Best courses in Twin Cities, MN

[linkerpan]

[quote name='Stuge' timestamp='1361398131' post='6467573']
[quote name='linkerpan' timestamp='1361208155' post='6451999']
[quote name='iStank' timestamp='1361154205' post='6448805']
I'm in Crystal. Waconia is a little too far out. I'm so mad too. My main two golfing buddies joined Minneapolis Golf Club.
[/quote]
Good for them joining Minneapolis GC but when I played there I was really dissapointed. I think you can find better courses for your money around. TPC being one
[/quote]
I'd be curious to find out when you played MGC and whether it was before or after the recent work they did out there (I think it was 3-5 years ago or so). Unless the clubhouse and/or practice facilities are really important to you, I don't think the TPC can hold a candle to MGC.
[/quote]
I played last july. The restaurant was ok, the terrace also. I never practice before with those range balls, but i was told because the range is so small they use them. The clubhouse is also ok, but nothing like you will find in more modern courses (Rush Creek, The Legends and The Wilds come to mind). The course was very "City of Minneapolis" alike, not the design, that is beautiful Ross, but the grass and greens. I liked the grown trees but disliked the homes surrounding the track, especially the final holes. My foursome was commenting as the club never was really the same since the 6 year old girl drowned some years ago in the pool. I went a wednesday afternoon, and other than employees, I never saw a young person there.

[DaBigSaus]

[quote name='Dakota Golf' timestamp='1354391603' post='6005069']
Anyone been on the TPC Twin cities? I live 4 min away. I have never been able to play it though. They have a huge super nice practice facility. I should be able to play it in the spring for school
[/quote]

It's a fun track. Nothing to write home about. Just very well maintained and gets very little play.

My Fav's in the cities pay for play are in no particular order....

Chaska Town Course
Loggers Trail
Edinburgh
Troy Burne
Keller (very underated for a muni... Still a shotmakers course)
Bunker Hills

[AltusBeliever]

[quote name='Stuge' timestamp='1300328785' post='3062526']
I will echo many of the courses recommended by others, including Tanners Brook and Loggers Trail. Sawmill is a great value, but not everyone's cup of tea. Also second Bunker Hills and Keller. Haven't played Edinburgh in several years, but at the prices they charge (especially for non-residents) I would rather play The Refuge. StoneRidge and Troy Burne are both fantastic if price is no object, but for many probably are not realistic for repeated play. A lot depends where you're coming from and how far you want to drive, but I also highly recommend some western Wisconsin courses as good courses and reasonably priced, such as New Richmond (my first choice) and Bristol Ridge. White Eagle is decent, but more spendy and not as nice as Troy Burne or StoneRidge. I also think Chisago Lakes and Chomonix are decent for what you pay, although both have one or two questionable holes.
[/quote]

Back when Chisago was only nine holes (prior to 1980 or so) it was an awesome nine holes that played 3500 yards from the back tees. When the wind blew it was all you could handle. Spent many a great day, evening and night out there.

[whysguy]

Istank, you asked about Oak Ridge a couple of weeks back and I just happened across the post.
Father in Law and brother are members there. Many other family parts are social members.
Its an extremely nice facility. Great for kids. Range, practice bunker are good. Would like a bit bigger/better practice putting green. (Zero flat area)
The course is heavily wooded. Greens are always near perfect and quite fast with crisply cut cups.
Good walkers course. Caddie program. Pretty competitive mens club.
It is a predominantly Jewish culture, but shedding that image some.
I know they had an attractive offering looking for new members last year.
Brother is in LA this week. Will chat with him over the weekend for an update.

[linkerpan]

[quote name='Rob G.' timestamp='1362522455' post='6553773']
[quote name='Dakota Golf' timestamp='1354391603' post='6005069']
Anyone been on the TPC Twin cities? I live 4 min away. I have never been able to play it though. They have a huge super nice practice facility. I should be able to play it in the spring for school
[/quote]

It's a fun track. Nothing to write home about. Just very well maintained and gets very little play.

My Fav's in the cities pay for play are in no particular order....

Chaska Town Course
Loggers Trail
Edinburgh
Troy Burne
Keller (very underated for a muni... Still a shotmakers course)
Bunker Hills
[/quote]
Good point about Keller, the layout was fantastic, but is under renovation and closed for 2013. Edinburgh is a good track, but not on weekends, just too many people. Sawmill and Loggers Trail is maybe the best 36 holes than money can buy. Because they are sisters courses and besides each other, is a good thing when you know you have a free saturday to play all what you want. Chaska is a jewel, far from the eastern suburbs, but worth a trip once a year.

[whysguy]

[quote name='iStank' timestamp='1361304001' post='6459679']
Anyone know about Oak Ridge in Hopkins?
[/quote]

iStank.
I spoke to brother in law over the weekend and have info on membership at Oak Ridge if your interested.
They are def looking to grow the golfing community there.

[RooneyTunes]

So far, some of my favorites are TPC, Hazeltine, and Chaska Town.

I've also been fairly impressed by Braemar.

[iStank]

[quote name='whysguy' timestamp='1363099997' post='6596759']
[quote name='iStank' timestamp='1361304001' post='6459679']
Anyone know about Oak Ridge in Hopkins?
[/quote]

iStank.
I spoke to brother in law over the weekend and have info on membership at Oak Ridge if your interested.
They are def looking to grow the golfing community there.
[/quote]

Ya. Shoot me over a PM.

[whysguy]

[quote name='iStank' timestamp='1363542701' post='6630001']
[quote name='whysguy' timestamp='1363099997' post='6596759']
[quote name='iStank' timestamp='1361304001' post='6459679']
Anyone know about Oak Ridge in Hopkins?
[/quote]

iStank.
I spoke to brother in law over the weekend and have info on membership at Oak Ridge if your interested.
They are def looking to grow the golfing community there.
[/quote]

Ya. Shoot me over a PM.
[/quote]

Pm Sent.

[MNgolf24]

Bellwood oaks is always a course I enjoy playing. Great condition all the time, and great staff. I also enjoy playing Crystal Lake and Willingers.
Had the chance to play Edina Country Club a couple times...wow, great course after the renovation.
Top 5
-Legends
-Bellwood Oaks
-Links at Northfork
-Crystal Lake
-Willingers
5 I want to play
-Chaska Town Course
-Troy Burne
-Jewel
-Island View
-Ridges at Sand Creek

forgot about dacotah ridge looks like a nice track

[whysguy]

Have you noticed the thread on the WRX outing to The Jewel?
Its on your list and can meet up with potential playing partners.
Sign up and join in, (if you havent).

Not a big fan of Dacotah Ridge, the others are solid choices.
Troy Burne my fav.
Would add Stoneridge.

[MNgolf24]

Just checked it out whysguy, sounds like a blast, and thanks for pointing that out, never knew about that sub-forum. I am going to see if I can take work off that weekend(Vegas vacation the following week), since I do work on a golf course, weekends are always a big part of our week. So Id say I am 50/50...

[whysguy]

[quote name='MNgolf24' timestamp='1365468442' post='6789277']
Just checked it out whysguy, sounds like a blast, and thanks for pointing that out, never knew about that sub-forum. I am going to see if I can take work off that weekend(Vegas vacation the following week), since I do work on a golf course, weekends are always a big part of our week. So Id say I am 50/50...
[/quote]
Hope you can join in. The more the merrier and all that...
You playing in Vegas?
I've played most courses there. Been a couple of years tho, but I love that town for the golf, not so much into casinos.

[awil]

And the courses are opening this weekend hope for a great season and this thread is a great compilation of mn golfwrx ers

[simple36]

Favorite course I have ever played would e Southview Cuntry Club. Good luck getting on unless you know a member or are willing to pay for the highly exclusive club. Greens are lightning and the course is extremely well kept. Haven't played another course like it.

[topperharley]

My list:

The Wilds
Rush Creek
StoneRidge
Links at Northfork

I'd also recommend:

Baker National
Stonebrook
Wild Marsh
Pebble Creek
Riverwood National
Mississippi National (although technically not in the Twin Cities)

Personally, I don't share the love that others have for Mississippi Dunes. The holes near the river are certainly very pretty, but the course itself is nothing spectacular, and many of the greens areas are just silly with extreme humps and swales. A handful scattered over 18 holes is one thing, but it gets old fast when it's a major design element. I'd likely play it more if it were closer, but for me it's not worth the drive.

[quote name='linkerpan' timestamp='1361417320' post='6469519']The restaurant was ok, the terrace also. I never practice before with those range balls, but i was told because the range is so small they use them. The clubhouse is also ok, but nothing like you will find in more modern courses (Rush Creek, The Legends and The Wilds come to mind). The course was very "City of Minneapolis" alike, not the design, that is beautiful Ross, but the grass and greens. ... My foursome was commenting as the club never was really the same since the 6 year old girl drowned some years ago in the pool.[/quote]
As far as the course itself, I think Minneapolis GC is terrific. Good test of golf, and, unless they've done something drastic in the last ten years or so, the greens are outstanding. Fast, but roll true, and make you think about where on the green you wanted to hit your approach shot more than a lot of other courses in the Twin Cities. Purely as a golfer, I don't really care much about the clubhouse, or the restaurant. I'm there to play golf, not have a fancy dinner or marvel at the architecture. As a private club member, I could see where that might be important, though. But their clubhouse facilities are more than adequate. The pool accident (she didn't drown, she had part of her intestines sucked out by a pool drain, and later died) definitely had a long-term negative effect on the club. For as long as I can remember, most of the members thought the club should tear up the pool (which they thought was pretty much a waste of space) and expand the driving range. It would have saved a tragedy.

[ihatecats18]

I played Boulder Pointe in Elko. And my god is that a short gimmicky little course. It could be fun scramble course or maybe a ladies course (short) from the mens tees. But wow, that was not fun. I had 5 birdies and 3 holes I didn't finish because I lost my drive or worse, one hole's distance marker was off 15 yards and I put 3 in the water. Maddening, not worth the money.

Also, they have no liquor license, so no beer. They did say you could bring your own though

[asommers14]

I get jealous looking at all the courses you guys have played. Lived in Minnesota all my life and still trying to find a way to get onto some of the privates.

[DaBigSaus]

[quote name='asommers14' timestamp='1376235634' post='7653006']
I get jealous looking at all the courses you guys have played. Lived in Minnesota all my life and still trying to find a way to get onto some of the privates.
[/quote]

Dude you should come play Tanners with us Saturday! See the link below if your interested. Its a fun track!

[url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/879394-mn-wrx-at-tanners-brook-august-17th-2pm/"]http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/879394-mn-wrx-at-tanners-brook-august-17th-2pm/[/url]

[asommers14]

Ya I will look into it ...got to make sure I can get off work. I have never played Tanner's

[linkerpan]

A friend invited me today to play Bunker Hills. Sadly, is the only golf course I have played in Minnesota that I have nothing good to say about. In this forum there are some recommendations to go there, but definitely it merits a review again. It is hard to call a $62 course overpriced, but I felt this was. Because is a public course and has the reputation it has, I feel in some years the State or the city of Coon Rapids will be searching on their pockets for a major overhaul of the rough. Service was not good definitely, GPS was a joke (18 yards of discrepancy with my range finder), and the pace was 5 hours, including groups jumping ahead in the back 9, with no rangers to control anything. I have called the $100+ Rush Creek expensive, but next time, I will play there instead. I have to say the clubhouse was impressive, but today the museum was closed when I was there.

[pistolpete31]

My go-to course is Pheasant Acres but also like Shamrock. These are just your average courses which is what I like because I am not that good yet. Also play hollydale, elm creek, and colombia.

[ZINC68]

[quote name='pistolpete31' timestamp='1376369591' post='7665738']
My go-to course is Pheasant Acres but also like Shamrock. These are just your average courses which is what I like because I am not that good yet. Also play hollydale, elm creek, and colombia.
[/quote]You must be from my area (Plymouth/MG)

[pistolpete31]

[quote name='ZINC68' timestamp='1376530143' post='7678722']
[quote name='pistolpete31' timestamp='1376369591' post='7665738']
My go-to course is Pheasant Acres but also like Shamrock. These are just your average courses which is what I like because I am not that good yet. Also play hollydale, elm creek, and colombia.
[/quote]You must be from my area (Plymouth/MG)
[/quote]

Yeah I am, where do you like playing?

[asommers14]

Any of you guys playing tonight?

[pistolpete31]

Courses are absolutely rock hard right now, I hate it. Can't hit finese shots from tight lies or stick it on the green

[linkerpan]

[quote name='pistolpete31' timestamp='1376953827' post='7708254']
Courses are absolutely rock hard right now, I hate it. Can't hit finese shots from tight lies or stick it on the green
[/quote]
You need to get out of the city. The Golfwrx group had an outing this last weekend at Tanners and it was fine. I played Bulrush in Saturday and Hudson Golf Sunday and they were playing really nice. I know Eagle Valley, Tartan and Prestwick around the Woodbury area are very good still. Sadly my schedule now is not allowing to plan ahead, I would have invited you to go out around my place in Woodbury. BTW, Tartan has twilight at $10, the best deal going around, and Saturdays and Sundays start at 4PM.

[pistolpete31]

[quote name='linkerpan' timestamp='1376967422' post='7709926']
[quote name='pistolpete31' timestamp='1376953827' post='7708254']
Courses are absolutely rock hard right now, I hate it. Can't hit finese shots from tight lies or stick it on the green
[/quote]
You need to get out of the city. The Golfwrx group had an outing this last weekend at Tanners and it was fine. I played Bulrush in Saturday and Hudson Golf Sunday and they were playing really nice. I know Eagle Valley, Tartan and Prestwick around the Woodbury area are very good still. Sadly my schedule now is not allowing to plan ahead, I would have invited you to go out around my place in Woodbury. BTW, Tartan has twilight at $10, the best deal going around, and Saturdays and Sundays start at 4PM.
[/quote]

Good to know, thanks for the info.

[rlheiman]

Just played Wild Marsh the other day. It is a great track. Challenging and scenic. A little far out on the west side in Buffalo, but a hidden gem and reasonably priced for what they offer.

[turfmantim]

[quote name='pistolpete31' timestamp='1376953827' post='7708254']
Courses are absolutely rock hard right now, I hate it. Can't hit finese shots from tight lies or stick it on the green
[/quote]

Fast and firm right? Isn't that what everybody wants? We're sure being told we want that