I’m often asked by my students the characteristics I like to see in a golf course. While certain overall design styles appeal to me, it always comes down to fairways and greens.
I love a course that leaves you with a sense of fair play. Hidden obstacles off the tee that place well struck drives into jeopardy sour the golfing experience no matter how good the overall condition of the course may be.
I like to see definition to the fairways and greens with clever use of bunkering and other natural elements to provide shape for your shots and ample landing areas. When coupled with superior conditioning of the fairways and greens, a golfer is left with positive impressions of the course that lasts for years! However, hidden obstacles and nuisance features create the opposite effect that will stick in a golfers mind forever!
Last on my list is green structure and overall speed. So many modern golf courses have extreme undulations and false fronts that make it possible for only tour players to manage. I like greens that can hold your shot and the ball rolls true.
This past Fourth of July, Dee and I traveled north to Lake Vermilion and took to the links. Well known for the fishing, this area should receive more credit for the golf. Last year, we played The Wilderness and had an incredible experience. This year, we took on The Legend at Giants Ridge and were blown away with the splendor of this truly unique golf course.
The first of the “play-and-stay” courses on the Iron Range, this legendary links met all my requirements of a great golf course. Further, it earned its way into my personal top-five list of Minnesota golf courses.
What is even more amazing to me is how well maintained and conditioned the course is considering the harsh climate of the Iron Range—full credit to the head superintendent and head golf professional for providing an incredible playing experience.
The Legend, at Giants Ridge
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