
Benona Shores Course
Benona Shores Golf Course


About this course
Benona Shores Golf Course sits along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan in Shelby, a small community in Oceana County roughly twenty miles north of Muskegon. The course was designed by Warner Bowen, a Michigan-based architect who worked primarily in the state during the mid-to-late twentieth century. The property occupies terrain characteristic of Michigan's western shoreline, where sandy soils and rolling topography reflect the region's glacial history and proximity to the Great Lakes. The routing takes advantage of the natural undulations and wooded corridors typical of courses built in this part of the state. Holes move through stands of hardwoods and pines, with elevation changes that create variety in shot requirements and sightlines. The sandy subsoil provides good drainage and firm playing conditions, particularly valuable in a climate where spring and fall weather can be unpredictable. Several holes offer glimpses of the surrounding landscape, though the course itself is set back from the immediate lakefront. Benona Shores serves as a public facility and draws golfers from the surrounding region, including seasonal visitors to the Lake Michigan shoreline. The course reflects the straightforward, accessible design philosophy common to many mid-century public layouts in Michigan, where playability and maintenance efficiency were primary considerations. It remains a local option for golfers exploring the courses that dot Michigan's western coast between Grand Haven and Ludington.
Quick facts
- Location
- Shelby, MI, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1974
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Warner Bowen
- Par
- 60
- Length
- 4,380 yards
- Difficulty
- 60/93
- Course Vaults score
- 6.6
Getting there
Benona Shores Golf Course sits in the quiet dunes country of west-central Michigan, roughly two hours north of Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids (GRR), the nearest major commercial hub. The drive traces inland from the airport through rolling farmland and small-town Michigan before veering toward the Lake Michigan shoreline, where the landscape shifts to sandy bluffs and wind-sculpted vegetation characteristic of the region's glacial topography. As you approach Shelby, the road descends gently toward the course, with glimpses of dune grasses and the distant shimmer of water signaling arrival at this understated gem tucked between the shore and the inland wetlands. Benona Shores rewards the patient traveler with a setting where the architecture and the land feel inseparable - a fitting reward for the unhurried journey through Michigan's lesser-known coastal country.

FAQ
Common questions about Benona Shores
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Benona Shores has a Course Vaults score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 7 logged golfers.
Benona Shores was designed by Warner Bowen.
Yes. Benona Shores is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Benona Shores is 60.
Benona Shores plays 4,380 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Benona Shores is 93.



