When the southern USA becomes too hot for comfortable golf, the Great Lakes region comes into its own. Northern Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota offer long summer days, cool mornings, lakes, forests and dunes, and a remarkable number of high-quality courses. Prices are often lower than in the big winter destinations, and many resorts offer excellent stay-and-play packages. Here is how to plan a summer golf trip to the region.
Why the Great Lakes for golf?
- Ideal summer weather: warm days and cool evenings, without the heat of the South.
- Long daylight: in midsummer, you can tee off at dawn and play until after 9 pm.
- Variety: lakeshore courses, dunes, forests, rolling farmland and bluffs.
- Value: packages and twilight rates often make high-quality golf affordable.
- Lakes and outdoor life for non-golfers: beaches, boating, fishing, cycling and small towns.
Northern Michigan
The northern part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, often simply called "Up North", is a golf destination in its own right. The area around Traverse City, Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Gaylord and the Grand Traverse Bay has many resort courses, set among hardwood forests, inland lakes and dunes along Lake Michigan.
- Best for: golf-focused trips, groups and families.
- Good to know: courses are spread out, so a car is essential. Autumn colour in late September and early October is spectacular.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin's golf ranges from courses along the bluffs and dunes of the Lake Michigan shoreline, around Sheboygan and the shoreline north of Milwaukee, to inland resorts in the Wisconsin Dells area and the peninsula of Door County.
- Best for: dramatic lakeshore golf and links-style courses.
- Good to know: lakeside wind can be strong, and temperatures cooler near the water. Read how to play golf in the wind.
Minnesota
Minnesota, the "Land of 10,000 Lakes", has golf around the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Paul, the Brainerd Lakes area, and towns such as Rochester and Duluth. Courses wind through pine forests and around lakes, with resorts that combine golf with fishing and boating.
- Best for: a relaxed lake holiday with plenty of golf.
- Good to know: the season is short; the best months are June to September.
Other options in the region
- Illinois and the Chicago area: many public and private courses within reach of the city.
- Ohio and Indiana: good-value golf and some strong public courses.
- Ontario, across the border: cottage country and lakes. Read golf in Canada.
When to go
| Month | Conditions |
|---|---|
| May | Courses opening, cool mornings, spring rain; good value |
| June | Long days, warm and green; busy from mid-month |
| July and August | Warmest, busiest and most expensive; occasional humid spells and storms |
| September | Warm days, cool nights, fewer crowds; often the best month |
| Early October | Autumn colour, crisp mornings; season ending in the north |
Winter is long and cold, and courses close from roughly November to April.
Playing tips
- Bentgrass: many northern courses use cool-season grasses such as bentgrass, which play firm and fast in summer. Greens roll true, with less grain than in the South. Read how to read greens.
- Elevation changes: hilly and bluff-top courses often require uphill and downhill club adjustments. Read how to play uneven lies.
- Wind off the lakes: strong and variable on lakeshore courses.
- Morning dew and cool air: the ball flies shorter in the cool early morning. Read winter golf for more on temperature and distance.
- Thick rough and forests: keep the ball in play. Read golf trouble shots.
Costs and booking
- Stay-and-play packages at resorts are very common and often excellent value.
- Weekday and twilight rates offer savings.
- Shoulder months (May, September and October) are cheaper and quieter.
- Book early for summer weekends and holidays.
Read how to choose a golf resort and how to play golf on a budget.
Practical tips
- Pack layers: mornings can be cool even in July. A light waterproof is useful. Read our golf rain gear guide.
- Insect repellent: mosquitoes and biting flies can be a nuisance near lakes and forests.
- Thunderstorms: summer afternoon storms can arrive quickly; leave the course when lightning approaches.
- Rent a car: courses and towns are spread out.
- Combine golf with the lakes: beaches, boat trips and lakeside dinners.
Sample trip ideas
- Northern Michigan golf week: five or six rounds at different resorts, with lakeside towns and dune scenery.
- Wisconsin lakeshore weekend: two or three dramatic lakeshore rounds and a few days in small harbour towns.
- Minnesota lake holiday: a lakeside cabin, golf in the morning and boating in the afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
When is the golf season in the Great Lakes region?
Roughly May to October, with the best weather from June to September.
Is northern Michigan good for golf?
Yes. It is one of the most popular summer golf destinations in the Midwest, with many resort courses and stay-and-play packages.
Is golf in the Midwest cheaper than in the South?
Often, especially through packages and in shoulder months. Prices at top resorts in peak summer can still be high.
What should I pack for a summer golf trip to the Great Lakes?
Layers for cool mornings, waterproofs, sunscreen and insect repellent.
The bottom line
The Great Lakes region offers some of the best summer golf in North America: long days, cool nights, beautiful scenery and great value. Choose northern Michigan for resort variety, Wisconsin for dramatic lakeshore golf or Minnesota for a relaxed lake holiday, travel between June and September, and pack layers and repellent. For more trip ideas, read how to plan a golf trip.