The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul offer one of America's most comprehensive golf experiences, featuring an extraordinary range from century-old Golden Age masterpieces to modern championship layouts. Minnesota golfers pack decades of passion into their limited season, creating an authentic golf culture that visiting golfers find genuinely welcoming and deeply knowledgeable.
Minnesota's golf capital delivers something truly special - the complete spectrum of American golf course architecture within 40 minutes of downtown. Visitors discover pristine conditions during the peak season, a remarkably passionate local golf culture, and access to courses that have shaped American golf history. The Twin Cities uniquely combine:
The Twin Cities' elite quartet represents American golf architecture's evolution across more than a century. These courses define Minnesota golf at its absolute finest.
Hazeltine National Golf Club stands as Minnesota's crown jewel, America's only course to host the Ryder Cup twice (1991 and scheduled for 2029). This Robert Trent Jones Sr. masterpiece from the 1960s delivers championship golf on an impressive scale. The course's reputation for hosting major championships speaks to its world-class conditioning and strategic design.
Interlachen Country Club showcases Andrew Green's masterful restoration of this Golden Age gem, originally designed by Donald Ross around 1915. The course famously hosted Bobby Jones during his Grand Slam year.
White Bear Yacht Club represents pure Golden Age architecture, at over 100 years old, consistently ranked among America's finest club courses. This Donald Ross design on White Bear Lake combines strategic golf with stunning lakeside settings.
Spring Hill Golf Club brings Tom Fazio's modern design philosophy to Minnesota, creating a championship test that opened roughly 20 years ago. The course demonstrates how contemporary architecture can complement Minnesota's natural landscape.
Windsong Farm Golf Club emerges as the region's newest elite destination, featuring 36 holes and becoming the Twin Cities' first multi-course private facility. The North Course represents the latest addition to Minnesota's championship golf landscape.
Beyond the championship privates, the Twin Cities offers outstanding public golf that rivals many exclusive clubs elsewhere.
Keller Golf Course provides genuine championship golf history as a St. Paul municipal course that hosted two PGA Championships in the 1920s and 1930s. The famous fourth hole features a massive tree guarding the green, creating one of golf's most love-it-or-hate-it shots.
Dacotah Ridge Golf Course delivers spectacular prairie-style golf about one hour west, designed by Rees Jones. The open landscape and strategic design create an outstanding public golf experience.
Troy Burne Golf Club sits just across the Wisconsin border, 40 minutes from downtown, though it's transitioning to private status.
Stone Ridge Golf Club showcases Bobby Weed's design skills on this 15-year-old course featuring substantial length and creative green complexes.
Chaska Town Course recently co-hosted the US Amateur with Hazeltine, demonstrating municipal golf at its finest. This excellent public facility proves that outstanding golf doesn't require private club membership.
Day 1: Arrive at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, collect rental car, and head to Keller Golf Course for an afternoon round steeped in PGA Championship history. Evening dinner featuring the famous Juicy Lucy burger at Matt's Bar.
Day 2: Morning round at Stone Ridge Golf Club, experiencing modern Minnesota golf design. Afternoon visit to the Mall of America or explore Lake Minnetonka's scenic beauty. Evening at local establishments sampling Minnesota's craft beer culture.
Day 3: Championship golf at one of the Big Four private clubs (with proper introductions), experiencing elite Minnesota golf. Post-round dining at the club to absorb local golf culture and autumn scenery if visiting during peak season.
Day 4: Morning round at Dacotah Ridge Golf Course for prairie-style golf, then departure or extend north to explore cabin country golf destinations like Giants Ridge Resort.
Peak season timing (late September) offers spectacular fall colours alongside perfect turf conditions, creating Minnesota golf at its absolute finest.
Transportation centres around rental cars, as public transport doesn't serve golf destinations effectively. The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport provides easy access, with most courses within 30-40 minutes of arrival. Edina offers strategic accommodation positioning for accessing multiple elite courses.
Weather & Packing requires understanding Minnesota's continental climate. The golf season runs from April through November, with peak conditions from June through September.
Late September combines optimal turf with spectacular autumn colours. Summer temperatures reach approximately 32°C (90°F), whilst spring and autumn require layered clothing for temperature variations.
Pack rain gear and windproof layers for the changeable Great Lakes weather patterns.
Airport Area Hotels provide convenient access to all major courses within 40 minutes, offering business-class amenities and proximity to rental car facilities. Major chains deliver consistent quality for golf-focused stays.
Edina District positions golfers near Interlachen and multiple second-tier clubs, combining upscale accommodation with easy course access. The area features quality restaurants and local character beyond standard hotel offerings.
Downtown Minneapolis offers urban amenities and cultural attractions for extended stays, though it adds 15-20 minutes to course access times. Historic hotels provide character whilst modern properties deliver contemporary comfort.
Lake Area Accommodations around Lake Minnetonka combine scenic beauty with proximity to White Bear Yacht Club and other premier courses. Lakeside resorts offer a genuine Minnesota cabin culture experience.
Budget options include reliable chain properties near the airport, whilst luxury seekers find boutique hotels in Edina and downtown Minneapolis areas.
Signature Local Cuisine centres on the famous Juicy Lucy burger, Minnesota's contribution to American food culture. This cheese-stuffed burger originated at Matt's Bar (and possibly another establishment - locals debate passionately), representing essential Twin Cities dining.
Golf Course Dining at private clubs offers elevated cuisine and local beer selections, whilst public course restaurants provide solid post-round meals. Gina Maria's Pizza earns local acclaim for sauce-heavy pies that reflect regional preferences.
Local specialities include Grain Belt beer and regional brewery offerings, though visitors might encounter playful offers to try lutefisk (politely decline unless adventurous). Post-round drinks at golf clubs provide insight into Minnesota's passionate golf culture.
Cultural Dining reflects Scandinavian and German heritage throughout the Twin Cities, with traditional establishments serving authentic regional cuisine alongside modern American fare.
Private Club Access requires proper introductions through mutual connections or professional referrals. Member-guest opportunities provide the most authentic experience of Minnesota's elite golf culture.
Seasonal Considerations make late September bookings premium timing, requiring planning for optimal conditions and autumn colours. Peak season (June-September) demands earlier reservations, whilst shoulder seasons offer more flexibility.
Cultural Attractions include the Walker Art Center, numerous theatres, and historic landmarks throughout both cities. The Mississippi riverfront offers scenic walks and entertainment districts for evening activities.
Outdoor Activities centre on Minnesota's famous lake culture, with Lake Minnetonka providing boating, swimming, and scenic drives. Hiking trails and state parks offer natural beauty within easy driving distance.
Professional Sports feature the Minnesota Vikings (American football), Timberwolves (basketball), Wild (hockey), and Twins (baseball). Local fans embrace self-deprecating humour about their teams' championship drought since 1991, creating an entertaining sporting culture.
Shopping & Entertainment includes the massive Mall of America for dedicated shoppers, whilst downtown areas offer local boutiques and entertainment venues reflecting authentic Twin Cities character.
Family Activities abound with museums, parks, and lake beaches providing options for non-golfing partners or extended family trips.
Cultural Etiquette embraces "Minnesota Nice" - genuine politeness with occasional passive-aggressive undertones. Golf culture values pace of play and proper course care, with walking welcomed, though cart usage predominates.
Common Visitor Mistakes include underestimating weather variability and over-scheduling during the peak autumn season. Book accommodations early for late September visits when fall colours peak.
Local Golf Wisdom suggests carrying extra layers regardless of the forecast, as Great Lakes weather changes quickly.
Seasonal Strategy maximises value by targeting late September for optimal conditions and scenery, though June through August offers reliable weather. Avoid early spring when courses may face weather delays.
Transportation Reality requires rental cars for efficient course access, despite the Twin Cities' decent public transport for urban activities.
The Twin Cities offer exceptional golf value across all price points, from historic municipal courses to world-class private clubs. Public championship courses provide outstanding experiences for visitors seeking quality golf without private club access.
Municipal gems like Keller Golf Course deliver championship history and excellent conditions at accessible rates. Mid-tier public courses such as Stone Ridge and Dakota Ridge offer championship-quality experiences with modern amenities.
Private club experiences represent the pinnacle of Minnesota golf, providing access to courses that have shaped American golf history alongside genuine local hospitality. Combining public and private rounds creates comprehensive Twin Cities golf experiences.
The Twin Cities delivers authentic American golf culture with genuine Midwestern hospitality, creating memorable experiences that extend far beyond individual rounds. Minnesota's passionate golf community and diverse course options provide visiting golfers with insights into American golf's heartland whilst enjoying championship-quality golf across multiple architectural eras.
US West North Central Division Best in State Rankings 2016 Seven States in our Midwest Region are re-evaluated in the sixth of nine US divisional updates We’re now well into our Best in State re-ranking process for the United States of America, where we’ve been re-evaluating courses across nine district divisions. This article – the sixth of our 2016 US reviews – reports on the seven Midwest “Farm Belt” states of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota, covering a geographical area of just over half a million square miles. The number of courses that we feature in the USA is also being increased, and this expansion of our coverage will be reflected across nearly every state in the country. For example, in this seven-state West North Central division, we’re adding thirty-five new courses across five of the states and this augmentation from 90 to 125 represents an enlargement of more than a third. Minnesota We’ve added ten new courses to our Minnesota chart, where seven of the top ten positions remain exactly the same as last time around. The two nationally ranked courses at the top of our North Star State listings swap positions, with the century-old Willie Watson-designed Interlachen course (currently number 81 in our US Top 100) replaced by a Donald Ross layout of a similar vintage at White Bear Yacht Club (rising twenty-four places to number 73 in our US Top 100). A recent reviewer of our new state number 1 called it “the most underrated and under-appreciated Donald Ross course in the country.” He went on to say: “The most distinctive feature of this course is the dramatically rumpled fairways. I can’t even imagine how this course was built a century ago; it’s just a testament to the mastermind who signed off on the layout.” The highest climber in the state chart is Minneapolis (up five places to number 10), a 100-year old Willie Park Jnr track (subsequently redesigned by Donald Ross) that hosted the USPGA Championship in 1959. The highest Minnesotan new entry is North Oaks (at number 20), which was the last course that Stanley Thompson built outside his native Canada in 1951. Rank/ Click this link to see full details of our 2016 Minnesota Best in State rankings Iowa We’ve also added another five layouts to our chart for the Hawkeye State of Iowa, where Harvester remains in the same number one position it has occupied since we established state lists in 2012. The course is a new millennium offering from Keith Foster and he returned a decade after it opened to renovate bunkers, alter tees and add stone wall edgings to Lake Harvester, which plays a prominent part in proceedings at the end of each nine. Spirit Hollow rises three places to number 3 and it’s an early 1990s design from Rick Jacobsen, who is said to have got the commission to build the course because he was the only one of three architects interviewed by owner Randy Winegard who had the temerity to tell the proprietor his design wasn’t up to much. The Tournament Club of Iowa is the only Arnold Palmer Signature course to exist in the state and it’s the highest newcomer in our revised listings at number 8. Click this link to see full details of our 2016 Iowa Best in State rankings Missouri The number of courses in our chart for the Show Me State of Missouri has been doubled, so we’ve added ten tracks to form a new Top 20. St Louis returns to the top of the chart after Bellerive ousted the old classic from that position when we last re-ranked in 2014. The architects of this Midwest masterpiece back in the early 1910s were none other than Charles Blair Macdonald and Seth Raynor, the team who designed the National Golf Links of America, and they would go on to collaborate on around a dozen top drawer courses, including Piping Rock and Yale. The most significant upward move in the new listings (up three to number 7) comes from Branson Hills (formerly known as Payne Stewart Golf Club) where creeks, rocky outcrops, woodlands and waterfalls come into play on a course intended to honour all the great Missouri golfers of the past. The highest newcomer arrives at number 9 and it’s the Club at Porto Cima, a forested Jack Nicklaus Signature course routed around the Lake of the Ozarks, which we previously featured as a gem. Click this link to see full details of our 2016 Missouri Best in State rankings Kansas The Sunflower State of Kansas has been enlarged to now feature a Top 15 chart, where Prairie Dunes comfortably holds onto its number 1 status. That’s hardly a surprise, right enough, when you consider the course currently sits at number 29 in our World Top 100 chart. Perry Maxwell built the first nine holes here in 1937 before his son Press seamlessly added another nine holes two decades later and this jewel of a links-style course has hosted two major competitions since the start of the new century – the 2002 US Women’s Open and the 2006 US Senior Open. Chart positions 2, 3 and 4 remain as they were before Firekeeper appears at number 5, rising five places from its former number 10 slot. Designed by Notah Begay III – the only full-blooded Native American on the PGA Tour – in association with architect Jeff Brauer, this course is set within an enormous property owned by the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. Click this link to see full details of our 2016 Kansas Best in State rankings Nebraska The Cornhusker State listings have been extended to a Top 15, which means we’ve added an extra five courses in this revision. Still the state number 1, Sand Hills is a mid-1990s Coore & Crenshaw creation that many believe to be the most natural course built in the country in over a hundred years. Occupying an immense 8,000-acre property, the biggest problem for the architects was deciding which 18 holes to choose from over 130 they had identified as possibilities. Soaring into the new Nebraskan chart as a new entry at number 2, the Red course at Dismal River has only been opened for three years but it’s already made its mark as a nationally ranked layout, entering our recent US Top 100 at number 97. Designed in Tom Doak’s own inimitable minimalist style, this course is a more than worthy companion for the Jack Nicklaus-designed White course which opened at the same location in 2006. Click this link to see full details of our 2016 Nebraska Best in State rankings South Dakota The number of courses in our Mount Rushmore State chart remains unchanged at ten. There are quite a lot of small moves within the new table, with only two courses remaining in the same position as last time. Sutton Bay is one of those non-movers, retaining the top spot in the state standings, and this cliff top inland links is a new millennium track fashioned by Graham Marsh which enjoys fabulous views across Lake Oahe from many of the fairways. The course at Minnehaha Country Club climbs two places to number 4. Golf has been played at the club for just over a hundred years now but the course has been renovated a number of times down the years, allowing members to celebrate the club’s centenary in some style. With Willow Run dropping out of the state chart, it’s replaced at number 10 by a mid-1990s course called The Bluffs, which is a well-regarded upscale public facility with water in play at seven of the holes. Click this link to see full details of our 2016 South Dakota Best in State rankings North Dakota We retain a chart of ten courses for the Roughrider State, where the top four positions stay exactly the same as they were when we last re-ranked twenty-four months ago. That means Hawktree is still the number 1 course in North Dakota, and this contemporary late 1990s Jim Engh design is probably most famous for the black “sand” (actually recycled coal slag) that’s used in its bunkers. The 18-hole courses at Fargo Country Club and Riverwood and the 9-hole layout at Medicine Hole each move up one place in the new standings (to positions 5, 6 and 8 respectively) whilst Souris Valley makes way for another Jim Engh design at number 10, Minot Country Club, which the architect laid out for the club after ruinous flooding wiped out its old course in 2011. Click this link to see full details of our 2016 North Dakota Best in State rankings We always like to hear from you when we carry out a re-ranking exercise so please share your thoughts to let us know what you think about our seven newly updated US Best in State charts. What did we get right or, maybe more importantly, where did we go wrong? Whatever your opinion is, please click the “Respond to this article” link at the top or at the bottom of this page to let us know your views. Jim McCann Editor Top 100 Golf Courses
This week we welcome Javier Reviriego to the Top 100 Clubhouse. Javier is currently the CEO at Real Club Valderrama, one of the world's Top 100 courses. He has a highly impressive CV having previously been head pro at Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, and general manager at both Fuerteventura, and Finca Cortesin, which hosted the Solheim Cup this year. We talk about his career journey, the importance of running a sustainable golf course, and the decision to host LIV golf at Valderrama. Previous Episode - Don't Miss Out! The previous episode 11 features Chandler Withington. Chandler has worked as the assistant pro at Seminole, the number one assistant at Merion, and was head pro at Hazeltine National during the Ryder Cup 2016. We discuss what it takes to win a Ryder Cup, his good friend Davis Love, and his new career as a licensed artist for the PGA, the USGA and the R&A. What Are The Top 100 Clubhouse Podcasts About? Top 100 Clubhouse is the ultimate podcast for golf enthusiasts! Join us as we delve deep into the minds of fascinating individuals from every corner of the golfing world. From players to course designers, caddies to golf historians, we'll leave no stone unturned in our quest to share unique insights and experiences with the Top100 Community. Together we'll explore the stunning courses and breathtaking landscapes, enjoying the unforgettable stories that bring the game of golf to life. How Do I Listen To The Latest Top 100 Clubhouse Podcast? You can download and listen on the following links. Listen now, wherever you download your podcast! Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcast Podtail We Need Your Feedback? The Next Podcast Interview? Top 100 members can share their views on who should join the next Top 100 Clubhouse podcast show? If you have an idea who you would like to hear, why not drop our Top 100 Clubhouse host James Henderson an email on james@top100golfcourses.com Happy Listening!
This week's Top 100 Clubhouse Podcast Episode 11 features Chandler Withington. This week we welcome Chandler Withington to the Top 100 Clubhouse. Chandler has worked as the assistant pro at Seminole, the number one assistant at Merion, and was head pro at Hazeltine National during the Ryder Cup 2016. We discuss what it takes to win a Ryder Cup, his good friend Davis Love, and his new career as a licensed artist for the PGA, the USGA and the R&A. Previous Episode 10 - Don't Miss Out! The previous episode 10 features Martin Ebert, one half of the world-renowned golf course architect team, Mackenzie & Ebert. Martin Ebert has overseen the design and development of some of the world's finest courses, having been in the business for over 30 years. Listen in as he talks to show host James Henderson about career and insight on all things on Golf Architecture and more. What Are The Top 100 Clubhouse Podcasts About? Top 100 Clubhouse is the ultimate podcast for golf enthusiasts! Join us as we delve deep into the minds of fascinating individuals from every corner of the golfing world. From players to course designers, caddies to golf historians, we'll leave no stone unturned in our quest to share unique insights and experiences with the Top100 Community. Together we'll explore the stunning courses and breathtaking landscapes, enjoying the unforgettable stories that bring the game of golf to life. How Do I Listen To The Latest Top 100 Clubhouse Podcast? You can download and listen on the following links. Listen now, wherever you download your podcast! Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcast Podtail We Need Your Feedback? The Next Podcast Interview? Top 100 members can share their views on who should join the next Top 100 Clubhouse podcast show? If you have an idea who you would like to hear, why not drop our Top 100 Clubhouse host James Henderson an email on james@top100golfcourses.com Happy Listening!
