The Meadows at Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI
Best for
- Grand Rapids area golfers who want a serious test close to home
- Groups that want championship pedigree without a destination price
- GVSU students, faculty, staff and alumni with eligible rates
Know before you go
- It plays as long as 7,030 yards from the Black tees with a 75.0 rating and 143 slope
- Five tee sets are published, so pick honestly before you play
- Weekend 18-hole rates apply before noon on Saturday and Sunday
Where
Allendale, Michigan, on the Grand Valley State University campus
Price
2026 published greens fee guidance, not a permanent price
Should you play The Meadows at Grand Valley State University?
The Meadows is one of the most useful public rounds in the Grand Rapids area. It is a real golf course: long from the back tees, wetlands and bunkering that punish careless thinking, and a competitive record that is unusual for a course at this price.
It is a campus course, not a resort, so judge it on the golf rather than the trappings. If you want a serious West Michigan test on a weekday budget, or a course your group can all play from a tee that fits them, this belongs on the short list.
GRGS editorial opinion, not a course statement.
Why it matters
A Hurdzan Design With Real Variety
GVSU credits the design to Dr. Michael Hurdzan, winner of the 2007 Donald Ross Award from the American Society of Golf Course Architects. The official description calls it a links-style layout where wetlands and well-bunkered greens make clear thinking a priority.
Championship Pedigree
GVSU states The Meadows has hosted nine NCAA National Championships and 24 MHSAA high school state championships through 2016. The NCAA championship page lists those national events by year, beginning in 1996.
Five Tees, Honestly Different
The published scorecard lists Black at 7,030 yards, Blue at 6,361, White at 5,886, Gold at 5,304 and Red at 4,777. That spread means a mixed group can play the same course without anyone being buried by it.
What we know
Verified Sep 10, 2026
- Course
- The Meadows at Grand Valley State University
- Design
- Dr. Michael Hurdzan
- Address
- 4645 W Campus Drive, Allendale, MI 49401
- Phone
- 616-331-1000
- Access
- Public, with online tee times
- Tees and ratings
- Black 7,030 yards, 75.0 / 143. Blue 6,361, 71.5 / 132. White 5,886, 69.3 / 128 men and 74.7 / 137 women. Gold 5,304, 71.4 / 123 men and 71.4 / 127 women. Red 4,777, 68.5 / 119 women.
- Championships hosted
- Nine NCAA National Championships and 24 MHSAA state championships through 2016, per GVSU.
- Year openedUnknown
- Not published on the current official pages, so GRGS does not state one.
- GRGS Competitive eligibilityUnknown
- Not established
Current rate guidance
What a round costs in 2026
GVSU publishes greens fees for The Meadows by season and day of week. Summer rates below are valid May 22 through Sept. 30, 2026. Spring and fall rates are lower. Treat these as guidance and confirm your date and eligibility with the course.
Summer, Monday to Thursday
$45 walking 18, $65 with cart. Nine holes $31 walking, $43 with cart.
Valid May 22 through Sept. 30, 2026.
Summer, Friday to Sunday
$55 walking 18, $80 with cart. Nine holes $32 walking, $44 with cart.
18-hole rates apply before noon on Saturday and Sunday.
Spring and fall
$40 walking 18 and $60 with cart Monday to Thursday. $48 walking 18 and $68 with cart Friday to Sunday.
Valid from opening through May 21 and from Oct. 1 through the end of the season.
GVSU faculty, staff and students
Faculty and staff $27 walking 18, $47 with cart. Students $21 walking 18, $41 with cart.
Monday to Friday. Photo ID required for all GVSU discounts.
GVSU alumni and seniors
Alumni $55 with cart Monday to Thursday, $60 Friday to Sunday after noon. Seniors 60+ $50 with cart.
Senior rate is Monday to Friday before 2:00 PM. Alumni rate requires a valid GVSU Alumni Association card.
- Each special rate has its own eligibility and day-of-week rules. They are not a general price for the course.
- GRGS does not publish availability. Check official tee times for the day you want to play.
Official
Book and confirm with the club
These links go to The Meadows at Grand Valley State University. GRGS does not book tee times and does not hold inventory.
Sources and freshness
Facts on this page were checked against current first-party The Meadows at Grand Valley State University pages on Sep 10, 2026. Rates, events and start-time policies change. Confirm your date with the club.
- The Meadows official site (GVSU)
- The Meadows greens fees
- The Meadows about and course information
- The Meadows scorecard and ratings
- The Meadows NCAA championships hosted
See something that needs updating? Tell GRGS.