Marshland Beginnings
The front nine plunges players into northern Michigan marshland, with water flirting along several holes and local wildlife a regular audience. Opening with a precision-demanding par 4, it sets a tranquil but challenging tone.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
The Wolverine
Williamsburg, Michigan
Established
1999
Architect
Gary Player
Access
Resort
Par
Par 72
Length
5,077 – 7,045 yds
Green Fees
$$$
The verdict
Resort Play With Distinct Local Flavor
Gary Player’s only Michigan signature delivers a versatile, playable test with two dramatically different nines, from marshland navigations to wooded challenge. It’s a must for any northern Michigan golf trip, especially if you want memorable variety without top-100 intimidation. The Wolverine is a classic resort course with championship stretch, welcoming ambitious and casual players alike.
Course DNA
Difficulty
66
Scenery74
Conditioning71
Shot Variety77
Walkability69
Green Complexity70
Wow Factor71
Design Quality72
Don't miss
Keep an eye out for wildlife along the marshy front nine—deer and hawks are frequent, memorable companions.
At a glance
Quick facts
Distinct nines
Front plays through marshland, back brings wooded and rolling terrain
Gary Player’s Michigan debut
First signature course by Player in the state
Part of Grand Traverse Resort
Shares property with The Bear and Spruce Run
Course rating (Black)
74.5 with a 140 slope
Closest city
15-minute drive to Traverse City
Best in State nod
Recognized in Golf Digest’s state guide listings
Diverse wildlife
Keep an eye for deer, hawks, and marsh critters in play
The design
The architecture
Gary Player’s layout at The Wolverine is shaped by the resort’s richly diverse environment, weaving marshes, ponds, and forested corridors into a round that rarely feels repetitive. The front nine traverses marshland, calling for thoughtful shot placement and managing water on multiple holes, while the back nine migrates into rolling, tree-lined terrain characteristic of Michigan’s inland game. It’s designed with four sets of tees for inclusivity, yet never lacks backbone for experienced golfers. Player’s philosophy is visible in the strong but fair green surrounds and in the frequent risk-versus-reward decisions faced off the tee and into mammoth par 5s.
Player’s intent was a course both accessible and genuinely interesting for all handicaps, using the natural landscape for strategic diversity.
Defining features
- Front nine routed through expansive marshes and water carries
- Back nine offers wooded corridors and undulating terrain
- Four tees maximize set-up flexibility
- Resort-style greens—rolling but reasonably receptive
- Strategic bunkering and water hazards maintain challenge
- Player’s philosophy: rewarding accurate play, penalizing rash attacks
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 5
Long Marsh Carry
PAR
3
YARDAGE
216
A demanding par 3, stretching to 216 yards from the Black tees and often playing into the prevailing wind, this hole requires a forced carry over wetlands to a green ringed with subtle trouble. Bold pin seekers can pay the price for misses, while playing to the center offers safety but long putts.
Play it smart
Take enough club for full carry and favor the fat of the green—don’t chase pins unless conditions invite aggression.
Where it bites
Come up short or go flag hunting, and the marsh or tough up-and-downs will make you pay.
Course management
Shots to think about
Teeing off on the marshy front nine
Prioritize accuracy and don’t bite off more than you can chew—position sets up your approach.
Approaching long par 3s (especially 5 & 12)
Aim for the safe side of the green, settle for a two-putt, and avoid flirting with tucked pins.
Playing the daunting par-5 11th
Lay up short of trouble and trust your wedge rather than chasing the green in two.
Trying to score on the back-nine stretch
Keep your focus—late par 4s and 5s will test fatigue and course management.
Final approach on 18
Don’t press after a long drive—measure the risk and play for your scoring number.
Hitting from tree-lined back nine fairways
Shape your shots with confidence, but never sacrifice accuracy for ambition.
Facing peripheral hazards on approaches
Take the conservative route—short siding can mean instant bogey or worse.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Greens and fairways are well-kept with consistent resort-level maintenance; soft after rain but generally firm and true.
Pace
Resort pace—expect 4:30 rounds in busy periods, quicker on weekday mornings.
Vibe
Relaxed resort atmosphere with friendly staff and a welcoming, big-trip feel.
Dress code
Standard golf attire expected; collared shirts and golf shorts or pants.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Book early for peak tee times
The Wolverine’s prime slots fill fast, especially in Traverse City’s golf season—plan weeks ahead for groups.
02
Pack for diverse conditions
Morning rounds can be brisk and foggy by the marsh, while afternoons heat up; layers are key.
03
Warm up on the resort range
Take advantage of Grand Traverse’s practice facility—long irons and hybrids will get a workout.
04
Map your route to the first tee
The resort is sprawling; consider parking location, registration, and shuttle timing.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1999
The Wolverine opens as Gary Player’s first Michigan signature
- 2000
Quickly recognized regionally for contrasting nines
- 2004
Golf Digest includes it in Michigan’s Best in State lists
- 2010
Course becomes a centerpiece for Grand Traverse resort stay-and-play packages
- 2019
Celebrates 20th anniversary with refreshed acclaim in state rankings
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Shifting Nines, Shifting Gears
Players often remark on the abrupt transition between the watery front and the wooded, rolling back, changing the rhythm and strategic asks of the round. The experience feels as if you’ve played two distinct courses under one banner.
Wolverine’s Name
The course’s name not only honors Michigan’s state animal but also signals its attitude—resilient after mistakes, intimidating only if you attack without respect. Player’s strategic use of hazards fits the moniker perfectly.
A Player Debut
The Wolverine marked Gary Player’s design debut in Michigan, immediately earning local acclaim for combining playability with holes that bite back for aggressive attempts. Its reputation has remained steady since.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
The Wolverine is Gary Player’s only signature course in Michigan.
2
It boasts two dramatically different nines—marshland and woodland.
3
Resort guests can also play a Jack Nicklaus (The Bear) and William Newcomb (Spruce Run) design on the same property.
4
The course’s slope from the tips is a robust 140, a rare challenge for a resort setting.
5
Wildlife sightings on the marshy holes are a calling card for returning players.
Build the trip
For the Ultimate Traverse City Golf Circuit
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club
Resort
Breathtaking dunes golf and acclaimed public destination
Forest Dunes Golf Club
Resort
Top-tier architecture and unique Loop reversible course
Bay Harbor Golf Club
Resort
Stunning lakefront scenery and 27 championship holes
Treetops Resort
Resort
Five courses, famous par-3s, and variety in one complex
Elk Rapids Golf Club
Public
Classic, affordable nine with sweet lake views
Traverse City offers the best hub for lodging, dining, and easy access to all top courses.
Course DNA
If You Like The Wolverine
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.1
Highland Park Golf Course
Birmingham, AlabamaWhy it matches: Highland Park Golf Course is a natural next stop after The Wolverine: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match8.2
Gull Lake View Golf Resort - Stoatin Brae
Augusta, MichiganWhy it matches: There is real overlap here. Gull Lake View Golf Resort - Stoatin Brae a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to The Wolverine.
Strong DNA Match9.4
National Golf Links of America
Southampton, New YorkWhy it matches: National Golf Links of America is a natural next stop after The Wolverine: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Community Sentiment
See something inaccurate in this listing?