If you take a survey of true Minnesotans and ask them to name areas of the state that are traditional vacation destinations, the Mille Lacs Lake area is sure to be in the top five for most respondents. Taking a trip to Mille Lacs is something almost everyone in Minnesota has done. A trip to Mille Lacs is similar to attending the Minnesota State Fair or going to the State Capitol building on a field trip as a fifth grader, everyone does.

Just off US 169 and a 90-minute drive north of the Twin Cities, just six miles south of Garrison, there is a golf course that has been open since 1964. Some changes have been made in the last two seasons. and more changes to take place in the months and years to come. Welcome to Mille Lacs Golf Resort and Marina with Hardwoods Golf Club. Future plans include a new log designer clubhouse and restaurant, a 35,000-square-foot indoor water park, a day spa, a 120-unit hotel condo building, and many more amenities planned for the future. There is also the option to buy or rent single-family and townhomes that feature log design.

There are some changes in the future for Hardwoods Golf Club. There are some plans on the drawing board to stretch the 6,309 yard course a bit by adding some length to a pair of tee boxes and turning one of the longer par 4 holes into a par 5, making the course a par 72 The addition of some strategically placed bunkers is also on the drawing board. In its current layout, Hardwoods Golf Club plays a par 71 with a course rating of 69.7 and a slope rating of 119. Don’t be misled by a false sense of security by looking at the yards on the score card and thinking that you can dominate this golf course. If you’re an accurate ball hitter and an above-average putter, you can score well, but if you let your guard down, this golf course will have you for lunch. All greens are small, elevated, and have enough undulation to keep you on top of your putting game. The greens at Hardwoods Golf Club have been described as Pinehurst, and I agree with this statement.

General Manager Trent Christenson along with his administrative staff of Jim Resch, Pro Golf Manager, Justin Heitkamp, ​​Pro Shop Manager, and Bob Weston, Golf Course Superintendent, do a good job of making customers feel welcome. and they keep the facilities in excellent condition. .

The weekend rate of $ 45.00 per person with a cart is quite reasonable for this tourist destination. Seniors can play golf any Monday or Wednesday for $ 25.00 per person with a cart, making this an even better value. For departure times, call 1-800-435-8720 or visit their website at http://www.millelacsgolf.com

With the planned additions to the Hardwoods Golf Club, as well as the planned expansion to the resort facilities, Mille Lacs Golf Resort and Marina with Hardwoods Golf Club is a destination you’ll want to bring your family to again and again.