Harbor Shores
About
Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
---|---|---|---|---|
Black | 71 | 6852 yards | 74.7 | 143 |
Grey | 71 | 6246 yards | 70.8 | 137 |
White | 71 | 5740 yards | 69.1 | 133 |
Blue | 71 | 4917 yards | 69.4 | 123 |
Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Black M: 73.6/146 | 420 | 169 | 318 | 201 | 566 | 420 | 430 | 381 | 560 | 3465 | 530 | 137 | 409 | 192 | 438 | 537 | 418 | 190 | 418 | 3269 | 6734 |
Black/Gold M: 72.2/142 | 420 | 141 | 318 | 158 | 530 | 420 | 396 | 381 | 560 | 3324 | 530 | 137 | 378 | 167 | 408 | 537 | 380 | 190 | 418 | 3145 | 6469 |
Gold M: 70.9/139 | 385 | 141 | 305 | 158 | 530 | 389 | 396 | 364 | 530 | 3198 | 475 | 122 | 378 | 167 | 408 | 487 | 380 | 154 | 390 | 2961 | 6159 |
Gold/White M: 69.6/135 | 369 | 117 | 305 | 158 | 530 | 364 | 295 | 364 | 522 | 3024 | 475 | 122 | 364 | 167 | 394 | 487 | 352 | 137 | 390 | 2888 | 5912 |
White M: 67.9/131 W: 74.2/143 | 369 | 117 | 288 | 132 | 512 | 364 | 295 | 337 | 522 | 2936 | 423 | 109 | 364 | 154 | 394 | 446 | 352 | 137 | 331 | 2710 | 5646 |
Blue M: 65.0/117 W: 69.3/127 | 307 | 93 | 251 | 109 | 444 | 296 | 276 | 272 | 460 | 2508 | 389 | 89 | 315 | 126 | 349 | 392 | 290 | 108 | 276 | 2334 | 4842 |
Handicap | 11 | 17 | 15 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 18 | 10 | 16 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 14 | 6 | |||
Par | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 36 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 35 | 71 |
Handicap (W) | 13 | 17 | 9 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 11 | 5 | 8 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 18 | 10 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
RestaurantAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse, Banquet FacilitiesAccolades
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by Allen1106219 on 07/11/2023
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Photo submitted by u169679865 on 10/20/2022
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Photo submitted by SmBroncoSpartan1 on 05/17/2022
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Photo submitted by SmBroncoSpartan1 on 05/10/2022
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Photo submitted by u314162327528 on 11/09/2021
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Photo submitted by u314162327528 on 11/09/2021
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Photo submitted by u314162327528 on 11/09/2021
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#3 - Par-4 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 08/02/2020
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#7 - Par-4 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 08/02/2020
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#5 - Par-5 (Approach) Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 08/02/2020
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#10 - Par-5 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 08/02/2020
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#11 - Par-3 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 08/02/2020
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#18 - Par-4 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 08/02/2020
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Photo submitted by RLWilson811 on 07/15/2020
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#7 Tee Photo submitted by DrOldSchool on 04/25/2019
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#8 Tee Photo submitted by DrOldSchool on 04/25/2019
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Photo submitted by DrOldSchool on 04/25/2019
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#7 Signature Hole Photo submitted by mriemer01 on 07/04/2017
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Photo submitted by jefballard on 09/18/2014
Play Where the Champions Play
Most golfers in the Midwest know about Harbor Shores and these days it may not be much of a stretch to say that a good percentage of visitors to the Benton Harbor area are there because of Harbor Shores.
For those unfamiliar with the property, Harbor Shores is a 530-acre mixed-use development with residential homes, hotels, a lakefront park, and a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course. The course was built in 2010 when Benton Harbor, Michigan was a less-than-desirable place to live. Downtown buildings were being abandoned and the area had become a dumping ground for garbage, oil sludge, and just about anything else you could think of. To make matters worse, the soil had become contaminated. To get the Harbor Shores site ready to build a golf course, over 100,000 cubic feet of solid waste, contaminated soil, and trash were removed. That’s over 60 dump truck loads of trash!
Harbor Shores is the only Jack Nicklaus Signature Course on Lake Michigan and the first beach, golf, and residential community in Southwest Michigan. It offers golfers the opportunity to play a championship golf course in championship condition. In essence, you can play where the pros play, under the same course conditions that the pros play in. When it opened in 2010, Golf Magazine ranked Harbor Shores No. 3 on their “Best New Courses You Can Play” list. A couple of months ago, Harbor Shores earned a spot on Golf Digest’s prestigious list of “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses,” coming in at No. 90 on the list. The club also moved up six spots to No. 19 on Michigan’s Best in State list.
If you’re out to have a good time and be challenged, pick the set of tees that best suit your game. That’s important because if you try to bite off more than you can chew, this course can eat your lunch. Harbor Shores is a fantastic golf course that plays 6,734 yards from the Black Tees. It has a course rating of 73.6 and a slope of 146. Move up to the Gold Tees (6,159/70.2/139) and you’ll still be challenged yet able to leave with a certain amount of dignity.
Harbor Shores’ scorecard categorizes the holes into 4 groups: Inland, Dunes, Woodland, and River. The Dunes holes offer fantastic views of Lake Michigan and the dunes that surround it, while the Woodland holes wind through rolling hills, ravines, and a hardwood forest. When I think back upon my round at Harbor Shores, three holes stand out in my mind, Numbers 6, 7, and 10. Every hole out here is memorable in its own right, but these three rise above the rest.
The 6th hole is Harbor Shores' #1 handicapped hole. It’s a challenging par 4 that plays 389 yards from the Gold Tees with a semi-blind tee shot to a fairway that ends about 230 yards; hit it any further and you’re in trouble. This takes a driver out of many golfers’ hands. There are also three fairway bunkers in the landing area that must be avoided. A good drive will leave an approach shot between 140 and 150 yards, slightly downhill, over water into an angular green protected by both water and sand. Should you not feel up to the challenge, there’s a large bailout area to the left.
The No. 1 handicapped hole is followed by the No. 3 handicapped hole. Six and Seven may well be the most challenging back-to-back holes in the state. Hole #7 is also the course’s signature hole and to me, much more challenging than its predecessor. It’s a dogleg right that plays 396 yards from the Gold Tees and requires a long drive from an island tee box, over wetlands, with a lake on the right, and bunkers. From there, your approach shot plays uphill with about a 25’ elevation change (two or three extra clubs). Should you come up short, you may easily find the deep bunker halfway up the hill which then requires you to be part mountain goat to hit an effective sand shot! Hit it over the green and you could very well find the beach – literally! Once you finally reach the green at the top of the dunes, you’ll be treated to incredible views of Jean Klock Park and Lake Michigan.
The 10th hole was made famous by the Golden Bear himself and the green is recognized as one of his most famous. It’s a 475-yard par 5 with woods on the right, so favoring the left side off the tee helps to avoid all kinds of hazards. A layup shot played down the left side will leave the best angle into the notorious 4-tiered green. The green measures over 10,000 sq. ft. and being on the correct tier is everything if you want to avoid a potential 3-putt – or worse. The 10th green is best remembered for its grand opening round when Jack Nicklaus showed Johnny Miller how to make a 102-foot putt from the bottom level to the upper level. If you haven’t seen it, check it out on YouTube!
Harbor Shores offers some exceptional practice facilities including a full-length driving range, 2 short game areas, and a lighted putting green. The Learning Center uses Trackman technology for game improvement and club fitting,
If you’re hungry after your round, you don’t have to leave the clubhouse to get a great meal. The Grille has a very diverse menu for a golf course. Not only do they take the staples such as wings, burgers, and fries to a new level, but they also serve non-traditional plates like homemade hummus, loaded baked potato fritters, Michigan berry salad, and grilled shrimp tacos. The Big Dog Pork Tenderloin sandwich is almost big enough to be shared!
For those interested in an overnight stay, the Inn at Harbor Shores is a great place to bed down for the night, even if you’re not playing golf the next day. The Inn features 92 luxury guest rooms, a full-service spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, and a selection of dining options. They offer king, queen, and family accommodations with a view of either the golf course or one of Michigan’s oldest deep-water harbors. All rooms are equipped with safes, coffeemakers, refrigerators, and balconies where you can enjoy the cool evening breezes.
Planks Tavern on the Water is the premier waterfront dining spot in St. Joseph with great food for both big and small appetites. They serve brunch from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., and dinner from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. 7 days a week. For brunch, they offer several different “benedicts” including the Hillbilly Benny - sausage gravy with bacon crumbles and American cheese on a biscuit and the Still Crabby Benny – tomato, avocado, lump crab, and zesty hollandaise sauce on an English muffin. For dinner, try the Norwegian Sea Trout - seared in a maple chipotle sauce and served with Brussels sprouts, pancetta, cherries, and almonds.
Harbor Shores Resort can be easily reached from three major markets; Chicago is about 90 minutes away while Detroit and Indianapolis are within three hours. The Resort has become a popular weekend getaway destination for couples, buddy golf trips, weddings, team-building events, and just about any other reason you can think of that might involve a golf course. The restaurant is a popular waterside spot for boaters from all over the area.
If you’re a serious golfer in any of these three markets, test your skills at Harbor Shores. You’ll use every club in the bag…at least once!
Play Where the Champions Play
Most golfers in the Midwest know about Harbor Shores and these days it may not be much of a stretch to say that a good percentage of visitors to the Benton Harbor area are there because of Harbor Shores.
For those unfamiliar with the property, Harbor Shores is a 530-acre mixed-use development with residential homes, hotels, a lakefront park, and a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course. The course was built in 2010 when Benton Harbor, Michigan was a less-than-desirable place to live. Downtown buildings were being abandoned and the area had become a dumping ground for garbage, oil sludge, and just about anything else you could think of. To make matters worse, the soil had become contaminated. To get the Harbor Shores site ready to build a golf course, over 100,000 cubic feet of solid waste, contaminated soil, and trash were removed. That’s over 60 dump truck loads of trash!
Harbor Shores is the only Jack Nicklaus Signature Course on Lake Michigan and the first beach, golf, and residential community in Southwest Michigan. It offers golfers the opportunity to play a championship golf course in championship condition. In essence, you can play where the pros play, under the same course conditions that the pros play in. When it opened in 2010, Golf Magazine ranked Harbor Shores No. 3 on their “Best New Courses You Can Play” list. A couple of months ago, Harbor Shores earned a spot on Golf Digest’s prestigious list of “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses,” coming in at No. 90 on the list. The club also moved up six spots to No. 19 on Michigan’s Best in State list.
If you’re out to have a good time and be challenged, pick the set of tees that best suit your game. That’s important because if you try to bite off more than you can chew, this course can eat your lunch. Harbor Shores is a fantastic golf course that plays 6,734 yards from the Black Tees. It has a course rating of 73.6 and a slope of 146. Move up to the Gold Tees (6,159/70.2/139) and you’ll still be challenged yet able to leave with a certain amount of dignity.
Harbor Shores’ scorecard categorizes the holes into 4 groups: Inland, Dunes, Woodland, and River. The Dunes holes offer fantastic views of Lake Michigan and the dunes that surround it, while the Woodland holes wind through rolling hills, ravines, and a hardwood forest. When I think back upon my round at Harbor Shores, three holes stand out in my mind, Numbers 6, 7, and 10. Every hole out here is memorable in its own right, but these three rise above the rest.
The 6th hole is Harbor Shores' #1 handicapped hole. It’s a challenging par 4 that plays 389 yards from the Gold Tees with a semi-blind tee shot to a fairway that ends about 230 yards; hit it any further and you’re in trouble. This takes a driver out of many golfers’ hands. There are also three fairway bunkers in the landing area that must be avoided. A good drive will leave an approach shot between 140 and 150 yards, slightly downhill, over water into an angular green protected by both water and sand. Should you not feel up to the challenge, there’s a large bailout area to the left.
The No. 1 handicapped hole is followed by the No. 3 handicapped hole. Six and Seven may well be the most challenging back-to-back holes in the state. Hole #7 is also the course’s signature hole and to me, much more challenging than its predecessor. It’s a dogleg right that plays 396 yards from the Gold Tees and requires a long drive from an island tee box, over wetlands, with a lake on the right, and bunkers. From there, your approach shot plays uphill with about a 25’ elevation change (two or three extra clubs). Should you come up short, you may easily find the deep bunker halfway up the hill which then requires you to be part mountain goat to hit an effective sand shot! Hit it over the green and you could very well find the beach – literally! Once you finally reach the green at the top of the dunes, you’ll be treated to incredible views of Jean Klock Park and Lake Michigan.
The 10th hole was made famous by the Golden Bear himself and the green is recognized as one of his most famous. It’s a 475-yard par 5 with woods on the right, so favoring the left side off the tee helps to avoid all kinds of hazards. A layup shot played down the left side will leave the best angle into the notorious 4-tiered green. The green measures over 10,000 sq. ft. and being on the correct tier is everything if you want to avoid a potential 3-putt – or worse. The 10th green is best remembered for its grand opening round when Jack Nicklaus showed Johnny Miller how to make a 102-foot putt from the bottom level to the upper level. If you haven’t seen it, check it out on YouTube!
Harbor Shores offers some exceptional practice facilities including a full-length driving range, 2 short game areas, and a lighted putting green. The Learning Center uses Trackman technology for game improvement and club fitting,
If you’re hungry after your round, you don’t have to leave the clubhouse to get a great meal. The Grille has a very diverse menu for a golf course. Not only do they take the staples such as wings, burgers, and fries to a new level, but they also serve non-traditional plates like homemade hummus, loaded baked potato fritters, Michigan berry salad, and grilled shrimp tacos. The Big Dog Pork Tenderloin sandwich is almost big enough to be shared!
For those interested in an overnight stay, the Inn at Harbor Shores is a great place to bed down for the night, even if you’re not playing golf the next day. The Inn features 92 luxury guest rooms, a full-service spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, and a selection of dining options. They offer king, queen, and family accommodations with a view of either the golf course or one of Michigan’s oldest deep-water harbors. All rooms are equipped with safes, coffeemakers, refrigerators, and balconies where you can enjoy the cool evening breezes.
Planks Tavern on the Water is the premier waterfront dining spot in St. Joseph with great food for both big and small appetites. They serve brunch from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., and dinner from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. 7 days a week. For brunch, they offer several different “benedicts” including the Hillbilly Benny - sausage gravy with bacon crumbles and American cheese on a biscuit and the Still Crabby Benny – tomato, avocado, lump crab, and zesty hollandaise sauce on an English muffin. For dinner, try the Norwegian Sea Trout - seared in a maple chipotle sauce and served with Brussels sprouts, pancetta, cherries, and almonds.
Harbor Shores Resort can be easily reached from three major markets; Chicago is about 90 minutes away while Detroit and Indianapolis are within three hours. The Resort has become a popular weekend getaway destination for couples, buddy golf trips, weddings, team-building events, and just about any other reason you can think of that might involve a golf course. The restaurant is a popular waterside spot for boaters from all over the area.
If you’re a serious golfer in any of these three markets, test your skills at Harbor Shores. You’ll use every club in the bag…at least once!
Getting In
It was sort of good not really to cold it was bearable course was in pretty good shape for this time of the year. greens were fast and very difficult if weren't same level as the flag. Love play there always in great shape no matter what time of the year you play their.
Disappointed
Course was a bit muddy I'm area's, numerous pitch marks on all greens. Could have done a better job clearing leaves. This is supposed to be a $199 golf course, it looked like a $70 golf course. It didn't look like this for the senior open. It should look like this for daily customers.
This course is a must play for the serious golfer
The history behind this course and what its become are phenomenal. Every hole presents its challenges and are all unique but plays fair. It's not the course that beats you up. If you don't hit the ball in your intended position, your bound to pay strokes. I've played a lot of Michigan golf and this one matches any of the best. Jack Nicklaus design has put all lot of thought and strategy into making this a PGA quality course what it is, Being a signature course will ensure that its quality will always there.
Beautiful curse with some outstanding holes. Golf staff from the bag drop to the end of the round were friendly & very polite.
Look forward to returning.
Best course in the area!
Course is site of Kitchen aid Senior PGA tourney every other year so is highly rated by senior pros. Well deserving as it is an excellent course to play, probably too difficult for average golfer over 10 handicap. Regular greens fees too pricey for local, daily golfers but ok for vacation golfers or special treat rounds for out-of-towners.b
An enjoyable challenge!
A tough but great course, I have played now 3 times. Fairways are a pleasure to play from, greens are fast and undulating, bunkers are deep and challenging (especially when not completely dry). Service is exemplary. Spectacular views are a bonus!
Great Day.!
Harbor Shores never disappoints.! Look forward to my next visit...which will be soon.!
Outstanding!!
If you are ever in the St.joseph area of Michigan put this course on your must do list. Top shelf from the time you arrive till you drive away.Interesting that mid may fairways still had aeration holes that really never caused an issue since they were starting to heal.Greens rolled fast and true.Dont think there is a flat green on this course..so try and note that on the warm up putting green.Beautul course..nice manicured bunkers made for an enjoyable 4 hours for me and my wife.If you can get on for under 80.00 here..do it..you will not regret it.This is a well thought out design that is a pleasure to play.First time playing but hope to make another 3 hour drive sooner than later.This to test my skills now that I have some familiarity with a few holes that sight lines were a little unclear.