Golf Courses Near Rochester, MN

Rochester, Minnesota, located about an hour and a half south of Minneapolis, is famous for being the home of the Mayo Clinic, one of the best medical facilities in the country. Rochester certainly seems to recognize the health benefits of golf. The city owns three 18-hole courses and Hadley Creek Golf Learning Center, which features a 9-hole executive layout. Right in the heart of town, Soldiers Memorial Field, which dates back to the 1920s, is short and flat with a vintage aura and look. Eastwood and Northern Hills are longer and tougher, but all three of these muni courses have small greens. If you’re looking for a hot deal when making a tee time, consider Willow Creek Golf Course, located on the outskirts of town. Willow Creek boasts an 18-hole course with a very pretty back nine. A 9-hole executive layout rounds out Willow Creek’s offerings. Oak Summit Golf Course near the Rochester Municipal Airport spreads out over 240 acres of rolling hills dotted with mature trees and inundated with wildlife. Enveloped by limestone bluffs and the Root River, Maple Valley Golf and Country Club is another beautiful layout about 15 miles outside of town.

In addition to Rochester’s impressive array of 100 parks, you’ll also find 85 miles of trails. The 12.5-mile Douglas State Trail occupies an abandoned railroad bed and connects with many other trails. Rochester shines in summertime. Sunday nights in July and August feature “Down By the River Side,” a free outdoor concert series in a gorgeous setting in Mayo Park. Every Thursday in summer downtown Rochester becomes an all-day block party with music, food, and all sorts of arts and culture. For unique shopping and dining, head to Peace Plaza, located downtown. If the weather is bad, utilize skywalks and underground walkways to make your way around the city. Keep in mind autumn is another great time to visit, as Rochester’s foliage turns colorful and the golf courses get even prettier.