February 2026 - A Michigan Mecca

With outstanding golf, great value and plenty of options, Gaylord is ready to give Chicago golfers a summertime high-five
This article appeared in the February 2026 edition of Chicago District Golfer.
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Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., the Masterpiece course at Treetops Resort winds through Michigan's Pigeon River Valley.

When it comes to planning a golf getaway, finding a destination that has strength in numbers is always a good play. That’s one of the many reasons golfers in the Chicago area have gravitated to Gaylord, Michigan – roughly 350 miles away – as a summer vacation favorite for decades.

Nestled in the heart of Northern Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, this region combines championship golf, scenic beauty, welcoming hospitality and a season that maximizes every available day of sunshine between spring and fall. With a variety of courses, stay-and-play opportunities and non-golf attractions to enjoy between putts, Gaylord has become a must-visit for players looking for variety and value.

The allure of Gaylord as a golf destination is no mystery to Chicago players. With Michigan perched on the western edge of the Eastern Time Zone, courses there can be played until 10 p.m. at the height of the summer. That’s right, you can start a nine-hole round after 8 p.m. and still finish with a chance to catch a spectacular sunset over one of the area’s many lakes. And Gaylord’s location on the 45th parallel – marking the halfway point between the equator and the north pole – means less heat and humidity than you’ll find to the south.

The centerpiece of Gaylord’s appeal is the collective strength of its golf o
erings. Branded as the Gaylord Golf Mecca, the greater Gaylord area boasts 17 golf courses and 20 lodging partners, all located within minutes of each other – and there are plenty of additional outstanding options within a short drive.

At the core of this portfolio is Treetops Resort, which helped kick o the Northern Michigan golf boom in the 1980s. What started as a local ski hill on the east end of town has transformed into a robust golf resort with multiple championship courses designed by luminaries such as Robert Trent Jones Sr., Tom Fazio and Rick Smith, who was the long-time director of instruction at Treetops. The resort’s Masterpiece, Premier, Signature and Tradition courses offer unique challenges on tree-lined fairways and rolling terrain. The Fazio Premier course is the designer’s only Michigan layout, while RTJ’s Masterpiece layout is one of the architect’s few Michigan tracks. Both weave through the Pigeon River Valley and its mature forests.

 Otsego Resort features two courses, including the Tribute, and a variety of lodging options.

Smith designed three layouts at Treetops, including his Signature course – a tribute to his favorite design elements from Scotland and Ireland – and the Tradition, a walkable course on much gentler terrain than the resort’s other 18-hole designs. Smith’s third layout might be the best known: Threetops, one of the country’s first high-profile par-3 courses and the host of an ESPN-televised skins game with players like Lee Trevino and Phil Mickelson. Trevino famously won over $1 million with an ace on the seventh hole, which has a 90-foot drop from tee to green. That’s fairly tame compared with Threetops’ third hole, called “Devil’s Drop” for the 145-foot dip from the tee box to a tricky green.

Treetops also offers a variety of lodging and dining options, making it a great central spot for any Gaylord getaway.

Not far from Treetops is Otsego Resort, home to two standout courses: The Classic and The Tribute. The Classic is revered for its parkland strategy and wide fairways – an enjoyable test that rewards shot-making without punishing the mid-handicap player. The Tribute, meanwhile, meanders through wetlands and valleys in dramatic fashion, making it a favorite among seasoned players seeking reward and the chance to hit some truly heroic shots. Otsego Resort has a number of accommodation options available, and the Duck Blind Grille is a perfect spot for a post-round sandwich or a well-deserved steak dinner with a cold beer from one of the local breweries.

There are plenty of other courses in and around Gaylord that you can make part of a multiday itinerary. Michaywé Pines Golf Course offers a classic forested layout with precise routing and excellent service, while Gaylord Country Club – one of the area’s oldest clubs – invites golfers to experience a true parkland design with thoughtful bunkering and immaculate greens. Additional local favorites such as the Loon Golf Resort and its companion Ridge and Lakes courses offer serene yet engaging complements to the region’s heavier hitters.

Beyond Gaylord itself, courses like Black Lake Golf Club and Black Bear Golf Club lie a short drive from town, providing variety and options for itineraries that span multiple days. Black Lake is part of a UAW-owned conference center in nearby Onaway with a brawny 18-hole course designed by Rees Jones and a fun par-3 layout called The Little Course. Meanwhile, Black Bear is a family-owned course in Vanderbilt that is being restored to pristine condition and is known for its Bear Bourbon Bar – an oasis for bourbon lovers with more than 110 varieties available, not to mention a strong selection of cigars.

The Premier Course at Treetops is Tom Fazio's only Michigan design, located just east of Gaylord's quaint downtown area.

Gaylord’s golf season is refreshingly long for the Great Lakes. Courses typically open in late April and continue through October, with prime conditions from May through September. In practical terms, that means Chicago players can plan early-season trips in late spring or bask in extended evenings during the height of summer. Unlike destinations burdened by oppressive heat, Gaylord offers comfortable temperatures and long days that stretch your rounds and your memories well into the cooler twilight.

One of the region’s most underrated advantages is accessibility. Gaylord sits along Interstate 75, roughly 350 miles from the greater Chicago area. It’s a straightforward drive that many Chicago golfers can complete in under six hours without stress. That ease of travel turns what might otherwise be a “once-in-a-lifetime” trip into a repeatable, annual pilgrimage.

For groups aiming to optimize their golf time, this proximity means you can leave early Friday morning, play an afternoon 18 on arrival, and then build out two or three more rounds before packing up Sunday afternoon. Golf travel planners and operators in the region encourage this approach, noting that many visitors build multi-round packages that include lodging, meals and greens fees under one convenient itinerary.

Gaylord’s draw isn’t only about its many fine fairways; it’s about the full vacation experience. Walk off the course and you’ll find a community rich in natural beauty, with fishing, hiking, biking and lakeside relaxation waiting on the non-golf days. The Gaylord area is dotted with more than 90 inland lakes and five trout streams, making it a premier destination for anglers of all skill levels. Downtown Gaylord itself has seen a revitalization of its own, with boutique shops, craft breweries and eateries where groups can gather after sunset to recount the day’s best shots.

Another compelling aspect of a Gaylord golf trip is the value. Compared to resort pricing in the Southeast or on the West Coast, Gaylord delivers tremendous bang for your travel dollar. Courses in the area offer reasonable greens fees for the quality of golf you receive, and the region’s lodging partners span from cozy inns to full-service resorts with fine dining and spa amenities. For golfers seeking package deals, many courses and hotels will bundle multiple rounds with accommodations and meals, further smoothing the path to a cost-efficient yet memorable getaway.

Whether you gravitate toward historic layouts or modern resort classics, mid-range values or premium plays, Gaylord serves up a range of styles and experiences that make it ideal for groups of varying tastes and handicaps, and the diversity of courses lets you build an itinerary that is as challenging or leisurely as your group desires.