Pierson, Michigan · Grand Rapids
Pilgrim's Run Golf Club
Six of the owner's employees each drew three holes from a hat, and Mike DeVries tied it together. Par 73 in the pines, holes named from Pilgrim's Progress.
- PiersonLocation
- upscale public (daily-fee)Access
About Pilgrim's Run Golf Club
Pilgrim's Run started as Robert Van Kampen's private family course. Instead of hiring a big name, he put 18 numbered slips in a hat and had six employees, two of them his sons-in-law, each draw three holes to design. Kris Shumaker, a former superintendent from Holland, routed it, and a year in, a young Mike DeVries, who had worked for Tom Doak and Tom Fazio, came on to shape the greens and bunkers and make it hang together. Van Kampen liked the result enough to open it to the public. The front nine opened in 1997; the back nine waited until July 24, 1998, after a storm knocked down more than 400 trees.
Van Kampen collected old Bibles and loved John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, so every hole carries a name from it: the 3rd is Slough of Despond, the 7th is Bottomless Pit, a 225-yard par 3 from the tips, and the 580-yard 13th is Dark Valley. It's a par 73 through white pines and black oaks, bentgrass tee to green. It can look tight from the tee, but the landing areas are roomy and there's no out of bounds. From the back it's 7,093 yards with a 74.7 rating and 143 slope, and there are six sets down to 4,863, so choose honestly.
The accolades started early. Golf Digest named it the 4th Best New Affordable Course in the US and Canada in 1999, Golf Magazine put it on its Top 100 You Can Play in 2002, and Golfweek ranked it the No. 10 public course in Michigan in 2023. Tom Doak's Confidential Guide called it the best course he'd seen around Grand Rapids.
It's one of 84 courses Yoink watches in the Grand Rapids area, and the closest alternative is Whitefish Lake Golf Course, about 1 mile away — handy when your first choice is booked solid.
Booking a tee time at Pilgrim's Run Golf Club
Book online through the course site or call the golf shop at 231-937-7505. For 2026, peak season (May 15 to September 13) is $90 for 18 Monday to Wednesday and $115 Thursday to Sunday and holidays; spring and fall drop to $80 and $90. Every rate includes a GPS cart, a bucket on the range before you go out, and tax. There are no 9-hole rates before 3 p.m. in peak season, and seniors, military and juniors get discounts on set days. Collared shirts are required.
How to get a tee time at Pilgrim's Run Golf Club
Yoink
If Pilgrim's Run Golf Club looks full for the day you want, it usually isn't for long: groups drop, rounds get moved and times reopen at all hours.
Yoink checks the sheet for you. Set a watch for the date, window and group size you want, and you'll get a push notification as soon as a spot opens — then book it directly with Pilgrim's Run Golf Club.
- Pick Pilgrim's Run Golf Club in Yoink.
- Choose your day, time window and number of players.
- Get an alert when a matching tee time opens — then book it directly with the course.
Golf courses near Pilgrim's Run Golf Club
- Whitefish Lake Golf Course · 1 mi
- Cedar Chase Golf Club · 7 mi
- The Links at Bowen Lake - Bowen Lake · Gowen · 10 mi
- Brookside Golf Course & Grill · 10 mi
- Brookside Golf Course · Gowen · 11 mi
- North Kent Golf Course · Rockford · 14 mi
- Candlestone Golf Club · 19 mi
- Tullymore Golf Club · 20 mi
All 84 Grand Rapids courses in Michigan · Michigan golf courses
Pilgrim's Run Golf Club FAQ
Where is Pilgrim's Run Golf Club?
Pilgrim's Run Golf Club is in Pierson, Michigan, in the Grand Rapids area — about 1 miles from Whitefish Lake Golf Course.
Who designed Pilgrim's Run Golf Club, and when did it open?
Pilgrim's Run Golf Club was designed by Six Van Kampen employees drew three holes each from a hat and opened in Front nine 1997; back nine July 24, 1998, delayed by a storm that downed over 400 trees.
Is Pilgrim's Run Golf Club open to the public?
Pilgrim's Run Golf Club is upscale public (daily-fee).
How do I get a tee time at Pilgrim's Run Golf Club when it's booked up?
Set a watch for Pilgrim's Run Golf Club in Yoink with your date, time window and group size. Yoink monitors the course's tee sheet and alerts you the moment a matching time opens, including cancellations. You book directly with the course.
What golf courses are near Pilgrim's Run Golf Club?
Nearby options include Whitefish Lake Golf Course, Cedar Chase Golf Club and The Links at Bowen Lake - Bowen Lake. Yoink watches 84 courses in the Grand Rapids area.
Sources
Facts on this page come from these pages, checked 2026-09-28. Rates and booking rules change, so confirm with the course.
- top100golfcourses.com · media
- pilgrimsrun.com · official
- pilgrimsrun.com · official
- pilgrimsrun.com · official
- pilgrimsrun.com · official
Never miss a tee time at Pilgrim's Run Golf Club
Yoink watches the tee sheet so you don't have to. When a time you want opens up, your phone buzzes — you book direct.