The Golf Club at Harbor Shores -Benton Harbor, MI

Course Details

• Course Type: Resort
• Architect: Jack Nicklaus (2010)
• Par: 71
• Yardage: 6,852
• Rating: 74.7
• Slope: 143

Course Accolades

• Golf Digest: Best New Courses (2010)
• Golf Magazine: #3 Best New Public Course (2010) & #13 in Michigan
• Golf Week: Best Residential Courses (2017) & #32 Best New Course (2010)
• Zagat: America’s Top Golf Courses (2012)

Course Score

• Course Conditions: 9
• Green Complexes: 8
• Amenities: 9
• Practice Facilities: 8
• Service: 6
• Course Design: 8
• Value: 6

Total Score: 7.73

Course Review

The Good: I was pleasantly surprised that I had a better experience during my second playing of Harbor Shores in southwest Michigan. Beautiful, visually stunning Jack Nicklaus design is spread throughout a huge development complex near downtown Benton Harbor. Host of several Senior PGA’s even though in its infancy. Has the now typical Nicklaus rugged feel with awesome variety in Par 4’s and Par 5’s, with devilish, deep sand traps engulfing the course at every turn. Massive, treacherous green complexes putt true and make for a significant challenge. Pro tour caliber conditions. Extremely nice clubhouse and full restaurant. Superb on-course amenities include GPS, multiple restroom facilities, and halfway house. Practice facility is strong with nice driving range, separate short game area, and putting green.

The Bad: Course layout is very awkward and winds through a retirement community and the slums of Benton Harbor all in one. Some of the greens (especially #10) are so outrageous that its laughable. $150 price tag would be justified if service & routing matched the beauty of the course. The Par-3’s are good, but not great.

The Verdict: One of the most challenging, yet gorgeous tracks in all of Michigan. Could (and should) be a top 5 public destination in the state but is slightly brought down by lack of staff friendliness & odd routing.

Best Hole: There are many great holes, but without a doubt it is the short, uphill Par 4 7th. A precise drive is required to drive water and sand, with a short iron approach to a green not visible from below. One of my favorite Par-4’s in the state.