Best Public Golf Courses in Minneapolis, Minnesota
You don't need a membership to play great golf in Minneapolis. From resort courses to municipal gems, here are the best public and semi-private courses in the area — ranked by design quality, conditioning, and value.
Prior Lake, Minnesota · Tom Weiskopf (2004) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,025 yards
A Tom Weiskopf design in Prior Lake, The Wilds is consistently ranked among the best public courses in Minnesota. The layout winds through rolling prairie terrain, hardwood forests, and wetlands with exceptional conditioning and a resort-quality experience at public pricing.
Blaine, Minnesota · Arnold Palmer (2000) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,114 yards
Home of the 3M Open on the PGA Tour, TPC Twin Cities is an Arnold Palmer design in Blaine that offers tour-caliber golf accessible to the public. The layout features rolling terrain, strategic water hazards, and the immaculate conditioning expected of a TPC facility.
Independence, Minnesota · Rees Jones (2005) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,169 yards
A Rees Jones design west of Minneapolis, Windsong Farm occupies 345 acres of rolling terrain with sweeping views of Lake Independence. The semi-private layout delivers a private-club experience with generous fairways, strategic bunkering, and superb bentgrass conditioning.
Maple Grove, Minnesota · Bob Cupp & John Fought (1996) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,989 yards
A Bob Cupp and John Fought design in Maple Grove, Rush Creek has hosted the 2004 U.S. Amateur and multiple USGA qualifying events. The rolling layout through native prairie grasses and wetlands offers championship-caliber public golf northwest of Minneapolis.
Prior Lake, Minnesota · Tom Weiskopf (1995) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,025 yards
A Tom Weiskopf design south of Minneapolis in Prior Lake, The Wilds features a dramatic routing through wetlands, native prairie, and hardwood forest. The 7,025-yard layout earned praise for its natural beauty and strategic challenge, making it one of the top public options in the Twin Cities metro area.
Prior Lake, Minnesota · Gary Player (2004) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,014 yards
A Gary Player design at the Mystic Lake Casino resort, the Legends Club features a challenging public layout through southern Minnesota prairie and wetland terrain. The 7,014-yard course offers casino-resort amenities combined with a well-maintained championship golf experience accessible to the public.
Biwabik, Minnesota · Jeff Brauer (2003) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,201 yards
Built on Minnesota's Iron Range amid old mining terrain, Giants Ridge Quarry features dramatic elevation changes, exposed mine walls, and views across the Laurentian Divide. The Jeff Brauer design transforms rugged industrial landscape into one of the most unique resort courses in the Midwest.
Best Time to Play
May through September, with June through August offering the best conditions. Minnesota summers are warm (70s-80s) with long daylight hours extending past 9 PM. The season is short — most courses close by late October or November as snow arrives.
Booking Tips
For the best rates, book tee times midweek or during shoulder seasons. Many courses offer twilight rates for afternoon rounds. Resort courses often bundle with hotel stays for significant savings.
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is a major hub centrally located between the Twin Cities. Hazeltine is 25 minutes southwest in Chaska. The best public courses are spread across the western and southern suburbs. Combine golf with the Twin Cities' renowned dining, brewery, and arts scenes.
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