Search
What to Expect at Tullymore Golf Resort for Your First Visit
If you’re dreaming of an up north Michigan golf escape without driving all the way to Traverse City, Tullymore Golf Resort hits a sweet spot. Less than an hour north of Grand Rapids, it’s surrounded by woods and wetlands. The whole place feels like a true retreat.
For first-time visitors, one thing becomes clear quickly. Tullymore isn’t just another public course. The resort’s two championship layouts, Tullymore Golf Club and St. Ives Golf Club, have earned consistent attention from national golf publications. Tullymore debuted as the No. 1 new upscale public course in America from Golf Digest and spent years on the magazine’s lists of top public and resort courses.
Where Tullymore Fits in the Michigan Golf Map
Tullymore Golf Resort sits in central Michigan in the city of Stanwood, adjacent to the Canadian Lakes community.
Once you turn onto Tullymore Drive, you’re welcomed by quiet wetlands and fairways tucked between the trees. The road winds gently toward the clubhouse and practice area, setting the tone before you even step out of the car. It feels tucked away, even though you’re still within easy driving distance of major highways and nearby towns.
For golfers building a mini Michigan golf road trip, Tullymore fits perfectly into a central/west Michigan loop of public-access courses, including:
- Katke Golf Course at Ferris State University (Big Rapids) – A well-regarded university course just north in Big Rapids, ideal for a tune-up round or a 36-hole day paired with Tullymore or St. Ives.
- Clear Lake Golf Club (Big Rapids) – A classic local option with a relaxed feel, great if you want a more casual round before or after your bucket list tee time.
- The Pines Golf Course at Lake Isabella (about 30 minutes south) – Another public layout within easy reach, giving your group even more variety over a long weekend.
Base yourself around Big Rapids, and you can build a multi-day golf itinerary without ever feeling rushed.
Tullymore At a Glance
Tullymore Golf Club is the resort’s signature course. It’s an 18-hole, par-72 layout designed by architect Jim Engh and routed through more than 800 acres of Michigan woodlands, meadows, and water-rich lowlands.
Key features you’ll notice on your first visit:
- Par 72 with variety: The course includes five par 3s and five par 5s, which adds a lot of scoring opportunities and decision-making throughout your round.
- Multiple tees: Five sets of tees accommodate a wide range of handicaps, from low-handicap players who want to stretch the course out, to casual golfers who simply want a scenic, enjoyable day.
How Tullymore Plays
You’ll get a mix of challenge and playability, depending on which tees you choose:
- Strategic tee shots: Many holes require you to carry or navigate around water hazards, thread fairways lined with trees, or choose a safer angle away from trouble. It rewards smart targets more than brute distance.
- Risk-reward par 3s and par 5s: With five of each, you’ll see everything from short par 3s where club selection is key to longer par 5s where you can choose between laying up safely or attacking in two.
- Back tees vs. forward tees: From the tips, Tullymore can play long and demanding, and it has been a favorite of low-handicap and competitive players for years. From the forward sets, the carries are more forgiving and angles into greens are friendlier, keeping the course fun and accessible.
- Memorable finishing stretch: Tullymore’s closing holes lean into its wetlands and elevation changes, giving your round a big finish feel.
Add in the fact that Golf Digest has ranked Tullymore among its “100 Greatest Public & Resort Courses” in America and placed it on its “Best Public Courses in America” list, and it’s easy to see why many golfers list it as a must-play on a Michigan golf trip.
St. Ives: The Sister Course
Just a few miles from Tullymore, you’ll find St. Ives Golf Club, the resort’s sister course in the Canadian Lakes area. The two courses are part of the same resort but offer distinctly different personalities.
- Architect and layout: St. Ives is a par-72 course designed by noted Michigan architect Jerry Matthews. From the back tees, it plays around 6,700 yards, with a course rating over 73 and a slope around 140—plenty of challenge for strong players.
- Course character: St. Ives is crafted from dramatic, glacier-carved terrain, with more elevation change than Tullymore, as well as wooded corridors and scenic wetlands that appear throughout the round.
- Signature feel: Some golfers point to holes like the demanding par-4 14th, where a precise tee shot and a long carry over wetlands are essential, as emblematic of St. Ives’ dramatic but fair style.
Golf Digest has awarded St. Ives a 5-star rating, and it’s frequently highlighted alongside Tullymore as one of Michigan’s top public-access experiences.
Which Course Should You Play First?
- For your first-ever visit: Many golfers choose Tullymore first because of its national recognition and distinctive design style. To many, it’s a bucket list course, especially if you follow rankings.
- For a second day (or a different style): St. Ives is a great complement. You’ll find more dramatic elevation and a traditional Michigan feel that a lot of repeat visitors rave about.
If you can, play both.
How to Book Your Round
Booking tee times at Tullymore Golf Club and St. Ives Golf Club is easy:
- Direct through the resort:
- Visit the resort’s website at tullymoregolf.com and use the online Book a Tee Time tool to see current rates and availability for both courses.
- You can also call the resort’s main number listed on their site to ask about conditions, group bookings, or current package options.
- Third-party platforms:
Best Seasons and Tee Times to Aim For
Tullymore and St. Ives draw a mix of Michigan locals and out-of-state visitors, particularly in late spring, summer, and early fall.
For your first visit, consider:
- Peak season (late May–September):
- Book weekend and holiday tee times as far in advance as you reasonably can, especially for morning rounds.
- Best times of day:
- Early mornings offer cooler temperatures, smoother greens, and a more relaxed pace if your group likes to take photos and talk strategy.
- Late afternoon/early evening rounds can be beautiful on both courses, with long shadows on tree-lined holes and prime sunset views over the wetlands.
What to Expect On-Site
At Tullymore’s main clubhouse, you can expect a classic resort golf check-in experience:
- Pro shop and check-in: Stop at the golf shop counter to check in, confirm your tee time, and pick up your receipt for the starter. Golf apparel, balls, gloves, and other essentials are available if you need a quick gear upgrade or forgot something at home.
- Locker rooms and amenities: Locker rooms are available to change, freshen up, or transition from golf attire to casual dinner clothes. Many visitors use the clubhouse as a hub between rounds and time at the practice range.
- Driving range and practice areas: Loosen up on the range, putting and chipping greens.
- Dining and drinks: The Tap Room at Tullymore is a comfortable Irish-style pub where you can grab a drink as you rehash your round.
Beyond the Course: Things to Do Nearby
If your partner or family members aren’t golfing, or you want a break between rounds, there’s plenty to do within a short drive:
- Canadian Lakes recreation: Guests staying in Canadian Lakes can enjoy access to more than 700 acres of water and recreational amenities across lakes, beaches, and green spaces, making it a great destination for boating, fishing, or simply relaxing by the water.
- Wineries and farmers markets: Explore local flavors at nearby wineries and tasting rooms, such as The Winery at Young Farms in Morton Township, or other Mecosta County wineries and seasonal farm markets.
- Hike or bike the White Pine Trail: Big Rapids is a key trailhead on Michigan’s longest paved rail trail. The Fred Mejer White Pine Trail comprises 92 miles linking Grand Rapids and Cadillac. It’s perfect for a morning ride or family walk along the riverfront.
- Visit the Jim Crow Museum at Ferris State University: This nationally recognized museum uses historical artifacts to teach about intolerance and social justice, offering a powerful, educational experience right on the Ferris State campus in Big Rapids.
- Explore Big Rapids’ Public Art Collective: Downtown Big Rapids and the Ferris campus feature dozens of large-scale sculptures, murals, and installations coordinated through the Public Art Collective.
Between golf, local wine, art, history, and one of Michigan’s best long-distance biking trails, it’s easy to build a full itinerary around your tee times.
Planning Your Getaway
For a first-time visit, situate Tullymore as your home base for a weekend centered around Canadian Lakes and the Big Rapids area:
- Day 1: Arrive, warm up, and play Tullymore Golf Club. Settle into your lodging, enjoy dinner on site or in nearby Stanwood or Big Rapids.
- Day 2: Tackle St. Ives Golf Club and experience the contrasting terrain and shot values. Spend the evening exploring local wineries or strolling downtown Big Rapids to see the public art and grab dinner.
- Day 3 (optional): Add a round at Katke Golf Course or Clear Lake Golf Club in Big Rapids, or head south to The Pines at Lake Isabella before driving home.
You’re close enough to Grand Rapids, Big Rapids, and other central Michigan courses that you can easily turn this into a longer Michigan golf trip.
If you love:
- Scenic, tree-lined and wetland-framed fairways
- Thoughtful course design that balances challenge with playability
- National-caliber golf that still feels relaxed and welcoming
…then Tullymore Golf Resort and St. Ives are absolutely worth the trip. Whether you’re planning a buddies’ trip, a couples’ escape, or a family getaway with non-golfers, the area gives you a true up north experience without the extra hours behind the wheel.