Arthur Hills at The Highlands (Boyne)

No golf trip to Northern Michigan is complete without a visit to Boyne Resorts near Petoskey, MI. In my mind, no other Michigan golf resort offers the variety of golf courses that Boyne has. Golfers have the opportunity to play ten uniquely different golf courses; stay in a variety of accommodations designed to meet anyone’s needs and dine at some incredible restaurants.

Recently, I was able to play several courses in the Boyne Resorts lineup including two of my favorite Highlands courses, the Arthur Hills Course and the Robert Trent Jones-designed Heather Course. The Hills Course is one of Hill’s best efforts and showcases the beauty of the Northern Michigan terrain. Strategically placed bunkers dot the landscape in many of the landing areas and narrow approach passages lead to surprising yet subtle greens. Miss the fairway and you’ll find a lot of mounding on the peripheries of each hole. The 13th hole is considered by many to be one of the most spectacular holes in Northern Michigan. It measures 516 yards from the Blue tees and plays downhill. It begins with a tee shot from the top of a ski slope down to a landing area that is wide enough to land an aircraft. A good drive will leave an option to go for the green in two. There are no bunkers in the landing area on this hole, however, the four traps around the green complex more than make up for it. The green slopes in from all sides creating a bowl effect. While this may make for a shorter putt, rest assured it will have plenty of break!

Boyne continues to reinvest in the infrastructure of their golf courses which will pay huge dividends down the road and have an immediate impact on their golf courses. For example, work was recently completed on the Central Irrigation installation on Donald Ross Memorial and Arthur Hills courses. This new system can be controlled remotely and is significantly more efficient. There were also upgrades to the pump houses and irrigation systems on several other courses and a brand new system that services The Heather and The Moor courses.

Other improvements include over five miles of new cart path on The Heather, Arthur Hills, and Donald Ross Memorial golf courses, and taking measures to speed up play on a couple of courses.

Perhaps the biggest news at Boyne this year is that during the summer of 2023, construction began on the Ray Hearn completely redesigned nine-hole short course which will be routed across a sloping site set among fescue grasses. Hole length will range from 8 to 120 yards. “Hearn will be recreating nine of his favorite greens from Scotland, Ireland, and England. With no formal tees golfers will have the opportunity to put tees anywhere they want so they can play shots from different lies and angles.

This course is strikingly beautiful and very well maintained. It also has a huge grass driving range. I will definitely come back next Summer.

This is how golf was meant to be played.... in the woods, secluded, with a great variety of holes. Bravo Mr Hills, bravo.

They may not quite challenge the Bandons, Kohlers and Sand Valleys of the world for total supremacy, but the three Boyne Golf resorts of Northern Michigan represent some of the America’s pleasantest summertime destination golf at a relative bargain. The most scenic of the four golf courses at The Highlands, the Hills leans into its spread-out, thoroughly unwalkable routing by taking golfers on a meandering journey through deep woods, scenic wetlands and up to some impressive hilltops. The plunging tee shot on the mammoth par-5 13th is a highlight, but don’t overlook some of the quieter holes, like the long par-4 5th, which plays alongside dense rows of foreboding pines.

Green on steroids. Walking on the greens are like walking on super plush carpet. Greens are challenging but true. Follow your eye. Great friendly staff. Very attentive to your needs.

I've played this course twice during the June/July months which was an awesome experience. I truly have zero negative comments about this course and everything that comes with it. The Boyne staff and amenities has been perfect every time we have played here (service, food, drinks, etc). 7 of us just played this course on October 10th and it was by far the best fall golf experience any of us have ever had. Hole #13 has to be one of the coolest holes to play in America in the fall season. The colors were absolutely amazing and even though the greens were aerated about 2 weeks before, they still rolled very well. The even had a beverage cart out which was a huge plus for us. I would love to play this course at least once a year, preferably in the fall. One of our favorites in Michigan for sure.

We play here as part of our Ryder Cup style outing every year, played the course twice, the 24th and the 27th.

Tough but fair. The fairways are wide enough but don't let your ball go too far astray as you will be in jail in the trees or high grass.

The Par 4 5th (#1 HDCP) is the 2nd most picturesque hole on the course, with the par 5 #13 taking the honors as the best looking hole around (as many have previously attested).

The Par 4 10th is tricky. AN iron is all you need off the tee with your second shot to an elevated green. Hit it too far and you roll off the back or left or right sides. and down the hill. Hit it short and your in the sand at the bottom of the hill.

Par 5 number 11 is the toughest hole for me on the course. Uphill tee shot with your second shot either going over the left side of the fairway or over a substantial fairway bunker center and right. Green is on the smallish side and mowed on the front back and right so a long shot will roll off into fairway.

There is a huge waste bunker on the left side of hole number 8 but part of the bunker has been submerged in water the last two seasons due to the abundance of rain received, that's the only negative I have about the course (blaming Mother Nature).

Arthur Hills is a must play course if you are visiting Petoskey / Bay Harbor to play.

Gorgeous course with huge elevation changes. Course conditions were what one expects from Boyne. Course is a destination course, but look to play at non-peak times to avoid large fees.

This course played extremely fair being fairly forgiving off the tee, but offering some challenges on approach shots. There were some very unique layouts of some of the holes that I really enjoyed. I'm not sure if it will be in my regular rotation as someone that looks for value-plays, but I would definitely recommend giving this course a shot.

Besides Bay Harbor, this is by far my favorite course that Boyne has to offer. Great Northern Michigan course with plenty of challenge, huge elevation changes, and awesome views. Course is difficult, but fair. Definitely a must add for your next visit to the area.

What an absolute gem. The views were fantastic. Living in Florida, it is unlike anything that you see in a round of golf. The course was in mint shape. Pace of play was great as well. Highly recommend playing this course if you are in the area!!

First time playing the course. The staff was very friendly and the young crew working the bag drop were great. I was able to play twilight with a group. The course was absolutely incredible. The layout, the conditions, the greens were all spectacular. The views are unreal and it was so peaceful. This will easily make the top ten list of courses I’ve played. Absolutely worth the trip. A must play.

I shouldn't be surprised that, when Boyne guests are surveyed, the Hills always gets mentioned as a fan favorite. There's so much to like. The course is a rare par 73, finishing with three par 5s on the back nine.
A round feels like a back-country adventure. When you're on the famous elevated 13th tee, you can't see anything man-made thing on the horizon. No roads. No. houses. No telephone poles or cell towers. It's just you and Mother Earth.
There are a few water hazards throughout the round, but mostly, architect Arthur Hills guides golfers through the forest with a series of waste bunkers and sometimes mounding. The 17th hole sports an interesting feature, a set of tees on either side of a pond. The par-4 hole can change daily, giving members a different look at the split fairway. It's a nice touch on a unique resort course.

I've had the good fortune to play a number of Arthur Hills-designed golf courses, such as this one. I have become a fan based on the variety of his designs.
The Hills course at Boyne Highlands is a terrific track.
There are a fair number of tracks with fairly large greens, some of which have false fronts or run offs. These quick, large greens require a lot of concentration and good strokes to avoid three putts. Large waste areas are present on many holes (some blind) which reinforces the necessity of accurate drives. Water and marsh areas also make frequent appearances on this solid test of golf.
This course has got it all and will challenge all levels of golfers. There are plenty of tee stations, so pick one that makes the game the most fun for you and have at it.