Regional Golf Getaways
With over 500 golf courses in Minnesota alone, golf is obviously immensely popular and it's a massive income generator for the state.
According to “The Minnesota Golf Economy” study commissioned by the Minnesota Golf Association (MGA) in 2007, golf generates $2.4 billion to the state’s economy and a 2004 report from the National Golf Foundation shows that over 730,000 Minnesotans play golf. But you don’t have to be a golf enthusiast to enjoy a golf getaway.
We’ve listed some of our favorite regional golf courses in Minnesota and beyond, that also include things to do for the non-golfers in your group. And with day trip, overnight and long weekend options, you’re bound to find the ideal back nine. So grab your clubs, pack your snacks, and get ready for some tee time!
Day Trip (Under 2 hours)
Looking for somewhere close to home? Here are some top courses that are just around the corner.
Chaska Town Course (30 minutes)
The Chaska Town Course is just southwest of downtown Minneapolis and is listed as one of the top golf courses in Minnesota. Owned and operated by the City of Chaska, this public course designed by Arthur Hills sits three miles down from Pioneer Trail. Despite it's small-town name, this beautiful expanse of oak groves, open prairie, and marshlands sprawls over 285 acres. With the feel of it's big brother, Hazeltine National, this course has cohosted some big-time events, including the United States Amateur in 2006. If the kids want to practice their swing, every Sunday all junior players 18 and under can play for free with a paid adult after 5 PM.
Troy Burne Golf Club (50 minutes)
Located just across the border in Hudson, Wisconsin, is Troy Burne, a favorite for many golfers in the Twin Cities. Voted one of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses by Golf Digest in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, it hosts over 120 bunkers and was designed by local golf pro, Tom Lehman. The town of Hudson itself has a variety of great restaurants, antique shops, art galleries, and more. It’s also home to the magnificent Octagon House, a restored Victorian-era home that is also a popular museum, and Willow River State Park, which offers a relaxing beach, campgrounds, and canoe rentals.
Mount Frontenac Golf Course (1 hour 30 minutes)
One of the most picturesque courses in the Midwest, Mount Frontenac, located between Red Wing and Lake City, sits on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River Bluffs and Lake Pepin. In the beautiful natural setting, you may even see a deer or two on the course. There is an abundance of things to do and see in the area, too—we specifically recommend driving the stunning Great River Road. And if you still want more golf, there are a few other courses in the area including Lake City, Lake Pepin, and Winona, and the Mississippi National Golf Links which is located just up the road in Red Wing, with two championship level 18-hole courses, the Lowlands and Highlands.
Day Trip Honorable Mentions
Hazeltine National Golf Club
No, we didn’t forget about Hazeltine, the world-renowned course that has hosted several high-level championships (including the Ryder Cup) right in our backyard. Since the club is private, we opted to keep it out of the top three to make sure the courses can be experienced by everyone.
Royal Golf Club
Formerly 3M Tartan Park Golf Course, opened in May 2018 after an extensive $365 million renovation. The front nine of the course, also known as the Queen’s Nine, was designed by Annika Sorenstam, and the Back Nine (the King’s Nine), was designed by the late Arnold Palmer. This was Palmer’s last project before he passed away in 2016. Just like Hazeltine, this club is private.
Topgolf
Opening in 2018, Topgolf in Brooklyn Center is not a golf course, but an experience for golf enthusiasts and beginners alike. The heated golf range features over 100 hitting bays, a full-service restaurant, over 200 high-definition televisions, and golf balls with embedded radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips to track every shot.
UPDATE: The company is also building a second location in Woodbury, near the I-94 and I-494 interchange, slated to open in the summer of 2025.
Overnight Golf Trips (2-4 hours)
These golf courses are a bit further of a drive from the Twin Cities area, so we do recommend staying over at least one night. However, with incredible views, attractions, and restaurants, you can definitely make a weekend out of any of these fantastic destinations.
Enger Park & Lester Park (2 hours 30 minutes)
How can a round of golf along Lake Superior’s shores in Duluth be anything but magical? Duluth Golf offers two separate facilities, each with 27 holes and spectacular views. Enger Park Golf Course sits on one of the highest bluffs near the infamous Enger Park Tower, looking over the city and Duluth Harbor. Lester Park Golf Course is located along the Lester River, north of Duluth, and also offers panoramic views of Lake Superior on a majority of its holes. For the non-golfers in your family or friend group, the city of Duluth offers so much more—Canal Park, Glensheen Mansion, Split Rock Lighthouse, and Gooseberry Falls are all worth the drive alone. And speaking of driving, take the North Shore Scenic Drive along the way for scenery that will not disappoint.
Maddens, Craguns, Grandview & Breezy Point (2 hours 25 minutes)
We’d be remiss to neglect the classic golf resorts of the Gull Lake and Brainerd area, including Madden’s, Cragun’s, Grandview Lodge, and Breezy Point. They all offer some of the best golf in the state with prices to match. Some of the other courses associated with the resorts can be great finds, too. While they aren’t quite up to par with the main courses, many still offer a full round at a discounted price. These resorts also offer plenty to do for the non-golfers, too, with a myriad of restaurants, world-class spas, daily activities, and events.
The Wilderness at Fortune Bay (3 hours 45 minutes)
The beauty of the Wilderness at Fortune Bay in Northern Minnesota is worth the fees alone, but it is also one of the highest-ranking golf courses in Minnesota, ranked No. 1 by Golfweek for 2023 and No. 2 in 2022. It also shares the property with Fortune Bay Resort Casino, which offers lodging, multiple restaurants, an on-site marina, and multi-level casino. Off-site activities for the rest of the family include the nearby Soudan Underground Mine State Park, the North American Bear Center, and the International Wolf Center with an assortment of programs and family activities, all located just 30 miles away in Ely.
Overnight Trip Honorable Mentions
Giants Ridge
There are a few ski resort golf courses in the state, and one of the most popular is Giants Ridge—it has not only one, but two renowned courses, the Legend and the Quarry.
Wildflower at Fair Hills
This course offers world-class golf in a unique prairie setting. It's also in one of the most popular summertime areas in the state, near Detroit Lakes, north of Pelican Lake, and in the heart of lake country.
Long Weekend (4 hours or more)
These golf courses linger dangerously close to road trip territory and would definitely require a few days to fully explore and enjoy. If you have the time, we recommend it!
Superior National at Lutsen (4 hours 10 minutes)
Lutsen is already a renowned destination, so combine it with world-class golf along the North Shore and it’s hard to go wrong. Known for its 27 holes, Superior National at Lutsen is definitely a bucket list golf course. It underwent a $4.6 million renovation to enhance, expand, and refine many of the existing features (think white sand and wider fairways), and to include an environmentally friendly irrigation system. Another feature they added is club cars featuring GPS, giving players an enhanced golf experience, including a Hi-Res display showing your current position on the course, yardage, hazard points, and weather updates that can impact your game. They also offer family-friendly Foot Golf, perfect for any skill level to enjoy.
While Lutsen is incredibly popular for its skiing in the winter months, there is also plenty to do in the summer. Cascade River State Park and the Oberg Mountain both are beautiful year-round, and the adorable small town of Grand Marais is less than 20 miles away, not to mention all the beautiful stops along the North Shore Scenic Drive, including Duluth, Two Harbors, and Tofte.
Whistling Straits & Blackwolf Run (5 hours 21 minutes)
When it comes to well-known golf courses in the Midwest, none are quite as famous or luxurious as Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin. To say the course is picturesque is an understatement. It has hosted several PGA Championships, including the 43rd Ryder Cup—it is also one of two 36-hole courses associated with The American Club, a luxury resort also located in Kohler (the other course, Blackwolf Run, is only 10 miles away). If you think the courses are stunning, equally luxurious are the accommodations of the Five-Star Kohler Waters Spa in The American Club. The Club offers an expansive calendar of activities, including many that are family friendly. Fun fact: The American Club is the only AAA Five Diamond Hotel in the Midwest. If you’re looking to get off the property, the nearby town of Sheboygan offers everything from museums to state parks, plus wineries and art centers.
Warroad Estates (5 hours 58 minutes)
Warroad Estates Golf Course is about as close as you can get to golfing in Canada without actually crossing the border. Highly popular with Canadian golfers, Warroad Estates offers world-class golf in an idyllic natural setting. Fun fact: The ninth green is in the shape of the state of Minnesota. Overlooking Lake of the Woods, a popular spot for ice fishing in the winter, there are plenty of activities to satisfy any family member during the rest of the year, too. Ranging from the Seven Clans Casino to Beltrami Island State Forest, the second largest forest in Minnesota, there’s a lot to see, explore, and experience.
Long Weekend Honorable Mentions
The Harvester Golf Club, Iowa (3 hours 30 minutes)
Known as the flagship course for many golfers in the state of Iowa, the Harvester is one of the most elite courses in the Midwest. It has been a top 100 public course since it opened in 2000. It's now a member only private club, so you will have to become a member before heading out on the green.
Black Hills, South Dakota (9 hours)
Are you ready to commit to a heftier road trip? The Black Hills area is a popular family destination for its history and breathtaking wildlife and scenery, but it also has some of the top ranked golf courses in the country. Some of the favorites include Southern Hills Golf Course in Hot Springs and Hart Ranch Golf Club in Rapid City.
This article was originally published in our May/June edition of LIVE|PLAY|AAA magazine in 2019. It has recently been updated for accuracy in 2024 by Chris McGehee.
