Shepherd's Hollow Golf Club is a 27-hole Arthur Hills-designed public course located 30 miles north of Detroit in Clarkston, offering a premium Northern Michigan golf experience with rates typically between $75-$110 per round.
The facility also features comprehensive practice areas, upscale dining, and The Station—an exclusive wedding venue that hosts up to 350 guests.
Keep reading for detailed information on course layout, current pricing, booking strategies, amenities, and everything you need to plan your visit.
What Makes Shepherd's Hollow Different from Other Michigan Golf Courses
You'll find Shepherd's Hollow sitting at one of Oakland County's highest elevations, sprawling across 350 rolling acres just 30 miles north of Detroit.
What sets this place apart is how it manages to transport you into an authentic Northern Michigan experience without the drive—towering 70-foot pines and oaks create a secluded, almost contemplative atmosphere that feels worlds away from suburban Detroit.
The property's history as former Capuchin retreat land adds to this sense of peaceful isolation.
Arthur Hills designed all 27 holes here, opening the first nine in 2000 and completing the full layout by 2001.
Golf Magazine recognized the course immediately, naming it one of their “Top 10 Best New Courses” that first year.
The accolades kept coming—from 2003 to 2010, the second and third nine held spots on Golf Digest's 100 Greatest Public list, peaking at 37th in 2007-08.
Today, the course sits at 37th in Golf Digest's 2025-26 Best in State rankings, maintaining its reputation among Michigan's top public facilities.
The facility operates as a public course but delivers a private club experience in terms of service standards and overall atmosphere.
You won't find the crowded, rushed feeling common at many municipal courses.
Environmental responsibility matters here too—Shepherd's Hollow earned certification from the Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program, demonstrating a commitment to responsible course management that goes beyond just maintaining playing conditions.
Understanding the 27-Hole Layout and What to Expect on the Course
Shepherd's Hollow offers three distinct nine-hole loops that you can combine into any 18-hole configuration, each playing to par 72.
The yardage flexibility is impressive—green tees start around 2,442-2,518 yards per nine, while black tees stretch to 3,584-3,651 yards, giving you plenty of options to match your skill level.
Arthur Hills built this course with a minimalist philosophy, preserving the natural topography rather than forcing dramatic changes.
The property could easily fit twice the number of holes, which means Hills deliberately created generous spacing between each hole.
This translates into wide, natural fairways that flow with the land and expansive greens that never feel cramped.
You won't find yourself dodging errant shots from adjacent holes here.
Both greens and fairways feature bent grass throughout.
The greens stimp at approximately 11, which puts them in the fast category—you'll need a delicate touch around these surfaces.
More challenging still, the greens are large and heavily tiered with significant slopes and undulation.
Pin placement can turn a straightforward approach into a three-putt nightmare if you're on the wrong tier.
What challenges your round:
- Elevation changes: Dramatic throughout all 27 holes, affecting club selection constantly
- Wooded corridors: Those 70-foot pines create heavily wooded holes with minimal water hazards
- Uneven lies: Level stances are rare—expect to work the ball from slopes
- Blind shots: Multiple tee shots require either local knowledge or several rounds to dial in
- Strategic bunkering: Real sand bunkers with high lips punish misses
The back nine includes two short, risk-reward par 4s that tempt aggressive players but demand smart decision-making.
This captures the course's overall philosophy—strategy and imagination matter more than pure power.
You'll find yourself shaping shots, using the terrain, and thinking creatively rather than simply bombing drivers.
Hills designed the course to reward players who can visualize shots and manage their way around, not just those who hit it far.
Pricing, Booking Tee Times, and Current Access Information
Shepherd's Hollow uses dynamic pricing similar to what you'd see with airlines or hotels—rates shift based on demand, time of day, weather conditions, and how far in advance you book.
You'll typically pay between $75-$110 per player with cart included.
Walking isn't an option here due to the course's length and pace of play requirements, so that cart fee is baked into every round.
The 14-day advance booking window is your friend if you're hunting for deals.
Book early and you'll generally lock in lower rates, particularly for weekday play.
Weekday twilight rounds have been reported as low as $55, while weekend tee times push toward the higher end of that pricing range.
The online booking system on their website handles reservations, but here's something to remember: if you want to play all 27 holes or mix different nine-hole combinations, you'll need to make separate reservations for each segment.
Critical 2025 access update: Road construction on I-75 near Exit 93 is currently underway, and Exit 93 is closed for southbound traffic.
A detour route is available, but you'll want to build in extra time.
Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled tee time to account for potential delays—missing your slot because of construction is an expensive mistake.
Stay-and-play packages are available through external partners if you're making a golf trip out of your visit.
Gift cards can be purchased if you're looking for a solid gift option for the golfer in your life.
Practice Facilities, Pro Shop, and Course Policies You Should Know
The practice facilities cover everything you need to warm up properly.
A full-length driving range features grass tees and targets for working on distance control.
The putting green gives you a feel for those fast, sloped surfaces before your round, while the chipping green includes a practice bunker for dialing in your short game.
One timing note: the range closes Tuesday evenings at 4 PM for weekly maintenance and doesn't reopen until late Wednesday morning.
PGA professionals are available if you want lessons to improve specific parts of your game.
The pro shop handles check-in and customer service alongside a selection of golf apparel.
Equipment options are limited, so don't count on finding specialized gear or making emergency club purchases here.
Policies that affect your round:
Shepherd's Hollow doesn't run beverage carts on the course, but they'll prepare drinks on ice that you can take with you for the first nine holes.
Plan accordingly if you want refreshments mid-round.
Metal spikes aren't allowed on the course, and Michigan liquor laws prohibit outside alcohol—stick to what's available through the facility.
Your cart fee is mandatory and included in the green fee, as mentioned earlier.
Here's something worth noting: those blind tee shots and severely contoured greens with challenging pin placements mean your first round won't be your best.
The course rewards multiple plays as you learn where to aim off the tee and how to approach specific pin positions.
Course management trumps distance here—knowing when to lay back or which side of the fairway sets up your next shot matters more than pure power.
Take notes on your first visit, and you'll score better on your return.
Clubhouse Dining, Amenities, and Event Services
The clubhouse brings plantation-style architecture with rich cherry wood appointments, white coffered ceilings, and a warm fireplace that anchors the main space.
Grand French doors frame views of the surrounding pine forest, creating an upscale atmosphere that matches the course's quality.
The facility operates from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM seven days a week during season.
Dining centers around the main restaurant, which serves refined American regional cuisine with an emphasis on prime beef, fresh seafood, and seasonal specialties.
When weather cooperates, you can move outside to the open-air veranda or pine-covered terrace for your meal.
The turn grille offers a quicker option with gourmet snacks, sandwiches, and beverages between nines.
During peak summer season, Saturday and Sunday breakfast service is available for early morning tee times.
Full-service locker rooms with showers handle your pre- and post-round needs.
The facility also runs PGA Junior League Golf programs for younger players and offers baby shower and bridal shower packages for social events.
The clubhouse Owner's Lounge provides banquet space for private gatherings beyond golf outings.
Corporate tournaments and outings get professional support through comprehensive tournament services.
Kelly Dougherty manages these events and can be reached at (248) 922-0300 or kelly.dougherty@shepherdshollow.com. The package includes:
- Personalized event website for your group
- Cart staging and bag handling on tournament day
- Tournament scoring with contest hole placement
- Registration setup with sponsor signage throughout the course
- Prize setup and microphone for awards presentations
This level of detail matters when you're planning corporate events where logistics can make or break the experience.
The staff handles the operational side so you can focus on your guests.
The Station Wedding Venue and Special Events
The Station serves as Shepherd's Hollow's architectural centerpiece, drawing inspiration from 19th-century European train stations with its glass and steel construction.
This exclusive venue handles 325-350 guests and gives couples complete access on their wedding day—you won't be sharing space with other events.
Ceremonies take place in an outdoor circular courtyard nestled among those signature pine trees, with a fountain providing a natural focal point.
The venue includes 100 white cushioned chairs, with additional seating available at $5 per chair if you're hosting a larger ceremony.
Reception space transitions seamlessly indoors to The Station's main area.
What's included in your wedding package:
- Five-hour premium bar service for your guests
- Butler-passed hors d'oeuvres during cocktail hour
- Customizable dinner menu tailored to your preferences
- Floor-length linens and napkins
- Complimentary cake cutting service
- Complete setup and teardown (you won't lift a finger)
- Day-of coordination to manage timing and logistics
The bridal suite offers five styling stations and a private terrace overlooking the pines.
You can access it five hours before your ceremony for $1,500, giving your party plenty of time to prepare without feeling rushed.
Booking comes with specific requirements: if you book a ceremony, you must also book your reception on-site.
Reception-only events are available if you're getting married elsewhere.
Your ceremony rehearsal gets scheduled approximately two months before the wedding date.
Wedding coordinators Kelly, Jenna, and Alex handle the planning process and consistently receive praise from couples for their attention to detail and responsiveness.
Contact and accessibility: Reach the venue at (248) 922-0300 or info@shepherdshollow.com.
The address is 9085 Big Lake Road, Clarkston, MI 48346.
You'll find them on Instagram at @shepherdshollowgolfclub and online at shepherdshollow.com.
Location works well for destination weddings—one hour from Detroit Metro Airport and less than 50 minutes from downtown Detroit.
Nearby attractions include Pine Knob Music Theatre, Independence Oaks County Park, and Great Lakes Crossing Outlets for guests looking to extend their visit.
Conclusion
Shepherd's Hollow delivers a premium golf experience that rivals private clubs while maintaining public accessibility, with 27 holes of strategic Arthur Hills design complemented by upscale dining and practice facilities.
Whether you're planning a golf outing, looking for a challenging round that rewards course management over power, or searching for a wedding venue that combines outdoor ceremony space with elegant indoor reception areas, the facility handles it all.
Book your tee time online, arrive early to account for current construction delays, and prepare for a round that demands creativity and rewards repeat visits.
