Where To Golf In Minnesota Lakes Country

Detroit Lakes Area

Detroit Country Club (Detroit Lakes) — One of the anchor golf destinations in Detroit Lakes, and it carries extra history because of the Pine to Palm Golf Tournament, which has been held at the club since 1931. The course is open to the public and offers two different 18-hole layouts: the Pine to Palm Course and the Lakeview Course. That gives golfers options, whether they want a more traditional championship-style round or a shorter, more casual outing.

Wildflower Golf Course (Detroit Lakes / Fair Hills Resort area) — One of the prettiest public golf stops in the Detroit Lakes area. The course is an 18-hole, par-72 prairie-links layout connected to the Fair Hills Resort area, with open fairways, natural scenery, and a setting near Pelican Lake. It has enough challenge for experienced golfers but still fits the vacation-golf mood. Wildflower works especially well for groups staying around Fair Hills, families who want golf as part of a larger lake getaway, or players who enjoy a course that feels open and natural rather than overly crowded.

Forest Hills (Detroit Lakes) — A good addition for readers looking for golf that connects directly to a longer stay. The property combines a championship golf course with an RV resort, on-site bar and grill, and family-friendly amenities, making it more than a quick tee-time stop. Its location in the Detroit Lakes region puts golfers close to hundreds of area lakes, so a round can easily be paired with boating, fishing, swimming, or a weekend at the campground.

Otter Tail County

Thumper Pond (Ottertail) — One of the most complete golf-and-resort options in Otter Tail County. The course was designed by Eric Niskanen and carved through 90,000 red pine trees, giving it a wooded, northern Minnesota feel. In addition to the 18-hole championship course, Thumper Pond has a 350-yard practice range, a short-game area, two putting greens, lessons, an all-suite hotel, RV park, conference space, restaurant, spa, and an indoor waterpark. That makes it especially useful for families or groups where golf is only one part of the weekend. Serious golfers get a full course and practice setup, while non-golfers have plenty to do without leaving the property.

Balmoral Golf Course (Battle Lake) — Part of the Ottertail Lake area since 1961. Located on the southeast side of Otter Tail Lake, the par-72 course is known for good greens, a variety of shot shapes, and a classic public-course feel.

Perham Lakeside Golf Club (Perham) — Offers three nine-hole courses—Pine, Maple, and Oak—creating 27 holes of public golf. The Maple and Oak courses opened in 1940 and the Pine course in 2000, which gives the club a mix of older-course character and newer design. For visitors, the flexibility is the big advantage. You can play nine, 18, or mix and match nines across a longer day, then spend time in Perham's downtown, restaurants, shops, or nearby lakes.

Oakwood (Henning) — A nice addition for readers who like the old-school Minnesota combination of golf and supper-club culture. The public nine-hole course near Henning gives golfers a more relaxed option in the Ottertail area, with a par-36 layout listed at 2,940 yards. For a casual vacation day, Oakwood works well as a lower-pressure round before dinner, a quick nine with friends, or a stop for golfers exploring the quieter corners of Otter Tail County.

Bemidji Area

Bemidji Town & Country Club (Bemidji) — Gives northern Minnesota golfers a beautiful setting right along the north shore of Lake Bemidji. The public 18-hole course is bordered by Norway pines and is known for hosting the Birchmont Tournament, Minnesota Golf Association events, and collegiate tournaments. It has the feel of a course with history and standards, but it still fits nicely into a lake weekend. Visitors can play a round, spend time downtown Bemidji, walk the lakefront, or make the stop part of a longer trip through northern Minnesota.

Brainerd Lakes Area

The Classic at Madden's (Brainerd) — One of the standout public-access resort courses in Minnesota. Designed with walking golf in mind, the course is known for a polished, tour-quality feel and has earned national recognition, including placement on Golf Digest's “America's 100 Greatest Public Courses” list and Golfweek's top resort-course rankings. The broader Madden's golf property includes multiple courses, but The Classic is the one serious golfers will want to circle first. It is challenging, scenic, and built for players who want their golf trip to feel like the main event.

Madden's is not just The Classic. The resort also offers Pine Beach East, Pine Beach West, and The Social 9, giving golfers several ways to play depending on time, skill level, and mood. Pine Beach East and West offer full resort-golf experiences, while The Social 9 is designed for a quicker, more casual round. That range is valuable for groups, especially when one person wants championship golf and another just wants a fun round before dinner. All of Madden's courses are open to the public, and the resort offers rentals, practice facilities, and golf packages.

The Pines at Grand View Lodge (Nisswa) — A Brainerd Lakes classic, featuring 27 holes across three distinct nines: Lakes, Woods, and Marsh. With five tee boxes on each hole, the course suits a range of golfers while delivering the forested, resort-style atmosphere Nisswa is known for. Its practice facility includes putting greens, a two-sided driving range, and a short-game area.

The Preserve (Grand View Lodge, near Pequot Lakes) — Adds another destination-level option to Grand View's golf lineup. The 18-hole resort course offers a more secluded, scenic feel.

Cragun's (Brainerd) — Has become one of the most interesting golf stories in the Brainerd Lakes region. The resort's Legacy Courses now offer 45 holes of championship golf shaped by Minnesota golf legend Tom Lehman, with the property featuring the Lehman 18, Dutch 18, and a reversible par-3 nine. The Dutch 27 renovation was completed in spring 2025, and the redesigned courses emphasize playability, strategic design, Northwoods scenery, and high-level conditions. For golfers planning a true multi-round trip, Cragun's belongs near the top of the list.

Gravel Pit Golf (Brainerd) — A different kind of Brainerd golf experience. Rather than a traditional 18-hole course, it is a 13-hole short course built from a repurposed gravel pit, with fescue, water features, elevation change, and a links-inspired feel. The course was designed with fun and flexibility in mind, which makes it ideal for mixed-skill groups, casual golfers, juniors, or serious players who love creative short-course architecture. The clubhouse overlooks all 13 holes and includes a golf shop, bar, and restaurant, giving the property a social feel that fits the modern golf trend toward shorter, more relaxed rounds.

Breezy Point — Gives the Brainerd Lakes area another major resort-golf stop, especially with Deacon's Lodge and Whitebirch. Deacon's Lodge is set among lakes, woods, and wetlands and is described by the resort as a nationally acclaimed layout, while Whitebirch is noted as the first championship golf course layout in the Brainerd Lakes Area and stretches over 6,700 yards.

Alexandria Lakes Area

Geneva Golf Club (Alexandria) — Offers 27 holes and presents itself as a welcoming public golf destination rather than an exclusive private club. With three nines to choose from, golfers can play a full 18 while still getting variety, or come back for a different routing later in the trip. The course pairs naturally with Alexandria's Chain of Lakes, downtown, patios, and other summer attractions.

Atikwa (Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center, Alexandria) — A true resort course, located on Lake Darling. The 18-hole course was designed with wetland preservation in mind and features rolling fairways, lake views, and strategic challenges for both casual and serious golfers. For visitors staying at Arrowwood, Atikwa is especially convenient, but it is also worth including for anyone planning an Alexandria golf weekend.

Lake Miltona (Miltona) — Golf Digest's Alexandria-area course guide includes Lake Miltona among the public courses near Alexandria, making it a useful option for golfers staying around the Chain of Lakes or heading north of town. It works well as a quieter add-on course for visitors who want to turn an Alexandria trip into a multi-course weekend.

Osakis Country Club (Osakis) — Fits the mold of an accessible public course that can be paired with a cabin weekend, fishing trip, or family visit. Golf Digest includes Osakis Country Club among public courses in the Alexandria-area golf market, making it a good community to include if you want the guide to feel more regional and less limited to the biggest resort names.

Park Rapids Area

Headwaters Golf Club (Park Rapids) — A public 18-hole championship course established in 1968 and carved through mature pines and hardwoods. That gives the course the kind of wooded northern Minnesota feel that fits perfectly with a Park Rapids or Itasca-area trip. The course is enjoyable but challenging for all levels, making it a good recommendation for families, juniors, casual players, and regular golfers.

Blueberry Pines (Menahga / Park Rapids area) — Offers an 18-hole championship course designed to provide a fair challenge for all ability levels. The course setting includes rolling hills, mature trees, and a spring-fed stream. Blueberry Pines also has a driving range, chipping and pitching area, putting green, carts, club rentals, dining, and stay-and-play options.

Ely And The Boundary Waters Area

Ely Golf Club (Ely) — A scenic, north-woods golf experience close to the BWCAW gateway community. It is one of the best values in the area and is committed to eco-friendly course management and creating a wilderness golf experience.

Grand Rapids / McGregor Area

Minnesota National Golf Club (McGregor) — Offers 27 holes designed by Joel Goldstrand, including a championship course that can stretch to 7,200 yards and offers five sets of tees on every hole. The course features bentgrass fairways, tees and greens, plus Ohio white sand bunkers. It also has North Fork Tavern on-site, which makes it easy to turn the round into a full outing with food and drinks afterward.

North Shore / Lake Superior

Lakeview National (Two Harbors) — An 18-hole championship course that sits high above Two Harbors and offers views of Lake Superior from 14 holes.

Superior National at Lutsen (Lutsen) — One of the marquee golf experiences on the North Shore. Located along Lake Superior, the course offers 27 holes, with the River and Canyon premier 18 having been improved from tee to green. The setting is the biggest selling point with dramatic terrain, North Shore scenery, and a course that feels integrated into one of Minnesota's most beautiful travel corridors.

Silver Bay Golf Course (Silver Bay) — Gives the North Shore section a shorter, more approachable option. Lake County tourism highlights Silver Bay as one of the county's two scenic golf courses along the North Shore, alongside Lakeview National. As a nine-hole course, it works well for visitors who want to squeeze golf into a day that might also include hiking, waterfalls, state parks, or a drive up Highway 61. Not every vacation round needs to take four or five hours, and Silver Bay fills that lighter, more flexible role.