Get to Know Golf in the 2016 Ryder Cup Host State

The Ryder Cup is coming to Hazeltine National Golf Club in 2016—the first time ever to the state of Minnesota. For fans of the biennial battle between the United States and Europe golf teams who are making the trip to Minnesota, there is plenty to learn—especially if it is your first trip to the land of 10,000 water hazards.

Minnesota, contrary to popular misconception, is not located near the Arctic Circle and therefore under snow and ice for the entire year. We have a very temperate golf season and get six months (often seven months) of great golf weather in the state. At the time of the Ryder Cup, which takes place in mid-to-late September, it is the peak growing season for Minnesota, and many of the local golf courses are in the best shape they are all year long.

Minnesota has some of the most fertile growing land in the country—which is why many immigrants first settled here—and that goes for growing golf courses, as well. Bentgrass fairways and greens are commonplace in the area, making for excellent playing surfaces. In addition, the University of Minnesota Horticulture department has its own turf grass research program, so new strains of weather and disease-resistant grasses are often being tried and implemented on local courses.

Speaking of the golf courses, Minnesota has hundreds of them–many concentrated in the Twin Cities, plus resort courses and incredible tracks secluded in the northern woods. There are many Minnesota courses that appear on national “Best of” lists.