Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but there is so much more to discover in the North Star State. The golfing community is alive and well in Minnesota. Outside of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area is where the majority of Minnesotas golf courses are located and every region of the state has unique geographical characteristics that will make your experience a memorable one.

Northern Minnesota: The area that once was known for iron ore mining and timber harvesting has become one of the premier vacation destinations in the nation. Camping and fishing have for years attracted guest from far and wide, but over the past quarter century the vision of a few individuals has brought to the masses some absolute gems of golf resorts. The Brainerd Golf Trail is a very popular destination for golfers of all skill levels. Farther north and east is the Iron Range and there are some very beautiful golf resorts and courses carved out of the tall pine wilderness. The North Shore of Lake Superior is the backdrop of fantastic golf courses from Duluth north to Grand Marais.

Central Minnesota: Although central Minnesota is geographically closer to the Twin Cities, there are many differences such as the size of the towns. As you travel farther to the west the landscape becomes more prairie like. Farming is still a dominant industry in much of central Minnesota, with its rich soil. There have been some very challenging golf courses that have emerged from the converted cropland of central Minnesota. Perhaps one of the favorite vacation and golf destinations is the Alexandria area of central Minnesota. The Alexandria Golf Club is not only the place PGA Tour Professional and USA Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman learned the game of golf, but it has also hosted the Resorters Golf Tournament for the past 85 years. Some other favorite destinations in central Minnesota are St. Cloud, Willmar, as well as Annandale.

Southern Minnesota: This area of the state is very diverse, from the bluff country of the Mississippi River Valley in southeastern Minnesota to the rolling prairie of the southwestern part of the state. You can visit Rochester and stay for a week and never play the same golf course twice or get a variety of elevation changes in the bluff country around Winona. As you travel farther to the west in search of more variety in Minnesota golf you can find it on the prairie at such stops as Mankato, Morton, or Marshall.

As you can see there are many choices in Minnesota golf that include but are not limited to geographic location, terrain, resort golf courses or staying at a hotel or bed and breakfast for a week and traveling to a different golf course every day. Variety and great value are just two reasons to visit Minnesota golf courses this summer.

For the beginning golfer or the family with little golfers who may be looking for smaller and less crowded placed to perfect their craft Minnesota has many fine 9-hole golf courses that are either run as municipal facilities or by owner operators who would love you to be their guests. Many of these golf courses were built in the 1920s or 1930s and have an abundance of character and charm. Finding fun, variety, value and making lasting memories with a Minnesota golf vacation will have you realize once you experience Minnesota golf youll be coming back again and again.

Copyright 2006 Dana Buttenhoff