If you’re an avid golfer looking for the best golf courses in Minneapolis, Minnesota, then look no further. Here is our list of the top 11 best golf courses that offer a unique experience, and provide detailed reviews of each. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, these courses are sure to challenge your skills and exceed your expectations.
The Meadows at Mystic Lake
The Meadows at Mystic Lake is a public 18-hole golf course located just a half-hour drive from Minneapolis. The course is renowned for its exquisite design, featuring wide fairways, rock-wall-protected greens, and water on 13 of the 18 holes. The course spans 7144 yards with a par of 72 and a slope rating of 146, making it a challenging yet rewarding course. The Meadows at Mystic Lake offers five sets of tees to accommodate all skill levels, with 80 bunkers, 13 holes incorporating water, and 20 fountains to provide an exciting playing experience.
The course showcases 11 acres of wildflowers and prairie plants that add to the natural beauty of the environment. In addition, the pristine bentgrass fairways, tees, and greens are excellently maintained, ensuring a golfing experience that meets high standards. The Meadows at Mystic Lake is a full-service golfing destination with GPS golf carts, a bar and grill, casino hotel, and restaurant. The restaurant serves wonderful food quickly, making it great for busy golfers. The staff is friendly and welcoming, so golfers can enjoy a memorable and comfortable stay.
Location: 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd NW, Prior Lake, MN 55372
Keller Golf Course
Keller Golf Course is a championship-level golf course that has a rich history of hosting various PGA and LPGA tours over the years. With its long-established tenure as one of the oldest courses in the metro area, Keller has firmly cemented its place in the hearts of golf enthusiasts looking for a challenging yet beautiful course to play on.
The course is a par-72 that spans over 6675 yards, with a 133 slope. Keller has been praised for its memorable holes, which include Holes 11 through 16, and the 4th hole with its strikingly huge tree. The back 9 is known to be tighter and more challenging, providing an entirely different range of play for golfers. An all-bentgrass course, Keller is set amid the natural beauty of the valley, with wildflowers growing everywhere and a number of ponds. The driving range is well-equipped with target greens, a practice bunker, and a chipping green. Tee Times Magazine readers have recognized Keller as a Top 5 Favorite Public Course (2018), Top 5 Course that Provides the Best Value (2019), Top 5 Favorite Par 3 (2019), and Top 5 Golf Course in the Best Condition (2019). Overall, Keller Golf Course offers a challenging yet stunningly beautiful course that any golf enthusiast should experience.
Location: 2168 Maplewood Dr, Maplewood, MN 55109
Rush Creek Golf Club
Rush Creek Golf Club is a scenic and challenging par-72 layout with an 18-hole championship course located just 20 minutes from downtown Minneapolis. Golfers of all levels can enjoy the elevation changes, deep bunkers, and well-placed hazards with six sets of tees available to test their handicap.
The signature 18th hole is a standout among the course’s 7,200 yards. Additionally, the club has hosted significant events, including LPGA tournaments and the 2004 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, making it a popular destination for golfers. The 300-yard double-ended driving range offers ample space for pre-game warmups and practice. With well-maintained grounds and reasonably priced greens fees, the well-regarded Rush Creek Golf Club is highly recommended.
Location: 7801 County Rd 101, Maple Grove, MN 55311
Stoneridge Golf Club
Stoneridge Golf Club, located merely 15 minutes east of St. Paul, has been ranked the number one public access golf course in the Twin Cities by Golfweek Magazine. Its impressive links-style layout offers acres of challenging features, including the sand quarry, acres of fescue, pot bunkers, waste areas, not to mention signature holes like Wynnstone, Splinter, and Barn.
This championship semi-private course is designed to suit both beginners and experts, featuring rolling bentgrass fairways framed by native fescue grass, a variety of approaches and short game shots, and greens that are fast. It’s challenging yet playable, with notable hills and sand traps. Amenities include a nice clubhouse with a great restaurant, but it’s worth noting that there may be some noise from the busy interstate highway nearby. Overall, Stoneridge Golf Club provides the perfect destination for any golf enthusiast looking to improve their skills and enjoy a day on the green.
Location: 13600 N Hudson Blvd, Stillwater, MN 55082
Chaska Town Course
Chaska Town Course, located just 30 minutes southwest of downtown Minneapolis, has been recognized as one of the top 100 municipal golf courses in the United States by Golfweek. Spanning over 285 acres, the Course features a variety of terrain, including oak groves, prairies, and marshlands, making for a challenging yet enjoyable golfing experience. Designed by renowned golf course architect Arthur Hills, the Course boasts 18 lush, bent grass holes spanning a total of 6,817 yards, with a 72 par and a 140 slope. The signature holes include the short par three 4th, the right doglegging 9th, and the 16th with a reasonable birdie opportunity on the back nine. The rolling hills, including the par 4 11th, which is widely regarded as one of the hardest holes, add to the scenic beauty of the Course.
In addition to excellent facilities, Chaska Town Course is also known for its friendly and welcoming customer service. The 2006 U.S. Amateur was hosted at the Course, and in 2024, it will once again welcome the top amateurs in the country for stroke play during the U.S. Amateur. With its picturesque surroundings, challenging course layout, and top-notch customer service, Chaska Town Course is a must-visit place for golf enthusiasts looking for an unforgettable golfing experience.
Location: 3000 Town Course Dr, Chaska, MN 55318
Spring Hill Golf Club
Spring Hill Golf Club is a traditional private club with a classic course and an unassuming clubhouse. Designed by Tom Fazio, this course stands out as one of his most challenging creations, boasting several tight fairways and marshlands along some of its edges. Despite these challenges, it is a walkable course, making it a delightful experience for golfers of all kinds.
One of the highlights of Spring Hill Golf Club is the thick forests of evergreens and acres of maple trees that surround the rolling topography. Coupled with the wetland areas and small ponds, the course has huge elevation changes with uphill approach shots into elevated greens and subtle movements on the putting surfaces. Its signature holes, including sand and marsh-protected holes, such as the 8th, 13th, and 18th with wetlands carry, would be a delight for any golfer to tackle. Overall, Spring Hill Golf Club offers a challenging yet enjoyable experience, with 18 holes totaling 7035 yards and a par of 72.
Location: 725 County Rd 6, Wayzata, MN 55391
Interlachen Country Club
Interlachen Country Club, established in 1909 from the parcels of farmland in Winter Park, Florida, is a private country club with a captivating natural scenery. The 18-hole golf course spans 6,981 yards from the black tees and offers a challenging and exciting game for golfers of all levels. With a hilly, tree-lined design, water comes into play on six holes, while the small and fast greens and numerous bunkers pose a thrilling challenge.
The back nine holes of the course feature a number of doglegged fairways and are known for the signature ninth hole, a challenging par five with a dogleg right fairway and a lake on the inside of the bend. Interlachen Country Club has hosted several professional golf tournaments, including the 2002 Solheim Cup and the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open, catering to women’s professional golf. With five tees to select from and a slope rating of 141, this golf course is a must-play for golfing enthusiasts who enjoy a rewarding game.
Location: 6200 Interlachen Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55436
White Bear Yacht Club
White Bear Yacht Club, located 20 miles northeast of St. Paul, boasts of a course that has a rich and interesting course record for many years. Considered as one of America’s last hidden golfing gems, this 18-hole course is a great test of golfing ability with its modest length, hilly fairways, and well-maintained greens. Furthermore, plans are already underway to remove trees and improve on its already challenging layout.
Golf Digest recently ranked the White Bear Yacht Club as one of the finest golf courses in MN, thanks to its undulating fairways, spectacular views, and a no-tee time policy that increases its allure. The course measures 6471 yards long with a 132 slope, and even though its fairways are mostly generous, they are tree-lined and demand a well-executed approach to hold the green from a poorly chosen landing area. It’s an excellent place to walk on the wild side and stretch your golfing abilities.
Location: 56 Dellwood Ave #1401, Dellwood, MN 55110
The Minikahda Club
The Minikahda Club is a private country club situated in the charming southwest region of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The club has a long-standing history and is, in fact, the oldest country club west of the Mississippi River. It is located on a high hill, providing breathtaking views overlooking the enchanting Bde Maka Ska lake as well as showcasing the captivating Minneapolis skyline. The club’s course is 18-holes, containing bent grass and is a tough challenge that will test any golfer’s skill around the greens.
The club has a distinct setup not seen in many golf courses, including a spaghetti junction-like area on the back nine that will add a layer of excitement to any golf game. In addition to the course, The Minikahda Club also boasts a putting green, a chipping green, a driving range, and an iron range as practice areas to help golfers refine their game. The club has also previously hosted the US Open in 1916 and continues to be a prominent landmark in the golf community with its gorgeous greens and challenging course.
Location: 3205 Excelsior Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55416
Links at Northfork
The Links at Northfork is a renowned, 4-star Championship golf course and banquet facility located in Minnesota. This Scottish-style course boasts 18 holes and a par 72, with plenty of tee options to accommodate various skill levels. Measuring an impressive 6989 yards with a slope of 133, it offers superior playing conditions and a unique 3-hole practice loop that includes a chipping green and a practice sand bunker.
In addition, the Links at Northfork offers a fully stocked Pro Shop and Pub for all players to enjoy. Its beautiful banquet facility can accommodate up to 295 guests, making it a perfect venue for hosting events. The Links at Northfork is widely regarded as one of Minnesota’s finest golf courses, thanks to its outstanding playing conditions and unmatched practice facilities. Overall, the Links at Northfork offers an awesome course that is always in great shape, making it a top choice for avid golfers and enthusiasts alike.
Location: 9333 Alpine Dr, Ramsey, MN 55303
The Jewel Golf Club
The Jewel Golf Club, located 63 miles southeast of St. Paul in the Mississippi Valley bluffs in Lake City, is an 18-hole, semi-private course that has been recognized as one of Golfweek’s Best Public Courses in 2021. The sprawling 800-acre property offers a breathtaking landscape that includes heavily bunkered greens set amidst the shadows of dramatic bluffs. Designed by the three-time U.S. Open winner, Hale Irwin, the course offers a variety of terrains and challenges golfers of all levels of ability.
Playing the Jewel Golf Club begins with five sets of tee boxes, with varying numbers of slopes and pars. The layout caters to golfers of any proficiency level, each demanding shot set against the backdrop of magnificent aesthetics. The course presents a number of challenging tests, particularly at the 11th hole, that require players to navigate difficult shots aptly. The resort-style course promises to maintain excellent speed and performance over time through a combination of strategic layout and regular maintenance, making it a true jewel for public golf courses.
Location: 1900 Clubhouse Dr, Lake City, MN 55041
Conclusion
Whether you are a beginner or a more advanced golfer, Minneapolis is home to some of the finest golf courses in the country. From private clubs with breathtaking scenery to public courses designed by big names, there is something for everyone here. With this guide in hand, you should have all the essential information that you need to select your perfect course and start teeing off!
