Advice on Which Public Courses to Play in Twin Cities Area

[Divot_Forensicist]

We (twosome) will be in Minneapolis in early July and would like to play a couple of rounds. We are golf course aficionados, so any tips on public courses designed by highly regarded architects or that are simply architecturally unique and interesting would be much appreciated. We have a particular liking for more open, links style courses. Those of you who are knowledgeable about the best public golf in the area, rank the top 5 courses you would recommend. Thanks in advance!

[jshel]

East:

 

I think StoneRidge is the best public course in town. It’s a modern Bobby Weed on the east side. 

 

Keller is the best value in town. Muni on the St. Paul side that was renovated a few years ago. 

 

Troy Burne just across the river in Hudson, Wis., is good.

 

On the west side:

 

Rush Creek is high end public course that had the US Public Links several years go.

 

Some people like Chaska Town Course, but I think it’s overrated (It’s about a mile from Hazeltine and was the second course for the US Am. Billy Ho shot 60 there). 

 

 

[MN Power Fade]

Ross, Jones, Tillinghast, and Raynor are all represented among Minnesota courses, but none are public.

 

I think Keller is a must play based on what you described. It has a rich tournament history with the 1932 and 1954 PGA Championships, decades of the St. Paul Open, and later the Patty Berg Classic. Paul Coates was a city engineer and the architect, and I believe this is the only course to his credit. He supposedly consulted with Ross and studied many of the great courses at the time. A joy to play and hole #4 is probably one of the most infamous in the state.

 

Chaska, Braemar, and Edinburgh are other great munis near Minneapolis. Theodore Wirth has some interesting holes, but I wouldn’t put it in the same tier. It’s much older and in a preserve near downtown, a very charming course within city limits.

 

Les Bolstad is the University course and has some interesting history. Vardon designed the original 18 and it’s closely linked to Midland Hills (Raynor) in history and geography. I have a hard time recommending it as one to play though.

 

For the newer daily fee courses, StoneRidge and Troy Burne are both great. Meadows is also very good. I’ve heard Royal is good, but haven’t yet played it.

[Divot_Forensicist]

4 hours ago, MN Power Fade said:

Ross, Jones, Tillinghast, and Raynor are all represented among Minnesota courses, but none are public.

 

I think Keller is a must play based on what you described. It has a rich tournament history with the 1932 and 1954 PGA Championships, decades of the St. Paul Open, and later the Patty Berg Classic. Paul Coates was a city engineer and the architect, and I believe this is the only course to his credit. He supposedly consulted with Ross and studied many of the great courses at the time. A joy to play and hole #4 is probably one of the most infamous in the state.

 

Chaska, Braemar, and Edinburgh are other great munis near Minneapolis. Theodore Wirth has some interesting holes, but I wouldn’t put it in the same tier. It’s much older and in a preserve near downtown, a very charming course within city limits.

 

Les Bolstad is the University course and has some interesting history. Vardon designed the original 18 and it’s closely linked to Midland Hills (Raynor) in history and geography. I have a hard time recommending it as one to play though.

 

For the newer daily fee courses, StoneRidge and Troy Burne are both great. Meadows is also very good. I’ve heard Royal is good, but haven’t yet played it.

 

Thank you, this is very helpful. Keller will definitely be one we play. Sounds great and I can’t wait!

[dmuck]

+1 on Keller.

 

I would recommend StoneRidge over Troy Burne. Troy Burne's conditions have been declining in recent years, plus StoneRidge is closer if you're coming from Minneapolis.

 

Depending on how far you're willing to drive, check out The Jewel and/or The Refuge. Though neither are links-style courses, both are about an hour or so outside the city and worth the drive. Great layouts, solid conditions, and terrific value compared to the prices you'd pay in the metro area for something similar. They test your shot-making abilities but are generally fair and enjoyable courses to play.

[yeezys]

 

Stoneridge is an absolute MUST play! Links style with some of the best greens you'll ever play. If you have extra time on your hands and don't mind driving Giants Ridge is about 3 hours north of the cities but is home to two amazing courses, Quarry & Legend. If you can swing 36, do it but if not Quarry is the best public in the state for a reason. 

 

Rush Creek is another fantastic layout with great conditions. Get's a lot of play and is overpriced, but well worth it. The Royal Club is Arnold Palmers last course he designed alongside Annika Sorenstam and is really really good too.

Edited April 21, 2021 by yeezys

[Divot_Forensicist]

16 hours ago, yeezys said:

 

Stoneridge is an absolute MUST play! Links style with some of the best greens you'll ever play. If you have extra time on your hands and don't mind driving Giants Ridge is about 3 hours north of the cities but is home to two amazing courses, Quarry & Legend. If you can swing 36, do it but if not Quarry is the best public in the state for a reason. 

 

Rush Creek is another fantastic layout with great conditions. Get's a lot of play and is overpriced, but well worth it. The Royal Club is Arnold Palmers last course he designed alongside Annika Sorenstam and is really really good too.

Two years ago we got up to Giants Ridge. It is fantastic. This year we are headed to Sand Valley, Lawsonia, and Erin Hills. Minneapolis is our “layover” site where we will have a couple of days to play a few courses.

 

Thanks to everyone’s for the excellent recommendations thus far. It will be hard to choose!