True North Course
Harbor Springs, MI, USA





True North Golf Club, nestled in the lake-kissed hills of Harbor Springs, is a testament to Michael Hurdzan's vision of a modern golfing sanctuary, intentionally carved to test, not torment. The course eschews overt trickery in favor of strategic shot-making across rolling terrain dotted with fescue grasses and strategic bunkering. While generous fairways grant initial solace, subtle undulations and demanding approaches quickly separate the bold from the merely hopeful. This is a thinking golfer's course, favoring those who plot their way around rather than simply grip and rip. Opened in 1998, True North hasn't sought the limelight of major championships, content to offer a challenging, yet ultimately fair, test of golf in a peaceful and uncrowded setting. The membership is closely knit, drawn by a shared appreciation for the game's purest form and the surrounding northern Michigan beauty. While its name may not be shouted from leaderboards, True North enjoys a strong regional following, earning quiet respect among discerning players for its integrity and impeccable conditioning. Beyond the course, True North fosters a convivial atmosphere amongst its members. The clubhouse is understated yet elegant, a place where post-round conversations linger over locally-sourced fare. The club is known for its annual member-guest tournament, a spirited competition marked by fierce rivalries and even fiercer camaraderie, a testament to the enduring bonds forged within this northern retreat.
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Private column compares member-only and guest-restricted courses.
Best in World
Unranked
Best in USA
Unranked
Best in MI
All courses
Public courses closest to True North.
The journey to True North Golf Club begins at either Pellston Regional Airport, a compact gateway just twenty minutes south, or the more robust Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, roughly an hour's drive to the southwest. Private arrivals often favor Pellston's quiet efficiency, while commercial travelers connect through Detroit or Chicago before descending into the forested expanse of northern Michigan. The final miles wind through dense hardwood and pine, past glimpses of Little Traverse Bay, before turning onto a discreet drive that reveals True North's secluded clifftop perch - a fitting transition from the world below to one of the Midwest's most breathtaking and closely held golf sanctuaries.

FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
True North has a Course Vaults score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 16 explicit golfer ratings.
True North was designed by Jim Engh.
True North is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at True North is 72.
True North plays 7,040 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at True North is 146.