has the Dye staples like railroad ties but there’s a lot of restraint and he lets the beautiful land do a lot of the talking. F&B is limited here as it’s a players golf club, but it’s an outstanding walk that I can’t wait to get on whenever I’m back home.

3. The Cardinal at St. John's

Yes, there are resort courses in the Detroit area. Chief among them is the recently rebuilt Cardinal at St. John's. A major transformation turned an older 27-hole layout into a classically inspired 18-hole layout by Michigan-based architect Ray Hearn. It was the short-lived host of LIV Michigan, but this is more of a family-friendly, Neoclassic layout than a typical pro venue. There is also a short course, putting course, and Carl’s Golfland onsite, making St. Johns one of the most complete golf facilities in the Midwest. 

4. Eagle Crest Golf Club

Home of the Eastern Michigan University golf teams, Eagle Crest flies under the radar on lists of top collegiate courses, but it shouldn’t. The university has quietly put a lot of work into this course, which has an outstanding setting overlooking Ford Lake. Greens have been rebuilt and trees have been cleared to show off the views more. It’s a really exciting round, capped by the par-5 16th with a peninsula green on the lake. It’s also extremely convenient right off I-94. $120-140 weekends.

5. Washtenaw Golf Club

I mentioned in the intro that Detroit is full of classic clubs. And the sad fact of the matter is the 1920s stuff open to the public isn’t all that exceptional (Ross’ Rackham is compromised and Warren Valley is a shell of itself, while Fox Hills Classic is interesting but modest). The exception is Washtenaw, dating to 1899, it went public in 2020. It’s a fantastic, classic routing on a small footprint - fortunately, the new ownership group led by the late Dave Kendall, a Michigan teaching pro legend, cleared out some trees, restored some greens with the restoration aid of Ray Hearn. A lot of the best stuff in Michigan is modern in subdivisions - this place is wonderfully old school. You can walk this course during the week for under $75 - an absolute bargain. $100 on weekends with a cart. | More: 13 Underrated Public Gems

6. The Orchards

Yes, Robert Trent Jones Jr. has a design in the Detroit area. The Orchards is a popular pick in the area as a pro or major qualifier, so lower handicaps love the challenge as a venue. It’s set in a residential development but winds through denser, treed areas. $120 weekends.

7. Majestic at Lake Walden

Majestic is one of the more natural courses in the area, set on 1400 acres. It’s a 27-hole design by Michigan-based architect Jerry Matthews, with Holes 1-18 wrapping around the lake and the final 9 said to be even more scenic. Don’t expect to walk it. This is a vast layout. Green fees $105 weekends.

8. Cherry Creek Golf Club

North of Detroit near Rochester Hills, Cherry Creek is a modern, semi-private in Oakland County designed by Lanny Wadkins that feels a lot like a private club with great conditions and facilities. Fees top out around $75 weekend.

9. Timber Trace Golf Club

Here’s an affordable course with a taste of that coveted “Up North Feel” with holes set in tall pine trees. This was always a treat to play on the Junior Tour circuits. There’s a 1-mile drive through wetlands on the back nine - so don’t expect to walk this one. It’s a great value at just $70 weekends.

10. Coyote Preserve

In Fenton, Coyote Preserve features a more natural layout, free of housing. It’s a modern design by Arnold Palmer highlighted by five fun par 3s and a difficult closing stretch. Green fees peak out on the weekends at $100.