Best Public Golf Courses in the Midwest
Explore the premier public layouts across America's heartland — from championship links to hidden gems, discover where to play, what to expect, and how to plan your ultimate golf getaway.
VIEW PUBLIC COURSESPlan Your Midwest Golf Trip: The Midwest is home to some of the nation's finest public-access courses. Whether you're chasing a bucket-list round at Whistling Straits or a scenic gem along Lake Michigan, these courses deliver world-class golf without private membership. Use our guide to compare layouts, greens fees, and insider tips to make the most of your next golf vacation.
Top Public Golf Courses in the Midwest
Whistling Straits – Straits Course
A Pete Dye masterpiece along Lake Michigan, the Straits Course has hosted multiple PGA Championships and the Ryder Cup. Rugged dunes, fescue-lined fairways, and dramatic lake views define this links-style course. A must-play for serious golfers.
Erin Hills
Site of the 2017 U.S. Open, Erin Hills is a sprawling, walking-only layout with natural fescue and stunning elevation changes. The course demands strategy and precision; it's one of the best championship courses open to the public in America.
Arcadia Bluffs – Bluffs Course
Perched on the shores of Lake Michigan, Arcadia Bluffs delivers panoramic water views from nearly every hole. Designed by Rick Smith, the course blends links and parkland elements, with a majestic clubhouse and exceptional conditioning.
French Lick Resort – Pete Dye Course
High atop a ridge in southern Indiana, this Dye design offers breathtaking vistas and dramatic elevation changes. It's a stern test that regularly hosts senior major championships and ranks among the top resort courses in the Midwest.
Cog Hill – Dubsdread
Just outside Chicago, Dubsdread is a classic Rees Jones renovation that has challenged PGA Tour pros for decades. Tight tree-lined fairways and deep bunkers make this a top pick for Chicago-area public golf.
The Loop at Forest Dunes
Tom Doak's reversible 18-hole course — you play one direction one day, the opposite the next. The minimalist design offers pure ground-game golf and is a unique addition to any Midwest golf trip. Nearby Forest Dunes also features a Weiskopf design.
Lawsonia – Links Course
A classic 1930s Langford & Moreau design, Lawsonia's Links Course features deep bunkers, elevated greens, and rolling fairways. It's one of the best values in the region and a beloved public course for purists.
The Golf Club at Harbor Shores
A Jack Nicklaus design that weaves through wetlands, hardwood forests, and along the Paw Paw River and Lake Michigan. The course is a frequent host of the Senior PGA Championship and offers a beautiful, challenging round.
Planning Your Midwest Golf Getaway
With so many stellar options, combining courses into a multi-day trip is the best way to experience Midwest golf. The golf destinations of Wisconsin and Michigan are particularly dense with top-rated public tracks. For example, a Wisconsin swing could pair Whistling Straits, Erin Hills, and Lawsonia, while a Michigan tour might link Arcadia Bluffs, Forest Dunes, and Harbor Shores. Check out our golf travel guide for logistics, lodging, and tee time booking tips.
Remember to book well in advance, especially for peak summer dates. Many of these courses offer stay-and-play packages at golf resorts that combine accommodations, rounds, and sometimes meals for better value. If you're flying in, major airports in Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, and Indianapolis provide convenient access.
Pro Tip: If you're exploring Michigan's Upper Peninsula, don't miss the pristine layouts like Greywalls at Marquette Golf Club or TimberStone at Iron Mountain. Our guide to the best golf courses in Michigan's Upper Peninsula has all the details.
