Northern Michigan
The Highlands - The Heather
Classic northern resort
The Heather is the old-school Boyne round and still useful. It belongs when the trip is based around Harbor Springs or Bay Harbor and the group wants a classic resort course with history. It does not need to pretend to be Arcadia or Forest Dunes. That is not its job.
Course gallery
3 photos
The take
The Heather is the old-school Boyne round and still useful. It belongs when the trip is based around Harbor Springs or Bay Harbor and the group wants a classic resort course with history. It does not need to pretend to be Arcadia or Forest Dunes. That is not its job.
Best for
Boyne history, resort depth, and groups wanting a classic round
Watch out
Expecting it to beat the modern architecture headliners
How to play it
Strong play
Course intelligence
What you need to know
Strengths
- Historic Boyne anchor
- Playable resort rhythm
- Good group fit
- Classic RTJ Sr. framing
Watch-outs
- Less modern interest
- Not a standalone trip reason
- Can be overshadowed by the bigger names
Signature holes
7, 14, 16, 18
Book it right
Cost, access, and timing
Green fees
Boyne resort/public seasonal rate; verify current pricing and package rules.
Best season
June through September is the main window.
Caddies / walking
Walking works best at Arcadia, Forest Dunes, and The Loop.
Replay priority
Medium
Booking move
Book the anchor tee times first: Arcadia Bluffs, Forest Dunes, both Loop directions, Bay Harbor Links/Quarry, Heather, Donald Ross Memorial, and Treetops Masterpiece. Then
Weather read
Pick the right window.
Jan
28F / 15F
Sun Low; rain Snow
Feb
31F / 16F
Sun Low; rain Snow
Mar
43F / 25F
Sun Mixed; rain Medium
Apr
57F / 36F
Sun Good; rain Medium
May
69F / 47F
Sun Best; rain Medium
Jun
78F / 57F
Sun Best; rain Medium
Google review
1/5 - a year ago
I truly believe that it only takes a tiny bit more effort to make a bad course better. It’s an expensive endeavor to make even a bad course; how much more expensive is it to make a good course? This course hasn’t improved even a tiny bit since I first played it in 1971. The fair
I truly believe that it only takes a tiny bit more effort to make a bad course better. It’s an expensive endeavor to make even a bad course; how much more expensive is it to make a good course? This course hasn’t improved even a tiny bit since I first played it in 1971. The fair
Read full reviewClose review
Google review
1/5 - a year ago
Really a terrible golf course. Haven't golfed the course in 10+ years because it was poorly maintained. Looking for something close with tee times available so hoped maybe things had changed. Nope it was worse than ever. First of all the price for this course in this conditi
Really a terrible golf course. Haven't golfed the course in 10+ years because it was poorly maintained. Looking for something close with tee times available so hoped maybe things had changed. Nope it was worse than ever. First of all the price for this course in this conditi
Read full reviewClose review
Google review
5/5 - 6 years ago
Pleasantly surprised by the challenge and the layout. Several tight fairways and the par 5s are longer than most. The greens are large but fair. The staff was great. We'll be back soon.
Pleasantly surprised by the challenge and the layout. Several tight fairways and the par 5s are longer than most. The greens are large but fair. The staff was great. We'll be back soon.
Read full reviewClose review
Keep planning
What should you do next?
Use The Highlands - The Heather as one piece of the Northern Michigan trip. Build the routing, compare the destination, or ask how it fits your group.
Keep exploring Northern Michigan
Other courses in the same trip.
Must play
Arcadia Bluffs - The Bluffs Course
The Bluffs is the course that sells the trip before anyone reads the fine print.
Must play
Forest Dunes Golf Club
Forest Dunes is the inland heavyweight.
Must play
Arcadia Bluffs - South Course
The South Course is why Arcadia is more than a one-course postcard.
Must play
The Loop - Black Course
The Loop Black is half of the reversible argument.
Must play
The Loop - Red Course
The Loop Red completes the trick.
Must play
Bay Harbor - Links/Quarry
Bay Harbor Links/Quarry is the scenic resort flex.
Strong play
The Highlands - Donald Ross Memorial
Donald Ross Memorial is a concept course, not a museum piece.
Strong play
Treetops Resort - Masterpiece
Masterpiece is the Gaylord course that earns a spot in the curated Northern Michigan list.
Ask smarter golf-trip questions
Get honest answers. Build smarter trips.
Pressure-test the trip, compare options, or ask what the page is not telling you yet.