Harbor Springs / Petoskey Golf Trip Planning Guide
The Harbor Springs–Petoskey stretch along Little Traverse Bay is old-money Michigan resort country with exceptional golf to match. Bay Harbor's dramatic lakeside holes, Boyne Highlands' four courses, and charming harbor towns create a premium trip that still feels unpretentious.
7 courses · 5 restaurants · 4 bars · 5 activities
Quick Facts
Summer, Fall
PLN (20 min drive)
$59–$225
$500/night
3 of 7
~$426/person
Sample 3-Day Itinerary
Here's a realistic 3-day itinerary for a group golf trip to Harbor Springs / Petoskey. Every venue below is real and pulled from our curated database — no filler.
Day 1
Bay Harbor Golf Club - Links/Quarry/Preserve — links, $130–$225 · 4.7★
Arthur Hills design — the Links nine is perched on Lake Michigan bluffs with postcard views on every hole
Chandler's: A Restaurant — steakhouse, $$$$
Petoskey's best steakhouse — dry-aged prime beef, Great Lakes fish, and an outstanding wine cellar
Beards Brewery — brewpub
Petoskey's best taproom — solid IPAs and stouts in a relaxed downtown space
Day 2
Boyne Highlands - Arthur Hills — resort, $89–$149 · 4.5★
Strategic bunkering and rolling terrain — plays slightly easier than The Heather but just as scenic
Lake Charlevoix Boat Rental — half day, $60–$120/pp
Pontoon or speedboat on one of Michigan's most beautiful inland lakes — swimming, tubing, and coves
Stafford's Pier Restaurant — seafood, $$$
Waterfront dining in Harbor Springs — lake perch, whitefish, and sunset views over the harbor
City Park Grill Bar — whiskey bar · Open late
Hemingway drank here — beautiful historic bar with craft cocktails and Michigan spirits
Day 3
Little Traverse Bay Golf Club — parkland, $59–$99 · 4.4★
Jeff Gorney design with wide fairways and great conditioning — excellent value for northern Michigan
Petoskey Wine Region Tour — half day, $30–$75/pp
Mackinaw Trail Winery, Petoskey Farms Vineyard, and others — Michigan's northern wine region
City Park Grill — casual, $
Hemingway's old hangout in downtown Petoskey — great burgers, craft beer, and historical charm
Noggin Room at Stafford's Perry Hotel — cocktail
Upscale hotel bar with a fireplace and old-world feel — bourbon and classic cocktails
Course-by-Course Guide
Harbor Springs / Petoskey has 7 courses worth playing. 3 are walkable if you want to save on cart fees.
Bay Harbor Golf Club - Links/Quarry/Preserve
PremiumArthur Hills design — the Links nine is perched on Lake Michigan bluffs with postcard views on every hole
Crooked Tree Golf Club
SolidHarry Bowers design through hardwood forest with dramatic elevation changes — overlooking Little Traverse Bay
Little Traverse Bay Golf Club
SolidJeff Gorney design with wide fairways and great conditioning — excellent value for northern Michigan
Boyne Highlands - The Heather
PremiumRobert Trent Jones Sr. design — the flagship of Boyne's four courses, tournament-worthy conditioning
Boyne Highlands - Arthur Hills
PremiumStrategic bunkering and rolling terrain — plays slightly easier than The Heather but just as scenic
Boyne Highlands - The Moor
SolidLongest of the four courses — wide fairways through meadows, great for scoring
Boyne Highlands - Donald Ross Memorial
SolidTribute to classic Ross design — replica holes from Pinehurst, Seminole, and Oakland Hills
Where to Stay
Harbor Springs / Petoskey has 2 group-friendly lodging options in our database, starting at $500/night for the whole house. Several options include hot tubs — a non-negotiable for most groups.
$800–$2500/night
Sleeps 12–16 · Harbor Springs, Bay Harbor, and Petoskey lakefront
$500–$1200/night
Sleeps 12–16 · Boyne Highlands Resort
Group Dining Guide
5 restaurants vetted for group golf trips. Several can handle large parties without a reservation headache.
Chandler's: A Restaurant
$$$$Petoskey's best steakhouse — dry-aged prime beef, Great Lakes fish, and an outstanding wine cellar
Stafford's Pier Restaurant
$$$Waterfront dining in Harbor Springs — lake perch, whitefish, and sunset views over the harbor
City Park Grill
$Hemingway's old hangout in downtown Petoskey — great burgers, craft beer, and historical charm
Palette Bistro
$$$Creative seasonal menus with local ingredients — small plates and excellent cocktails
The New York Restaurant
$$$Harbor Springs institution since 1904 — classic supper club with steaks and seafood
Nightlife
4 bars curated for groups. 1 stay open past midnight.
Beards Brewery
Petoskey's best taproom — solid IPAs and stouts in a relaxed downtown space
City Park Grill Bar
Late NightHemingway drank here — beautiful historic bar with craft cocktails and Michigan spirits
Noggin Room at Stafford's Perry Hotel
Upscale hotel bar with a fireplace and old-world feel — bourbon and classic cocktails
The Barrel Back Restaurant & Bar
Walloon Lake waterfront bar — fire pits, dock seating, and sunset drinks
Activities Beyond Golf
5 off-course activities for rest days or afternoons.
Lake Charlevoix Boat Rental
Pontoon or speedboat on one of Michigan's most beautiful inland lakes — swimming, tubing, and coves
Petoskey Wine Region Tour
Mackinaw Trail Winery, Petoskey Farms Vineyard, and others — Michigan's northern wine region
Little Traverse Bay Kayaking
Paddle crystal-clear Little Traverse Bay — Petoskey stone hunting along the shore
Petoskey Brewery Crawl
Beards Brewery, Petoskey Brewing, and taprooms all within walking distance downtown
Headlands International Dark Sky Park
One of the darkest spots east of the Mississippi — incredible stargazing from Lake Michigan bluffs
Getting There
Fly into Pellston Regional Airport (PLN) — it's a 20-minute drive to Harbor Springs / Petoskey. For groups of 8+, consider booking a shuttle or party bus from the airport (local providers include Northern Michigan Party Bus and Little Traverse Limousine). Renting two SUVs usually works for groups of 4-8.