Welcome to the home of more golfers per capita than any other major U.S. city. Minneapolis, which forms the “Twin Cities” with the neighboring state capital of St. Paul, is bisected by the Mississippi River and known for its parks and lakes. Golf fans might remember adopting Fred Funk during the 2002 PGA Championship at the Hazeltine National, which is a telling reflection of the everyman golfer with blue collar appeal that makes golf an everyman sport in Minnesota. In a radius of only 20 miles of downtown Minneapolis there are 65 public courses which include 40 municipal tracks! The best of the best include The Links at Northfork, Prestwick Golf Club and Chaska Town Course, which hosted the 2006 U.S. Amateur.
Rush Creek is another of the state's premier golf facilities, located just a stone's throw from the downtown area. The 18-hole championship course has hosted a number of national events, including three LPGA Tours and the 2004 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship. Oh, and it's also been named “Best Public Course in the City” by Forbes writer Larry Olmsted. Conversely, Golfweek Magazine voted Stoneridge Golf Club the number one public course in the Twin Cities. Opened to the public on July 4, 2000 and designed by Bobby Weed, this links-style course includes rolling bentgrass fairways that are framed by native fescue grasses. Large, undulating greens and scattered, irregular bunkering give players a sense of playing “across the pond” in backyard Minnesota.
A peek into Hastings reveals the neighboring beauties of Bellwood Oaks Golf Course and Hidden Greens Golf Course. Tom Weiskopf's gem The Wilds Golf Club can be found at Prior Lake, along with Legends Golf Club and The Meadows at Mystic Lake. This latter course (coupled with The Refuge in Oak Grove) are placed among the top 10 ranking public golf courses in all of Minnesota. There are countless others to consider of course, including but not limited to Willingers Golf Club, Bunker Hills, Edinburgh, and the legendary muni Keller Golf Course.
2nd Swing Golf
2nd Swing golf is one of the best golf stores in the nation. You may have seen their advertisements on the Golf Channel promoting their online golf retailer. However, their brick and mortar locations, two of which can be found in Minneapolis, are mind-blowingly amazing. They offer a reatil superstore of new and used clubs, but are best known for their custom fitting and club customization. Nobody does it better!
Golf Club Hospital
The Golf Club Hospital offers “Full service for the discriminating golfer.” As one of the oldest golf stores in Minneapolis, it has been in continuous operation since 1967. THey specialize in club repair and restoration. As their website states, “Why keep wasting hundreds of dollars on new clubs that work no better or even worse than what you already have? Spend just $35 to $45 to rejuvenate your current High Tech Metalwood!”
Ken Gorg Golf Shop
The Ken Gorg Golf Shop has been in business since 1988 and is recognized as one of the top 100 club fitters in the country. They are a full-service golf retailer stocking all the major brands. Their motto is, "Don't just spend money on your clubs...Invest in your equipment." They will make sure you don’t buy the most expensive equipment, but the best equipment for you.
Explore Minnesota Golf
Minnesota has more golfers per capita than any other state, so it’s no wonder that there is a resource like Explore Minnesota Golf that helps golfers navigate the overwhelming options for golf in the area! They also offer special offers and listings of all the best places to stay from golf resorts, to reasonable options in the five main regions for golf in the state.
Minnesota Golf
Minnesota Golf is the best online resource for all things golf in the MSP area and greater Minnesota. They offer comprehensive listings of all the local courses, driving ranges, equipment retailers, and so much more!
Best Buy Foundation Charity Classic
Electronics giant Best Buy has been running their foundation’s charity golf event in Minneapolis since 1994. It is an incredible, enormous charity event that gives over $2 million to amazing causes each year. The event takes place at the major championship venue Hazeltine National Golf Club over two days in July. Other events include an evening gala, a fishing derby, and a massive concert that has included the likes of John Mayer!
3M Championship
The 3M Championship is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour Champions tour. 2017 marked the 25th anniversary of the event and it is one of the most beloved tournaments of the year for players and fans alike. Held at TPC Twin Cities, the event draws huge fans, an amazing crop of volunteers, and tens of thousands of fans. The best part, general admission is FREE!
Breezy Point Resort
Breezy point may not be located in Minneapolis, but it’s just too good to not mention. Situated 2.5 hours north of the Twin Cities, Breezy Point offers stunning accommodations alongside Pelican Lake. Most importantly, they have three championship golf courses highlighted by the Arnold Palmer designed Deacon’s Lodge. Play an early 18, then rent a boat with the family, it doesn’t get much better than that!
Thumper Pond Resort
Similar to Breezy Point, Thumper Pond is situated several hours outside of the Twin Cities. But that’s what makes resorts destinations, correct? The course was carved out of a forest of nearly 100,000 Red Pine Trees and the resort is regarded as one of the finest in the state.
Barrett B. is our featured golf pro providing golf lessons near Minneapolis! Barrett is PGA certified with over 19 years of teaching experience. He was the Head Golf Professional at Dakota Pines Golf Club and a three-time team player at the National Buick Scramble, as well as the winner of the MN Scramble. Barrett bases his private golf lessons around the fact that there is no cookie cutter way to play golf or improve. Each individual is different, so his professional golf lessons are centered around the individual. For a truly personalized experience with golf lessons in Minneapolis, you will want to book with Barrett.