For avid golfers, finding the right destination is not just about how many courses are nearby. It is about variety, setting, memorability, and whether the trip delivers the kind of golf experience that feels worth repeating.
That is one reason more Midwest golfers are making the drive to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Recent national recognition helped bring more attention to the region when the Upper Peninsula was named the #1 golf destination in the United States in the latest USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. But for many players, especially those coming from places like the Twin Cities, the appeal has been building for years.
A recent Tee Time Magazine feature highlighted that growing trend, pointing to Island Resort & Casino as a key part of why so many golfers are discovering the UP as a serious golf trip destination.
A Golf Destination with Real Variety
One of the biggest challenges with many golf trips is sameness. The setting may be nice, but after a round or two, the courses can start to blend together.
That is not the case here.
At Island Resort & Casino, golfers can experience distinctly different styles of play across multiple courses, which gives the trip more depth and keeps each round interesting.
Sweetgrass Golf Club offers a more open, prairie-style layout with wide views, strategic angles, and green complexes that reward creativity. Tee Time Magazine notes the influence of classic golf architecture, including template-inspired features like a Redan, a Biarritz, and an island green. For golfers who appreciate design details, Sweetgrass offers plenty to think about. For everyone else, it is simply a fun, memorable round.
Sage Run Golf Course provides a clear contrast. Rather than broad, open visuals, Sage Run moves through forest, elevation, and more rugged terrain. The routing asks different questions and places a stronger emphasis on shot value, positioning, and decision-making. Together, Sweetgrass and Sage Run give golfers two rounds that feel meaningfully different from one another, which is exactly what makes a buddy trip stronger.
A Course Lineup That Keeps Getting Better
That variety is also expanding.
The new nine-hole Cedar Course is set to add another layer to the resort’s golf offering. Designed by Paul Albanese, the new nine-hole layout draws from Golden Age architecture and places a premium on angles, strategy, and imaginative green complexes rather than raw length.
For golfers who care about architecture and shot options, that matters. It gives the resort another way to stand out from destinations built around more conventional resort golf.
It also reinforces something serious golfers notice quickly: this is not a place standing still. The golf product is growing in a thoughtful way.
Why Golfers From Minnesota and the Midwest Are Making the Drive
The Upper Peninsula may feel removed from the busier golf markets, but that is part of the appeal.
Tee Time Magazine describes the now-familiar drive from the Twin Cities to Harris as a route many Minnesota golfers are happy to make each summer. The reason is simple. The trip offers something different from the flatland golf many players are used to, while still being accessible enough for a long weekend or multi-day buddy trip.
The setting plays a big part in that. Cooler summer temperatures, long northern evenings, pine forests, rolling terrain, and a more relaxed pace all shape the experience. The USA TODAY recognition points to that broader appeal, noting the Upper Peninsula’s rugged beauty and distinctive golf environment.
For golfers who want a trip that feels like an actual getaway, not just a series of tee times, that difference matters.
More Than a One-Course Stop
Another strength of the region is that golfers are not limited to a single property experience.
Tee Time Magazine highlights the appeal of pairing Island Resort’s golf with other well-known Upper Peninsula layouts such as Greywalls and Timberstone through packages like the “Perfect Foursome.” That creates a trip with real range, from dramatic elevation and rugged visuals to strategic resort play and classic design influences.
For golf groups, that kind of mix is a major selling point. It means the trip can appeal to players with different preferences without feeling watered down.
Island Resort & Casino also makes that easier by combining golf with lodging, dining, and entertainment in one place. Instead of coordinating multiple hotels and disconnected tee times, golfers can build a trip that is both high quality and easy to manage.
Why the Recognition Fits
The Upper Peninsula’s #1 ranking is not just a headline. It reflects why golfers are increasingly looking beyond the most obvious destinations.
They want courses that do not all look the same. They want more strategic variety across a trip. They want scenery that changes the feel of the round. They want value, playability, and something they can talk about afterward.
That is what makes the Upper Peninsula different, and it is why Island Resort & Casino continues to become a bigger part of the conversation.
For golfers planning their next buddy trip, it is no longer just a hidden gem. It is a destination that has earned national attention and keeps giving players reasons to come back.
Read the Full Features
See the original coverage here:
- USA Today: 10 Best Golf Destinations in the U.S.
- Tee Time Magazine: From the Twin Cities to the Upper Peninsula
FAQ
Why are more Midwest golfers traveling to the Upper Peninsula?
Golfers are drawn to the Upper Peninsula for its scenic setting, cooler summer weather, unique course variety, and strong multi-day golf trip appeal. The region was also named the #1 golf destination in the U.S. by USA TODAY 10Best.
What makes Island Resort & Casino a strong golf trip destination?
Island Resort & Casino offers multiple golf experiences in one destination, including Sweetgrass Golf Club, Sage Run Golf Course, lodging, dining, and customizable stay-and-play options.
How are Sweetgrass and Sage Run different?
Sweetgrass is known for its open prairie-style layout and creative green complexes, while Sage Run offers a more rugged, elevation-driven round through forest and rolling terrain.
Is the Upper Peninsula a good option for a golf buddy trip?
Yes. The region offers a strong mix of memorable resort golf, public-access standout courses, natural scenery, and enough variety to support a multi-round golf getaway.
Is Island Resort & Casino adding another course?
Yes. Tee Time Magazine reports that the Cedar Course, a new nine-hole layout, is being added to expand the resort’s golf offering.
