Hit the Links & Enjoy Some Drinks This Fall in Cadillac Michigan

Golfing is a popular recreational activity in Cadillac Michigan. The landscape is ideal for golf courses, making them easily accessible while sharing the area’s special beauty.

While most people can’t wait to hit the golf courses in the spring and summer, fall is one of the best times to go. The colorful leaves make you feel like you’re playing in a movie destination. Plus, fall is your last chance to enjoy the courses before winter arrives.

So, why not make a trip out of playing the many golf courses in Cadillac Michigan? After each day of golfing, you can head to the downtown Cadillac Social District or another restaurant for great food, beer, cocktails, and wine.

To help you start planning your fall golf getaway in Cadillac, here’s a list of golf courses (and disc golf courses) in Greater Cadillac and all the best places to enjoy brews and wine!

Thanks to Cadillac Area CVB for being 2022 #MIAwesomeList Fall Bucket List partners!

Golf Courses in the Greater Cadillac Area

Within 20 minutes of downtown Cadillac Michigan, you’ll find eight golf courses, each of which offers a unique experience. Check out the following details about each to find one (or several) that you want to visit this fall.

Cadillac Country Club

With the oldest golf course in the Cadillac Michigan area, the Cadillac Country Club opened its course in 1914. This semi-private club allows unlimited golfing for guests who don’t live in the Cadillac area.

Over the years, the course has been reconfigured and expanded. Now, it has 18 holes with a Par 70 layout and is best known for its corridor fairways, small bunkered greens, and historic trees — which are multicolored in the fall. Also, the property is relatively flat.

On top of that, the Cadillac Country Club hosts a few events during the fall, including Glow Ball, the Missaukee Cup, and a holiday sale.

Evergreen Resort

Featuring two, award-winning golf courses, Evergreen Resort offers customizable golf packages that include golfing at other Northern Michigan courses. Along with staying at the resort, different package add-ons are available — such as dinners, beer tastings, and boat rentals.

As for the courses, the 9-hole Norway Course is ideal if you’re a beginner or want a quick game. The Par 36 course features three sets of tees and is located in a peaceful setting at Evergreen Resort.

The 18-hole Spruce Course is one of the most challenging in Michigan and has a Par 71 layout with three sets of tees. It’s located on a hill that overlooks Lake Cadillac, and it takes you through scenic pine forests and across rolling fairways.

The Eldorado Golf Course

Offering some of the best service and golfing conditions in Northern Michigan, The Eldorado Golf Course is considered by Great Lakes Golf Magazine to be the best value in the Midwest. The 18 challenging, meticulously maintained holes have five sets of tees and panoramic views of the beautiful area.

In addition to the golf course, The Eldorado has a full-grass practice range, so that you can practice on the same turf on which you’ll play. The resort offers lodging as well as some of the best Stay & Play packages in the state.

Lakewood on the Green

Since opening in 1980, Lakewood on the Green has expanded its 9-hole golf course to 18 holes with a Par 70 layout. The course features shoreline along a 15-acre lake, strategic bunkers, and gently rolling fairways. 

Additionally, the property offers nature trails and opportunities for biking, boating, fishing, hunting, sailing, and swimming. If you need help planning your trip, the Lakewood staff can help with preferred lodging and more.

Caberfae Peaks

While Caberfae Peaks is popular for skiing in the winter, the resort is open for golfing during the other seasons of the year. Its 9-hole, well-maintained golf course has four sets of tees and a Par 36 layout that crosses 10 bridges and follows a winding nature trail through giant 75-foot trees.

This resort has Unlimited Stay & Play packages that include golf cart fees. The number of unlimited golf days that you get depend on how many nights that you stay.

Antioch Hills Golf Club

Embracing the natural beauty of Mesick Michigan, the Antioch Hills Golf Club is located about a 20-minute drive northwest of downtown Cadillac via M-115. Although it’s a club, the 18-hole course is open to the public every day from mid-April to mid-October.

Originally named The Briar at Mesick, the Antioch Hills golf course was designed in 1989 by Orin Bishop. It has a Par 71 layout, and from the back tee, it has a 69.4 rating from the U.S. Golf Association and a slope rate of 116.

Emerald Vale Golf Club

A convenient, 20-minute drive north of downtown Cadillac via US-131, the Emerald Vale Golf Club is located in Manton Michigan. The 18-hole golf course has a Par 72 layout with a challenging, yet creative, design by Bruce Matthews III.

The course has more than 120 feet of elevation change, offering panoramic views of the area’s natural beauty for novice and accomplished golfers. The club has a pro shop, practice green and range, and a full-service restaurant and bar too.

Missaukee Golf Club

Open to the public, the Missaukee Golf Club was established in 1970 in Lake City about a 15-minute drive east of downtown Cadillac via M-55.

Continuously updated over the years to accommodate golfers of all skill levels, the open, 18-hole course has three sets of tees on a Par 71 layout. It rests on gently rolling terrain with five ponds, a small creek, and a mix of hardwoods that give you a strong sense of Northern Michigan as you play.

In addition, the Missaukee Golf Club has a pro shop and snack bar with an appetizer and sandwich menu. During September, the club hosts a few events — the McBain Football Golf Outing, the “OH YA” Open, and the Cadillac American Legion.

Cadillac Area Disc Golf Courses

Perhaps you’d rather throw a disc instead of swinging a club. If so, you’re in luck because Greater Cadillac has four disc golf courses. Here’s a quick look at each of them:

• Diggins Hill Disc Golf Course — Located at Diggins Hill Park, this 18-hole course is mostly hilly, has a mix of openness and trees, and has concrete tees.
• Kenwood Heritage Park Disc Golf Course — Located at Kenwood Heritage Park, this 24-hole course is mostly flat, is woodsy, and has concrete tees.
• Wild Haven Disc Golf Resort — Located in Manton Michigan, this resort has two courses — a 9-hole course with three sets of tees and another 9-hole course with six sets of tees.
• Maple Grove Disc Golf Course — Located in Lake City Michigan at Maple Grove Park, this 18-hole course is within walking distance of downtown.

Restaurants at Cadillac Michigan Golf Clubs & Resorts

Whether you want a lunch break or are ready for dinner after a day of golfing fun, you won’t have to go far. A few of the golf courses have restaurants on their properties.

Curly’s Bar & Grill

At Evergreen Resort, Curly’s Bar & Grill has a home-cooked-meal atmosphere. The general menu includes burgers, sandwiches, baskets, pizza, local beer, and wine. On special nights, you can get fried fish or all-you-can-eat ribs. During your meal, you can watch a sports game or sing karaoke.

Cadillac Grill

Sitting on top of The Eldorado Golf Course, Cadillac Grill has been open since 1996, offering the characteristic Northern Michigan environment. You won’t forget the panoramic views of the golf course while you eat.

The restaurant features multi-level dining areas, a 16-foot-wide screen and projection system, and multi-zoned lighting and sound. Plus, you’re sure to find something delicious on the full menu — various cuts of beef, chicken, and pork, as well as pasta and seafood.

R Dub’s Pub

At Caberfae Peaks, R Dub’s Pub is on the upper floor of Blackmer Lodge. It’s a wonderful place to grab a bite and a drink while you’re golfing (or afterward). The menu includes burgers, sandwiches, and seven beers on tap — some of which are local microbrews.

Beatie’s Bar & Grill

Also at Caberfae Peaks, Beatie’s Bar & Grill is next to the lobby in the MacKenzie Lodge at the bottom of the ski hill. It has a 30-foot bar with three, 60-inch flat-screen TVs and an array of craft beers on tap and in bottles. Lunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays, while dinner is served every day.

Greater Cadillac Bars & Pubs

If you like the brewery or pub atmosphere, there are a handful of awesome spots to grab a stool or table in the Cadillac area. Check them out for an evening of delicious drinks after your golf game.

Roaring 20s Saloon

The Roaring 20s Saloon is a family-owned bar and grill in downtown Cadillac that has friendly service and fun entertainment every night. You can expect great food and classic drinks. Plus, there’s darts, billiards, dancing, open mic nights, and more. It has the biggest dance floor in downtown!

Cadillac Party Lounge

Cadillac Party Lounge is a family-owned sports lounge that has been serving the Cadillac Michigan area since 1961. The most distinct feature at this bar is the more than 100 pieces of signed sports memorabilia on display, which are from the owner’s personal collection.

Self-proclaimed as “The Fun Spot Of The North,” it serves a large selection of craft beers and major brands for more than 20 options. The food menu includes coney dogs, burgers, steaks, fried fish, and more.

The Pines Sports Bar & Bowling Center

Adding more entertainment and game time to your fall golf getaway in Cadillac Michigan, The Pines Sports Bar & Bowling Center is a sports bar with a 12-lane bowling center and an arcade. The restaurant menu features homemade pizza, burgers, subs, beer, and more.

The renovated sports bar has more than 40 flat-screen TVs, including large projection screens. The bowling lanes are open every day too, with glow bowling offered on Friday and Saturday nights.

Up North Bar & Restaurant

At Coyote Crossing Resort, the Up North Bar & Restaurant has indoor dining and outdoor corral dining options. The food menu includes burgers, sandwiches, fried fish, pizza, and classic entrees of chicken, fish, and steak. Nightly specials throughout the week feature Mexican night, barbecue, and more.

As for drinks, the bar has several domestic and craft brews on tap. And, there are more than a dozen bottled and canned beer options. The restaurant arranges live music for your entertainment as well.

Lake City Taphouse

If you decide to golf at Missaukee Golf Club, you can get a bite to eat at the Lake City Taphouse nearby, just a 10-minute drive north of the course. This spot has fantastic pub food — burgers, sandwiches, and entrees.

The bar serves 25 rotating beers on tap, including brown ales, lagers, IPAs, stouts, seasonal brews, ciders, and more. You can even order craft spirits, specialty drinks, and cocktails. And, the laid-back atmosphere is enhanced by live entertainment.

Beer & Wine in the Social District of Downtown Cadillac

Within the Cadillac Social District, you can buy beer, cocktails, and wine from several restaurants and bars and walk around the area while perusing local businesses and enjoying the downtown environment. Below are all the currently participating locations where you can eat and drink.

Clam Lake Beer Company

Clam Lake Beer Company is a microbrewery with a brewpub and restaurant in one of downtown Cadillac’s historic buildings on Mitchell Street. The building has an industrial, rustic aesthetic that highlights the city’s history, and the brewery’s name comes from the area’s original name — Clam Lake.

The Beer Company has 40 brews on tap and serves cocktails, spirits, and wine. The kitchen here specializes in high-quality food with a menu that includes Angus burgers, sandwiches, brick-fired artisan pizzas, quesadillas, and more.

Raven Social

Offering a creative, farm-to-table experience in the heart of Cadillac Michigan, Raven Social infuses European dishes with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and serves them in a relaxing atmosphere. Some house specialties include Champagne chicken, wagyu sirloin, and jagerschnitzel.

There’s a good selection of wine, and you can request pairing recommendations to elevate the experience. But, you can order from 16 craft beers on tap and about a dozen specialty cocktails too. And, don’t forget about ordering a housemade dessert, which changes daily.

Primos BBQ at Willow Market & Meats

At Cadillac’s most unique market — Willow Market & Meats — Primos BBQ serves authentic, Texas-style barbecue. Its specialties are low and slow smoked brisket, pulled chicken, pulled pork, ribs, and more.

The premium meat is smoked fresh daily and available from 11 a.m. until it runs out. You can get various sides with your barbecue — such as baked beans, mac and cheese, and more. Additionally, there are 12 rotating beers on tap.

Before you leave, you can peruse the market’s extensive beer and wine selection.

A Fall Festival in the Social District

At City Park within the Social District, you have the opportunity to try a variety of Michigan-made beer, cider, mead, and spirits during Cadillac’s Craft Beer Festival in September. This event was established in 2010 and is always held on the fourth Saturday of September.

Alongside drinks, the small-town tailgating festival features food and retail vendors, live music, and yard games. The gates open at 3 p.m. (2 p.m. for VIP, early entry tickets), and last call isn’t until 9 p.m. You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the festivities after a fall day of hitting the links.

Other Restaurants in Cadillac With Beer & Wine

Aside from the obvious places that serve beer and wine, there are a few fantastic restaurants in Cadillac Michigan that can happily oblige. Each has a relaxing atmosphere, giving you the perfect end to a day of golfing in the fall.

Dockside Inn Restaurant

With the best waterfront dining in Cadillac, Dockside Inn Restaurant is located on the southwest shore of Lake Cadillac near the bridge. The newly renovated restaurant has excellent views of the lake while you dine.

All of the sauces and dishes that you see on the menu are prepared in the kitchen. Some popular options include the colossal shrimp cocktail, crab-stuffed walleye, and king cut tomahawk bone-in rib-eye. You can order chicken, burgers, wraps, and Italian dishes too.

Alongside the main course, you can dig into a homemade dessert. And, of course, a selection of beer and wine is available.

Lakeside Charlies

Resting next to Lake Mitchell, Lakeside Charlies is decorated with lake living and boating decor, which creates a cozy and comfortable atmosphere. It has two dining rooms — the main seating area and Crabby Charlies Lounge, which offers sports entertainment — both of which overlook the lakeshore.

This restaurant has strategically designed its full lunch, dinner, and bar menus to offer a variety of snacks, salads, soups, hearty burgers and sandwiches, and seafood and steak entrees. Plus, a line of top-shelf spirits and craft beers are served from the bar.

The Timbers Restaurant

Locally owned since 1991, The Timbers Restaurant is known for making American-style food and hearty dishes from scratch daily. You can order hand-cut steaks, signature pizzas, stacked burgers and sandwiches, and fresh pasta and seafood dishes.

With your cooked-to-order meal and dessert, you can enjoy a beer, cocktail, and wine. The bar has 10 rotating brews on tap, and sports fans can catch a game on one of the TVs as well.

Cadillac Michigan Hotels, Resorts, & Campgrounds

While you can stay at Caberfae Peaks, Evergreen Resort, and The Eldorado Golf Course, Cadillac Michigan is home to many more lodging options. Some of these include Holiday Inn Express, Coyote Crossing Resort, and Mitchell State Park.

Start planning your fall golf retreat with these and other lodging options today!