Best courses in Twin Cities, MN

[HenryBall]

[quote name='golferjoey3' date='17 January 2010 - 04:02 PM' timestamp='1263762164' post='2187368']
Chaska is overrated. The condition of the course has gone down considerably since they co-hosted the US Am a few years back. In my opinion the greens are some of the worst in the area.
[/quote]

+1, Totally agree with you Joey.

[skilikeme]

[quote name='HenryBall' date='17 January 2010 - 05:20 PM' timestamp='1263770410' post='2187602']
[quote name='golferjoey3' date='17 January 2010 - 04:02 PM' timestamp='1263762164' post='2187368']
Chaska is overrated. The condition of the course has gone down considerably since they co-hosted the US Am a few years back. In my opinion the greens are some of the worst in the area.
[/quote]

+1, Totally agree with you Joey.
[/quote]

haha...well maybe I DON'T want to play Chaska now. What do you guys recommend in the South and West burbs? Probably public, I don't have any connections

[HenryBall]

[quote name='skilikeme' date='17 January 2010 - 06:22 PM' timestamp='1263770555' post='2187609']
[quote name='HenryBall' date='17 January 2010 - 05:20 PM' timestamp='1263770410' post='2187602']
[quote name='golferjoey3' date='17 January 2010 - 04:02 PM' timestamp='1263762164' post='2187368']
Chaska is overrated. The condition of the course has gone down considerably since they co-hosted the US Am a few years back. In my opinion the greens are some of the worst in the area.
[/quote]

+1, Totally agree with you Joey.
[/quote]

haha...well maybe I DON'T want to play Chaska now. What do you guys recommend in the South and West burbs? Probably public, I don't have any connections
[/quote]

I'd probably try Stonebrooke or Willingers, I didn't play much in the south/west Twin Cities. I heard the Meadows at Mystic Lake was a good track.

[whysguy]

chaska town course is I think over rated, but its mostly due to the pompous attitude of the staff. They think WAY too highly of themselves. I do like the course and probably play it a few times a year, but then get frustrated and choose others. Played Ledgends a bunch of times. Its top 5 of the cities, IMO. For alternatives, south, Willingers, Ridges of Sand Creek, (kinda). I love the track at The Wilds, but the greens are not always good. Also really not a walkers course, which I prefer. Mystic Dunes at the casino is crowded into too small a facility. Too many holes are too close together and I feel like target practice.
Out west in Buffalo, Wild Marsh is pretty good.
Best in the cites, IMO, Troy Burne, Ledgends, Loggers Trail, Stoneridge, Willingers, , if I had 5 to play while in this town.

[steel]

Would like to rebump this thread!

I will be living in the Northeast suburbs this summer. This thread is a gold mine!

Anyone have some plugs for a course with a fun social (yet competitive) weekly league/event day in this area?

I would like to be a member somewhere but money is a constrictor... (24 just finishing grad school).

[mccjud]

I played my college golf at Indian Hills out in stillwater. Very traditional course where breaking par is decent. I would say loggers trail is a must play & for joining check out dellwood hills. I think they have some good deals for those under 30 yrs old

[WhiteBettinardi]

Minikhada is great, but tough and expensive

[GC70]

[quote name='steel' timestamp='1297882050' post='2983444']
Would like to rebump this thread!

I will be living in the Northeast suburbs this summer. This thread is a gold mine!

Anyone have some plugs for a course with a fun social (yet competitive) weekly league/event day in this area?

I would like to be a member somewhere but money is a constrictor... (24 just finishing grad school).
[/quote]

How long of a drive do you want? What cities r u looking at ?

[whysguy]

Northeast suburb is a bit vague, but the courses that come to mind are Loggers Trail,
maybe The Refuge in Oakgrove, north of Blaine. A very nice course IMO.
Bunker Hills has a really good group, gets a LOT of play.
Kellar GC in St Paul, a wonderful track.
Edinburgh, not my fav, but many like it a lot, great clubhouse and active group.
Just to throw out a few choices on that side of the cities.

[mr_divots]

[quote name='whysguy' timestamp='1300165966' post='3056512']
Northeast suburb is a bit vague, but the courses that come to mind are Loggers Trail,
maybe The Refuge in Oakgrove, north of Blaine. A very nice course IMO.
Bunker Hills has a really good group, gets a LOT of play.
Kellar GC in St Paul, a wonderful track.
Edinburgh, not my fav, but many like it a lot, great clubhouse and active group.
Just to throw out a few choices on that side of the cities.
[/quote]
Great suggestions and many of my golfing "haunts." Add Tanners Brook in Forest Lake to that list. Stoneridge in Stillwater is east side. Victory Links up in Blaine. Majestic Oaks in Blaine. Links at Northfork in Ramsey is easy to get to from the NE side of town.

Edinburgh is probably my least favorite of those listed. Course is good and challenging (very high slope rating) but that makes for Slooooow rounds. 5 hours is pretty much the norm there. Uggh.

[whysguy]

I agree about the slow play at Edinburgh. I always seem to be hitting into the setting sun on both 17 and 18. Also can never score it well. I like Stoneridge alot, just didnt add that to the list as its not really Northeast, just due east. And if I'm heading thataway, I'm going to Troy Burne. Maybe Stonridge on way back for a very nice 2 round day.
I've played almost all in the cities, but not yet played Tanners Brook. Not even really heard much about it. Links? Traditional? Woodsy? Slope?
Kinda thinking of joining the mens league at Links of Northfork. Except for #15, Love that course, although a bit windy some. Played with a couple of members last year and liked them and what they had to say about the course, staff and menbers. Not ever played in a mens league, but want to give it a whirl and see how my game holds up.
(Also lost my regular playing partner who's wife took up the game.)

[mr_divots]

[quote name='whysguy' timestamp='1300245385' post='3059434']
I agree about the slow play at Edinburgh. I always seem to be hitting into the setting sun on both 17 and 18. Also can never score it well. I like Stoneridge alot, just didnt add that to the list as its not really Northeast, just due east. And if I'm heading thataway, I'm going to Troy Burne. Maybe Stonridge on way back for a very nice 2 round day.
I've played almost all in the cities, but not yet played Tanners Brook. Not even really heard much about it. Links? Traditional? Woodsy? Slope?
Kinda thinking of joining the mens league at Links of Northfork. Except for #15, Love that course, although a bit windy some. Played with a couple of members last year and liked them and what they had to say about the course, staff and menbers. Not ever played in a mens league, but want to give it a whirl and see how my game holds up.
(Also lost my regular playing partner who's wife took up the game.)
[/quote]
Tanners Brook is a bit of a mix. Front side is very open/links style, with a few tree lines on the back 9 that border some of the fairways, but still very links style, and when its windy up there, much more difficult much like Northfork. I LOVE the fact there aren't really any houses (or anything) that border Tanners. It feels like "getting away from it all" up there, and is why I have played it since it opened. Pretty good conditions and the price is reasonable. Good staff. New clubhouse. North/East side of town its one to check out for sure.

#15 at Northfork... is there a golfer alive that likes that hole? What a POS hole in an otherwise good setup. They need to improve that hole. It sticks out like a sore thumb and always slows down the back 9 to a crawl by that hole if its busy. Not much of a fan of #14 either.

[GC70]

[quote name='mr_divots' timestamp='1300300453' post='3061080']
[quote name='whysguy' timestamp='1300245385' post='3059434']
I agree about the slow play at Edinburgh. I always seem to be hitting into the setting sun on both 17 and 18. Also can never score it well. I like Stoneridge alot, just didnt add that to the list as its not really Northeast, just due east. And if I'm heading thataway, I'm going to Troy Burne. Maybe Stonridge on way back for a very nice 2 round day.
I've played almost all in the cities, but not yet played Tanners Brook. Not even really heard much about it. Links? Traditional? Woodsy? Slope?
Kinda thinking of joining the mens league at Links of Northfork. Except for #15, Love that course, although a bit windy some. Played with a couple of members last year and liked them and what they had to say about the course, staff and menbers. Not ever played in a mens league, but want to give it a whirl and see how my game holds up.
(Also lost my regular playing partner who's wife took up the game.)
[/quote]
Tanners Brook is a bit of a mix. Front side is very open/links style, with a few tree lines on the back 9 that border some of the fairways, but still very links style, and when its windy up there, much more difficult much like Northfork. I LOVE the fact there aren't really any houses (or anything) that border Tanners. It feels like "getting away from it all" up there, and is why I have played it since it opened. Pretty good conditions and the price is reasonable. Good staff. New clubhouse. North/East side of town its one to check out for sure.

#15 at Northfork... is there a golfer alive that likes that hole? What a POS hole in an otherwise good setup. They need to improve that hole. It sticks out like a sore thumb and always slows down the back 9 to a crawl by that hole if its busy. Not much of a fan of #14 either.
[/quote]

Northfork has a 18 hole mens league on wednesdays very competitive.
Whats wrong with 15? You cant hit the landing ?

[Stuge]

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.

[mr_divots]

[quote name='georgec' timestamp='1300314525' post='3061724']
[quote name='mr_divots' timestamp='1300300453' post='3061080']
[quote name='whysguy' timestamp='1300245385' post='3059434']
I agree about the slow play at Edinburgh. I always seem to be hitting into the setting sun on both 17 and 18. Also can never score it well. I like Stoneridge alot, just didnt add that to the list as its not really Northeast, just due east. And if I'm heading thataway, I'm going to Troy Burne. Maybe Stonridge on way back for a very nice 2 round day.
I've played almost all in the cities, but not yet played Tanners Brook. Not even really heard much about it. Links? Traditional? Woodsy? Slope?
Kinda thinking of joining the mens league at Links of Northfork. Except for #15, Love that course, although a bit windy some. Played with a couple of members last year and liked them and what they had to say about the course, staff and menbers. Not ever played in a mens league, but want to give it a whirl and see how my game holds up.
(Also lost my regular playing partner who's wife took up the game.)
[/quote]
Tanners Brook is a bit of a mix. Front side is very open/links style, with a few tree lines on the back 9 that border some of the fairways, but still very links style, and when its windy up there, much more difficult much like Northfork. I LOVE the fact there aren't really any houses (or anything) that border Tanners. It feels like "getting away from it all" up there, and is why I have played it since it opened. Pretty good conditions and the price is reasonable. Good staff. New clubhouse. North/East side of town its one to check out for sure.

#15 at Northfork... is there a golfer alive that likes that hole? What a POS hole in an otherwise good setup. They need to improve that hole. It sticks out like a sore thumb and always slows down the back 9 to a crawl by that hole if its busy. Not much of a fan of #14 either.
[/quote]

Northfork has a 18 hole mens league on wednesdays very competitive.
Whats wrong with 15? You cant hit the landing ?
[/quote]
What time do those tee times start? I've wanted to get involved in an 18 hole club again, but Tanners starts at like 630 AM Saturdays, and dang, I need some sleep! LOL!

Me and everyone else that plays that dang hole. It's a very small landing area. Basically plays like two long par 3's with OB on either side. I've had some good rounds on that course, but no thanks to that hole. NO ONE I've ever played that hole with likes it. Say #15 at Links and you know the reaction pretty much. LOL!

[GC70]

[quote name='mr_divots' timestamp='1300398577' post='3064960']
[quote name='georgec' timestamp='1300314525' post='3061724']
[quote name='mr_divots' timestamp='1300300453' post='3061080']
[quote name='whysguy' timestamp='1300245385' post='3059434']
I agree about the slow play at Edinburgh. I always seem to be hitting into the setting sun on both 17 and 18. Also can never score it well. I like Stoneridge alot, just didnt add that to the list as its not really Northeast, just due east. And if I'm heading thataway, I'm going to Troy Burne. Maybe Stonridge on way back for a very nice 2 round day.
I've played almost all in the cities, but not yet played Tanners Brook. Not even really heard much about it. Links? Traditional? Woodsy? Slope?
Kinda thinking of joining the mens league at Links of Northfork. Except for #15, Love that course, although a bit windy some. Played with a couple of members last year and liked them and what they had to say about the course, staff and menbers. Not ever played in a mens league, but want to give it a whirl and see how my game holds up.
(Also lost my regular playing partner who's wife took up the game.)
[/quote]
Tanners Brook is a bit of a mix. Front side is very open/links style, with a few tree lines on the back 9 that border some of the fairways, but still very links style, and when its windy up there, much more difficult much like Northfork. I LOVE the fact there aren't really any houses (or anything) that border Tanners. It feels like "getting away from it all" up there, and is why I have played it since it opened. Pretty good conditions and the price is reasonable. Good staff. New clubhouse. North/East side of town its one to check out for sure.

#15 at Northfork... is there a golfer alive that likes that hole? What a POS hole in an otherwise good setup. They need to improve that hole. It sticks out like a sore thumb and always slows down the back 9 to a crawl by that hole if its busy. Not much of a fan of #14 either.
[/quote]

Northfork has a 18 hole mens league on wednesdays very competitive.
Whats wrong with 15? You cant hit the landing ?
[/quote]
What time do those tee times start? I've wanted to get involved in an 18 hole club again, but Tanners starts at like 630 AM Saturdays, and dang, I need some sleep! LOL!

Me and everyone else that plays that dang hole. It's a very small landing area. Basically plays like two long par 3's with OB on either side. I've had some good rounds on that course, but no thanks to that hole. NO ONE I've ever played that hole with likes it. Say #15 at Links and you know the reaction pretty much. LOL!
[/quote]

The mens league is all day Wednesdays from sun up to sun down. You want to tee off before 2:00 otherwise it will be slow.

Thats why #15 is the hardest hole. You should play it like 2 par 3's. Hit like a 3 iron or up to a 3 wood depending on the wind and then a short iron up hill to the green. Dont get me wrong it can kill a round but its not pos hole.

[mr_divots]

[quote name='georgec' timestamp='1300404982' post='3065214']
[quote name='mr_divots' timestamp='1300398577' post='3064960']
[quote name='georgec' timestamp='1300314525' post='3061724']
[quote name='mr_divots' timestamp='1300300453' post='3061080']
[quote name='whysguy' timestamp='1300245385' post='3059434']
I agree about the slow play at Edinburgh. I always seem to be hitting into the setting sun on both 17 and 18. Also can never score it well. I like Stoneridge alot, just didnt add that to the list as its not really Northeast, just due east. And if I'm heading thataway, I'm going to Troy Burne. Maybe Stonridge on way back for a very nice 2 round day.
I've played almost all in the cities, but not yet played Tanners Brook. Not even really heard much about it. Links? Traditional? Woodsy? Slope?
Kinda thinking of joining the mens league at Links of Northfork. Except for #15, Love that course, although a bit windy some. Played with a couple of members last year and liked them and what they had to say about the course, staff and menbers. Not ever played in a mens league, but want to give it a whirl and see how my game holds up.
(Also lost my regular playing partner who's wife took up the game.)
[/quote]
Tanners Brook is a bit of a mix. Front side is very open/links style, with a few tree lines on the back 9 that border some of the fairways, but still very links style, and when its windy up there, much more difficult much like Northfork. I LOVE the fact there aren't really any houses (or anything) that border Tanners. It feels like "getting away from it all" up there, and is why I have played it since it opened. Pretty good conditions and the price is reasonable. Good staff. New clubhouse. North/East side of town its one to check out for sure.

#15 at Northfork... is there a golfer alive that likes that hole? What a POS hole in an otherwise good setup. They need to improve that hole. It sticks out like a sore thumb and always slows down the back 9 to a crawl by that hole if its busy. Not much of a fan of #14 either.
[/quote]

Northfork has a 18 hole mens league on wednesdays very competitive.
Whats wrong with 15? You cant hit the landing ?
[/quote]
What time do those tee times start? I've wanted to get involved in an 18 hole club again, but Tanners starts at like 630 AM Saturdays, and dang, I need some sleep! LOL!

Me and everyone else that plays that dang hole. It's a very small landing area. Basically plays like two long par 3's with OB on either side. I've had some good rounds on that course, but no thanks to that hole. NO ONE I've ever played that hole with likes it. Say #15 at Links and you know the reaction pretty much. LOL!
[/quote]

The mens league is all day Wednesdays from sun up to sun down. You want to tee off before 2:00 otherwise it will be slow.

Thats why #15 is the hardest hole. You should play it like 2 par 3's. Hit like a 3 iron or up to a 3 wood depending on the wind and then a short iron up hill to the green. Dont get me wrong it can kill a round but its not pos hole.
[/quote]
Oh that's how I play it. The margin for error is just very low, and as I said, good strategy hole or not, you have to think about public play when designing for a public course. That hole single-handedly adds about 15 minutes or more to the round as people flail away and everyone backs up on the tee waiting. It's often not that holes are so tough, but when you have to wait on the tee for 15-20 minutes, you just plain get "iced." #17 at Edinburgh is the same way. Not that hard, really, but by the time you FINALLY get to hit, well...

[OnTheRocks]

As far as bang for your buck, I think Victory Links in Blaine and Logger's Trail in Stillwater are 2 of the best in the metro. I just wish they were a bit closer to me (I am in the south metro).

[mr_divots]

[quote name='OnTheRocks' timestamp='1300477832' post='3067269']
As far as bang for your buck, I think Victory Links in Blaine and Logger's Trail in Stillwater are 2 of the best in the metro. I just wish they were a bit closer to me (I am in the south metro).
[/quote]
Victory's HOLES and conditions are GREAT. The land it sits on, and the [i]epic[/i] walks between the holes are ridiculous. Especially for a 1st Tee course.

Loggers has been growing on me, mostly due to the land it sits on. Some of the holes are a little tricked up/goofy. Fun track though. Agreed.

[whysguy]

Chomonix is a course that I had forgotten about. saw deer running around. like the track pretty well. I need to remember to get back to that one.
And I agree with New Richmond also. #1 and 2 start out a bit boring and then the whole course changes. Played a few yrs ago in the Twin Cities Tour thing and played a course in Somerset . I think it was Albion Ridge? Was decent track. Do NOT like St Croix Natl.

Courses should be opening up in a couple weeks!!

Might head down to Iowa next wknd and get out but Harvester prob wont open till April. Dang I like that course, just dont want to wait.

[mr_divots]

The range at Ponds at Battle Creek was open yesterday and I hit a bucket. Totally cold, wet, and sloppy out there, but it felt good (mats, of course.)

[Stuge]

[quote name='whysguy' timestamp='1300600091' post='3070867']
Chomonix is a course that I had forgotten about. saw deer running around. like the track pretty well. I need to remember to get back to that one.
And I agree with New Richmond also. #1 and 2 start out a bit boring and then the whole course changes. Played a few yrs ago in the Twin Cities Tour thing and played a course in Somerset . I think it was Albion Ridge? Was decent track. Do NOT like St Croix Natl.

Courses should be opening up in a couple weeks!!

Might head down to Iowa next wknd and get out but Harvester prob wont open till April. Dang I like that course, just dont want to wait.
[/quote]


You must have played Bristol Ridge in Somerset, which I agree is a solid course and an especially good value type course. Albion Ridge is also a really good option, but that is located 30 minutes west of the Twin Cities. I agree on St. Croix National. I fully admit that playing golf anywhere is funner than most things I would be doing that day, but if the option is St. Croix National mowing the lawn seems a lot more attractive.

[whysguy]

Yep. Bristol Ridge. I enjoyed the track, but the 5 1/2 hour round during the tourney spoiled the good walk.
My wife just booked San Diego to see her sister and new baby for next wknd, so I'm off to Iowa I think. Unless I find some incredible flight deal to Myrtle Beach or Birmingham. or .... Need to look into long range weather stuff and flight prices/times.
We'll be playing in our backyard in a couple/ few wks.. Yay!!!

[OnTheRocks]

[quote name='mr_divots' timestamp='1300483156' post='3067468']
[quote name='OnTheRocks' timestamp='1300477832' post='3067269']
As far as bang for your buck, I think Victory Links in Blaine and Logger's Trail in Stillwater are 2 of the best in the metro. I just wish they were a bit closer to me (I am in the south metro).
[/quote]
Victory's HOLES and conditions are GREAT. The land it sits on, and the [i]epic[/i] walks between the holes are ridiculous. Especially for a 1st Tee course.

Loggers has been growing on me, mostly due to the land it sits on. Some of the holes are a little tricked up/goofy. Fun track though. Agreed.
[/quote]

I agree! I usually walk when I golf, but I have not walked Victory Links and don't plan to! Getting to the first hole is a good example of what follows. Play it when they have one of their "cash specials" (I think after 1 on the weekend) and it is around $35 with cart.

[mr_divots]

[quote name='OnTheRocks' timestamp='1300714985' post='3073810']
[quote name='mr_divots' timestamp='1300483156' post='3067468']
[quote name='OnTheRocks' timestamp='1300477832' post='3067269']
As far as bang for your buck, I think Victory Links in Blaine and Logger's Trail in Stillwater are 2 of the best in the metro. I just wish they were a bit closer to me (I am in the south metro).
[/quote]
Victory's HOLES and conditions are GREAT. The land it sits on, and the [i]epic[/i] walks between the holes are ridiculous. Especially for a 1st Tee course.

Loggers has been growing on me, mostly due to the land it sits on. Some of the holes are a little tricked up/goofy. Fun track though. Agreed.
[/quote]

I agree! I usually walk when I golf, but I have not walked Victory Links and don't plan to! Getting to the first hole is a good example of what follows. Play it when they have one of their "cash specials" (I think after 1 on the weekend) and it is around $35 with cart.
[/quote]
I've done that special a few times. It's even less sometimes later in the afternoon. (Think I played 18 with cart for $25 cash.) I've walked it many times. Great exercise. The walk from 17 to 18 is the worst on the course. You're tired by then, and its the longest walk of the day. If those holes sat closer together on a decent piece of land, it would be $45+ to play, easily. I find play can really be slow since its a "community" golf course, so walking it often just spaces things out. But no way I'd walk it when its hot and humid, and the mosquitoes can get bad at sunset.

[OnTheRocks]

Warning!!! I just played Victory Links in Blaine and I could not have been more dissappointed in the condition. I played the course a hand full of times last year and absolutely loved the course but it is barely playable right now. Almost all of the greens on the front nine did not make it through the winter and the back nine wasn't much better. I have never seen anything like it before. It looked like they were almost moldy to me...not just winter kill. I will be back because I really think the course is a good value but probably not until at least June.

[rlheiman]

I'm not sure anywhere in MN has nice greens yet. I've been to a few courses so far this spring and none of them have been very good. But with the recent/current rain hopefully things will green up soon. Victory Links in Blaine almost always has good conditions so give it a little time.

[Lloydbraun]

My two favorite course are Stonebrook and Crystal Lake, StoneBrook has the signature hole on 8 i believe 200 over water then take a ferry over, overall the greens are fast and challenging compared to most public golf courses. Crystal Lake i grew up playing it so ill always enjoy it, the front nine is great IMO one of the best front nines you can play....now the back nine is ok nothing special...

The St. Paul public course i would say stay away, they are all a shooting gallery, holes are too close to each other, ive had multiple balls hit off the front or roof of our golf cart while in OUR fairway from the adjacent hole......

[rlheiman]

Just played White Eagle in Hudson, WI. The greens were near perfect, only 1 green was not perfect, hole #15, but the rest of the course was beautiful.

Yes the St. Paul courses are kind of tight and you have to watch out for the other golfers (or their golf balls), but I still like Keller.

[danfido]

I'll echo what others are saying about White Eagle. I played it a couple weeks ago for the first time, and was thoroughly impressed! The staff was fantastic, the course in near-perfect condition, and it provided a nice challenge. My only complaint was all of the uneven lies, but I didn't take up this game to not be challenged! Will definitely play this one again.

I also played the Ponds at Battle Creek for a warm-up to White Eagle, and I was greatly disappointed. The winter must have really brought this course to its knees, as every single fairway and green had bare patches on them. Three years ago, this course was in immaculate condition and was one of my favorite value plays in the Cities. They have a lot of work to do to get back to that.