Representative image Photo: Stuart Logan · CC BY-SA 2.0
The Cardinal at Saint John's
Plymouth, Michigan, United States
18 Holes · Par 72 · On request · Parkland
— About
About The Cardinal at Saint John's
The Cardinal at Saint John's is the first championship course to open to the public in Metro Detroit in over two decades. Laid out across 200 acres of undulating terrain studded with century-old trees, Raymond Hearn's design leans on the natural contours of the land rather than heavy earthmoving, producing a routing where no two holes look or play alike. The Championship course stretches to 7,002 yards from the tips, backed by a seven-hole short course (the Little Cardinal) and a two-acre natural-grass putting course with four configurations for practice or a casual evening round. Part of Saint John's Resort in Plymouth, Michigan, the course pairs public access with resort-level amenities, including Doyles Irish Pub on-site and Golf Stay & Play packages with the resort's hotel. The course drew wider attention as the host venue for the 2026 LIV Golf Team Championship.
- First public championship course to open in Metro Detroit in over two decades
- Routing built around the natural contours of a 200-acre parkland site with century-old trees
- Little Cardinal: a seven-hole, par-21 short course for quicker rounds
- Two-acre natural-grass putting course with four playable 18-hole configurations
- Host venue for the 2026 LIV Golf Team Championship
History of The Cardinal at Saint John's
The Cardinal opened on June 22, 2024, as part of Saint John's Resort in Plymouth, Michigan, marking the first new public championship course in Metro Detroit in more than twenty years. Architect Raymond Hearn routed the course to work with the site's existing topography and mature trees rather than reshape it, and the resort donates 100% of net golf profits to the Humanitarian Hotels initiative run by the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation. The course gained national exposure as the announced host of the 2026 LIV Golf Team Championship.
Signature holes at The Cardinal at Saint John's
The routing is built to avoid repetition — Hearn designed the course so no two holes share the same look or strategic demand, working the natural elevation changes of the property into green complexes and approach angles throughout the round.
When to play The Cardinal at Saint John's
Late spring through early autumn (May–October) offers Michigan's most reliable golf weather, with summer providing the longest daylight windows for a full 18 plus a spin on the putting course.
Playing The Cardinal at Saint John's: tips
Book through the Saint John's Resort site for Golf Stay & Play packages if traveling from outside Metro Detroit. The Little Cardinal short course and putting course are good options for a quicker evening session alongside a full round on the Championship layout.
— Weather at The Cardinal at Saint John's
Approximate conditions · Observed · Open-Meteo
Visit The Cardinal at Saint John's
44045 Five Mile Road, Plymouth, MI 48170
Plymouth, Michigan, United States
— Facilities
Practical Information
— FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about The Cardinal at Saint John's
Is The Cardinal at Saint John's open to the public?
Yes. It's a public resort course at Saint John's Resort in Plymouth, Michigan, open to non-resort guests as well as those booking Golf Stay & Play packages.
Who designed The Cardinal at Saint John's?
Raymond Hearn designed the course, routing it around the natural contours and mature trees of the 200-acre site.
Does The Cardinal host any professional events?
Yes — it's the host venue for the 2026 LIV Golf Team Championship.