Need Some Midwest Golf Recommendations for Bachelor Party Weekend

[-GoldenHawk-]

I'll be having my bachelor party in July and hoping to find an awesome Midwest location that provides public golf at a great value.
I think Minnesota and Michigan both sound fun. I would love to find an area where we could stay in a cabin and do some grilling, maybe hit up a bar or two, but also play some golf.
Wish we had more time, but it will likely be leaving on a Thursday and staying Th/F/Sat nights.

Any and all recommendations are welcome!

[StudentGolfer4]

With what you’re wanting I think the best option would be to pick a decent sized city or metro area and go from there. Rent an Airbnb, play a couple rounds of golf and have your evening fun too. This gives you the best mix of golf and traditional bachelor parties. Of varying sizes I’m thinking places like Madison Wisconsin, Indianapolis, Traverse City, Grand Rapids, etc. Plenty of golf options, lodging shouldn’t be hard to find and all kind of places to get drinks after golf. 
 

For more golf focused trips I would check out Forest Dunes and French Lick. FD is great golf and lodging but lacks anything around it off course. French Lick has a resort, casino, little town, and really good golf, but lodging for a group is a bit tougher. Also possible those are booked steady for this summer. Sand valley has to be mentioned but it’s strictly golf and is for sure booked. 
 

Geneva National in Geneva WI could be a decent option for you guys. 3 courses there and Geneva is a decent town with some bars and waterfront area. 

 

 

[-GoldenHawk-]

7 hours ago, StudentGolfer4 said:

With what you’re wanting I think the best option would be to pick a decent sized city or metro area and go from there. Rent an Airbnb, play a couple rounds of golf and have your evening fun too. This gives you the best mix of golf and traditional bachelor parties. Of varying sizes I’m thinking places like Madison Wisconsin, Indianapolis, Traverse City, Grand Rapids, etc. Plenty of golf options, lodging shouldn’t be hard to find and all kind of places to get drinks after golf. 
 

For more golf focused trips I would check out Forest Dunes and French Lick. FD is great golf and lodging but lacks anything around it off course. French Lick has a resort, casino, little town, and really good golf, but lodging for a group is a bit tougher. Also possible those are booked steady for this summer. Sand valley has to be mentioned but it’s strictly golf and is for sure booked. 
 

Geneva National in Geneva WI could be a decent option for you guys. 3 courses there and Geneva is a decent town with some bars and waterfront area. 

 

 

 

 

Yeah I like these options too. I think we'll probably go with a mix of golf and other things if we can. But also, the idea of staying on a course sounds fun too, so I'm just not sure yet.

 

Here's another thing I'm struggling with - there would be only 5 golfers (as of now) and I have no clue how we would split up for tee times, and it would kind of suck having one 3-some and one 2-some. I need to think through it a little more.

[-GoldenHawk-]

Wanted to bump this and hear any thoughts on some really good golf values in Northern Minnesota or Northern Wisconsin. Both areas would be really fun to spend a few days. Thanks in advance!

[BirdieRoll]

The Brainerd Golf Trail (MN) comes to mind:

 

https://www.brainerdgolftrail.com

 

Golden Eagle might be the best value course in that area.

 

For most/all of the courses you could do a Stay n Play package deal or you could book your golf separately and then stay at a resort cabin, VRBO, of your choosing.

 

Great time of year to be up there.

[ode]

Not sure what you are after for the night life scene or the quality of courses, but Giants Ridge for golf as it's amazing and there are two courses right there and a 3rd close with Fortune Bay.  

 

Northern Wisconsin.....again depends on what your requirements are but Hayward, WI could be a consideration with Big Fish being a fun track to play and a few other courses in the area that are also good.

[CCTxGolf]

Traverse city seems perfect for this sort of thing.

 

watch the no laying up video tourist sauce Michigan season. They go to a few city’s in northern Michigan that will interest you.

[slideguy]

In terms of Minnesota, unless you want average golf and great nightlife there isnt many great options.  Now if you want great golf and a bar then northern MN fits and Brainerd is swell.

 

Now if you have a few private course connections the Twin Cities is a great spot.

 

Agree on the Traverse City comment.

[goaliedad30]

You should check out Madden's and Cragun's in Brainerd, MN.  Deacon's Lodge is also nearby. You can get cabins, do your grilling and hang by the lake, and have a number of quality golf courses available to play either onsite or nearby.

[Husker4theSpurs]

I like the Brainerd idea ... reasonable ... a bit away from the Twin Cities but not super far.

[JZ75]

Like others have said Brainerd probably has the the best combo of golf options and decent Northwoods Bars.  Deacons Lodge, The Legacy at Craguns, the Preserve and The Classic (Maddens) are all good courses.

 

A fortune Bay and Giants Ridge Trip would be great golf but fewer bars than Brainerd.

 

The public courses in the Twin Cities are not as good.  Plus the best ones (Meadows, Troy Burne, Stoneridge) are kinda spread out all over the metro.

 

For Wisconsin Hayward does not have as good of golf as any of the options above. I doubt you can get a group in at Sand Valley this close to your party, plus nightlife is limited.

Edited March 28 by JZ75

[CHRISTOPHER DESANA]

I second Northern Michigan, but Charlevoix/Petoskey area has better golf than metro Traverse City. and both towns have a decent nightlife during the summer.

Check out Boyne. Then you could mix in Belvedere, Hidden River or even Forrest Dunes within a reasonable drive.