The quest for Michigan's oldest golf course leads directly to the timeless tranquility of Mackinac Island. The answer is the Wawashkamo Golf Club, a historic links track established in 1898. This article will not only tell the story of this incredible course but also explore other historic contenders and offer tips on how you can experience this living piece of golf history for yourself.
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The Oldest Golf Course in Michigan: Wawashkamo
While a few other courses in Michigan lay claim to a similar heritage, Wawashkamo Golf Club stands apart as the state’s oldest continuously-operating course that remains largely untouched since its Bicentennial Farm designation. Stepping onto its first tee is a genuine trip back in time to the very roots of American golf. It’s a place where the game feels more authentic, more connected to the land, and more reliant on thought than on technology.
The club gets its name - “Wawashkamo” - from the Native American term for “a crooked trail,” a fitting description for the winding path golfers take around its rugged, natural landscape. There's a debate about its exact status versus another course of the same age, but Wawashkamo’s claim is fortified by its unaltered layout and public accessibility, making it the accepted and cherished answer for most golf historians.
A History Carved by Shepherds and Scotsmen
The story of Wawashkamo is inseparable from the history of Mackinac Island itself. The course was built on the site of the 1814 Battle of Mackinac Island, a significant conflict during the War of 1812. You can still feel that history under your feet as you play.
The original design was laid out by Scottish architect Thomas O’Bentra, a devotee of the early links style. He was reputedly assisted by avid golfer and St. Andrews, Scotland native Alex Smith, a two-time U.S. Open champion. They didn't move much earth to create the course. Instead, they embraced the land they were given - a bumpy, windswept field that was previously used for sheep grazing. The subtle contours, grass-covered mounds, and natural challenges were already there, O'Bentra just had to find the fairways and greens within them.
This minimalist approach is the heart of what makes Wawashkamo so special. In an era where modern courses are manufactured with dynamite and bulldozers, Wawashkamo is a testament to working with nature, not against it.
What Makes Wawashkamo a True Links Experience?
If you're used to pristine, perfectly manicured parkland courses, playing Wawashkamo for the first time will be a revelation. It is one of the truest links-style courses you can find in the United States, defined by characteristics that test a golfer's imagination and shot-making skills.
Firm and Fast Conditions: The course isn't artificially watered like modern tracks. The fescue grass plays firm, meaning the ball will roll… and roll… and roll. This fosters a different style of golf called a “ground game” rather than an “air game.”
Natural Mounding: Instead of tree-lined fairways, Wawashkamo features unique, grass-covered hills called "chocolate drops" that frame the holes and create unpredictable bounces. A perfectly struck drive might carom off a mound into a tricky spot, while a mishit might get a friendly kick back to the fairway.
Square Greens: A feature you'll almost never see on modern courses, many of Wawashkamo's greens are still square or rectangular. They are small targets and demand precision on your approach shots.
Blind Shots: Several holes feature blind tee shots or approaches where you can't see the landing area or the green. You have to trust your line and commit to your swing. The most famous example is the par-4 3rd hole, featuring a famous hazard known as the “Circus Ring” - a giant, circular moat-like bunker.
Coaching Tips: How to Play and Appreciate Wawashkamo
Playing a historic course like this one requires a shift in mindset. As a coach, this is what I'd tell you before you tee off to help you enjoy the round and score your best. Put your ego and your driver away for a moment and learn to play the way the game was intended.
1. Embrace the Ground Game
This is not a "bomb and gouge" course. The firm fescue fairways are your friend. Forget trying to fly every shot directly to the pin. Instead, think about where you want to land the ball to let it release and run towards your target. The classic "bump-and-run" is a vital shot here. Instead of a high lofted wedge from 30 yards, consider using a 7-iron or 8-iron to bounce the ball onto the green. This reduces spin and gives you much more control on the firm surfaces.
2. Course Management Over Power
Wawashkamo isn't exceptionally long by modern standards, but it's a strategic puzzle. Look at the angles. Notice where the "chocolate drop" mounds are located. Sometimes, the best play isn't to hit it as far as possible, but to place your ball in a specific spot to set up an easier approach. On blind holes, pick a landmark in the distance and trust your line. Resisting the urge to get aggressive will save you countless strokes.
3. Pay Attention to the Details
When you get to Wawashkamo, take a moment to look around. You can rent a set of hickory-shafted clubs to get the full historic experience. Notice the simple wooden tee markers. Feel the wind whip across the open landscape. Playing here is about more than just your score, it's about connecting with the purest form of the game. Take a deep breath and soak it all in. You're walking on land where American history was made and an important chapter in golf's history was written.
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No discussion about Michigan's oldest course is complete without mentioning the Les Cheneaux Club in Cedarville. Founded in the same year, 1898, Les Cheneaux (pronounced "Lay-Shen-O") also features a natural, rustic design that has stood the test of time. Both clubs share a friendly rivalry over the title, and both offer incredible historical golf experiences.
However, there are a few key differences. Les Cheneaux is a fiercely private and exclusive club, making it inaccessible to the general golfing public. Furthermore, while historic, it has undergone some changes over its history that make players and historians give the slight nod to Wawashkamo for its originality.
This inaccessibility to all but a select few means Wawashkamo is typically given the nod as Michigan’s oldest course because it invites all golfers to come and share in its history. Anyone can take the ferry to Mackinac Island (no cars allowed!) and book a tee time to walk the fairways that were first played over 120 years ago.
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If playing Wawashkamo ignites a passion for "classic" courses, Michigan offers a few other gems that are almost as old and retain much of their historic charm.
Wequetonsing Golf Club (Harbor Springs, 1895): While founded slightly earlier than Wawashkamo, "Weque" has been significantly altered from its original nine-hole layout designed by Tom Bendelow. It’s now a beautiful 18-hole private course that retains a classic feel, even if it’s not the original design.
Harbor Point Golf Club (Harbor Springs, 1896): Another private gem in the northern Michigan golf scene, Harbor Point is celebrated for its stunning Lake Michigan views and its classic, rolling design. It offers a sense of old-world golf that is hard to find.
The Belvedere Golf Club (Charlevoix, 1925): Though from a slightly later "Golden Age" of architecture, Belvedere is a masterpiece designed by William Watson and is revered for being host to the Michigan Amateur for over 40 years. Legends like Tom Watson sharpened their game here. It's largely unchanged and open for public play, making it a must-visit for any student of golf architecture.
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The answer to "What is the oldest golf course in Michigan?" is Wawashkamo Golf Club, a publicly accessible, historic masterpiece on Mackinac Island. Playing it is a fantastic opportunity to connect with the game's links roots and test your skills on a course that rewards thought and creativity over brute force.
Navigating historic courses with their quirky layouts and blind shots can be a real mental challenge. When stumped on how to play a vintage hole or facing an unusual lie in the long fescue grass, an AI on-course coach can become your secret weapon. With Caddie AI, you can get immediate, smart strategies for these unique holes, or even snap a picture of your ball and surroundings for advice on how to play the shot. This allows you to spend less time guessing and more time enjoying a piece of a truly timeless golf course.
Spencer has been playing golf since he was a kid and has spent a lifetime chasing improvement. With over a decade of experience building successful tech products, he combined his love for golf and startups to create Caddie AI - the world's best AI golf app. Giving everyone an expert level coach in your pocket, available 24/7. Caddie's mission is simple: make world-class golf advice accessible to everyone, anytime.
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