Lakes area golf: The best of the best
When a golfer meets a Brainerd lakes area resident the line of questioning goes like this:
What is your favorite course? Which is the best course?
There is no right or wrong answer. It's a matter of preference and style of play.
There were two reasons Golf Digest Magazine rated the lakes area as one of the top 50 golf destinations in the world. The first was because of all the great courses in a small area. The more important one for area residents is the variety of golf experiences for all caliber of players.
A person could play 72 holes a day in a week and not play the same course twice and probably not run into an awful experience.
From beginners to professional hackers to scratch players, there is a course or three for everyone. By this writer's count there are 35 courses in the Dispatch coverage area with a total of 532 golf holes.
What if you could pick and choose holes from all the courses and come up with your dream 18 or dream 36. With the help of Glen and Dana Hasselberg, two low handicap golfers from Staples, that's what we attempted to do.
The Dispatch golf panel decided to break the area down into resort and non-resort courses - not necessarily to be fair, but to show off the variety the area offers and maybe also to play more golf.
The condition of the course or hole wasn't considered, but the three key factors were overall design, playability and natural beauty.
What follows is what the panel believes are the best 18 resort course holes and the best 18 non-resort course holes.
This is just our opinion. Some will disagree. But maybe next time you're stuck in a rain delay, instead of pacing back and forth sipping that cup of coffee you and your partners can come up with your own dream 18. Use what follows as a starting point. Or better yet, if there's a hole on here you haven't played before go check it out.
Without further delay the lakes area dream courses:
Resort
Par 5, first, The Preserve
The mesmerizing view from the first tee box is a good indication of things to come and it starts with this 502- to 421-yard hole. A well-placed tee shot on the left side of the fairway will give long hitters a green light to go for this tucked-away green. Those laying up must be careful with the yardage as three bunkers loom near the front of the green.
Par 3, fifth, The Marsh at The Pines
Arguably the best view from a tee box at The Pines. This 175- to 101-yard par 3 has an elevated tee box to display wetlands and a bunker left, bunker short and a slopping hill right. The tiered green looks inviting, but trust your yardage.
Par 4, fifth, Dutch's Course, Cragun's
The fairway pine tree may be gone, but this 465- to 305-yard hole still requires two quality shots for a chance at par or better. The dogleg left has wetlands and a large bunker left and hardwoods right. Three bunkers defend the front of this green.
Par 4, seventh, Golden Eagle
This hole can be played anywhere from 412 to 355 yards. Hillsides kick slightly errant tee shots back into play on both sides of the fairway to give players a chance to an elevated green. A large bunker in the front right and another on the right side guard the small green, which requires a good approach shot.
Check out the view from the tee box, one of the highest spots on the golf course.
Par 4, seventh, The Woods at The Pines
From the tee box, this 400- to 301-yard hole looks like an easy par or better, but a well-placed drive between two ravines is a must to attack this three-tiered green. Pick your club wisely as distance control and placement are at a premium as anything short is down the slope and anything long will require a delicate chip to get close to the hole. When you finish take a look back toward the tee box as the view both ways is beautiful.
Par 4, eighth, The Classic
After an uphill tee shot defended by bunkering along the left and woods down the right, be prepared for a quick, slopping green guarded by a large bunker front left. If that doesn't catch the player's eye it's because the backdrop behind the green did. A view of the first green, second hole and lake are beyond the green. Played from 440 to 328 yards on any of the six tee boxes. The real challenge comes from the green which slopes hard from right to left.
Par 5, ninth, The Woods at The Pines
Whether you're finishing your front nine or your round, few holes in the area provide the challenge and beauty as the 541- to 439-yard ninth on The Woods. The large fairway features a slight dogleg left with a small ridge running along the left side. The fairway narrows as you approach the peninsula green guarded by water. The large green features many humps and bumps and when the speed is up be prepared for the ride.
Par 4, ninth, Pine Beach East
Par is a great score on this difficult 425- to 345-yard closing hole. New elevated tee boxes put the water running along the left of the fairway more into play. Once on the fairway players can get a feeling of coming home on a British Open style course as the clubhouse and resort surround the green.
With water front left of the green and trees right, this elevated green is hard to hit and once on, be prepared for a difficult putt.
Par 4 10th, Preserve
The Preserve is all about first impressions and the 434- to 321-yard 10th hole welcomes players with a firm handshake. A long tee shot to an elevated fairway could be rewarded thanks to a descending slope toward the green, but beware of the large fairway bunker on the right.
A small pond and bunker guard the green front right. Par is a good score to open the back nine.
Par 4, 11th, The Classic
This hole is considered by some to be the signature hole of this Scott Hoffmann design. An elevated tee box displays a wide fairway that narrows quickly closer to the green. The hole plays 444 to 275 yards, but those who go long will have to battle myriad bunkers that pepper the backdrop of this two-tiered green.
Par 4 12th, Golden Eagle
Ranging from 372 to 320 yards, this descending hole is displayed nicely from the tee box. A fairway bunker on the right will gobble up misplayed tee shots, but the view of Eagle Lake behind this challenging green will make you forget how you got there.
Par 4, 13th, Deacon's Lodge
Waste bunkers just off the tee, massive bunkering on the left of the fairway and three more bunkers guarding this narrow green help define this 450- to 294-yard hole. Cut through hardwoods, enjoy the quiet while battling this difficult, but fair test of golf.
Par 4, 14th Bobby's Course, Cragun's
Risk-reward is the trademark of Bobby's Legacy. On this 452- to 336-yard dogleg right, choosing how much of the fairway to bite off and then executing the shot is key. Legacy Lake looms large along the right side of the fairway, but four bunkers separate you from a watery doom. Finding the fairway is key to reaching this long and large green.
Par 3, 16th, Pine Beach West
This is the signature hole of this old-style course. A pond guards the front, a bunker the left side and a tree the right side of this green. A tee shot hit long on this 126- to 90-yard hole isn't appealing either as the green slopes hard from back to front.
Par 4, 16th, Whitebirch Breezy Point Resort
If you're feeling lucky, the green looks inviting from the elevated tee box. But don't bite off more than you can chew as wetlands guard the entire right side of the fairway and green on this 362- to 285-yard hole.
Bunkers front and back of the green create a demanding approach no matter how much of the wetlands you decide to cut across.
Par 5, 16th Dutch's Course, Cragun's
Pick your poison on this 546- to 430-yard hole. A split fairway presents options from the tee box with both providing good opportunities to score well. If a player chooses the left route, a well-placed second shot is required between wetlands right and bunkers left. From the right fairway it's all carry to this receptive green, which has two bunkers back left and back right to catch any fast skipping shots before they find wetlands.
Par 3, 17th, Deacon's Lodge
Arnold Palmer himself listed this hole as one of the best he's built and who is going to argue with the king. Numerous tee boxes give players a number of different looks to this teardrop green. The backdrop is the key for this 200- to 108-yard hole that features wetlands right, a bunker left and a great view long.
Par 3, 18th, The Lakes at Ruttger's
One of the toughest closing holes in the area due to the forced carry over the large body of water, elevated green and the clubhouse beyond.
Non-resort 18
Par 5, first, Eagles Landing Golf Club
This straight away 523- to 388-yard opening hole is defined by its mounding that hugs both sides of the fairway. A dip in front of the green with water right are the only real challenges until the player reaches the two-tiered, large green.
Par 4, third, Crosswoods
The start of a good stretch of holes. This 365- to 285-yard hole is a slight dogleg right. A narrow fairway makes this hole play longer as trees line both sides of the fairway. Watch out for the pine tree on the right hand side on your approach shot.
Par 5, fifth, Whitefish
A three club par 5 or two really good shots are needed to attack this 516- to 409-yard hole nestled in the northeast corner of the property. The fairway is wide, but two fairway bunkers pinch the landing area. The difficulty comes from an elevated green, which slopes from back to front making it hard to get a second shot near the hole. A bunker guards the green front left.
Par 3, sixth hole, Crosswoods
The signature hole of Crosswoods. This small beauty, which ranges from 175-91 yards has a variety of tee boxes to attack the green that is guarded by wetlands in front and hardwoods left, back and right.
Par 4, seventh hole, The Vintage at Staples
From the tee box it looks like a difficult hole, but that's the easy part to this 444- to 338-yard hole, rated the most difficult for the men.
Wetlands defend both sides of this fairway, with an elevated green awaiting the player's second shot. A bunker guards the right of this large green, but card a par and you'll gain on the field.
Par 4, ninth hole, Cuyuna Country Club
The front nine ends with a beauty on this 410- to 300-yard hole. An elevated tee box shows the players what is in store. A pond in front of the green with a bunker left, drop off right and banking in back make hitting this green critical for a good score. But just hitting this green doesn't assure a good score as there is a lot happening when the speed is up.
Add to it the possible heckles from the clubhouse deck looming overhead and par becomes a good score.
Par 3, 11th hole, The Vintage at Staples
With the wind almost always in the player's face, this 200- to 159-yard hole is longer than the yardage. A pond guards the front with a bunker long left. Pick the right club to this narrow green.
Par 4, 11th, Cuyuna Country Club
How much is too much? That's the question facing players from the elevated tee box on this 414- to 359-yard dogleg left. Wetlands guard the entire left side of the fairway. If a player chooses wisely there is still work to be done on this large green, which is guarded by bunkers front right and front left.
Par 3, 11th hole, Emily Greens
A gold nugget tucked in the hardwoods. Ranging from 176-118 yards this hole has a forced carry over a wetland, but a large landing area around the green for wayward shots. The green sits atop a hill with a bunker in the back.
Par 4, 14th, Whitefish
This is the start of a quality stretch of closing holes. This hole ranges from 359-284 yards and calls for a well placed tee shot to navigate around a small pond guarding the left side of the green.
Par 5, 14th hole, Eagles Landing Golf Club
The generous landing area narrows quickly to the green that sits 513 to 417 yards away from the tee box. Hardwoods and mounding on both sides of the fairway will grab wayward second and approach shots while a back right bunker comes into effect on this long and narrow green, perched atop a hill.
Par 5, 14th hole, Black Bear
Don't be fooled by the distance on the scorecard. This 392- to 309-yard par 5 has a nice landing area off the tee, but then climbs and climbs and climbs. Hitting your second shot onto the green requires skill as the green is small.
Par 4, 16th, Whitefish
This slight dogleg left ranges from 390 to 302 yards. A well-placed drive will set players up to avoid the water front right of the deep green, which is slightly elevated from the fairway.
Par 5, 16th hole, The Vintage at Staples
The fairway is larger than it appears from the tee box on this uphill 549- to 447-yard par 5. A hill runs along the entire left side of the fairway with hardwoods right. A large mound creates a near blind approach shot to this good size green, which is defended with a bunker short left.
Par 3, 16th, Little Falls Country Club
An elevated tee box shows the way to this large, undulating green. A pond and bunker right and a pond and bunker left guard the green, which sits feet away from the Mississippi River. A southwest wind and the elevation drop makes picking a club to attack this 186- to 137-yard hole difficult.
Par 3, 17th hole, Eagles Landing Golf Club
Despite only being 128-to-95 yards long, this hole has a lot working for it. A small pond just off the tee boxes gives visual effect as do the hardwoods surrounding this long green, which has a bunker running along the right side.
Par 3, 17th, Cuyuna Country Club
The view is the thing from the elevated tee box on this 167- to-145 yard hole. Stare out into the wilderness, but don't slow play to this large green defended by bunkers front right and front left.
Par 5, 17th hole, Little Falls Country Club
This 554-to-435 yard slight dogleg left hole runs along the Mississippi River. The small, elevated green is guarded by two bunkers front right and front left, making it difficult to reach in two. The green slopes from back to front making par a good score.
Resort honorable mention
Par 5, second, Deacon's Lodge
If you like options, then the 540- to 405-yard second at Deacon's Lodge is your hole. A generous landing area off the tee box begins players on a shot-maker's journey. As the green approaches the fairway narrows and splits into two giving players the option of which way they want to attack the hole - high right or low left. The green isn't very big and contains numerous slopes, humps and twists and turns.
Par 4, third, The Marsh at The Pines
From the elevated tee box the fairway looks wide and long, but longer hitters will quickly find out the farther you hit it, the less real estate there is. The fairway slopes down into a pond guarding this green, which also has wetlands left.
Par 4, fourth, Bobby's Course, Cragun's
Options. Eleven different tee boxes give the grounds crew options on where to place the tee markers. Long hitters have the option to go for the green on this drivable par that measures 329 to 216 yards. The main defense to this hole is the seven bunkers and smaller, elevated green. Avoid sand for a chance at a good score.
Par 3, fourth, Golden Eagle
It ranges from 206 yards from the tips to 162 from the forward tees. The tee box and green are separated by a steep valley. A large bunker guards the left front of the green, while a hill right creates generous bounces.
Par 5, fourth, The Lakes at The Pines
Bunkers pepper the fairway on this 547- to 417-par 5. An elevated tee box allows players to see exactly where they want to go in order to attack the large green, which is guarded by more sand.
Par 5, fifth, The Lakes at Ruttger's
A large landing awaits hitters from the elevated tee box to this 514- to 430-yard dogleg right.
The generous space quickly disappears as woods right and pond left await errant shots on the way to this back-to-front slopping green. Two large pine trees guard the right front of this green, while the pond guards the front and a large bunker guards the back left.
Par 4, fifth, Deacon's Lodge
From the tee box, hit up to an elevated fairway. The real treat to this 433- to 313-yard hole can be found on top of the fairway with a view of the green and Lynch Lake. Club down to this descending green, which is cut into a hillside allowing long and left shots to funnel back toward the green.
Par 5, eighth, Bobby's Course, Cragun's
Five is a great score on this 570- to 487-yard hole. An uphill drive with a bank of bunkers left starts the player on this long journey, but the fairway does slope down toward the elevated green which is well protected by a stream, two bunkers and the elevation. Hitting the small, sloping green is difficult.
Par 3, eighth, Pine Beach East
Two sets of elevated tee boxes produce different looks for players on this 185- to 130-yard hole. From up top get a great view of this heavily guarded, large green. Three large bunkers guard the right, back and left while a small pot bunker sits prominently in front of the green.
Par 4, ninth, The Preserve
It starts with a bang and the front nine ends with one thanks to this 455- to 330-yard hole. Fairway bunkers pinch the landing area for some players, but the length and a shallow valley in front of this green are what defend this hole.
Par 5, 10th, The Classic
The back nine to the award-winning Classic at Madden's begins with this narrow par five, which plays from 470 to 372 yards. A meandering creek running along the right side of the fairway provides the soundtrack. A pond guards the front of the elevated and large green, which slopes back to front.
Par 4, 12th, The Lakes at Ruttger's
A forced carry drive for the back tees coupled with an ascending fairway up to a large green, which sits atop a hill makes this 415- to 317-yard hole a tough test of golf.
A strand of trees guard the left side of the fairway which is fine since a small pond sits waiting for errant shots on the left. There are no bunkers on this hole for a reason. It doesn't need any.
Par 5, 13th, Dutch's Course, Cragun's
Hitting the long, narrow fairway that sits perpendicular to most of the nine tee boxes is the key to this 566- to 437-yard hole. The better a player guesses their drive yardage the greater the possibility of hitting this large green and/or chipping area in two. Wetlands all along the left of the fairway and surrounding the green collect errant shots while a large bunker left of the green is better than wet.
Par 4, 14th, Preserve
The view from way up top is matched only by the tantalizing risk-reward presented by this 287- to 209-yard par 4. But even great drives will be foiled by a three-tiered fast moving green.
Par 3, 14th, The Classic
Trust the yardage book on this optical illusion. The two bunkers guarding the front right of the green aren't as close as a player might think. The hole plays 218- to 90-yards and features a severe back-to-front slope.
Par 5, 15th, Whitebirch at Breezy Point Resort
This behemoth hole plays a lot longer than its 502 to 355 yards. An elevated tee box gives players a good idea of what they have in store. Hitting this slopping fairway is key for any attempt at getting to the hole in two shots as the green sits perched high atop a plateau with bunkers right. The green is large, but good undulation makes par a good score.
Par 3, 16th, Golden Eagle
The best par 3 on the Bruce McIntosh and Mike Morley design can be played from 198 yards to 125 yards. A marsh and bunker guard the left of the hole while a steep slope on the right will guide fading shots back into play.
Par 4 18th, Golden Eagle
The end of a good day concludes with this 431- to 284-yard hole. From the back tees, check out the osprey nest to your right and then carry your drive over the marsh onto a large and accepting fairway. Another marsh and bunker guard the front of the green so take an extra club.
Non-resort honorable mention
Par 4, fifth, Pine River Country Club
Get out your long sticks for this 432- to 298-yard par 4. It's straight, but it's long. The only hiccup is a small pine tree growing in the fairway. The green sits on a plateau, making the long approach shot a task.
Par 5, fifth, Crosswoods
For whatever reason our golf panel likes options and the 500- to 322-yard fifth gave us that. This hole has two greens that provide two different playing experiences. Choose the left green and making it in two shots is a real possibility. Choose right and layup is your only option. While the better score might be had on the left green, the beauty of the right should make you want to play it more often.
Par 5, fifth, Emily Greens
With a large landing area at the turn, don't let the 90-degree, dogleg right get you in the wrong frame of mind. A small elevated green is well defended by pines and hardwoods surrounding it.
Par 3, eighth, Eagles Landing Golf Club
When the wind blows from the west, which it usually does, the immense green is a beast to hit in regulation. From the tee box that sits 250-to-165 yards away, the player is immersed in green as the only defense to this hole is the size of the green and a drastic ridge running through the middle of it.
Par 4, eighth, Birch Bay
Rated the most difficult hole on the nine-hole layout and for good reason. At 439-to-380 yards two good shots are needed to get a green-in-regulation for this small green. Trees line both sides of the fairway, which slopes up to the final destination.
Par 5, 10th, Emily Greens
Get your back nine started off right. Ranging from 483-407 yards the 10th is reachable in two, but the fairway is narrow and a small pond on the left side will snatch up any short shots.
Par 5, 13th, Cuyuna Country Club
Getting off the tee box is critical on this swooping dogleg right. Once past the corner the fairway descends and then rises to an elevated green.
Par 4, 14th, The Vintage at Staples
Angle of attack is the key on this 423-300 yard hole. Choosing which side of the fairway to hit from on the second shot will help you land on this small green guarded by trees left.
From the tee box be aware of a pond left and hardwoods right.
Par 3, 17th, Crosswoods
Another quality par 3. This 155- to 88-yard hole has a forced carry over water with the green sloping back to front. There is a bunker on the right of the green, but it's better than being wet or in the hardwoods.
JEREMY MILLSOP may be reached at jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5856.