The decision follows KML’s move earlier this summer to make the course permanently walking only, also ahead of its 2028 deadline. Together, the two changes complete the Lodge’s hickory | natural fairways | walking focus for its 9-hole historic wilderness course.
“There is no reason to wait any longer,” the Lodge said in announcing the change. Having players walk the course this season confirmed that walking is the game of golf, and moving to hickory only now was the natural next step.
Transition details for the 2026 season
KML is honoring reservations already on its calendar:
- Cabin guests with a cabin booking in place as of August 31, 2026 may continue to play with modern-day golf clubs for the remainder of the 2026 season.
- Any lodging reservation made after August 31, 2026 will be a hickory-club round.
Golfers may play with their own hickory clubs or rent a set from the Lodge. KML stocks both right-handed and left-handed hickory rental sets from Louisville Golf, and recommends reserving rental clubs in advance, as the number of sets is limited. Pull carts are provided for those who would like one.
As a lodging establishment, KML requires golfers to be registered cabin guests to play the course.
Playing with hickory clubs asks golfers to think more strategically about each shot, rewarding accuracy and course management over power — an approach that fits the character of a historic wilderness course built into the top of the Keweenaw and reflects the Lodge’s reason for existing: getting people closer to nature.
The Lodge acknowledges the change will not appeal to everyone. As a private, niche destination, KML focuses on guests who share its values rather than catering to the masses, and points golfers who prefer modern equipment to the many other courses available throughout the Keweenaw and beyond.
Contact: media@keweenawresort.com
About: The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge is a historic wilderness lodging establishment at the top of the Keweenaw, supported by outdoor activities, rustic worldly food, and education. The four-season resort has been a fixture in the Keweenaw since breaking ground on the project in 1934 as part of a WPA program. The Lodge is the headquarters for the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park. As a Certified B Corp™ and an Audubon International Green Lodging establishment, the Lodge practices sustainability, education, and environmental respect in all aspects of operation. Amenities provide guests with the opportunity to enjoy a fun, joyous, and adventuresome experience among the pristine natural beauty of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula — helping guests get closer to nature.
Web Site: https://keweenawmountainlodge.com
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