Minnesota Golf
With all the fabulous golf opportunities in Minnesota,
what are you waiting fore?

By Maura Keller

From border to border, Minnesota offers golfers of all skill levels an array of inviting, challenging and breathtaking courses. Not only does Minnesota boast more than 10,000 lakes, but it also contains thousands of golf courses. From formidable courses that test your skill level at every hole to wide-open courses with fairways designed for high-handicap, weekend golfers—you’ll find it in the North Star state.

Southeastern Minnesota’s naturally diverse landscape, which includes rolling river valleys, dense forests and glacier-carved lakes, provide the perfect backdrop for numerous golf destinations. The best way to sample the region’s golf scene is by traveling from one area to another. Many of the area’s best courses and resorts offer seasonal golf packages to help you make the most of your time on the links. Here is a sampling of the many golf adventures southeastern Minnesota has to offer. After experiencing any of these courses, you’ll understand why Minnesota is frequently heralded as a great golf destination.

Maple Valley Golf Course
www.maplevalleygolf.com
Named as the best golf course in Southeast Minnesota by Rochester Magazine, Maple Valley Golf Course is surrounded by stunning limestone bluffs and traverses the Root River, offering some of the best challenges for high-handicapper and pro alike.

Mississippi National Golf Links
www.wpgolf.com
A mere one hour southeast of the Twin Cities, Mississippi National in Red Wing offers a perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Recognized as one of the top places to play in Minnesota, Mississippi National offers an 18-hole Highlands course and an 18-hole Tournament course, an ideal location to tame your slice and play a relaxing Saturday morning game.

Rivers’ Bend Golf Course & the Old Barn Resort
www.barnresort.com
In the tiny town of Preston lies a gentle giant – the Rivers’ Bend Golf Course, part of the Old Barn Resort. Tucked along the Root River State Trail , this 18-hole course is one of the best new upscale courses. Rivers’ Bend boasts a rugged, challenging course complete with a full driving range and practice greens aplenty. The resort offers a rustic haven after a long day at the links.

Southern Hills Golf Course
www.southernhillsgolfcourse.com
Southeastern Minnesota has long been a mecca for all things winter – skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and other winter pursuits. But recently, Southeastern Minnesota has attracted countless golf enthusiasts to explore some of the most breathtaking golf-course vistas in the state. A true championship course, Southern Hills in Farmington, offers golfers awesome prairie vistas and takes full advantage of the land’s naturally occurring elevation changes that challenge golfers of all levels. Surrounded by the beauty of such a course, it may be hard to keep your eye on the ball.

Wedgewood Cove Golf Club
www.wedgewoodcove.com
Known for its tantalizing food and warm hospitality, Wedgewood Cove Golf Club located in Albert Lea, is the hub of several top-notch southern Minnesota courses. Wedgewood offers an 18-hole championship course that winds through rich, prairies and boasts several natural hazards which will keep many golfers on their toes.

Ferndale Country Club
www.ferndalegolfcourse.com
When many Minnesota golfers imagine the finest 9-hole greens and fairways in the state, one location comes to mind – Ferndale Country Club. Nestled amidst the towering bluffs of Rushford. Ferndale’s nine fun, yet challenging holes offer awe-inspiring scenery. After having your golf skills tested, you may want to take part in Ferndale’s comprehensive golf instruction programs, specifically designed for individual or groups of golfers of all levels.

Dacotah Ridge Golf Club
www.dacotahridge.com
Designed by renowned course architect Rees Jones, Dacotah Ridge Golf Club boasts one of the best courses in the state. Stunning fairways, true putting greens, and masterful surroundings, Dacotah Ridge also features a 14-acre lake, natural wetlands, and rolling countryside. After playing a challenging round, enjoy gourmet cuisine at the course’s Wabasha Creek Restaurant.

Twin Cities Metro
For those looking to explore courses a little closer to the urban Twin Cities, the metropolitan area of Minneapolis and St. Paul offer plenty of high-quality, affordable golfing options. Courses such as the Wilds Golf Club, Rush Creek, Edinburgh USA and Bunker Hills feature meticulously maintained courses with sophisticated layouts complete with a devilish mix of woods,
wetlands and fairway mounds.

Minnesota Basics

Main town:
Rochester, Red Wing, Lanesboro, Lake City, Wabasha. Many of these locales are river towns, which offer historical 19th-century architecture, charming shops and beautiful scenery.

Best Amish destinations:
Lanesboro and nearby Harmony will offer plenty of opportunity to see passing Amish in their charming buggies.

Most unique place to stay:
The JailHouse Inn in Preston once was the Fillmore County Jail. Many aspects of the historic interior space have been left intact, including the original seven-foot paneled doors used in the jail.

Most sink holes:
Fountain, Minne-sota is considered to be the “Sink Hole Capital of the United States.” These sink holes – both large and small – form in the limestone bedrock that lies immediately beneath the fertile soils

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