Minnesota Golf

More Course Reviews: Region 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

The Preserve - Region 1

Reviewed by: Bryon Roberstson - Lester Prairie, MN. Bryon shoots in the 70s.

Review Summary: This golf course is one of the best in the state. The view from the clubhouse is one of a kind and should be seen at least once by everyone. I have played all courses in this beautiful area and this is my favorite for sure.

Conditions: Conditions are tremendous at this facility. The bent grass greens, tees, and fairways are very well maintained. The greens are quick and undulating, especially in mid-season. I noticed a truer roll on my putts not seen at many courses. Simply great!

Scenery: As I mentioned before the view from the clubhouse is breathtaking. Considering this course has 11 elevated tees you are greeted with a lot of nice northwoods scenery. The wildlife is also very prevalent, judging by the fox and multiple deer sightings I had on my last visit.

Layout: Beautiful design. Good variation of doglegs and hole lengths mixed throughout the golf course. Greens again are undulating and very tricky the first time you see them. Holes 6 and 14 require suggestions from the staff to figure out.

Services: The staff at the preserve was very helpful and accomadating to me during each of my visits their. I even got a free lesson from one of the pros during their free lesson month last may! Couldn't have been happier.

Course Rating

1-5 Stars (5 stars being the highest)

Overall Rating: 5 Stars

Value Rating: 4 Stars

Overall Difficulty: 3 Stars

Putting: 4 Stars

Balls Lost: 3-5

The Preserve - Region 1

Best Golf Hole: The 15th. A well designed, dogleg right, par four that requires two good golf shots.

Speed of Play: 4 1/2 hours

Best Change for Birdie: The fifteenth. I can guarantee you your first thought on the tee is to use your driver on this 276 yard par 4. How does that old saying go, "Stick with your first thoughts." I'll leave it up to you!

Opening Hole: 484 yard, dogleg right, par 5, that is easily reachable in two. Provides you with plenty of breathing room for a good start to your round.

Clubhouse: A beautiful log structure perched high above the 1st and 10th tee's and the 18th green. Hard to find a better view anywhere from this deck. Don't even think of eating inside if it's nice out!

Fastest Par 3: The 13th. The tee box stands some 70 feet above green with a carry of 148 yards. Remember … it's downhill so don't over-club this one.

Practice Facilities: Nice driving range and huge putting green filled with difficult putts.

Best Par 4: No. 10. An accurate drive leaves you at the top of a plateau leaving a downhill approach to an undulating green. Don't be long or your next shot will be "The Chip from Hell."

Tee Times: Yes.

Don't Forget: There's water to the left of the 18th green if you go after it in two.

Ammunition Required: Lot's of room. If you spray them ... two sleeves.

Most Unique Course Feature: Striped fairways, changes in elevation and all those beautiful Birch trees.

Guaranteed Bogey: The dangerous 5th. Forget the driver, hit the fairway at all costs and be happy if you make par. A straight driver or even a 3 wood will go through the fairway.

Walk Or Ride: Walk the course if you can.