
The Preserve Course
Bay Harbor Golf Club

About this course
The Preserve at Bay Harbor Golf Club, carved into the bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan, offers a distinctly Midwestern golfing experience. This Arthur Hills design, while not widely known on a national scale, reflects a Modern architectural style, marked by strategic bunkering and dramatic green complexes. The terrain here favors shot-makers who can navigate doglegs and blind approaches, especially off the tee where accuracy is rewarded more than power. Hills’ design embraces the natural contours of the land, a mix of wooded areas and open, windswept stretches. Expect undulating fairways that demand creative shot-making and greens that test even the most confident putter. The Preserve cultivates a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere among its membership. A round here is more than just a game; it’s an opportunity to savor the natural beauty of northern Michigan and enjoy the camaraderie that defines the club.
Quick facts
- Location
- Bay Harbor, MI, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1997
- Designer
- Arthur Hills
- Holes
- 9
- Par
- 36
- Length
- 3,378 yards
- Difficulty
- 36.4/142
Getting there
The journey to Bay Harbor Golf Club begins at Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, a compact regional hub roughly forty minutes north by car. The drive south along US-31 traces the eastern shore of Grand Traverse Bay, where the road dips and climbs through orchard country and lakeside hamlets before arriving at the meticulously planned resort village of Bay Harbor. What was once an industrial quarry site has been transformed into a polished enclave of New England-inspired architecture and manicured fairways, perched above the shimmering blue expanse of Little Traverse Bay - a quiet, refined arrival that feels worlds removed from the bustle of summer cottage towns just miles away.

FAQ
Common questions about The Preserve at Bay Harbor Golf Club
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
The Preserve was designed by Arthur Hills.
Yes. The Preserve at Bay Harbor Golf Club is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at The Preserve is 36.
The Preserve plays 3,378 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at The Preserve is 142.
The Preserve is a 9-hole course.





