By Sue Johnson

Golfing in Minnesota in the summer is popular, but let’s not forget spring and fall. Many visitors to Minnesota believe golf is only available May through August, but any golf course owner would most likely tell you that golf in Minnesota is from when the snow melts to when the snow falls. Of course, spring and fall can sometimes be cold or rainy, but there can be advantages.

Rates

One of the best things about golfing in the spring or fall is the price. Many courses offer specials and incentives to get the golfers out in the spring and keep them out through the fall. The Wilds’ in Prior Lake has a special called Pay the Temp, which is incredibly popular. Starting in late September until the course closes for the season, golfers pay the temperature for 18 holes and a golf cart. Considering the standard green fee is $99, you would save $50 if the temperature were 49 degrees when you check in. Similarly, Stonebrooke Golf Club, located in Shakopee, offers a year-long special called Pay the Dew Point. The cost for 18 holes and a golf cart equals the actual dew point at the club house at time of check-in. Considering the average dew point in April and October is 30 and in July, it is 55, you could save $25 from season to season.

Many courses don’t have such creative specials, but do offer lower rates in spring and fall. Popular vacation resort courses in the Brainerd lakes area set their rates based on peak vacation months. Cragun’s Resort on Gull Lake offers spring rates at $79, summer rates at $109, and fall rates at $59 for 18 holes and a cart. In addition, the cost of a golf/resort vacation package is also reduced to reflect the change in seasons.

Open Tee Times

There are two advantages to golfing in the spring and fall:

1. Your avid golfer will golf in the rain, cold and sometimes, even snow – but many others will not. With this in mind, spring and fall are a good time to get a tee time that fits your schedule.
2. This is also a good time to learn the game of golf. With less people golfing during these seasons, it relieves the pressure on the novice golfer. You often don’t have people waiting behind you watching every “whiff” you make, making it a more relaxing experience.

Scenery

Green fees may be attractive, but the scenery in the fall can be even more of a draw. Every Minnesota resident knows that fall is considered one of the prettiest times of the year. Courses remain in good to fair condition until the first frost. Trees are changing colors and the leaves are falling. The weather is crisp, the humidity is low and the mosquitoes have gone. Because of this season, golf ball manufacturers designed the neon orange, pink, and yellow balls – to find them amongst the fallen leaves. Red Wing, MN is very popular for golf in the fall. The Mississippi National Golf Links is not only known for its course, but for its scenery with views high above the Hiawatha Valley into the Mississippi River bottoms and surrounding valley. Many will drive from all over just to do nine holes and see the scenery.

Have you ever played golf when there is still ice on the water hazards? Golfing in the spring is interesting and challenging. During the summer, when most like to golf, a shot to the water means a lost ball – not after a freezing night in the spring with an early morning tee time. You daringly walk out onto the ice (not recommended) and hit your next shot – no penalty stroke.

For information on golf courses in Minnesota, visit the Minnesota Golf Association web site at http://www.mngolf.org.

Enjoy golfing in Minnesota!

Posted by Sue Johnson / Golf