Awe Inspiring Beauty.
Exhilarating Challenge.

Twenty-seven holes of pure Northern Michigan:
winding forest trails and panoramic Lake Michigan vistas.

Challenge yourself on 27 meticulously maintained holes that showcase northern Michigan's natural beauty, from untouched woodland to stunning water overlooks that make every round memorable.

The Farms Course:
Timeless Northern Golf

Start where Birchwood golf began: a classic Northern Michigan layout winding through mature hardwood forests. Craft shots through tree-lined fairways and trust your approach to generous greens that reward solid contact.

Members call the conditions "meticulous." Play the Farms and discover golf that respects tradition while making your round feel new, where even a tough day makes you want to tee it up again tomorrow.
GOLF COURSE - Aerial 1

The Birches Course:
Golf That Rewards Strategy

Wind your way through the Northern Michigan forest on the Birches course, where you’ll be rewarded by smart play over power.

Shape your shots around doglegs, choose your line over water, and learn which approaches hold the elevated greens.

Members love the Birches because it's fair. Play smart, and you'll score well. The course gives you options, rewards creativity, and keeps you coming back.
GOLFERS - Shaking Hands after a green
Woods No 1 with Lake in Background 3 copy

The Woods Course:
Where Lake Meets Fairway

Experience The Woods course, Jerry Mathews' 1998 masterpiece that showcases breathtaking Lake Michigan views from the very first hole.

With multiple elevated tee boxes and dramatic terrain formed thousands of years ago, this modern design delivers stunning vistas and memorable golf that keeps you coming back
Select an option below:
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Hole 1
Hole 2
Hole 3
Hole 4
Hole 5
Hole 6
Hole 7
Hole 8
Hole 9
Hole 1
Hole 2
Hole 3
Hole 4
Hole 5
Hole 6
Hole 7
Hole 8
Hole 9

Par 4

Straight away, par 4 to start the Farms course. Fairway bunkers on both sides can come into play from the tee and greenside bunkers on your approach. This small, well-guarded green slopes towards you in the front and away from you on the back half and left, so the pin placement is critical to your club selection. Short is always better than long here.

Par 5

 Very fair par 5 with everything right in front of you. There's plenty of room for your second shot, so your third shot should give you a great opportunity to get the ball close. The green has a slight backstop but can get tricky as it slopes away from the center on both the left and right sides. Keep the ball in play and a par or birdie is within sight! 

Par 3

Depending on your tee selection, this is a medium to short par 3 guarded by bunkers on both sides and right rear of the green. Select the right club and a solid shot will easily put you on this large green and walk away with a par or better. 

Par 4

This par 4 is a medium length, slight dogleg right from the back tee boxes. Your drive should be left-center of the fairway to give you a medium to short iron approach to an inviting green.  

Par 4

Another par 4, this hole looks rather friendly. However, don’t be fooled. There have been many high numbers here. Straight away with a slightly downhill tee shot shot is followed by an approach to an elevated green. Fairway bunkers and greenside bunkers can easily come into play. Be sure to hit enough club on your approach. With a false front, anything short will roll back down to the fairway, leaving a tricky up and down. Long is trouble as well.  

Par 4

Another great par 4. Fairway bunkers guard the right side, so your tee ball should preferably be center to left center. Depending on the pin placement, your approach can easily be a 1-2 club difference to this two-tiered green. Anything short of the center of the green, your ball can roll back down the two-tiered green. Double-check the yardage and select the right club. 

Par 3

A tee shot carries over a large pond to an elevated green makes this a challenging par 3. Anything short of the green will generally roll back and leave you with a tricky second shot to the pin. The green falls from back to front. So, if in between clubs, hit the longer one and don’t be afraid to swing it! 

Par 5

This par 5 is right in front of you. No surprises here. Preferred tee shot is left center, as the tree line on the right can sneak up on you if you’re not paying attention. A well-placed second shot can leave you with a medium to short approach shot to a guarded green, giving you a great opportunity to aim at the pin. 

Par 4

Another great finishing hole that always seems to play a little longer. Bunkers on either side of your tee shot landing area are in play, and the wind always seems to be in your face. Hit your tee shot in the generous fairway and play enough club to reach the green. A par 4 is a great way to finish here.

Dropdown
Hole 1
Hole 2
Hole 3
Hole 4
Hole 5
Hole 6
Hole 7
Hole 8
Hole 9
Hole 1
Hole 2
Hole 3
Hole 4
Hole 5
Hole 6
Hole 7
Hole 8
Hole 9

Par 4

This par 4 hole is a relatively challenging dogleg left with a downhill tee shot that tends to fall to the right. Your approach shot is then uphill to a green guarded by bunkers on the left and right. Preferred tee shot is left center of the fairway, and you can play a club longer if you are on the right side of the fairway.  

Par 5

The first par 5 on the Birches course is a straightforward, slight dogleg left hole with a generous fairway. Two well-placed shots will leave you with a short third shot approach, setting you up for a birdie opportunity. This green is fairly predictable with no crazy undulations. Keep the ball in the fairway and walk away with a par or better. 

Par 3

A beautiful par 3 that requires a carry over a large pond to an elevated green. Regardless of your tee selection, playing one club longer is the best play. Anything short of the green will roll back towards the pond, leaving a difficult approach to the pin. Depending on the pin placement, this green can get tricky as most putts will break towards the pond. 

Par 4

A somewhat short, straight-forward hole, this can be a tricky par 4 if you misplace your tee shot. Trees and slope guard both sides of the fairway and may impede your second shot. Your approach shot should favor the center of the green as it slopes heavily to the left and front. With a bunker behind the green that drops off sharply, short is always better than long here. 

Par 4

A sharp dogleg right par 4 requires a nice tee shot to reach the corner and a view of the green. With a decent tee ball, your approach can be less than 150 yards. Favor the left side of the fairway off the tee, as you can easily get into tree trouble on the right side that may require a pitch out.  

Par 3

Not necessarily a long hole but another nice par 3 that carries a pond. It plays slightly downhill from the back tees and fairly level from the forward tees. Beware of the “false front” and hit enough club to carry the green. There's plenty of break, from either side, towards the pond. 

Par 4

This is a straightforward par 4 that bends slightly to the left. Guarded by a hill on the left and trees on the right, a preferred tee shot is on the left side of the fairway. The approach is slightly uphill and falls off sharply to the right, behind the bunker. The center of the green is always a good shot. 

Par 5

This is a generous par 5 with a wide landing area from the tee box. However, a generally prevailing west wind can affect each shot into this elevated green. Two solid shots will likely leave you with an uphill third shot. Be sure to hit enough club to reach the pin. 

Par 4

Another straight-forward par 4 that will usually play into the wind. This hole is guarded by out-of-bounds on the right, a fairway bunker that comes into play, and a slightly elevated green also guarded by bunkers. Be sure to hit enough club on your approach shot and give yourself a chance for par or better. Anything short will run back down the hill. Many matches have been won and lost on the final hole of the Birches course! 

Dropdown
Hole 1
Hole 2
Hole 3
Hole 4
Hole 5
Hole 6
Hole 7
Hole 8
Hole 9
Hole 1
Hole 2
Hole 3
Hole 4
Hole 5
Hole 6
Hole 7
Hole 8
Hole 9
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Par 4

A beautiful elevated tee box overlooking the par 4 hole and beautiful Lake Michigan. There’s a 120’ elevation drop from the tee to the fairway. Not a particularly long par 4, but this can be a treacherous start to the first hole of the Woods course. A well-placed tee shot is critical. Anything outside of the fairway can be a lost ball or a difficult sidehill shot back to the fairway. Though it’s very tempting, your driver may not always be the right play off the tee. The bunker guarded green falls back to front.  

Par 3

This par 3 can be very deceiving as it does not play downhill from the back tee boxes. Club selection is important. There’s out-of-bounds on the left, and anything short will leave you with a challenging uphill approach. If unsure of your club selection, hit one club longer and get to the putting surface. There’s a nice backstop behind the green and anything long will tend to funnel back to the green. 

Par 4

Depending on your tee box, this can be a very difficult par 4 hole. Guarded by hills on both sides, a good tee shot to a somewhat tight fairway will leave you with a shot to an uphill, elevated green. There is a backstop behind the green, so don’t be afraid to hit it long to ensure getting the ball to the green. This is a good par on any day! 

Par 5

A beautiful, double dogleg par 5, this hole requires a couple of well-placed shots. Protected by hills and trees on either side, if you keep the ball in play, you’ll have a short third shot to a generous green for a par or better. Alignment on the tee is imperative so be sure before swinging away.  

Par 4

Not necessarily an intimidating hole, this straight forward par 4 can be deceiving. There’s a generous fairway from the tee, but the green is guarded by a small pond left and bunkers. Keep your tee shot to the right side of the fairway and eliminate the hazard. The green is very undulating and can create some havoc with a misplaced approach. Experience is a big plus here.  

Par 4

Another fairly open par 4 that plays downhill from the back tees. With a generous fairway, a good tee shot will set up a medium-length approach to a challenging green. The green is slightly uphill with very strong left-to-right breaks. Depending on the pin placement, the ideal approach shot is to leave the ball beneath the hole, if possible. Par is very good here. 

Par 3

A short but tricky par 3, club selection is very important. The elevated tee boxes look down to a guarded green, but wind conditions will determine your club. This could easily be a 2-3 club difference depending on the wind. The green falls off sharply behind the hole, so short is better than long here.  

Par 5

Another beautiful, elevated tee to a dogleg right par 5. This hole requires a well-placed tee shot to the left side of the fairway, as it’s easy to get blocked out on the right side. A good second shot will leave you a short third to an elevated green. Great chance for a par or better. 

Par 4

A great finishing hole on the Woods course. Like all others, this par 4 has many tee options and plays a little differently from each. Generous fairway from the tee, the green is uphill and well guarded. Hit enough club on your approach shot to account for the elevation. 

Meet Our Pros

Sharpen your skills with experienced teaching professionals who offer private lessons, group clinics, and programs for all ages. Whether you're working on fundamentals or fine-tuning your competitive game, find instruction tailored to your goals in a setting that makes learning enjoyable.
Cris Cavitt

Cris Cavitt, PGA

Director of Golf

Cris Cavitt enters his 29th year at Birchwood Farms in 2026, having served as Assistant Professional (1998-2001), Head Professional, and Director of Golf since 2013. He views the club as an extended family and takes pride in its welcoming community. Two of his children were raised in Harbor Springs, while his oldest daughter lives in metro Detroit with two grandsons. Outside of work, Cris enjoys spending time with family, following sports, and traveling during the off-season.
Andrew Park

Andrew Park

Golf Professional

Andrew Park joins Birchwood Farms as Golf Professional, bringing experience working with PGA, LPGA, and elite amateur players. Rated among Golf Magazine's Top 100 and Golf Digest's top instructors in Florida, Andrew believes in building personalized instruction plans customized for each player. A native of Johannesburg, South Africa, he competed on professional tours before transitioning to instruction. Andrew currently teaches players across multiple professional tours and owns Andrew Park Golf and Junior Development.
Cole Ketterer

Cole Ketterer

Head Professional

Born and raised in Harbor Springs, Cole had a distinguished high school golf career including two-time Division 4 All-State honors. After graduating from Ferris State University in Professional Golf Management, he worked at Bloomfield Hills Country Club and The Silverleaf Club in Arizona. He has qualified for the Southwest Section PGA Assistant Championship in 2024 and 2025. Cole is excited to return home as Head Professional.
Cam Kuebler

Cam Kuebler

First Assistant

Cam spent childhood summers in Petoskey and Harbor Springs, giving him deep Northern Michigan roots. Before joining Birchwood, he served as an assistant at the Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst. An Associate PGA Member pursuing his Class A credentials, Cam previously spent five years teaching economics in Suzhou, China.
PRO SHOP

Gear Up for Success

Find everything you need in our full-service Pro Shop, from quality equipment to apparel. Our knowledgeable staff ensures you have the right gear and local course knowledge to enjoy your best golf.

Why Members Love Birchwood Golf

At Birchwood, the sense of community is just as important as the thrill of the game. Here's what members have to say:

"As a second-generation member, Birchwood has always felt like a true home away from home. The golf course is beautifully maintained, scenic, and challenging. I'm also a member at two private clubs in the Detroit area, and Birchwood continues to impress me. It's a place my family has cherished for many years and will continue to enjoy for many years to come."

–David Runyon

"The golf course is truly exceptional - peaceful, beautifully maintained, and unlike any other. There's something here for everyone, and the club offers opportunities to be as involved as you wish. The staff are consistently warm, welcoming, and always willing to go above and beyond."

–Marvin and Diana Tisdale

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GOLFERS - Driving Cart Across Bridge

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