Boyne Highlands: The Heather
Robert Trent Jones Sr laid out The Heather in 1966 at the base of the ski slopes in northern Michigan, and it remains the flagship of the resort now branded The Highlands at Harbor Springs. A par 72 of about 7,143 yards through birch and pine, it was named National Course of the Year in 2019 and anchors one of the Midwest's great golf resorts.
Photo: The Heather Golf Course via Google.
The verdict
The Heather is the course that built BOYNE Golf. When Everett Kircher brought Robert Trent Jones Sr north to Harbor Springs in the mid 1960s, the architect carved out a long, handsome layout through stands of birch and pine, with the broad tees, water hazards and big, gently crowned greens that became the Jones signature. It opened in 1966, and almost sixty years on it still sets the standard at a resort that has grown to a sprawling collection of championship courses.
What keeps it relevant is its honesty. There are no tricks, just a demanding, beautifully maintained parkland test that rewards a player who can shape the ball and manage their misses. It was named National Course of the Year in 2019, and it makes the ideal centerpiece for a northern Michigan golf trip, paired with the resort's three other layouts and the sister courses a short drive away. Access is straightforward and fees are reasonable for a course of this pedigree.
The Heather at a glance
- Opened
- 1966
- Designer
- Robert Trent Jones Sr
- Type
- Parkland resort
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 7,143 yds
- Green fee
- From around $90
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from The Highlands at Harbor Springs and leading course databases. The Heather was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr and opened in 1966, a par 72 of about 7,143 yards. Indicative 2026 green fees range from around $90 to $176 depending on season, day and tee time; rates change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking. The resort was rebranded from Boyne Highlands to The Highlands at Harbor Springs in late 2021.
The holes worth the trip
The Heather plays through mature northern Michigan forest, the fairways framed by birch and evergreen and the elevation of the ski country giving the routing welcome movement. Robert Trent Jones Sr favored length and demanded precise iron play into large greens, and that template holds across the round, with water coming into play on a number of holes to punish the loose approach.
The par 4s are the backbone, several of them long, tree lined doglegs that ask you to commit to a shape off the tee and then control distance into well bunkered putting surfaces. The par 3s vary nicely in length and demand, and the closing holes bring water and the clubhouse into view for a finish that suits a match coming down to the wire.
It is a fair, classical test rather than a card wrecker, and that is the appeal. The Heather rewards good ball striking and patient course management, gives back its share of birdie chances to the player in form, and presents beautifully through the northern Michigan golf season. It is a course you want to play more than once.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Public resort course; bookable by resort guests and the public, with stay and play packages across the four courses |
| Green fee | From around $90 to $176 depending on season, day and time (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Reserve online or through the resort; midweek and shoulder season offer the best value and availability |
| On the day | Carts available and walking permitted; standard resort dress code of collared shirt and soft spikes |
| Getting there | Harbor Springs in northern Michigan, near Petoskey, about an hour from Traverse City and four hours from Detroit |
| Best months | Late May to early October, with peak conditions and color through the summer and early fall |
Access arrangements and fees verified June 2026 via The Highlands at Harbor Springs; policies and rates change, so always confirm directly before booking with the resort or your trip planner.
Where to stay nearby
The simplest base is the resort itself, with on site lodging at The Highlands at Harbor Springs that puts all four courses and the practice facilities a short walk or shuttle away, and stay and play packages that make a multi round trip easy to cost. It is built for golf groups, with everything from the first tee to dinner inside the gates.
For a wider trip, the towns of Harbor Springs and Petoskey nearby offer characterful lodging, lakeside dining and easy access to the other great courses of northern Michigan. It is one of the most golf rich corners of the Midwest, ideal for a four or five day tour built around The Heather.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Boyne Highlands.
Build a northern Michigan golf trip
We secure tee times across The Heather and the rest of the BOYNE courses, and book the lodging and stay and play around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Boyne Highlands questions
Who designed The Heather at Boyne Highlands and when did it open?
The Heather was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr and opened in 1966. It was the first course at the resort and remains its flagship, named National Course of the Year in 2019.
What is the par and length of The Heather?
The Heather is a par 72 that stretches to about 7,143 yards from the back tees, a classic Robert Trent Jones Sr test of long, tree lined holes, water hazards and large, well bunkered greens.
Has Boyne Highlands been renamed?
Yes. The resort long known as Boyne Highlands was rebranded as The Highlands at Harbor Springs in late 2021. Many golfers still call it Boyne Highlands, and it remains part of BOYNE Golf with four championship courses.
Can the public play The Heather?
Yes. The Heather is a public resort course at The Highlands at Harbor Springs. Tee times are bookable by resort guests and the public, with indicative 2026 green fees ranging from around $90 to $176 depending on season and time. Always confirm directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.