Fall Golf Minne-Roadtrip
An early morning tee time on a crisp fall day in Minnesota is about as good as it gets.
It’s special.
You look great in your weather gear, right?
And you love the vibrant colors of fall, combined with early morning temps cool enough to see your breath; afternoon sunshine warm enough to save your soul.
Whatever the reason, late season golf offers something the grind of the season just doesn’t.
If you and your best golfing buddy’s share the same sentiments about playing this time of year, then there are courses in southern Minnesota you should play.
Starting just south of the metro, the southern Minnesota cities of Northfield, Faribault and Owatonna have a number of championship courses available to players of all abilities.
In addition to the amazing golf you’ll play, all three of these cities boast award winning dining and entertainment options for you and your foursome.
With outstanding accommodation options and vibrant, historic downtowns, why not make a weekend of it, and play them all in a few days.
Northfield Golf Club
If you ask the members of the Northfield Golf Club about their course, many will boast about it being one of the best courses in the state. And when you step up to the first tee, you’ll fully understand why.
The view from the par-5 first tee is elevated, looking down to a narrow fairway, with a slight dogleg left to it.
It forces you right from the start to decide to cut the corner with a driver for a shot at this par-5 in two, or play it safely to a landing spot sum 250 yards from the well guarded green.
And it just gets better from there with a long par 3 at the second hole, and a daunting par-4, third hole; the toughest on the course. This scenario keeps repeating itself throughout the entire 18, and is just a joy to play.
Course:Northfield Golf Club, Northfield, MN
Tee Times:(507) 888-9009 Ext. 1 | https://www.northfieldgolfclub.com/bookteetimes
Course type:Private
Price:$49 (rates and tee time availability varies)
The course, built in 1926 is stunning with it’s elevated tees and pristine conditions. The greens on this gem are second to none. They are true, lightning fast and well maintained.
The tee boxes and fairways are impressive — almost perfect — and the layout is difficult; but playable from the forward tees to the tips.
Every tee shot on the course demands your full attention with hazards on almost every hole.
Willingers Golf Course
Willingers opened in 1991 and offers players of all abilities a golf course set up that is modern, fun, challenging and more than enjoyable.
The course is a mix of rolling hills, treelined fairways, low areas, high areas, wind, no wind; lots of trouble and well worth the greens fees when you’re finished.
Their motto says “Once played, easily remembered” and that is definitely true for the myself and first-timers I’ve been around.
It’s truly a ball strikers paradise. The fairways are wide and superbly maintained with large greens that slope back to front. If you humbly play this course you can score very well; challenge it and you could possibly pay the price.
Course:Willingers Golf Course, Northfield, MN
Tee Times:952.652.2500| https://www.willingersgc.com/bookteetimes
Course type:Public welcome
Price:Monday – Thursday $42/$57 (Walk/Ride); Friday – Sunday $52/$67 (Walk/Ride)
*Willingers has a number of different specials and rates available
Because Willingers is hot spot for players in the south metro so it can be a busy place. That said, there are many different tee-times and rates available; including: Two for Tuesdays deals, Twilight rates, senior discounts and much more. It also has an impressive driving range, clubhouse, restaurant and many more amenities to make your day of golf an enjoyable one.
Faribault Golf Course
Originally founded and open for play in 1910 the Faribault Golf Course in Faribault, MN has been hosting championship caliber events for over 100 years.
This course sits in the middle of a beautiful piece of property located on the west side of faribault and offers golfers of every ability the chance to hit every club in the bag.
According to their website the “Faribault Golf Club was instrumental along with Winona Country Club, Town and Country, The Minikahda Club, Rochester Golf & Country Club, Bryn Mawr, and Merion Park in founding and establishing the Minnesota Golf Association, and hosted annually since 1970, the Minnesota PGA Pro-Am Tournament. The club has also hosted the 1970 Minnesota State Open and local qualifying for the 1984 United States Golf Association Open.”
Course:Faribault Golf Course , Faribault, MN
Tee Times:(507) 334-3810 | http://www.faribaultgolf.com/request_tt/
Course type:Private
Price:$44 (rates and tee time availability varies)
It’s very traditional with several doglegs both right and left, water hazards and sand traps; it’s really important to pay attention to your yardages or you can get in big trouble in a hurry. But, if played correctly, the layout allows golfers a chance to go low.