USA Today is stirring up excitement among golf enthusiasts by hosting a “Reader’s Choice” vote to uncover the country’s top public golf courses.
Right from Michigan, two impressive contenders are making waves: Black Lake, depicted above, and The Cardinal At St. John’s, shown in the photo below.
Black Lake is often hailed as a hidden gem in Michigan’s golf scene. It’s tucked away from the main paths, meaning only seasoned local players likely know its true splendor. I’ve long championed Black Lake as a top contender in Michigan and possibly the finest among the state’s public courses. For a deeper dive, you can check out my full review through the provided link.
On the other hand, The Cardinal at St. John’s is the fresh face among Michigan’s courses. Designed by Ray Hearn, it stands on the historical grounds of the erstwhile twenty-seven-hole course at St. John’s resort in Plymouth, Michigan. Curious about my thoughts on this course? My review is just a click away.
In fact, I’ve journeyed through nearly three hundred courses across Michigan, and for those interested, all my reviews can be found at GolfBlogger’s Michigan Golf Course reviews.
Black Lake and The Cardinal cater to distinct tastes. While Black Lake offers a sweeping Northern Michigan experience surrounded by majestic forests and dramatic elevation shifts, The Cardinal provides a more intimate setting, capturing the charm of a neighborhood course that keeps golfers returning.
Mark your calendars! The LIV golf tour is scheduled at The Cardinal from August 22 to 24, 2025. Depending on your stance towards LIV, this could either spark your curiosity or temper your enthusiasm.
It’s quite an honor for these courses to share space on a list that includes iconic names like Pebble Beach and Pinehurst No. 2. That’s some elite company indeed.
Besides these Michigan marvels, I’ve also teed off at and reviewed four additional courses on the esteemed list: Bandon Dunes, Caledonia Golf and Fish Club, Pinehurst No. 2, and Tobacco Road.
Among these, Caledonia stands out as a personal favorite. Designed by Mike Stranz, it balances creativity with accessibility. Conversely, while Tobacco Road, also Stranz’s creation, boasts even more innovation, it doesn’t offer the same easy playability as Caledonia. Pinehurst No. 2 is a classic loved by many, though I personally have a soft spot for Pinehurst No. 4. Similarly, while Bandon Dunes was breathtaking, Pacific Dunes edged it out slightly in my book.
Here’s the full list of contenders vying for the title of the best. Don’t forget to cast your vote over at USA Today!
– Arrowhead Pointe, Elberton, Georgia
– Bandon Dunes, Bandon, Oregon
– Black Lake, Onaway, Michigan
– Bully Pulpit, Medora, North Dakota
– Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, Pawley’s Island, South Carolina
– The Cardinal at St. John’s, Plymouth, Michigan
– Chaska Town Course, Chaska, Minnesota
– Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, Stateline, Nevada
– Grizzly Ranch Golf Club, Portola, California
– The Highland Course at Primland, Meadows of Dan, Virginia
– Leatherstocking Golf Course, Cooperstown, New York
– Mammoth Dunes at Sand Valley, Nekoosa, Wisconsin
– Oakcreek, Sedona, Arizona
– Paako Ridge, Sandia Park, New Mexico
– Payne’s Valley at Big Cedar Lodge, Hollister, Missouri
– Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, California
– Pinehurst No. 2, Pinehurst, North Carolina
– Redlands Mesa, Grand Junction, Colorado
– TRJ Golf Trail At Ross Bridge, Hoover, Alabama
– Tobacco Road Golf Club, Sanford, North Carolina
I invite all golf lovers to explore these options and share their thoughts with a vote!
