Northern MN public course recommendations (off hwy 61/I35)

[amace04]

I'm heading down to Minneapolis from Canada with a group of 8 this spring, and like to hit a couple courses along the way.  I'm hoping there's some northern MN WRXers with some recommendations on courses to try.  Hoping to stay very close to Hwy 61/I35 (so rules out Giants Ridge, Fortune Bay, Brainerd, etc).  We've got varying skills, so I'd prefer public courses.

 

I've done Superior National at Lutsen a few times already, but a couple I had found worth considering are:

 

Bulrush GC - Rush City

Grand National - Hinckley

Lakeview National - Two Harbors

Black Bear - Carlton.

 

Any feedback on any of those?  I've never been.  Any other decent courses to check out?  Anything in Duluth other than Black Bear?  Ideally looking to keep things somewhat budget-friendly, but don't mind a $100 round if there's truly a great course in that sort of price bracket.  Any recommendations in the TC?  I've done Hiawartha in the TC, but that's it.

[BirdieRoll]

Staying on your travel route, Superior National will easily be the best course.

 

Bull Rush is usually in good shape but it's right along the highway (noisy) however it never seems to be all that busy.

 

Grand National is OK. First couple holes are out in the open and bland but then the interest level picks up.

 

I suspect Lakeview National will be in so-so shape in the spring but the views might be good; haven't played it.

 

I remember Black Bear as being tight off the tee. You're either in the fairway or in the forest.

 

In the metro, your best courses for the money would be Keller - old school track, bent grass, great value, east side. West side it's Braemar. Both easily under $100.

 

More expensive courses (over $100 during peak times) worth considering would be Rush Creek - NW part of town, Meadows at Mystic Lake (casino course, SW side of town), Legends (south side), StoneRidge and Royal east side, Troy Burne and White Eagle further east in Hudson, WI.

 

[eboettne]

On 1/23/2023 at 1:29 PM, amace04 said:

I'm heading down to Minneapolis from Canada with a group of 8 this spring, and like to hit a couple courses along the way.  I'm hoping there's some northern MN WRXers with some recommendations on courses to try.  Hoping to stay very close to Hwy 61/I35 (so rules out Giants Ridge, Fortune Bay, Brainerd, etc).  We've got varying skills, so I'd prefer public courses.

 

I've done Superior National at Lutsen a few times already, but a couple I had found worth considering are:

 

Bulrush GC - Rush City

Grand National - Hinckley

Lakeview National - Two Harbors

Black Bear - Carlton.

 

Any feedback on any of those?  I've never been.  Any other decent courses to check out?  Anything in Duluth other than Black Bear?  Ideally looking to keep things somewhat budget-friendly, but don't mind a $100 round if there's truly a great course in that sort of price bracket.  Any recommendations in the TC?  I've done Hiawartha in the TC, but that's it.

 

Enger Park in Duluth is a fun course with a lot of elevation to account for(all putts break towards the lake).  Nothing out of this world good but what I would consider a fun golf course. 

 

Black Bear was a very nice surprise as far as layout and conditioning when I played it. But it is on the tighter side. Also, winter tends to hang on a while in Northern MN so depending on when "spring" is, the courses may be in less than optimal conditions or even closed.

 

I'll also 2nd Keller Golf Course in St Paul, such a good course.

Edited January 27, 2023 by eboettne

[amace04]

2 hours ago, eboettne said:

 

Enger Park in Duluth is a fun course with a lot of elevation to account for(all putts break towards the lake).  Nothing out of this world good but what I would consider a fun golf course. 

 

Black Bear was a very nice surprise as far as layout and conditioning when I played it. But it is on the tighter side. Also, winter tends to hang on a while in Northern MN so depending on when "spring" is, the courses may be in less than optimal conditions or even closed.

 

I'll also 2nd Keller Golf Course in St Paul, such a good course.

Thanks both of your for your input.

 

Spring should have sprung by the May long weekend.  This past spring (a really bad, late winter), I played Lutsen the weekend before Memorial day.  It was soft, but very playable.  We went to go on and do Giant's Ridge and Fortune Bay, and they were in phenomenal shape (despite the fact it sleeted on us at our 8am tee time at the Legend)

[eboettne]

18 hours ago, amace04 said:

Thanks both of your for your input.

 

Spring should have sprung by the May long weekend.  This past spring (a really bad, late winter), I played Lutsen the weekend before Memorial day.  It was soft, but very playable.  We went to go on and do Giant's Ridge and Fortune Bay, and they were in phenomenal shape (despite the fact it sleeted on us at our 8am tee time at the Legend)

Yeah wasn't sure what you mean by Spring, I've done some late April trips there and gotten lucky.

[Augster]

Glad I found this. 
 

If you can pull some strings and get into the country clubs in Duluth, do it. Northland and Ridgeview are nice courses. Northland is a Donald Ross. 
 

Outside of the CC’s, if you’re in the Duluth area, zip over the bridge to Superior and play Nemadji East/West. There are 36 holes there, so you could make a day of it. Then swing into The Anchor for about the best burger you’ll eat in your life. Certainly the best dollar for dollar burger.  Featured on DDD. 
 

If you want to stop North of Duluth, I love to play Lakeview National in Two Harbors. Really fun course to play. Lots of hills and some good views of the lake. Greens are usually in great shape and quick. It’s almost all cut out of the woods, so if you’re spraying it, bring some balls. 
 

If you’re not stopping in Duluth, of the I-35 courses you listed, Bulrush is the best of them. If they mow the greens, they can be fast. If. Some of the holes through the woods will likely be soggy in late May, but that’s only a couple holes. Bulrush is a cool layout. I try to play it every year. The only hard walk is from 9 to 10. It’s about a 3/4 mile walk. Most take take their cars and park on the street. If you cart it, no worries at all. Fun, hard, course. 

IN the twin cities, and we’ll assume public courses. You say you played Hiawatha, which isn’t a good representation of Minneapolis public course IMO. Columbia has the fastest and best greens of the muni courses, but Wirth has the most interesting layout. Lots of cool holes. 
 

Of NICE public courses in TC, I guess it matters where you’ll be. If you’ll be north of the city, The Refuge in East Bethel is a great course. Edinburgh in Brooklyn Park is a gem.  South of the city, Ridges of Sand Creek in Jordan, Willingers, Stonebrooke in Shakopee, The Meadows at Mystic Lake casino. 
 

Out west Baker National. Out East, Stoneridge, Prestwick, Eagle Valley, Oak Glen, Loggers Trail. 
 

In the metro itself, Keller is certainly nice. Phalen is fun and the new Highland is a good layout. 
 

Any other recommendations, just ask! 

 

[Texsport]

Right on the highway south of Eveleth is Eveleth Muni.

 

A 1930s 9-holder with dramatic landscape and low green fees. Lots of up and down hill shots, including a blind approach on #4. Specatular scenery and strategic shot planning. 
 

Course playing advice - never, ever go right! That’s a sure lost ball over a cliff or into a lake. 
 

Food at the clubhouse. 
 

l never miss playing there- 

 

Another possibility is the Virginia Muni, about 1 mile east of the highway in north Virginia. 18 holes - gentle slopes.

 

Edited May 10, 2023 by Texsport