By Mason Savage
We are coming up on 3 years since I created a Golf Course Ranking system that takes into account a variety of categories. The categories are Culture, Place, Quality, Price, Architecture and Value. My goal with creating this ranking system was to be able to systematically and numerically define the best golf course. If you want to read about how the ranking works in more depth you can check it out here.
In conjunction with the creation of this ranking, I ranked the top public courses in the State of Minnesota. After playing some new courses and replaying a couple that were on the list, I want to release an updated list for the 2025 Golf season. We will start with number 10 and work our way down to the best course in the state.
Honorable Mention - The Loop at Chaska
Last year when I wrote my list, I gave an Honorable Mention to The Gravel Pit. I felt like a smaller, unconventional course was not worthy of a spot on the list but I wanted to recognize it for its greatness. In the spirit of mentioning The Gravel Pit last year, I am giving this spot to The Loop at Chaska. The Loop at Chaska is the first project from Barrier Free golf and is the first original design by Benjamin Warren. The course is designed to be accessible, affordable and provide a proper challenge to even the best of players. To learn more about this course, check out my full length video on the course HERE.
10. Southern Hills
Year over year, as much as it pains me to say this, Southern Hills has been dropping down the rankings. That is not to say the course is bad, rather there are two things to attribute this fall. The first is that I am just playing more golf courses and as I continue to see more, there is just a higher likelihood that the courses that were originally on the list are going to shift. The second reason is that the greens feels have continued to climb at Southern Hills since this list started. The increased Greens Fees not only hurt the 'Price' score but also the 'Value' score.
Despite it falling, Southern Hills remains an underrated course in my eyes. The holes on property are greater than the some of their parts and each hole is different. All things that lead to a fun round.
9. Chaska Town Course
Like Southern Hills, Chaska Town is a course that has been on the list every year but continues to slide. As stated previously, a large part for this is me just getting around and starting to play more courses.
Chaska Town is still a special course! It Co-hosted the US Am last year with Hazeltine National and continues to be a great test of talent in Minnesota. The modern, parkland style course is definitely worth playing if you find yourself in the southwest metro.
8. Dacotah Ridge (New)
Dacotah Ridge is a new comer on this list! Designed by Rees Jones, this 25 year old course seems to have a lot of things that would normal score lower on the Ranking System I created. This course is not very walkable, not unique hole to hole, and contains architecture that is from that of the "Penal School" of Golf Course architecture. Despite all of this, unlike most Rees Jones designs that I have played, I found Dacotah Ridge to have a lot of character and have a great sense of Place along the Minnesota River Valley. Additionally, the big revelation I had with this course was the price. This course was only $55 to walk. In my experience, courses that fit this mold are typically $150. This lower price not only gives it a great Price score but also equates to an incredible Value score. - This course surprised me in a good way! If you are looking to play Dacotah Ridge, check out another course in my article HERE where I layout a perfect day trip for any Twin Cities resident.
7. Braemar
Braemar is a great golf facility. Course aside (which itself is awesome) , there is a great driving range, short game area, Par 3 course and Clubhouse complete with Restaurant. But when you add to all of this a fantastic golf course in immaculate condition, you get one of the best Public Courses in the State. The renovation to his course done by Richard Mandell shot this course up in the public eye and rightfully so! Each hole is different and requires different golf shots. Braemar is a must play this summer (if you can even manage to get a tee time).
6. Stoneridge
Stoneridge is a Bobby Weed design and in my opinion, the most difficult public course in the state of Minnesota. But don't let the difficulty of the course scare you away from playing it. The course features some of the most dramatic architecture in the State and also features some of the sandiest soil in the state. It makes for a great golf course and everytime I play it, I am reminded of how good it is.
5. Fox Hollow
Why this course does not get more attention in the Twin Cities metro area is beyond me. In his book, A Course Called America author Tom Coyne considered Fox Hollow to be one his great surprise in trek across the country. Be sure next summer to head out to Fox Hollow to see why Tom (and I) loves it so much!
4. The Quarry at Giant's Ridge
When people think of the best Public Golf in the State of Minnesota, most people think of the Quarry and for good reason too. The setting for golf combined with the architecture make it one of the best rounds in the state. To learn more about this Northern Minnesota gem, check out the full review here and If you prefer video, we have you covered there as well. Just click here to see the video.
3. Highland National Golf Club
This course and this take continues to get me in trouble. I have had Countless DMs, comments or people reaching out telling me how awful this take is. I am the first to admit that the course could be better but for all things considered (as this ranking system does) it is unfairly criticized in the state and worthy of being this high on the list. I have made the case numerous times so to see the whole argument why I think this course is worthy of being on this list (let alone this high on the list), check out the full dissertation here.
2. Wildflower Golf Course
Wildflower continues to be the most slept on course in the State of Minnesota. This course features some of the most unique terrain in the state and some of Joel Goldstrands best architecture. The land reminds me of a mini Landmand, except it is in Minnesota! There is truly no course like this in the state of Minnesota. Consider skipping Brainerd Golf Courses and going up to Detroit Lakes, MN to play Wildflower. To learn more about Wildflower check out our write up here.
Keller Golf Course
Back to back to back winner of our best Public Courses in Minnesota List, Keller Golf Course. The combination of the history, the unique architecture and the price is impossible to beat. This is a MUST PLAY if you are in Minnesota! I will die on the hill that this course is severely underrated on the national level. It deserves more love! - Check out our full write up here and if you want a watch a video abou the course you can check out our YouTube video here.
What did you think of the list of 2025? Did I miss any courses? Did I have a certain course to high or low? Head over to the contact page on our website and let me know or slide into the DMs on instagram over at @aspoiledwalk. I would love the feedback!
If you enjoyed the ranking or any of the linked content above, please consider sharing this list with a friend as it helps me out but it also helps you and your friends start planning your summer golf rounds. If you have not played any of these 10 courses before, they are absolutely worth planning for this year. Thank you for taking the time to read the ranking and I am already excited to revise this list next year with the new courses I will play this summer.
Cheers!
Prestwick, Loggers Trail, Inverwood