Best Minnesota Golf Courses for Fall Colors

Determining the best golf course for fall golf in Minnesota is like trying to pick your favorite child – you really can’t do it. Yet, there are certainly some courses in this wonderfully vast golf state that show this seasons colors better than others. Here’s a short list of some favorites in the state:

The Classic at Madden’s on Gull Lake

This golf course is truly a classic, just as the name suggests. Carved into some of the most scenic land in the state, The Classic will showcase vibrant fall colors that you’ll not want to miss when scrambling your way to respectability on the golf course.

Deacon’s Lodge

In mid-summer, Deacon’s Lodge is one of the most breathtaking courses in the state. In the fall, it becomes drop dead gorgeous. If the course didn’t demand your last ounce of focus, you might be able to soak in the unbelieveable natural beauty that surrounds you. Nevertheless, the course is so spectacular, it’s worth the green fees just to tour the grounds especially at this time of year.

Giants Ridge

Pick the course, The Quarry or The Legend, each are equally beautiful and there’s never a doubt that you are planted in the middle of God’s country. Of course, for the passionate golfer, you’re getting some of the best golf in the country, with The Quarry ranked 16th in Golf Digest’s Best Public Golf Courses. Is it worth the trip? Absolutely. Best of all, the green fees are crazy affordable.

The Wilderness at Fortune Bay

30-minutes from Giants Ridge you’ll find Golf Digest’s #2 Casino course in the country. The Wilderness has some of the most incredible views in the state. You’ll get there and may be underwhelmed at the clubhouse, but hold on to your hat when you get on the course – it’ll blow you away. Like Giants Ridge, though, be sure to time the colors correctly because the leaves will change sooner than they will in the Twin Cities.

The Jewel

This golf course is on par or beyond with the northern Minnesota golf courses when it comes to aesthetics – especially this time of year. Nestled in the bluffs in southeast Minnesota, The Jewel is a treasure that people in the region are familiar with, yet not well known even to the people in the Twin Cities. This course is a Hale Irwin design and if you’re looking for a place that will surround you with stunning fall colors, The Jewel is the place!

Given Minnesota’s latitudinal position, we will enjoy changing colors sooner than some of the other states in the upper midwest. For a complete fall color report, Explore Minnesota Tourism has this resource so you can break it down by region and make sure you hit your favorite golf courses during peak season!