Upper Hand

Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula is home to some of the state’s most exhilarating golf courses, blending championship design with the region’s rugged beauty.

At Island Resort & Casino in Harris, golfers can experience two distinct courses. Sweetgrass Golf Club, named the 2021 Michigan Golf Course of the Year and 2022 Jemsek National Course of the Year, is a parkland masterpiece with strategic bunkering, fun-to-putt greens, and the famous island green at hole 15. It also embraces the heritage of the Hannahville Indian Community, with each hole named after Potawatomi clans and symbols. Sage Run Golf Club provides a bold contrast, featuring rolling terrain shaped by a natural drumlin—a glacially formed ridge that defines much of the course. Designed by Paul Albanese and ranked among Golf Digest’s Best New Courses, Sage Run takes players on a thrilling journey through hardwood forests, open vistas, and dramatic elevation changes.

Further north in Marquette, Greywalls at Marquette Golf Club is a must-play for those seeking a wild, untamed golf experience. Designed by Mike DeVries, this Top 10 Best New Course (as ranked by major golf publications) showcases bold elevation shifts, exposed rock formations, and stunning views of Lake Superior. The course’s flowing terrain and rugged charm make it one of Michigan’s most unforgettable golf destinations.

For golfers looking to pair championship-caliber play with awe-inspiring scenery, the Eastern U.P. delivers at every turn.

TOP PHOTO: Greywalls at Marquette Golf Club (LUKAS MICHEL, COURTESY OF MARQUETTE GOLF CLUB)