The Gaylord Golf Mecca: A Collaboration of Courses
As golf season approaches, you may be wondering who the Gaylord Golf Mecca is and what we do. Maybe you put your name in a basket to enter our annual Ultimate Golf Giveaway. Maybe you have heard about our fantastic collection of courses and wanted more information. Or maybe you have already played here and are forever hooked on everything the Mecca has to offer. Either way, we would love to explain what makes the Mecca so unique.
It all started in 1987 when a group of passionate golfers put their heads together to spread the word about the abundantly beautiful courses in the Gaylord area. They knew these courses stood out from the rest with dramatic elevation changes, gorgeous summer weather and top-of-the-line facilities. What began as a simple idea to promote golf in the area has grown into something much bigger.
Today, the Gaylord Golf Mecca represents 16 courses in Gaylord and the surrounding area. Together, we work to showcase the one-of-a-kind golf experiences in our corner of northern Michigan. Some of these courses were designed by notable architects such as Rick Smith, Robert Trent Jones and Rees Jones, just to name a few. They have also welcomed some of the biggest names in golf, including Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino and Fred Couples. In fact, Lee Trevino famously made his million-dollar hole-in-one on the legendary Threetops par 3 course during the ESPN Par 3 Shootout.
While golf legends have enjoyed these courses, the Mecca isn’t just for the pros. Our courses are meant for anyone who loves the game. No matter your style, your handicap or your level of experience, a Mecca course is ready to welcome you with incredible views, lush green fairways and conditions that make every round memorable.
The climate offers yet another reason to visit the Mecca. Gaylord sits on the 45th parallel, halfway between the equator and the North Pole. During the summer, temperatures are comfortable, and daylight lasts well into the evening, sometimes close to 10:00 p.m. That gives golfers even more time to stay out on the course and enjoy the long northern Michigan summer nights. With 21 lodging options and plenty of golf packages to choose from, visitors can easily turn a great day of golf into a full golf getaway.
The city of Gaylord itself adds even more to the experience. In the summer season, downtown comes to life with outdoor concerts, unique restaurants and a vibe that will have you wanting to stay forever. If fishing is more your style, the area is home to more than 90 inland lakes and the headwaters of five rivers that offer plenty of places to cast a line. Gaylord also has something few other towns can claim. Right within the city limits lives an entire elk herd that can be seen at dedicated viewing areas, making elk viewing one of Gaylord’s most unique and memorable attractions.
The Gaylord Golf Mecca is often called America’s Summer Golf Mecca, but the Gaylord area itself is just as worthy of visiting and exploring. Tucked in the heart of Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula and located right off I-75, getting here is easy and well worth the trip.
Hope to see you on the greens soon!
