Pilgrims Run Golf Club – Pierson, MI

Course Details

• Course Type: Public
• Architect: Mike DeVries (1998)
• Par: 73
• Yardage: 7,093
• Rating: 74.4
• Slope: 143

Course Accolades

• Golf Digest: #4 Best New Affordable Public Course (1999)
• Golf Week: #10 in Michigan
• Golf World: #31 Readers’ Choice Public USA & Michigan Course of Recognition
• Top100Courses: #28 in Michigan
• Zagat: America’s Top Golf Courses (2012)

Course Score

• Course Conditions: 8
• Green Complexes: 8
• Amenities: 6
• Practice Facilities: 6
• Service: 7
• Course Design: 9
• Value: 9

Total Score: 7.80

Course Review

The Good: Pilgrims Run is a relatively unheralded early Mike DeVries design in Pierson, MI about 30-minutes north of Grand Rapids. It should be showcased, however, as the one of the best values in the Midwest. Carved beautifully into Mid-Michigan forest woodlands, the design does a nice job of framing the holes within the trees but providing ample room off the tee to navigate. The Par-5’s on the front are absolutely outstanding, with the 1st being a nice risk/reward opportunity on the second shot to avoid a pesky sentinel tree and the 6th is a short, uphill Par-5 that is all about the tee-shot avoiding a monstrous fairway bunker. Great Par-3’s and excellent Par-4 variety. Impeccable conditions for a $69 golf course, its fairways are in perfect shape and the undulating greens hold well despite putting fairly slick. Good driving range well-positioned right by the putting green and opening tee. Extremely nice staff and great pace-of-play.

The Bad: Lack of on-course amenities including no GPS on carts is a bummer, but not necessarily expected since its not an upscale resort course. The lack of flare and pretention at Pilgrims Run is also a little part of its charm. Limited dining area and no outdoor eating area was a challenge considering the current Covid-19 situations.

The Verdict: Pilgrims Run is one of the most unsung golf courses in Michigan, if not the Midwest. Dollar for dollar, the best public golf course in the state of the 20 or so that I’ve played. Just a fun, pretty course to play. Simple as that.

Best Hole: The aforementioned Par-5 6th is the signature hole with the cavernous bunker in the middle of the way and an uphill approach to a green perched on the neck of a ridge in an amphitheater like setting. Fantastic golf hole!