
Heather Golf Course Boyne Highlands Harbor Springs
Experience a challenging Arthur Hills design amidst Northern Michigan's beauty, featuring unique local rules and demanding greens.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Best conditions, fewer geese

Heather Golf Course Boyne Highlands Harbor Springs
Best Time
Best conditions, fewer geese
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience a challenging Arthur Hills design amidst Northern Michigan's beauty, featuring unique local rules and demanding greens.
"A challenging, scenic round with unique local rules, though course conditions can be inconsistent."

🎯 Book Ahead, Check Conditions
Book tee times early. Reviews vary on course condition; check recent reports before your round.
🦢 Watch Out for Geese!
Geese are common on the course and can be a bit of a nuisance. Be mindful of them during your play.

Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Heather's Signature Holes
Various holes
Experience challenging, undulating greens and strategically placed sand traps that test every aspect of your game.

Local Rule Charm
Tee boxes
Discover unique local rules that add a fun, unexpected twist to your round. A true golfer's delight!

Lush Northern Michigan Scenery
Throughout the course
Enjoy the beautiful, natural setting of the Northwoods, offering a picturesque backdrop for your golf game.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Tee Off with Confidence: Booking & Conditions
Navigating Boyne Highlands: Beyond the Fairway
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Book Ahead, Check Conditions
Book tee times early. Reviews vary on course condition; check recent reports before your round.
🦢 Watch Out for Geese!
Geese are common on the course and can be a bit of a nuisance. Be mindful of them during your play.
Hole 18, The Heather. Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs MI
⛳️ Undulating Greens Ahead
Be prepared for quick and challenging greens. Three-putts are a real possibility!
🚗 Consider Resort Access
If not staying at Boyne Highlands, plan your transportation to the course.
#13 at Arthur Hills Boyne Highlands - Harbor Springs, MI
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Book Ahead, Check Conditions
Book tee times early. Reviews vary on course condition; check recent reports before your round.
🦢 Watch Out for Geese!
Geese are common on the course and can be a bit of a nuisance. Be mindful of them during your play.
⛳️ Undulating Greens Ahead
Be prepared for quick and challenging greens. Three-putts are a real possibility!
🚗 Consider Resort Access
If not staying at Boyne Highlands, plan your transportation to the course.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Heather Golf Course offers a challenging and scenic round with unique local rules that many golfers enjoy. However, some visitors have expressed disappointment with course conditions, particularly greens and tee boxes, and have noted issues with customer service and organization, especially when dealing with weather delays.
"We were on a big group trip of over 20 guys and this was the 1st course we played! Played 9 holes on the evening and again the next morning. It was a great layout and very fun course. Watch out for the geese! Highly recommend! 18 is a amazing finishing hole!"
Kevin Thurston
"Awesome, difficult, lush golf course! Greens are rolling quick and undulating, so be prepared to three putt! I'd definitely recommend playing this course."
Zachariah Krieger
"HORRIBLE, save your money! We booked 4 months early for a group of 8 guys and still paid $183 per guy. I am not joking when I say this course should feel bad charging even $65-70 in these conditions. At least 1/3 of the greens were completely diseased, dead, and in the worst shape I've ever seen, even if it was a local municipal. Well over half the tee boxes were absolutely nuked with divots forcing you to stand in them. The bunkers were filled with crab grass. The pro shop was musty and not friendly. The bathrooms looked like a crack house. My buddies and I could not believe what we were looking at. The pro shop made zero apologies or even mention of this when we gave them nearly $1600 as a group for our second of 3 Boyne courses we played this weekend. We were so fed up with it that our group immediately left after the round and agreed we’d never be back. Donald Ross was amazing, $50 cheaper, and Arthur Hills was PHENOMENAL and $30 cheaper.
The Heather was truly, TRULY embarrassing and you should publicly apologize for charging peak rates and delivering a product that appears as though you'd rather just let nature reclaim the land. Just awful."
Matthew Musinski
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Heather Golf Course is located at Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs, Michigan. If you're driving, use GPS coordinates for Boyne Highlands Resort. Public transportation options are limited in this resort area, so a car is generally recommended.
Yes, ample parking is available at the Boyne Highlands resort, typically near the pro shop and clubhouse for golfers.
Most visitors drive to Harbor Springs. The nearest major airport is Pellston Regional Airport (PLN), about a 30-minute drive away. You can also fly into Traverse City (TVC) or even Detroit (DTW) and drive north.
Boyne Highlands Resort often provides shuttle services between its various amenities, including lodging and golf courses. Inquire with the resort directly about current shuttle availability.
Depending on your lodging location within Boyne Highlands, walking might be possible, but it's a large resort. It's best to check a resort map or ask the front desk for the most convenient access.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Green fees for The Heather can vary significantly based on the season, day of the week, and time of day. Prices can range from $70 to over $180 per person, especially during peak season. It's essential to check the official Boyne Golf website or call the pro shop for current rates and packages.
Yes, booking a tee time in advance is highly recommended, especially during the popular summer and fall golf seasons. Popular tee times can fill up months ahead.
Typically, the green fee includes your round of golf. Cart rental is often an additional charge, though some packages might include it. Practice facilities may also have separate fees.
Look for package deals that combine lodging and golf at Boyne Highlands, or consider playing during the shoulder seasons (spring/fall) for potentially lower rates. Reserving tee times online directly through Boyne Golf might also offer better pricing.
The golf course typically opens in the morning, around sunrise, and closes in the evening, usually after the last tee time has finished. Hours can vary seasonally, so it's best to confirm with the pro shop.
🎫 ⛳️ Onsite Experience
The Heather is generally considered a challenging course, known for its undulating greens, strategic bunkering, and demanding layout. It's a true test for golfers of all skill levels, but particularly rewarding for experienced players.
Reviews on green conditions are mixed. Some players report them as fast and undulating, while others have noted issues with disease or poor shape in certain areas. It's advisable to check recent golfer feedback.
Golf carts are typically available and recommended for navigating the course, especially given its layout and size. Whether they are mandatory can depend on specific resort policies or course conditions on a given day.
You can expect to see a variety of local wildlife, with geese being frequently mentioned as a notable presence on the course.
While walkable, The Heather is a substantial course with significant elevation changes and distances between holes. Many golfers opt for a cart to conserve energy and speed up play.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, Boyne Highlands Resort offers several dining options, including restaurants and bars located at the clubhouse or main lodge, which are accessible to golfers.
Expect typical golf course fare, such as sandwiches, salads, and appetizers, along with a selection of beverages. For more extensive dining, the main resort lodge offers a wider variety of restaurants.
Beverage carts often circulate the course, offering drinks and snacks. Some courses also have halfway houses or snack bars available at the turn.
Harbor Springs itself has a charming downtown area with various restaurants, from casual pubs to fine dining. You can also find more options within the Boyne Highlands resort complex.
Absolutely. The clubhouse restaurant or other resort dining facilities are perfect for post-round meals and drinks to discuss your game.
📸 📸 Photography
The course offers scenic views throughout, particularly from elevated tees and greens. The natural Northern Michigan landscape provides a beautiful backdrop for memorable golf photos.
Yes, you can take photos during your round. Many golfers capture scenic shots of the holes, their group, and the surrounding environment.
While specific iconic holes aren't always highlighted, the overall beauty of the course, with its mature trees and rolling terrain, makes for consistently picturesque scenes.
Early morning or late afternoon, during the 'golden hours,' often provide the most dramatic and flattering light for photography, enhancing the natural beauty of the course.
A smartphone camera is usually sufficient for capturing great golf course photos. If you're a photography enthusiast, a DSLR or mirrorless camera will offer more control and higher quality.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
If your family enjoys golf, consider exploring other, potentially more forgiving courses in the Boyne area or focusing on the resort's other activities. For families looking for a golf experience, it's best to inquire directly with Boyne Golf about any junior programs or family-friendly course options they might offer.
💰 Budget Travelers
For more budget-conscious golfers, exploring off-season rates, looking for package deals that include lodging, or considering other golf courses in the Northern Michigan region that might offer lower green fees could be a better strategy. Some reviews suggest that other courses in the area, like Donald Ross or Arthur Hills, offer comparable or superior experiences at a lower price point.
couples
Consider booking a twilight tee time for a more relaxed pace and potentially stunning sunset views. Afterwards, you can enjoy a nice dinner at one of the many dining options available at the Boyne Highlands Resort or in the charming nearby town of Harbor Springs.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Understanding The Heather's Design and Challenge
Players frequently mention the difficulty of the greens, noting that they can be fast and tricky to read, often leading to multiple putts. This design element, combined with the course's length and strategic hazards, makes The Heather a true test of a golfer's skill and patience. It’s a course where precision and course management are key to scoring well.
Despite its challenges, many golfers find The Heather to be a highly enjoyable experience. The unique local rules mentioned in some reviews add an element of fun and surprise, setting it apart from other courses. It’s a course that golfers often remember for its distinct character and the memorable shots it inspires.
Navigating Course Conditions and Golfer Experiences
Specific complaints have included diseased or dead greens, divot-filled tee boxes, and bunkers filled with crabgrass. These issues have led some golfers to feel that the high green fees were not justified by the course's upkeep. Conversely, other recent reviews have praised the course's condition, suggesting that issues may be localized or temporary.
It's also worth noting that customer service experiences have been varied. Some groups have reported disorganization and dismissive staff, particularly when dealing with weather delays or seeking adjustments to tee times. This feedback suggests that while the golf itself can be a highlight, the overall resort experience might require careful management and clear communication.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit