Trevor Ng
Golf is a popular sport in Minnesota, with nearly 500 courses across the state. The Minnesota Golf Association (MGA) has around 400 courses and 92,000 members. During the COVID-19 pandemic, golf was prohibited under Governor Tim Walz's executive order 20-33, which was in effect from April 8, 2020, to May 3, 2020. However, golf course maintenance was allowed, and the industry worked towards creating safe conditions for the resumption of golf. Minnesota also has specific laws regarding golf carts and low-speed vehicles, including speed limits, safety features, and regulations on drinking and driving. Overall, Minnesota offers a range of golf courses for players of all levels, from beginners to professionals, and the MGA supports an inclusive and vibrant golf community.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is golf allowed in Minnesota? | Yes, there are nearly 500 golf courses in Minnesota. |
| Golf courses in Minnesota | Brightwood Hills Golf Course, University of Minnesota Golf Course, Oakdale Golf Club, Pebble Lake GC, Pine City CC, Pine Island GC, Pine Ridge GC, River Falls GC, River Oaks GC, Shadowbrooke GC, Valleywood GC, Wedgewood Cove GC, Westfield GC, Whispering Pines, White Eagle GC, Willow Creek GC, Balmoral Golf Course, Blueberry Pines, Longbow, Tianna, Perham Lakeside Golf Club, Red Wing Golf Club, Mississippi National, Mount Frontenac Golf Course, Lake City Golf, The Jewel Golf Club, Lake Pepin, Coffee Mill, The Bridges, Cedar Valley, Giants Ridge, The Legend, The Quarry, Shoreland Country Club, North Links, Dacotah Ridge Golf Club, Granite Run, River Crest Golf Course |
| Golf cart laws in Minnesota | Golf carts cannot be driven in bad weather and cannot be driven on public roads in some jurisdictions. Golf carts can be driven on public roads in certain jurisdictions with a permit and insurance. The speed limit for golf carts is 20 mph. It is illegal to drink and drive a golf cart. |
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What You'll Learn
Golf courses in Minnesota
Minnesota is home to some of the finest golf courses in the country. With over 400 golf courses, the state offers a variety of options for golfers of all skill levels. Here is a list of some of the top golf courses in Minnesota:
University of Minnesota Golf Course
This golf course is located in the heart of the Twin Cities and offers a challenging yet enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels. The course is known for its well-maintained greens and scenic views of the surrounding area.
Pebble Lake Golf Course
Pebble Lake Golf Course in Fergus Falls is a popular destination for golfers in Minnesota. The course offers a unique blend of challenging holes and stunning natural beauty. With its rolling hills and picturesque lake views, Pebble Lake provides an unforgettable golfing experience.
Bulrush Golf Club
Located in Rush City, Bulrush Golf Club is a hidden gem among Minnesota's golf courses. The course is known for its serene setting and immaculate greens. With a variety of holes that wind through the lush countryside, Bulrush offers a relaxing and enjoyable round of golf.
Albion Ridges Golf Course
Albion Ridges, located in Elko, Minnesota, is a labour of love created by golf enthusiasts Dennis and JoAnn Olson. The course offers a fun and enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels, with reasonable prices and friendly service.
Windsong Farm
Designed by John Fought and Minnesota native Tom Lehman, Windsong Farm's South Course is a golfer's paradise. With 243 acres of rolling pastureland, the course offers a challenging yet walkable experience. The fairways are wide, providing different lines to drive and improved angles to the greens.
Wayzata Country Club
The Wayzata Country Club is one of the top-ranked golf courses in Minnesota, offering a premier golfing experience. The course boasts immaculate greens and a challenging layout that will test even the most skilled golfers.
StoneRidge Golf Club
Located in Stillwater, StoneRidge Golf Club is another highly acclaimed golf course in Minnesota. The course is known for its stunning scenery and challenging layout, with holes that wind through woodlands and around lakes, providing a truly unforgettable golfing experience.
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Golf cart laws
Golf carts are allowed in Minnesota, but there are specific laws that govern their use.
Jurisdiction
Speed Limits
Golf carts can typically reach a speed of 20 miles per hour, while low-speed vehicles (LSVs) can go up to 25-30 miles per hour. LSVs can be driven on any road in the state as long as the speed limit is no higher than 35 miles per hour, and the vehicle maintains a speed of at least 20 miles per hour.
Safety Features
LSVs have additional safety features such as headlights, taillights, brake lights, signals, and seat belts, which are mandatory for a vehicle to be approved as street legal by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Golf carts do not have these features and are therefore subject to more restrictions.
Operating Hours and Conditions
Golf carts and motorized golf carts can only be operated between sunrise and sunset unless they are equipped with headlights, taillights, and brake lights. They cannot be operated in inclement weather or when visibility is impaired by weather, smoke, fog, or other conditions that reduce visibility to less than 500 feet.
Insurance and Licensing
Golf carts do not require a driver's license to operate, but LSVs do. Golf carts and LSVs must be insured, and proof of insurance must be carried while driving.
Alcohol Restrictions
It is illegal to drink alcohol while driving a golf cart or LSV in Minnesota. Driving under the influence of alcohol can result in a DUI charge for both types of vehicles.
Minors
Minors are not permitted to drive golf carts without a proper permit. If a minor operates a golf cart without a permit and gets into an accident, their parent or guardian will be held liable for any damages caused.
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Golf during COVID-19
Golf in Minnesota during the COVID-19 pandemic was impacted by Governor Tim Walz's executive orders. On April 8, 2020, the governor issued Executive Order 20-33, which modified the stay-at-home mandate and restricted the operations of bars, restaurants, and other public accommodations. This order classified lawn care and landscaping workers as Critical Sector exempt, allowing for the maintenance of golf courses.
However, at that time, playing golf was still prohibited under the governor's order. Minnesotans could only leave their residences for essential activities or to engage in specific outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, running, biking, driving for pleasure, hunting, or fishing. These activities had to adhere to social distancing guidelines, maintaining at least six feet of distance from individuals from other households.
As the state navigated the pandemic, the governor and various commissioners remained in communication with the Minnesota Golf Association (MGA) and allied golf associations. The goal was to eventually allow limited facility operations and provide golfers with access to the state's numerous golf courses while prioritizing safety.
When golf operations resumed, the focus was on ensuring that golfers and staff adhered to the recommended safety protocols. Resources were made available to the golf industry, including COVID-19 rules, handicapping FAQs, and pandemic resources from organizations like the USGA and the National Golf Course Owners. By taking these precautions, golfers in Minnesota could once again enjoy their favorite sport while helping to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
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Minnesota Golf Association
The Minnesota Golf Association (MGA) is a century-old organisation dedicated to promoting and fostering the game of golf across the state of Minnesota. It serves as a unifying force for golfers of all ages and skill levels, providing a wide range of services and programs to its 92,000 members and 400 courses.
MGA membership offers access to competitions and events, a Handicap Index® to track progress, and other benefits that enhance the golfing experience. The MGA Foundation expands access to golf by supporting underrepresented communities and those facing financial barriers, working to make the sport more inclusive and welcoming.
The MGA organises tournaments and championships, offers handicapping services, and advocates for the advancement of golf. It also provides resources for golfers to learn and understand the Rules of Golf, including an app, instructional videos, workshops, and exams.
With a mission to uphold and promote the game and its values for all golfers in Minnesota, the MGA plays a pivotal role in the state's vibrant golfing community. Golf Day Minnesota celebrates the role of golf in the state and the MGA's contribution to it.
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Golf trails in Minnesota
Minnesota is a haven for golfers, with nearly 500 courses to choose from. One way to experience several top-rated spots in one trip is by following a golf trail. Here is a guide to some of the best golf trails Minnesota has to offer.
Otter Trail and Lake Country Scenic Byways
This trail includes several courses located near popular lake areas. In Battle Lake, the Balmoral Golf Course holds the record at a challenging 64. Blueberry Pines in Menahga, designed by former PGA Tour player and Minnesota native Joel Goldstrand, offers a beautiful natural setting. Longbow and Tianna in Walker, and the 27 holes at Perham Lakeside Golf Club provide a varied topographic mix.
North Shore Scenic Drive and Superior National Forest Scenic Byway
This trail includes eight courses along a 154-mile stretch. Silver Bay 9-hole is a popular prelude to the main event: Superior National's 27 holes at Lutsen, which were redesigned in 2018 by Jeffrey Brauer and feature white sand, five sets of tees, wider fairways, and idyllic greens. Gunflint Hills, four miles north of the Grand Marais harbor, offers players the chance to spot a moose during their game. Inland from the shore, the Superior Forest byway leads to Aurora and Hoyt Lakes, with a 9-hole municipal course. The next stop is Giants Ridge in Biwabik, with two of Minnesota's most acclaimed golf courses: The Legend and The Quarry.
Minnesota River Trail
This trail follows the Mississippi River and the southern stretch of Minnesota's Great River Road. It begins with three courses in Hastings, at the confluence of the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers. Red Wing Golf Club and the two courses at Mississippi National offer championship-level golf. Mount Frontenac Golf Course winds up and down the bluff, where deer are a common sight. Lake City Golf leads to The Jewel Golf Club, an upscale course that lives up to its name. Lake Pepin and Coffee Mill offer highly elevated courses, and the two courses in Winona, The Bridges and Cedar Valley, provide a peaceful golfing experience in lush valleys.
Minnesota Golf Trail
This trail in Northwestern Minnesota includes eight distinctive courses in Becker, Cass, Hubbard, Otter Tail, and Wadena Counties.
Individual Courses
Minnesota also offers individual courses that are not part of a specific trail but are still worth mentioning, such as the University of Minnesota Golf Course, Valleywood GC in Apple Valley, Wedgewood Cove GC in Albert Lea, and Westfield GC in Winona.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are nearly 500 golf courses in Minnesota.
Some golf courses in Minnesota include Brightwood Hills Golf Course, Eagle Valley GC, and the University of Minnesota Golf Course.
The Minnesota Golf Association is a community of 92,000 golfers in Minnesota that provides access to competitions, events, and programs.
Golf carts cannot be driven in bad weather and cannot be driven on public roads in some jurisdictions. Golf carts also cannot be driven by children without a permit.
There are many golf trails in Minnesota, including the trail along the Mississippi River and the trail along the North Shore Scenic Drive.
