University of Michigan Golf Course 18th hole shows views of Ann Arbor
From the tee box on the par-4 18th hole at University of Michigan Golf Course, which gives views of Ann Arbor and requires an approach over a pond.
Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press
What are the best public golf courses in the metro Detroit area? We looked at the six foremost counties surrounding the city and took stock of the plethora of golf course options to come to a conclusion.
There are many wonderful and beautiful public courses in metro Detroit, so it was hard to just pick one from each county. But that’s what Free Press columnist Carlos Monarrez set out to do in 2025, pulling from decades of experience playing the game in these parts.
Our list was based purely on the golf, taking into account many variables including playability, fun, strategy, conditions and views.
Here now is the best public golf course, as of 2025, to play in Livingston County, Macomb County, Monroe County, Oakland County, Washtenaw County and Wayne County.
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Click the link on the course name to learn more about each selection.
For the best public golf courses in the entire state of Michigan, we have a list for that, too, thanks to Golfweek.
Best golf course in Livingston County: Moose Ridge Golf Course
Where: South Lyon.
Carlos says: Moose Ridge provides a rare Up North feel in southeast Michigan with plenty of natural beauty and teeth to test every aspect of your game.
Best golf course in Macomb County: The Orchards Golf Club
Where: Washington Township.
Carlos says: The Orchards has beauty, variety, challenge and many upscale touches, making it a mainstay in our rankings.
Best golf course in Monroe County: The Legacy Golf Club
Where: Ottawa Lake.
Carlos says: The Legacy by Arthur Hills is unadorned, windswept beauty combined with variety and challenge.
Best golf course in Oakland County: Shepherd’s Hollow Golf Club
Where: Clarkston.
Carlos says: Shepherd’s Hollow blends a luxe experience with secluded beauty and an Up North feel among 27 of the prettiest holes in Michigan.
Best golf course in Washtenaw County: U-M Golf Course
Where: Ann Arbor.
Carlos says: The University of Michigan Golf Course incorporates beautiful design, variety and beguiling boomerang greens from perhaps the greatest golf architect of all-time, Alister MacKenzie. His only other design in Michigan is the private Crystal Downs, a top-50 course in the world.
Best golf course in Wayne County: The Cardinal at St. John’s
Where: Plymouth Township.
Carlos says: The Cardinal, the first new high-end public golf course addition in southeast Michigan in about two decades, is playable with a classic design from Ray Hearn (who also built Moose Ridge) with immaculate conditions. Someone we know even shot their best score ever in their first round at The Cardinal.
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Marlowe Alter is an assistant sports editor at the Detroit Free Press and spraying golf aficionado. You can reach him by email: malter@freepress.com.
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