
HawksHead Course
HawksHead Golf Club


About this course
HawksHead Golf Club is an Arthur Hills design that opened in South Haven, Michigan, a resort town along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Hills, known for his work throughout the Midwest and his ability to integrate courses into natural terrain, routed HawksHead through rolling wooded land characteristic of the region's glacial topography. The course takes advantage of elevation changes and mature hardwood forests, with fairways carved through stands of oak, maple, and pine. The design reflects Hills's preference for strategic options and playable challenge rather than penal architecture. The layout moves through varied terrain, with several holes playing along ridgelines and others descending into lower corridors. Water features appear on multiple holes, and Hills incorporated natural wetlands and native grasses into the design. The bunkering follows his typical style—moderate in number but positioned to influence decision-making from the tee and on approaches. Greens are contoured to reward accurate iron play while remaining receptive to well-struck shots. South Haven's location on the Lake Michigan shore makes it a seasonal golf destination, and HawksHead serves both resort visitors and local members. The course is part of the area's collection of public and semi-private facilities that draw golfers from Chicago and other Midwest cities during the warmer months. The surrounding landscape and proximity to the lake contribute to the course's appeal as a northern Michigan golf experience.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in MI
Quick facts
- Location
- South Haven, MI, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1996
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Arthur Hills
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 7,003 yards
- Difficulty
- 74.1/135
- Course Vaults score
- 7.3
Getting there
Most visitors to HawksHead Golf Club arrive through Chicago's O'Hare or Midway airports, followed by a leisurely two-hour drive northeast along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The route traces the curve of the coast through small harbor towns and fruit orchards before turning inland toward South Haven, where the landscape softens into rolling farmland and hardwood forest. As you leave the bustle of the interstate behind, the final approach winds through quiet country roads that reveal little of what lies ahead - until the entrance to HawksHead appears, discreet and understated, opening onto one of Michigan's most thoughtfully crafted modern golf experiences.

FAQ
Common questions about HawksHead
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
HawksHead has a Course Vaults score of 7.3 out of 10 based on 32 logged golfers.
HawksHead was designed by Arthur Hills.
Yes. HawksHead is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at HawksHead is 72.
HawksHead plays 7,003 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at HawksHead is 135.



