These Minnesota Courses are Sure to Challenge You

Every week the PGA tour shows telecasts of golf courses that are designed to challenge the best players in the world, but you don’t have to leave Minnesota to find a course that will test your game. Minnesota is filled with plenty of great tracks that will challenge your skills and here’s three courses that are among the toughest in the state.

The Classic at Madden’s–75.6/142 Slope/Rating

Slope and rating isn’t the unequivocal measure of golf course toughness, but it is a good indicator, and at 75.6/142, The Classic at Madden’s surely offers a tough test. Course superintendent Scott Hoffman designed the course and his knowledge of the area helped him weave this challenging track seamlessly though the woods and water of Brainerd. Minnesota’s only 5 Star Top 100 golf course, The Classic features elevation changes upwards of 60-feet that offer dramatic views of this northern beauty. The course requires your full attention.

Giants Ride—The Quarry—75.2/139 Slope/Rating

The Quarry, the second course at Giants Ridge in Biwabik, is a tougher version of the original. The Quarry was carved out of reclaimed mine lands in 2003 and features elevated tees and dramatic vistas among the scarred countryside. Its rugged beauty always shows its teeth and requires you to be on your game when moving back to the longer tees at 7,201 yards. It is ranked the No. 1 public course in the state by Golf Digest, Golfweek and Golf magazine.

Rush Creek Golf Club–75.6/148 Slope/Rating

Rush Creek Golf Club has been home to several national tournaments (three LPGA events and the 2004 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship) and it will put your best game to the test. The Maple Grove track requires superior shot making as it winds though the woods and marshland. Some times there is plenty of room off the tee, while other shots need to fit into tight spots for optimal scoring. The beautiful 18^th hole provides an excellent final challenge—requiring three decent shots around a watery grave all along the left side in order to finish strong.

These three courses are a good slice of the challenge  that Minnesota golf has to offer. With challenging courses in every corner of the state you’re sure to find at least one course to test your game.

Explore Minnesota Golf Alliance is a non-profit membership organization whose mission is to raise awareness of Minnesota golf courses and resorts as international travel destinations. Our member facilities feature award-winning, championship golf courses and are geographically disbursed across the great state of Minnesota. The combination of exceptional quality and outstanding value make Minnesota one of the best golf destinations in the United States.