Lakewood Shores Golf Resort

Located on the sunrise side of the state, near the windswept shores of Lake Huron, Lakewood Shores is home to three distinct golf experiences that touch on nearly every style of play: The Gailes, Blackshire, and The Serradella. Guests can also work out any kinks and settle lingering wagers with unlimited use of the 18-hole pitch-and-putt course, The Wee Links. All this and more makes up Michigan's best value in golf — at a price you can't believe.

Lakewood Shores is also in the midst of a major transformation across the resort property. A stunning new clubhouse is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in Spring 2027, representing a significant new chapter for the longtime Northern Michigan destination. The project reflects a substantial investment in the future of the resort experience, with upgrades and enhancements extending throughout the property. Even with the ongoing transformation, the resort continues to welcome guests across its golf courses and accommodations while steadily elevating the overall experience through expanded staffing, new equipment, and continued property-wide improvements. The momentum already underway has longtime visitors and first-time guests alike excited for what lies ahead.

The Gailes leads the way at Lakewood Shores Golf Resort. One of two superbly crafted creations by Kevin Aldridge here at Lakewood Shores, The Gailes is the most notable and memorable design of the three courses. With accolades such as “#1 Best New Resort Course in the United States,” The Gailes delivers a truly unique experience rarely found anywhere in Michigan. Inspired by the famed seaside courses of Scotland, The Gailes challenges players with sod-faced pot bunkers, deep rough, fescue-lined fairways, and massive double greens.

Many of those signature sod-faced bunkers were recently rebuilt and enhanced using highly durable synthetic sod materials designed to preserve their classic appearance while improving long-term consistency and durability. Additional bunker reconstruction projects are continuing as part of the resort’s ongoing course enhancement plan.

Playing 6,954 yards from the tips with a 138 slope, you better bring your A and C game — as in “Accuracy” and “Creativity” — because knocking out a twenty-yard putt from the fine cut fairway, an eighty-yard bump-and-run, or shaping an iron off the back side of one of the hundreds of meandering burns into the blustery Lake Huron wind is as formidable a test of golf skill as any. Bottom line: The Gailes is the closest most golfers will get to British Open-style conditions without a passport.

Aldridge didn’t stop with The Gailes, taking inspiration from Pinehurst No. 2 and Pine Valley when designing Blackshire. Cut through natural hardwoods, lined with towering pines, and accented by sand waste areas on nearly every hole, Blackshire presents another outstanding test of golf. Stretching 6,898 yards from the farthest of five tee sets, the course rewards precision and short-game touch more than sheer distance. The greens are particularly well known for producing their share of three-putts, making thoughtful positioning essential throughout the round. On the par-five ninth, for example, players standing 150 yards from the green might find themselves reaching for anything from a wedge to a six iron depending on the wind and pin location.

What makes the current evolution of Lakewood Shores especially unique is that Kevin Aldridge himself — the original designer of both The Gailes and Blackshire — remains deeply involved in the resort’s ongoing improvements. His hands-on leadership and continued vision are helping shape the next era of the property while preserving the character that made these layouts special in the first place.

Completing the resort’s impressive lineup is The Serradella, a parkland-style course designed by Bruce Matthews. Considered the most approachable of the three layouts, The Serradella offers a relaxed but engaging round ideal for friendly competition within your group. Throughout the course, golfers are surrounded by scenic Northern Michigan landscapes, including nearly 60,000 annuals and perennials that enhance the peaceful atmosphere. Strategic water hazards still require attention, however, ensuring players remain focused if they hope to post a low score.

As if that weren’t enough, Lakewood Shores also offers unlimited access to The Wee Links, its championship-caliber 18-hole pitch-and-putt course. Featuring holes ranging from 50 to 105 yards, The Wee Links is perfect for sharpening wedge play, settling side bets, or simply enjoying a relaxed walk after the main round. Conveniently located near the resort accommodations, it’s an easy and enjoyable addition to any golf getaway.

For golfers who have already experienced Lakewood Shores, the resort’s reputation speaks for itself. For those who haven’t yet made the trip, the combination of nationally recognized golf, scenic Lake Huron surroundings, and an ambitious new vision for the future makes this one of Michigan’s most memorable golf destinations.