Minnesota, August 20, 2025
News Summary
Golf enthusiasts have much to celebrate as Minnesota lands three remarkable courses on a prestigious nationwide list of top public golf courses. The Quarry at Giants Ridge, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, and The Classic at Madden’s each offer unique challenges and stunning landscapes that showcase the state’s golfing diversity. Despite fewer entries compared to neighboring Wisconsin, these courses demonstrate Minnesota’s capability to provide golfers with rewarding and memorable experiences on the course.
Minneapolis — Minnesota Courses Make a Stir in the Big List
Golf fans, tune in: Minnesota quietly landed three spots on a nationwide list that ranks the country’s top public courses, and the results are eye-catching. The state may not have the headline-grabbing volume of coastal golf powerhouses, but it still delivered drama, clever design and enough uphill-and-downhill punishment to make a scorecard sweat.
State spotlight: Who cracked the top 100
Minnesota’s trio of entries on the list are The Quarry at Giants Ridge at No. 58, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay at No. 72, and The Classic at Madden’s at No. 80. Each brings something different to the table — from inventive routing to rugged, hilly tests that separate the strong from the stubborn.
The Quarry at Giants Ridge — bold design, slight drop
The Quarry drew attention for an inventive design that keeps players thinking. Its most-talked-about gem is the 13th hole, a drivable par-4 that offers multiple ways to the green and rewards careful decision-making. The course slipped from No. 43 last year to No. 58 this cycle, but it remains a standout for players who love risk-and-reward holes and routing that forces creativity.
The Wilderness at Fortune Bay — variety meets challenge
At No. 72, The Wilderness is praised for offering different ways to play each hole. The layout features high-low alternate fairways and greens that sit along lakes, creating both strategic choices and visual drama. Players who like adaptable strategies and tricky approaches will feel right at home here.
The Classic at Madden’s — beautiful and brutal
The Classic arrives at No. 80, described plainly as beautiful but not for the faint of heart. Rolling hills and stern elevation changes make it a physical and mental test. Think panoramic views, uneven lies, and a routing that forces you to earn every par.
How the list is built — the nuts and bolts
The standings are the product of a decade-long scoring cycle that draws on almost 88,000 evaluations from course-ranking panelists. Courses are judged across six categories: Shot Options, Challenge, Layout Variety, Aesthetics, Conditioning, and Character. That broad approach aims to measure architecture, playability and the full on-course experience rather than just scenery or score difficulty.
Regional context — Minnesota vs. the neighbors
Minnesota’s three entries are respectable, but the statewide count falls short of nearby Wisconsin, which placed ten public courses on the same list. Wisconsin’s highest-ranked entry sits inside the top 10 at No. 10, highlighting how neighboring states can dominate when geography, coastal draws and historic courses combine.
Where the top spots live
Many of the top public courses on the list are clustered in coastal or warmer states — think Florida, the Carolinas, Nevada and Oregon. One perennial favorite at the very top kept its crown again this cycle, a course that has held the No. 1 position for decades and continues to be the measuring stick for seaside, championship-level design.
Why this matters to Minnesota golfers
Recognition on this list highlights courses that are open to the public and deliver experiences that attract golfers from around the region and nation. For Minnesota, being represented by three varied courses — a clever inland quarry layout, a strategic wilderness routing, and a hilly classic — shows the state can offer a trio of very different tests for visiting golfers and locals alike.
What to take away
If you’re planning a golf trip in the Upper Midwest, consider mixing in one of these Minnesota picks for a change of pace. Expect strategic holes, elevation changes and holes that make you think two shots ahead. And remember: lists like this come from thousands of player and expert opinions gathered over a long cycle, so they’re a snapshot of how courses stack up over time, not a final verdict.
FAQ
Which Minnesota courses made the national top 100 list?
The Quarry at Giants Ridge (No. 58), The Wilderness at Fortune Bay (No. 72), and The Classic at Madden’s (No. 80).
How are courses evaluated for the list?
Courses are judged by panelists over a ten-year scoring cycle using almost 88,000 evaluations across six categories: Shot Options, Challenge, Layout Variety, Aesthetics, Conditioning, and Character.
Did any Minnesota course move significantly up or down?
The Quarry at Giants Ridge moved from No. 43 last year to No. 58 this year. The other two Minnesota courses held their positions within the top 100 for this cycle.
Which state had the most public courses on the list?
Nearby Wisconsin placed ten public courses on the list, more than Minnesota’s three entries. One Wisconsin course ranked within the top 10 nationally.
Are the top-ranked courses mostly coastal?
Many of the top public courses are located in coastal or warmer states such as Florida, the Carolinas, Nevada and Oregon, though standout inland courses also make the list.
Quick Reference Table — Minnesota entries and highlights
| Course | Rank | Notable Feature | Previous Rank / Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Quarry at Giants Ridge | No. 58 | Inventive routing; drivable par-4 13th | Was No. 43 last year |
| The Wilderness at Fortune Bay | No. 72 | High-low alternate fairways; lake-edged greens | Strong strategic variety |
| The Classic at Madden’s | No. 80 | Hilly terrain; scenic but demanding | Classic, elevation-heavy test |
Whether you play for vacation bragging rights or local pride, these Minnesota courses deliver moments worth remembering. Pack the cooler, expect some hills, and be ready for holes that will make you smile — and sometimes groan.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Bring Me The News: Minnesota Public Courses
- Golf Digest: America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses
- Providence Journal: Rhode Island Public Golf Courses
- Wikipedia: Golf Course
- Google Search: Best Golf Courses in the US
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