Golf in Minnesota
Overview
Find places
This page explains golf in Minnesota. The sorter handles the local question by city or ZIP.
Golf in Minnesota
Rochester operates four city-run courses including Eastwood Golf Course (18 holes), and the Minneapolis park system maintains more than a dozen public courses across the metro area. Senior and resident discount rates are common at municipal courses, and the Minnesota Golf Association lists over 400 public and semi-private courses statewide.
Published local price
Baker National Golf Course (Medina, MN), Three Rivers Park District: 18-hole regular rate $51; senior (62+) $46. Rates vary by season and tee time.
Published range: $41 to $51.
Baker National Golf Three Rivers Park District 2026 Rates · as of 2026Where to go
Golf score
33rd of 51 states for retirement golf
Golf score blends year-round playability (34%), playable access (16%), affordability (16%), course pedigree (12%), and statewide course density (22%).
Courses
A sample of marquee courses across Minnesota, with where to play and how to book.
Carved from an old mine with red-rock cuts and water · Jeffrey D. Brauer
A national-caliber resort course on the Iron Range, built across a former mine site. The setting is dramatic, and several sets of tees let you pick a length that fits your game.
Opened 2003 · $$$ · Slope 146
Forested holes weaving along lakes and Superior National Forest · Jeffrey D. Brauer
The Legend is the older of the two courses at Giants Ridge, threading through northern woods and along the water. It is scenic and forgiving enough from the right tees to stay enjoyable.
Opened 1997 · $$$ · Slope 133
Secluded fairways through pine and granite near Lake Vermilion · Jeffrey D. Brauer
A quiet resort course up on Lake Vermilion, with holes set off in their own corridors of pine and rock. Walking is allowed, and five sets of tees keep it playable for everyone.
Opened 2004 · $$$ · Slope 142
Forced carries over native grasses through lakes and wetlands · Arnold Palmer
An Arnold Palmer design in the Brainerd Lakes area, named for his father, winding through 500 acres of forest and wetland. The bentgrass conditioning is excellent, and a friendlier slope makes it approachable.
Opened 1999 · $$$ · Slope 128
Championship layout on Gull Lake with bentgrass and water · Scott Hoffmann
A long, well-groomed resort course on Gull Lake near Brainerd. It plays tough from the back, but the forward tees and resort setting make for a relaxed day.
$$$ · Slope 144
Prairie and wooded holes set in the Mississippi River bluffs · Hale Irwin
A Hale Irwin design tucked into the river bluffs at Lake City in southeast Minnesota. It is fully public, with five sets of tees and big valley views from the high ground.
Opened 2005 · $$$ · Slope 132
Oak groves, open prairie and marsh with plenty of hills · Arthur Hills
Maybe the classiest muni in the Twin Cities, owned by the city of Chaska and open to all. Walking is allowed and saves money, though the hills make it a real workout.
Opened 1997 · $$ · Slope 141
Three nines of parkland and links holes above Duluth
A city-owned 27-hole layout up by the Enger Tower in Duluth, with three distinct nines you can mix and match. Rates stay friendly, which makes it an easy go-to for regular rounds.
Opened 1927 · $
We've mapped 8 courses across Minnesota so far.
What Minnesota costs
Cost of living
99
BEA index, U.S. = 100
State income tax
~6.0% state income-tax planning rate
Social Security
Partly taxed
How people start
Most metros list city-run courses with published fee schedules. Those set the affordable floor before any private club enters the picture.
Many courses post a reduced weekday senior rate and a season pass. The difference between pay-per-round and a pass is the number that usually drives the yearly cost.
In warm states the season runs most of the year; in cold ones it is a few months. The yearly cost is rounds-per-year times rate, plus cart and equipment.
Common questions
Rochester operates four city-run courses including Eastwood Golf Course (18 holes), and the Minneapolis park system maintains more than a dozen public courses across the metro area. Senior and resident discount rates are common at municipal courses, and the Minnesota Golf Association lists over 400 public and semi-private courses statewide.
Minnesota has a cost-of-living index near 99 (U.S. = 100), about a 6.0% state income-tax planning rate, and taxes some Social Security. The full state guide breaks down property tax, sales tax, and long-term-care costs, each sourced.
Sources
The life your money is for