Minneapolis Golf

Olson12 · March 6

Potentially going to be in Minneapolis the last week of April for work and am considering extending my stay for some golf. Are there any recommendations in the area? I saw an old thread about driving north about 2 hours but I'd prefer to stay near the city.

Edited March 6 by Olson12

cer5059 · March 6

20 minutes ago, Olson12 said:

Potentially going to be in Minneapolis the last week of April for work and am considering extending my stay for some golf. Are there any recommendations in the area? I saw an old thread about driving north about 2 hours but I'd prefer to stay near the city.

Not too helpful as I've only been to Minneapolis once before, but did play a round at Victory Links, which I thought was a great course. Conditions were great, course had a good layout and I believe it used to be, or still is, a qualifying site for the 3M.

postfold · March 7

Do you know where you'll be staying? That will influence recommendations. I wouldn't want to recommend courses in the far west burbs to someone staying in St. Paul, for example.

goaliedad30 · March 7

Notwithstanding the above "exactly where will you be" question (which is a good one), I would definitely suggest checking out Chaska Town Course. It's very close to Hazeltine, and a really interesting track that has hosted multiple USGA qualifiers. Legends south of town is also a quality layout. Further north, Edinburgh USA is a fun track that used to host a Senior Tour event.

All that said, you'll be on the edge of "opening season", so course conditions can vary pretty widely at that time of year depending on the late winter weather.

Shilgy · March 7

Last week of April you say? There is no chance anyone can tell you if most courses will even be open yet.

That said the above suggestions with Chaska Town Course and Edinburgh are very solid.

Edited March 7 by Shilgy

Scott10 · March 12

+1 for Chaska Town Course

Others:

Mystic Lake (casino course)

Keller

Braemar

echo the challenge of knowing if they’ll be open or not, and if open tee times might be hard to come by with everyone coming out of golf hibernation

DanMN · March 20

If you make it up here, drop me a note as you get closer and I can see if it works with my schedule to bring you out to StoneRidge.

Olson12 · April 2

Thanks for all the help guys. I'll be staying downtown and will likely end up renting a car so distance isn't too much of an issue. I am watching the weather and it looks like I may be SOL either way.

BirdieRoll · April 2

Top 8 IMO:

East metro:

StoneRidge

Keller

Troy Burne (just across the river in WI)

South metro: Legends Club

Southwest metro:

Braemar

Meadows at Mystic Lake

Chaska Town Course

Northwest Metro: Rush Creek

Braemar is likely the closest to downtown Mpls, also the easiest.
I would not play Edinburgh over any of these eight.

All courses are very popular/busy.

Shilgy · April 5

On 4/2/2025 at 3:22 PM, BirdieRoll said:

Top 8 IMO:

East metro:

StoneRidge

Keller

Troy Burne (just across the river in WI)

South metro: Legends Club

Southwest metro:

Braemar

Meadows at Mystic Lake

Chaska Town Course

Northwest Metro: Rush Creek

Braemar is likely the closest to downtown Mpls, also the easiest.
I would not play Edinburgh over any of these eight.

All courses are very popular/busy.

I’ve been gone from the area for 30 years. Is Braemar really that much improved that it’s better than Edinburgh?

storm3 · April 5

2 hours ago, Shilgy said:

I’ve been gone from the area for 30 years. Is Braemar really that much improved that it’s better than Edinburgh?

Braemar was completely redesigned 2016-2019. They closed the course for 2 years completely gutting the previous 27 hole layout and replacing it with an entirely new 18 hole layout. The course is longer, more open, and was in better condition when I played it last 4 years ago, but overall it seemed a bit bland to me (I personally miss the Clunie nine).

I haven’t played Edinburgh since their renovation so can’t comment on the current state. Either way I would put most of the public suggestions above either of these (I’d also add Stonebrooke, The Wilds, and Baker National to what has already been mentioned).