Evan Schiller
Evan Schiller
Brian Walters
Courtesy of the club
Courtesy of the club
Boyne Highlands: Heather
Boyne Highlands: Heather
600 Highland Dr.
Harbor Springs, MI 49740-9556
United States
Telephone
Overview
The Highlands, located in Harbor Springs, offers four 18-hole layouts, including the Heather course, which is a former member of our 100 Greatest and 100 Greatest Public lists. The Robert Trent Jones Sr. design sits at the base of the resort’s ski slopes and offers a stern ball-striking test, with tree-lined doglegs and water hazards demanding accuracy.
About
Awards
ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked for 18 years from 1971-'88.
Highest ranking: 90th, 1985-'86.
100 Greatest Public: Ranked 73rd, 2013-'14. Ranked 92nd, 2019-'20.
Best in State: Ranked inside the top 5, 1977-'89. Ranked inside the top 10, 1991. Ranked inside the top 15, 1995, 2001. Ranked 16th, 2015-'16. Ranked 17th, 2013-'14. Ranked 20th, 2019-'20. Ranked inside the top 20, 2003. Ranked 23rd, 2017-'18. Ranked 25th, 2025-'26. Ranked inside the top 25, 1997-'99. Ranked 28th, 2021-'22. Ranked 29th, 2023-'24.
Previous ranking: 29th.
2025-'26 ranking: 25th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Classic Robert Trent Jones course through the forest and at the base of a ski slope. Lots of dog legs and heavily bunkered green complexes."
Read More2026
Review
“The course that created the golf boom in Northern Michigan back in the late 60’s, by Robert Trent Jones The Heather was well balanced, superbly routed and a tough but fair test. The course had rolling fairways, but not as much as the Hills course on the same property. Tree lined fairways on most of the holes, but nothing overly tight. Some greens were elevated and some had water guarding requiring an all-carry approach – unfortunately, these was redundant on three of the four par 3’s – the one that didn’t was the best one the 16th that was slightly uphill that had a huge bunker guarding the front right side of the green. The two par 5’s on the front had water features that provided excellent shot options. 18 was a super stern test as a pond required a potential layup off the tee (depending on your length and the tees you choose and then it was an all carry approach to the green – blow it right and you were in the parking lot – hit it left and a little short and you had a small strip of fairway or miss it way left and you were way below the green by the 10th tee box. Hard hard finish! An optimal drive would leave you with about a 175 to 185 yard shot. Despite 2 ½ inches of rain the day before the course was in excellent shape and other than a few spots you didn't really notice anything."
Read More2025
Review
“7,141 from the tips is plenty of course for most golfers, but there are 6 sets of tees the shortest plays 4845. The fairways area very ample and firm, you get a good amount of roll. If you can keep it in the fairways, you can score well. Get in the rough and it is fairly penal. Not so tall that you have trouble finding your ball, but thick! Advancing it very far is difficult. The greens are large and hold shots well. Also firm and true and in great shape. A nice variety of left and right doglegs and long and short par 3's. Surprisingly there isn't as much elevation change or sidehill lies as you would expect from a course attached to a ski area, or at least others I have experienced. The course would be a good inclusion on a golf trip as it's a fun, challenging enough but won't beat anyone up as long as they play from the correct tees."
Read More2024
Review
“Boyne is a mega golf resort. Heather is the best of the lot."
Read More2022
Review
“Good course in Northern Michigan, good mix of holes usually in good shape."
Read More2022
Review
“Classic Northern Michigan course with gorgeous dog leg holes cut through the evergreens of Northern Michigan. A true test requiring every shot in the bag."
Read More2022
Review
“The Heather is the best course at Boyne HIghlands Resort. It is challenging and fun to play, especially the par 5 # 6. Can get a good rate in the spring and fall."
Read More2018
Review
“Good example of how courses were laid out and built before modern equipment. If you like classic architecture, you will like this course."
Read More2018
Review
“Nice course in a pretty part of the state. Lots of trees and very scenic."
Read More2018
Review
“The Heather was one of the first really good courses I ever played. At the time it was in GOLF DIGEST's Top 100. RTJ built this course in and around some really good northern Michigan terrain. The resort is also boasts a ski hill and three other courses. It is good place to spend a few days."
Read More2018
