Minnesota golf recommendations

[cjblake09]

I am heading up next month and looking to play a couple of times. We are going to be staying on the north side of Millie Lacs Lake and looking for recommendations. Everything looks so nice and green that is it hard to separate the nice courses from the goat tracks. Thanks for any help!

[cjblake09]

So got some more info from our host and he is throwing out:

 

The Classic

The Pines golf and The Preserve course at Grand View Lodge

Minnesota National

Rutgers Bay

Deacons

 

 

[jshel]

If you are willing to drive to the Brainerd area, that is where the best stuff in that part of the state is.

 

The Classic at Maddens, The Preserve, Deacon’s Lodge are probably the best three in that area.

[cjblake09]

We are and thanks for the input. If you had to choose 2 out of those what would they be?

[BirdieRoll]

My top three would be Classic, Deacon’s, and MN National. I think MN-N is a really good course for the money. The Classic offers caddie service if desired and might be required at certain times if I remember correctly.

[cjblake09]

That is how i am leaning as well. Thanks.

[loudizzzle]

I play in Brainerd yearly. I would say Deacons,Classic and Preserve are my top 3. Deacons and Preserve are only about 15 mins from each other.

[Sweetdraw]

Agree w Deacons, Classic and Preserve. All great courses. Play 36...long days at this time of year. Have fun!

[cjblake09]

Awesome, thanks guys.

[cjblake09]

Any opinions on Rutgers Bay if we want to stay closer to home one day?

[loudizzzle]

Sorry Ive never played it so I dont have any thoughts on the course

[mn723]

Deacons, The Classic and The Preserve are all great. Look into Dutch's and Bobby's Legacy at Cragun's Resort (both right by The Classic). Golden Eagle up in Fifty Lakes is good too.

I'd skip The Pines, MN Nat'l and Rutger's.

[cjblake09]

Just got back and loved The Classic at Maddens and Deacon's. We did the full caddie service and walked Maddens and it was awesome and it is a very challenging course. Deacons was a bit more forgiving off the tee which is what the starter said Arnold Palmer does in his designs so you don't take driver out of your hands. Both awesome and will be back next summer for sure.

[eboettne]

Hit the nail on the head, Madden's can be very challenging. Played it in a publinks qualifier with the greens rolling about a 12 and it ate my lunch. That said, I'd play there again in a heartbeat.

Deacon's Lodge is a really fun course and is definitely a little more forgiving but still tests you... starting with that 1st tee shot and approach shot!

[cjblake09]

What is the story on MN National?  We have one day open and looking to play that one the day we get there as it is somewhat close to the house. 

[cjblake09]

So we took Minn National out of the mix.  Looking at the Grand View Lodge and The Pines or Preserve.  Only can play one so which is it?

[henniga]

I played The Pines about 3 weeks ago. It was fantastic. Perfect shape. 

[misteraces]

It’s been a few years since playing both, but I would play The Preserve if I had to choose between the two. The Preserve has a great patio overlooking 4 holes for lunch or a beverage after the round. 
 

I’d rate it below Deacon’s and The Classic but still great golf. 

[loudizzzle]

I agree on the Preserve over the Pines. 

[cjblake09]

Great we have the Preserve booked now going back and forth on the Pines or Minn National for the 2nd round on Friday.  We are playing Maddens that morning and debating on staying around that area and playing the Pines or heading back closer to the house and playing Minn National.  Thoughts?

[loudizzzle]

I havent played MN National in a few years but I liked it when I have played it. 

[eboettne]

17 hours ago, cjblake09 said:

Great we have the Preserve booked now going back and forth on the Pines or Minn National for the 2nd round on Friday.  We are playing Maddens that morning and debating on staying around that area and playing the Pines or heading back closer to the house and playing Minn National.  Thoughts?

Never played Minn National but The Pines can be a little polarizing. While the Preserve is wider and in front of you, The Pines is tight and has a few goofy holes that dogleg at 170-200 yards off the tee.  

[BirdieRoll]

I’d go with Door #3: Deacon’s.

[cjblake09]

3 hours ago, BirdieRoll said:

I’d go with Door #3: Deacon’s.

Thanks and i think we are going with Minn National over The Pines.  Playing Deacon's on Saturday, love that course. 

[cjblake09]

Maddens classic was just awesome as to be expected.  So crazy that that course is so empty all the time.  Super fun and hard at the same time. 
 

Deacons later that day was great as well although a little step down from maddens.  Would be great if you could blend the two courses together. 

[cjblake09]

Minn National is good but a lot of forced carries and you need to play the course twice to get a feel for it.  Would play it again for sure and depending on playing partners you need to select the correct tees or it would not be fun for some. Course was in great shape all around and the patio overlooking the course is great for after the round. 

 

The Preserve at Grand View Lodge was great.  Not a long course at all, i think 6700 from the tips and 6300 from the blues but tight fairways and some blind tee shots.  Good elevation changes on the par 3's and a fun 280 par 4.  Condition rivals Maddens Classic and about $50 cheaper. 

[BirdieRoll]

A different part of the state, but Dacotah Ridge is in great shape. Fairways perhaps even a bit too green - would've liked to see conditions a bit more firm and fast. A challenging course.

[pdaero]

Glad you enjoyed it, Chris! The Classic at Madden’s is my favorite course when going to visit my mom in north MN. Played last summer and it was spectacular. 

[Symphonize]

Hello all, I’ll be up in Minneapolis area Memorial Day weekend for my brothers wedding. I am looking at playing a round early Friday morning solo. I am staying in Edina, and hoping to keep it within a 30 minute drive. Definitely looking for a nicer course, I’d say budget $50-$200. I also could have my head pro call around for some private tracks too, though not sure if I really want to go that route. Would be great to play Interlachen or Hazeltine, but not sure how easy it would be to get on, and would probably be an expensive round (though worth it). 
 

any thoughts? 

[goaliedad30]

Legends in Prior Lake is a fun, interesting layout, and probably just inside your 30 mins from Edina. If your pro has sway at Hazeltine, it's definitely worth it. I played it in high school and college, and attended the Ryder Cup there in 2016. Nearby to Hazeltine is Chaska Town Course, another interesting, challenging layout that's public. Front 9 is links-y, back 9 is through the trees.