New to MINNY what courses to play?

[byoshio82]

In between St. Cloud and the Twin Cities. Looking for a good short game area and courses to check out. 
 

I have been spoiled living inOregon most Of my life with some amazing tracks on the west coast. However I’ve been blown away by how many courses there are here and in Wisconsin. 

[OhYeahPlayer]

For public courses in the Twin Cities area:

 

Braemar probably has the best short game practice area that I know of, and it's a great track too. I plan on playing most of my golf there this year (since I couldn't get into Bent Creek this year..........). Edinburgh is another awesome course, but they limit the practice area to range balls only (which is super annoying) and their driving range is short, so I wouldn't bother practicing there. I go to play in the East metro a lot, and Eagle Valley is the best bang for your buck in the Twin Cities IMO. Prestwick, the Royal, and Stoneridge are all awesome for a bit more coin too. 

 

Closer to where you're likely at, Majestic Oaks is a fun woodsy course, and Links at Northfolk is a blast to play. A lot of folks like Bunker Hills, but I haven't made it up there to play myself. 

 

Tee times are a bit of a struggle here (not that they aren't everywhere), but if you're playing public, prepare to plan most of your golf exactly 7 days out, especially if you work during regular business hours. 

 

Good luck! There's a ton of great courses in this area, it's a great place to play golf. 

[byoshio82]

On 3/24/2022 at 9:26 AM, OhYeahPlayer said:

For public courses in the Twin Cities area:

 

Braemar probably has the best short game practice area that I know of, and it's a great track too. I plan on playing most of my golf there this year (since I couldn't get into Bent Creek this year..........). Edinburgh is another awesome course, but they limit the practice area to range balls only (which is super annoying) and their driving range is short, so I wouldn't bother practicing there. I go to play in the East metro a lot, and Eagle Valley is the best bang for your buck in the Twin Cities IMO. Prestwick, the Royal, and Stoneridge are all awesome for a bit more coin too. 

 

Closer to where you're likely at, Majestic Oaks is a fun woodsy course, and Links at Northfolk is a blast to play. A lot of folks like Bunker Hills, but I haven't made it up there to play myself. 

 

Tee times are a bit of a struggle here (not that they aren't everywhere), but if you're playing public, prepare to plan most of your golf exactly 7 days out, especially if you work during regular business hours. 

 

Good luck! There's a ton of great courses in this area, it's a great place to play golf. 

Appreciate all the info. Driven by the links several times also want to check out fox valley also. I was also told about twin cities country club and it sounded pretty sweet just need to look into the courses out here. 

[OhYeahPlayer]

On 3/25/2022 at 10:22 PM, byoshio82 said:

Appreciate all the info. Driven by the links several times also want to check out fox valley also. I was also told about twin cities country club and it sounded pretty sweet just need to look into the courses out here. 

By Twin Cities Country Club do you mean Public Country Club? 

 

If so, I have a good amount of friends that do that and can provide some feedback on the course list if you'd like (as I end up playing a lot of them myself too), but it's super hard to get in at this point, I guess. I I tried last winter (with a referral of someone who would supposedly shortlist me), radio silence. Tried again for kicks about a month ago... nothing. 

[loudizzzle]

The Links at Northfork might be one of my favorite public course on that side of the cities. If you want to drive farther to east Stoneridge and loggers are fun tracks neat Stillwater 

 

 

 

 

[miss0033]

Avoid Braemar...  I don't need any additional competition for tee times.. 😄

 

Make sure you make it up to the Iron Range and play the Legend, the Quarry (best in State IMHO), and the Wilderness.  Best trifecta of courses in the state by far.

[byoshio82]

6 hours ago, OhYeahPlayer said:

By Twin Cities Country Club do you mean Public Country Club? 

 

If so, I have a good amount of friends that do that and can provide some feedback on the course list if you'd like (as I end up playing a lot of them myself too), but it's super hard to get in at this point, I guess. I I tried last winter (with a referral of someone who would supposedly shortlist me), radio silence. Tried again for kicks about a month ago... nothing. 

Yes that’s what I meant the finance guy at the car dealership was telling me about it. 

[TheDominator273]

19 minutes ago, byoshio82 said:

Yes that’s what I meant the finance guy at the car dealership was telling me about it. 

It's a hell of a deal for sure with tons of options for play.  I'm not sure they have room for additional people at the moment though, but it's totally worth getting on a wait-list for.

 

OP, I'd definitely check out Territory Golf Club which should be close to your side of town.  There are tons of great options over in the north west metro though.  Minnesota has a great selection of mid range priced public courses.

[OhYeahPlayer]

2 hours ago, byoshio82 said:

Yes that’s what I meant the finance guy at the car dealership was telling me about it. 

So it's a good deal, but the tee times can be a struggle (restricted scheduling windows and no AM times on weekend mornings), the selection of "good" courses is a bit limited, and you pay premiums on most courses Fri-Sun. I've had some friends of mine cancel over the last year or two for those reasons. If you know you can loop a handful of courses near you and you're excited about them, it's probably a great deal. If you're just looking to bounce around... cost might be similar to just not sign up. 

 

In any case, I'd echo @TheDominator273 and at least try and sign up/get on the waitlist. 

[eboettne]

Surprised no one's mentioned Rush Creek yet. It's been 5+ years since I've played it but I believe their short game area is pretty solid.  

 

Also for a better budget option I'd recommend Baker National but man tee times are tough to get there. 

[okular]

Public:

Troy Burne

Rush Creek

StoneRidge

The Royal

Baker National

Chaska Town Course

The Meadows

Territory

Refuge

 

If you want to play Windsong Farm sometime, shoot me a PM

Edited March 31, 2022 by okular

[cvvorst]

On 3/31/2022 at 9:43 AM, okular said:

Public:

Troy Burne

Rush Creek

StoneRidge

The Royal

Baker National

Chaska Town Course

The Meadows

Territory

Refuge

 

If you want to play Windsong Farm sometime, shoot me a PM

 

 

This is a great list! I'm heading up there next week to visit family, finally getting around to playing Troy Burne and Rush Creek. They've been on my list for years now, just never got around to playing them. But I've played Stoneridge, The Royal, Baker National, Chaska TC, Refuge, and a few more. I enjoyed all of them to be honest. Windsong was far and away my favorite though. Met a friend here on golfwrx that was a member, played with him a few times. (think he moved for work now though) It is a great setup, and is definitely a test of ones game from the back tees!

 

Are there any new courses being built, or anything else I should check out after playing Rush Creek and Troy Burne? 

[JDCON]

The Links at Northfork - they have money to make it nice

Elk River CC - classic and small greens

Foxhollow GC - nice course, kind of short feeling

Hidden Gem for a small town course:

Springbrook GC in Mora

Stones Throw GC in Milaca

 

Avoid:

Princeton GC - it’s a mess and in terrible condition

[eboettne]

Looking to play a round next weekend with my wife next weekend, going on a weekend trip for our anniversary.  I currently have a round booked at Keller in St Paul. Is that a solid value option?

[OhYeahPlayer]

2 hours ago, eboettne said:

Looking to play a round next weekend with my wife next weekend, going on a weekend trip for our anniversary.  I currently have a round booked at Keller in St Paul. Is that a solid value option?

Yes, fantastic value. This and Eagle Valley in Woodbury are two of my favorite value course in the metro. 

[eboettne]

On 7/5/2022 at 12:09 PM, OhYeahPlayer said:

Yes, fantastic value. This and Eagle Valley in Woodbury are two of my favorite value course in the metro. 

 

Played Keller this weekend and it was fantastic! I'm kicking myself for never having played it in the 5 years I live in Minneapolis.  The conditioning is nearly private level and the routing is awesome!  Not to mention the greens that have a ton of variety and interest to them.

[OhYeahPlayer]

It really is a gem. I'm kicking myself for not having played it this year yet 😅 it can be tough to get a tee time, but that's not exactly a problem unique to Keller. Highly recommend it for anyone in the metro. 

[eboettne]

On 7/12/2022 at 10:12 AM, OhYeahPlayer said:

It really is a gem. I'm kicking myself for not having played it this year yet 😅 it can be tough to get a tee time, but that's not exactly a problem unique to Keller. Highly recommend it for anyone in the metro. 

I did notice it was only afternoon tee times available but it happened to work out for our schedule & it was well worth it! 

[bnsn]

I’ve lived here all my life. I took the last 15 years off of golf, but starting again, I’ve been looking around for places to play. Some old favorites have closed, a lot of new courses have popped up. Funny enough, I primarily played on the west side of the cities anyway, so I’ve never played Keller, it’s going on my list now. 
 

I haven’t seen Stonebrooke mentioned. I know it’s expensive, but I always liked it. Probably biased since I played it a ton as it was our home course for my high school team.