Jay’s Tee Box
The snow has fully retreated as bright hues of green have returned to fairways across Midwest. Spring signals more than just a change in seasons, it marks the long-awaited return of golf in the Midwest. In the Spring Issue of Midwest Golfing Magazine, we celebrate that reawakening with a collection of travel features, destination spotlights, and course profiles designed to inspire your next trip, your next tee time, and maybe even your best season yet.
We start with our cover feature on the ever-popular Shanty Creek Resort, where multiple courses and northern Michigan charm create the perfect golf getaway. We then venture off the beaten path with a sweeping golf travel feature exploring the wide-open beauty and underrated layouts of North Dakota. Often overlooked in national golf conversations, this prairie-state gem offers dramatic landscapes, welcoming communities, and courses that blend natural terrain with thoughtful design. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most memorable golf experiences are found where you least expect them.
From there, we head south to the Live Entertainment Capital of the World, Branson, Missouri, where championship golf meets music, scenic hills, and family-friendly attractions. Not far away, the rolling shoreline layouts of Lake of the Ozarks showcase why Missouri continues to grow as a premier Midwest golf destination. Heading further north, our feature on Greater Lansing highlights a vibrant college-town atmosphere paired with a surprisingly diverse collection of courses that deserve a spot on any traveling golfer’s itinerary.
We also shine a spotlight on standout individual layouts that define their regions. Minnesota’s beauty takes center stage with profiles on Dacotah Ridge Golf Club and Giants Ridge, two distinctly different experiences that showcase the state’s ability to deliver both strategic challenge and breathtaking scenery.
Meanwhile, along Lake Michigan, we visit the acclaimed Harbor Shores Golf Club, a course known for championship pedigree, lakeshore drama, and the brand-new Wee Course designed by Colin Montgomerie.
An issue of MGM wouldn’t be complete without Chip Shots, Ask Annex, our Pro Page by Michael Crowley of Morningstar Golfer’s Club, and our Spring Fling Product Guide.
This issue is ultimately about possibility – the possibility of road trips, new favorite courses, and unforgettable rounds shared with friends. Whether you’re planning a multi-state golf adventure or simply looking for inspiration close to home, consider these pages your tee marker for the season ahead.
Make Some Birdies,
Jay Royle, Publisher
