Gaylord has earned the nickname “America’s Summer Golf Mecca,” and the title is well deserved. You can set up in one small Northern Michigan town and play more than a dozen championship layouts without driving more than 20 minutes. The Gaylord area holds 16 golf courses, several of them shaped by designers like Robert Trent Jones Sr., Tom Fazio, Rick Smith, and Gary Koch.
This is a local guide to the best golf courses in Gaylord, Michigan. We start with the two courses here at Otsego Resort, then work outward to the rest of the mecca. We have shared these fairways with visitors for decades, so think of this as the version your buddy in Gaylord would give you, not a list copied from a magazine. For a wider regional view, you can also read our guide to the best golf courses in Northern Michigan.
Why Gaylord Is Called the Golf Mecca of the North
A few things set Gaylord apart from every other golf town in the Midwest.
- Sixteen courses in a tight radius. Most sit within a 20 minute drive of downtown, so you can play a different course every day for a week.
- Big-name design. For a town this size, the concentration of courses from famous architects is rare.
- Cooler summer air. Gaylord sits on some of the highest ground in Michigan, so July and August stay comfortable for walking 18.
- Long daylight. Summer evenings up here run past 9 p.m., which leaves room for a twilight nine after dinner.
Golf Courses at Otsego Resort
Start here, because you can walk out of your room and onto the first tee. Otsego Resort has two 18-hole courses, both laid out along the Sturgeon River Valley just outside downtown Gaylord. Both are open to the public.
The Tribute
The Tribute is the resort’s championship course and one of the most awarded golf courses in Gaylord.
- Designers: Rick Robbins and PGA Tour veteran Gary Koch
- Length: 5,085 yards from the forward tees out to 7,347 from the tips
- Why golfers love it: Nearly every tee box is elevated, and the par-4 third hole opens to a view that stretches more than 30 miles. The course spreads across 1,100 acres, so holes feel private.
- Recognition: Michigan Golf Magazine named it the 8th best public course in the state.
The Classic
The Classic is the course that started it all. When people talk about the origin of the Gaylord Golf Mecca, this is the layout they mean.
- Designer: William H. Diddel
- Length: 6,348 yards from the back tees
- Why golfers love it: Wide, forgiving fairways make it friendly for higher handicaps, while the greens are considered some of the best in Northern Michigan. It sits about a mile from downtown Gaylord overlooking the Sturgeon River Valley.
You can bundle both courses with a room through the resort’s Stay and Play golf packages. If you want to know what to expect from the clubhouse, range, and on-course dining, our breakdown of Michigan golf course amenities walks through the details.
The Rest of the Gaylord Golf Mecca
Once you have played the home courses, these are the other Gaylord-area layouts worth your tee time.
Treetops Resort
Treetops is the other heavyweight in town, with four full courses plus a par-3 track.
- Masterpiece by Robert Trent Jones Sr., a brawny 7,007-yard test that helped start the Northern Michigan course-building boom.
- Premier by Tom Fazio, where smart bunkering and false fronts matter more than water.
- Signature and Threetops by Rick Smith. Threetops is the par-3 course where Lee Trevino made a hole-in-one on national television in 2001.
Marsh Ridge
A par 71 that plays over 6,231 yards. Four of its five par 3s are framed by wetlands and ponds, so bring a few extra balls and plan your tee shots.
Michaywe Pines
A Don Child design just south of town. It runs about 7,007 yards but plays fair and friendly, and the green fees are among the most reasonable in the area.
Gaylord Country Club
A semiprivate club established in 1924, which makes it the oldest course in the area. At roughly 6,497 yards it is shorter than the resort tracks, but rolling fairways and quick greens keep it interesting.
The Loon
A 6,677-yard layout that Butch Harmon helped rework in 2011. The changes added length and teeth, including a longer par-4 eighth hole.
Worth the Short Drive: Black Lake
About 30 minutes north in Onaway, Black Lake Golf Club is a Rees Jones design that lands on nearly every list of Michigan’s best public courses. If you have an extra day, it is worth the drive.
When to Play Golf in Gaylord
Timing your trip makes a difference up here.
- Peak season: Mid-June through early September brings the best conditions and the fullest tee sheets.
- Best value and scenery: Late September and early October. The fall color along the Sturgeon River Valley is hard to beat, and rates drop.
- Book ahead: Summer weekends fill fast, so reserve morning tee times early, especially for The Tribute and Treetops.
Where to Stay and Eat Between Rounds
A good golf trip needs more than fairways.
- Stay: Keeping your room and your tee times in one place saves time. See the lodging options at Otsego Resort.
- Eat on site: The Duck Blind Grille handles breakfast before the round and drinks after it.
- Eat around town: For more options, browse our picks for the best places to eat in Gaylord, or the best restaurants for a meal after golf.
- Beyond golf: If someone in your group does not play, our guide to things to do in Gaylord covers the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many golf courses are in Gaylord, Michigan?
The Gaylord area is home to 16 golf courses, which is why it is known as America’s Summer Golf Mecca. Most sit within a short drive of downtown.
What is the best golf course in Gaylord?
That depends on your game, but The Tribute at Otsego Resort and the Masterpiece at Treetops are the two most decorated. The Tribute is a strong pick if you want elevation, views, and a true championship test.
Are the golf courses in Gaylord open to the public?
Most are. Both Otsego Resort courses, The Tribute and The Classic, are open to the public, as are Treetops, Michaywe, Marsh Ridge, and The Loon. Gaylord Country Club is semiprivate.
Can you stay and golf in the same place?
Yes. Otsego Resort offers Stay and Play packages that combine lodging with rounds on both of its courses, so you never have to leave the property to reach the first tee.
Plan Your Gaylord Golf Trip
The golf courses in Gaylord, Michigan give you more variety in one trip than almost anywhere else in the Midwest. Start at Otsego Resort, play your way around the mecca, and keep your evenings open for good food and Northern Michigan sunsets. To book a round or a Stay and Play package, call the resort at 800.752.5510 or reserve a tee time online.