Great greens, low fees: The top affordable golf courses in Metro Detroit
Grab your clubs and prepare to have a ball at the top affordable golf courses in Metro Detroit.
Michigan is known for its natural beauty, so it should come as no surprise that it’s also a great place to golf. In fact, in its list titled All 50 states ranked by their golfiness, Golf.com has Michigan tied for 6th place. And in Golfweek’s recently released list of the 100 best public golf courses in the U.S. for 2024, six Michigan courses were featured.
While some of the state’s better-known courses, such as Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club and Forest Dunes Golf Club, are located in Northern Michigan, Metro Detroit is packed with plenty of places to practice your swing too. With so many to choose from, we decided to compile our own list of the area’s best, with a focus on affordability — because you shouldn’t have to break the bank to enjoy a round or two of golf.
Keep reading to discover the top affordable golf courses in and around Detroit.
1. The Orchards Golf Club
62900 Campground Rd., Washington
At The Orchards Golf Club, which calls itself “Your club for the day,” you get the service and experience of a private club without the hefty price tag. The 18-hole championship course was designed by award-winning golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., who said he wanted the course to “provide golfers with an enjoyable, yet challenging round that is a true test of golf.”
The upscale experience extends beyond the course though. The Orchards’ Victorian-style clubhouse features full-service locker rooms, a golf shop, and a restaurant and bar. From the clubhouse terrace, you can enjoy views of the first fairway and the Detroit skyline.
The Orchards’ tournament pedigree is pretty impressive too. It has hosted the Michigan Open three times, as well as a USGA event.
Summer rates start at $40 for nine holes.
2. Shepherd’s Hollow Golf Club
9085 Big Lake Rd., Clarkston
The layouts and scenery of Northern Michigan golf courses are often considered superior to those in the southern portion of the state, but Clarkston’s Shepherd’s Hollow Golf Club gives courses up north a run for their money. The 27-hole championship course sits on 350 acres of rolling, wooded land and features wide natural fairways and an intentionally minimalistic design. The lush, natural setting will have you feeling like you’re in the Upper Peninsula — not 30 minutes outside of Detroit.
In addition to a full-service driving range and practice center, Shepherd’s Hollow features amenities including a pro shop and upscale restaurant.
Rates start at $45 for nine holes.
3. Pine Trace Golf Club
3600 Pine Trace Blvd., Rochester Hills
Pine Trace Golf Club is a sister course to Shepherd’s Hollow and holds itself to the same high standards. Designed by famed golf course architect Arthur Hills, this 18-hole course is situated among nearly 200 wooded acres. Pine trees border all the fairways, and the course features acres of natural wetlands weaved throughout.
Pine Trace also has a driving range, a restaurant with a terrace, a pro shop, and banquet facilities on site.
Rates start at $45 for nine holes.
4. Moose Ridge Golf Course
11801 Doane Rd., South Lyon
Moose Ridge Golf Course is another Detroit-area course with “up north” vibes. Its rolling topography with plenty of hills and mature trees creates a scenic escape that feels more Montana than Metro Detroit. The 18-hole course was designed by Raymond Hearn and is equal parts beautiful and challenging.
The cedar and stone clubhouse has a rustic-chic aesthetic and is the perfect place to grab a bite after an un-fore-gettable day on the greens.
Peak season rates start at $48.
5. Eagle Crest Golf Club
1201 S. Huron St., Ypsilanti
The stunning scenery is just one of many reasons to check out Eagle Crest Golf Club in Ypsilanti. The 18-hole championship course is owned by Eastern Michigan University and is the home course for the college’s men’s and women’s golf teams. Amenities include locker rooms, a golf shop, and a PGA Teaching Academy.
The clubhouse sits on top of a hill that overlooks Ford Lake and features a full-service restaurant and bar. Several of the holes also run along the lake, ensuring you can soak in some spectacular views throughout your session.
Regular summer rates start at $40.
6. Stonebridge Golf Club
1825 Clubhouse Dr., Ann Arbor
Stonebridge Golf Club is an 18-hole championship course designed by Arthur Hills. While it winds through an upscale residential community, the homes are set back far enough that they’re not intrusive. The course features a wonderful combination of water features and woods, and the property is also a popular spot for weddings, so you know the landscape is dreamy.
Fuel up or treat yourself to a post-round drink at the Bar & Grille, which has indoor seating as well as an outdoor patio.
Summer rates start at $32.
7. Lyon Oaks Golf Course
52221 Pontiac Trail, Wixom
Lyon Oaks Golf Course is another Arthur-Hills-designed 18-hole championship course located in Metro Detroit. While municipally owned courses sometimes get a bad rap for being cheap or uninspiring, Lyon Oaks Golf Course is anything but basic. This upscale property features hardwood forests and wetlands and is part of the Lyon Oaks Oakland County Park.
There’s also a clubhouse with banquet facilities, a full-service pro shop, and a state-of-the-art driving range.
Standard weekday rates start at $37.
8. Greystone Golf Club
67500 Mound Rd., Washington
Built on an old gravel quarry, Greystone Golf Club is an upscale 18-hole championship golf course that offers premium playing conditions at an affordable price. The Jerry-Matthews-designed course features rolling hills, and holes 16, 17, and 18 wrap around a 35-acre lake, creating what Greystone calls the “best finish in Michigan Golf.”
Reflect on your round and unwind at the Stone Grille, which features a full-service bar, two patios, and stunning views of Greystone’s quarry holes.
Weekday summer rates start at $35.
9. Belle Isle Golf
175 Lakeside Dr., Detroit
If you’re new to golf or simply don’t feel like committing to a full round, head to Belle Isle Golf Center to play its par three chip-and-putt course. The six-hole course is easily walkable and features scenic views of Lake Muskoday, the Detroit Skyline, and the passageway to the Detroit River. Belle Isle Golf also has a Toptracer driving range.
While this isn’t your standard golf course, we couldn’t help but include this fun alternative in our roundup. Pack a picnic and spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying the beauty of Belle Isle.
Rates start at just $10 for six holes.
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