12 Best Golf Courses in Minnesota

Golf is part competition, part nature walk, and depending on where you play, it can be a delightful way to get to know the flora and fauna of a region while you connect with family and friends, challenge yourself to a tough course, or set your own pace. In Minnesota, summer means outdoor fun for all ages, and golf can be a welcome addition to any vacation, whether you are hitting the links or watching the pros play. Lakes and mountains that cater to an entirely different slate of activities in the winter months are ready to welcome golfers to inviting greens and resort amenities in places where Minnesota’s natural beauty shines. Ready for summer fun? Here are 13 courses to see in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Interlachen Country Club, Edina

Consistently among the country’s top courses and ranked among Gold Digest’s 100 Greatest Courses since 1971, Interlachen is a private club designed by architect Donald Ross. A 2023 renovation, using Ross’ original design, restored the course’s signature rolling landscape to its former glory. It is home to a slate of tournaments and is set to host the U.S. Women's Open in 2030. The club is minutes from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport and a wide variety of accommodations are available nearby, including The Westin Edina Galleria, Minneapolis Marriott Southwest, and The Hotel Landing on Lake Minnetonka. According to GolfPass, this course is rated 74.2 and is open from spring through fall.

Hazeltine National Golf Club, Chaska

Bordering Lake Hazeltine in Chaska, Hazeltine National Golf Club is consistently ranked among the country’s top courses. It has hosted a wide variety of tournaments, including the 2016 Ryder Cup and every premier championship offered by the USGA and PGA of America. It is the only club in the country to host the Ryder Cup for a second time, with its next event coming in 2029. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones in 1962, and his son, Rees Jones, oversaw course enhancements in 2002 and 2005. According to GolfPass, this private course is rated 78 and is open April 1 through Nov. 1. Its rolling hills and surrounding forests also make it a popular wedding venue. About a half-hour drive from the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, there are many options for accommodations within easy driving distance, including in nearby Chanhassen.

Midland Hills Country Club, Roseville

Add a golf day to a city trip (or vice versa) with a stop at Midland Hills in Roseville, just 10 - 15 minutes from Minneapolis and St. Paul. This private course, designed by Seth Raynor, had its origins with the University of Minnesota. It is set on 160 acres and has been restored and renovated in recent years thanks to the serendipitous discovery of the course’s original design. Additional renovation, including the 15,000-square-foot putting green, took place in 2023. The course features a 73.6 rating, according to GolfPass. Nonmember golf events are available, and the club hosts banquets, charity tournaments, weddings, and other events.

TPC Twin Cities, Blaine

Located on the site of a former sod farm, it seems like a natural progression to turn this rolling land into a golf course, and Arnold Palmer did just that with Minnesotan Tom Lehman, creating a design that has made it a local hit and a national draw for the PGA Tour’s 3M Open, hosted annually at the course. Located just a short drive from Minneapolis-St. Paul, the private course features a 27,000-square-foot practice facility and a golf academy. TPC Twin Cities is located in Blaine, about half an hour from MSP, with a wide selection of hotels in the community and even more in the Twin Cities. The course has a 77.2 rating, according to GolfPass, and it is consistently ranked as a top course.

Spring Hill Golf Club, Wayzata

A perennial hit with Golf Digest, Spring Hill Golf Club in Wayzata has been ranked among Minnesota’s top five courses since 2001 and is also among the top 100 in the country. The Tom Fazio course is part of a private club and is rated at 74.2 by GolfPass. Surrounded by stands of gorgeous trees, Spring Hill is among several courses that are an easy drive from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, making it easy to choose from a variety of lodging options and create a custom, golf-centered vacation getaway.

The Quarry at Giants Ridge, Biwabik

Ranked as the No. 1 public golf course in the state, there is fun to be had at this resort all year. Architect Jeff Brauer designed this challenging course that gives golfers the chance to say they have played in a unique place: it is built on the site of a mining quarry in Biwabik. Rated 75.6, The Quarry is open May - October, but you can come back and ski the slopes of Giant Ridge once the links are snowed over. According to Golf Digest, among this course’s other accolades, it includes the best 13th hole in America built since 2000. Stay on-site at Giants Ridge Resort, where a lodge, villas, and guest houses are offered, along with dining.

The Legend at Giants Ridge, Biwabik

Book two trips in one at Giants Ridge, where you can play The Quarry and its predecessor, The Legend. There is even a 37-hole special that includes both public courses plus lunch. This 73.7-rated Jeff Brauer course invites a deep breath of natural beauty as players walk the course. As with The Quarry, this is a spot for easy vacation planning, with everything you need on-site, including a new, state-of-the-art pool and sauna house scheduled to open in the summer of 2025 and plenty of options for mixing up the fun, like mountain biking. You can even rent equipment for biking, skiing, and snowshoeing.

The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower

Dramatic scenery is at every turn on this Lake Vermilion resort. Start with golf, but there is no need to stop there. Ranked among Golf Digest’s Top 100 public courses and the No. 3 Best Public Golf Course in Minnesota by Golfweek in 2023, The Wilderness is a Jeff Brauer-designed spot, rated 75.3 according to GolfPass. The location is majestic, with so many options that golf can be the entire vacation or only a part. The site includes a marina, trails, and winter options for skiing and ice fishing, plus a conference center and casino that offers accommodations and dining.

The Classic at Madden’s, Brainerd

Another spot for a more-than-just-golf vacation, Madden’s offers enough outdoor fun for the whole family during its April - October season on Gull Lake. The Classic, with a 75.6 rating, is one of four courses and 63 holes at the resort. It features rolling hills that have earned it impressive rankings on “best of” lists for years. Stay in a golf villa that has a course view, or choose multi-bedroom homes or lakeside accommodations. The course is public, with membership options available that offer discounts and extra access options. Find yourself nearby in the winter? Get your off-season practice in with the resort’s state-of-the-art TrackMan golf simulators.

Deacon's Lodge at Breezy Point Resort, Breezy Point

Designed by Arnold Palmer, Deacon’s Lodge offers golfers a snapshot of some of Minnesota’s famous natural beauty; this public course has lakes, wetlands, and more. Built in 1999, the course has a rating of 73.8 and is among the country’s favorites. Immerse in the environment with accommodations big enough for the whole family, including lake cabins, apartments, and quiet retreats. Located 150 miles from the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, it is just 20 miles from Brainerd, which has an airport offering quick connections from MSP. Breezy Point Resort offers a spa, dining, an extensive multi-use trail, a swimming beach, and loads of entertainment options.

Minneapolis Golf Club, St. Louis Park

Just outside the city, Minneapolis Golf Club is a private club designed by Willie Park Jr. and Donald Ross. The course’s century-old turf, which hosted the PGA Championship in 1959, was replaced in 2020. Open spring through fall, this 18-hole course is rated 74.4 according to GolfPass, and it offers a junior program and instruction. The Twin Cities offer accommodations for every budget and interest, so it is easy to add the city’s wealth of dining and shopping options here for guests visiting the course. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is Delta Air Lines' second-largest hub, offering easy access from across the country.

The Jewel, Lake City

Head south for a Mississippi River haven at The Jewel in Lake City, a Hale Irwin-designed, semi-private course that has been named among Golfweek’s Best Public Courses and as Golf Advisor’s Best of Minnesota Golf Course. Working in harmony with nature, The Jewel is an Audubon International member, offering golfers a 73.8-rated course while still focusing on habitat preservation. The course is open to the public, but memberships are available that offer unlimited golf and discounts. It is just an hour from the Twin Cities, so a day trip here is a nice addition to a city stay. Dining is available on-site.

Embrace the greens from spring through fall, taking in some of the most beautiful spots in Minnesota. Combine trips with resort amenities, lakeside lounging, watersports, or gentle, easy evenings gazing at the stars near a mountain cabin. Golf courses cater to every level of expertise, from beginners to pros, as well as a range of budgets and time commitments. Take an entirely different approach and enjoy golf as a spectator, or combine fun and service by joining a charity tournament, which can have the added benefit of access to private clubs without a membership. Savor the warm weather and make plans for a return trip to enjoy Minnesota’s bounty of winter sports.