Situated in the northwest corner of the United States, Minnesota has long been a sports lover’s haven. From football to hockey to basketball, the North Star State offers facilities and training centers for all kinds of sports, and golf is no exception. The state is home to more than 500 golf courses, majority of them open to the general public. As more than 733,000 residents play the sport, according to a 2004 NGF survey, Minnesota is also notable for hosting the 2016 Ryder Cup and the PGA Championships in 2002, 2008, 2009. More than that, a major factor in Minnesota’s appeal as a golf destination is its naturally diverse landscape. Boasting valleys, prairies, towering cliffs and bluffs, rock formations along the coastline, and thousands of lakes and other water features, it’s a prime location for some truly exciting and challenging championship courses set amidst breathtaking scenery. Among the state’s finest showpieces are Donald Ross’ White Bear Yacht Club, Robert Trent Jones and Rees Jones’ Hazeltine National, Tom Fazio’s Spring Hill, and A.W. Tilinghast’s Golden Valley and Rochester Country Club.Golf season in Minnesota tends to be during the spring months of April and May, where days are pleasantly sunny and flora is flourishing, or during Fall – sometime between September and November, which is characterized by cool breezes and cloudy skies. However, good weather tends to be fleeting here, as the state is known for its oftentimes unpredictable weather. The 80-degree temperatures of summer may come early, or the harsh chilly winter weather may last longer than expected. Whatever the case, golfers have the perfect alternative for such occasions: virtual indoor golf.Found all over the state are plenty of first-rate indoor facilities and virtual golf simulators, equipped with the latest and most advanced simulator technology to provide players with a detailed, realistic experience of playing some of the most famous courses in the world. Below is a list of some of the finest virtual indoor golf facilities in the state of Minnesota.
Best Golf Courses in (Province/State)
Location: 16514 W 78th St., Eden Prairie, MN 55346Kicking off our list is an indoor golf facility hailing from the suburbs of Eden Prairie: Inside Edge Golf. Strategically placed along the major highways and only a 23-minute drive from the city of Minneapolis, Inside Edge Golf specializes in both recreational sports and professional training. With its state-of-the-art simulators, over 77 of the most coveted courses from all over the world are faithfully rendered in ultra-realistic 3D graphics. Among its most popular choices are classics like Pebble Beach and St. Andrews, and beauties like the Bay Harbor and Wildstone, as well as the state’s very own Hazeltine Course.They have a total of nine golf simulators and hitting bays, each with their own high-definition TV, as well as 3 different kinds of simulators. Aside from the classic, they also offer SimSurround, with three accompanying screens, and the expansive, fully immersive Curve simulator, both of which are set in their very own private rooms. All their simulators are endorsed by the PGA Tour and are programmed with the latest software to deliver the most accurate swing diagnostics. The 3Trak technology assesses ball spin rates, clubhead movement, and numerous other essential data points. The simulators also offer many other practice range options, aside from the usual 18-hole virtual course.Other amenities provided by Inside Edge Golf include parking space, free wifi, club rentals (even for left-handed, lady, and junior golfers), and an on-site casual diner named The Kitchen which offers hand-crafted pizza, hot dogs, croissants, sausages, beer, soda, coffee and more. They also have several golf leagues that you can sign up for. There are also event spaces that can be rented out for special occasions and numerous gift cards and specials available for senior golfers, junior golfers, and early birds. With that said, it comes as no surprise that Inside Edge Golf was voted Best Local Indoor Golf by TwinCitiesGolf.com and Best of Minnesota for Indoor Golf by WCCO.Hours:Mon-Thu 8:30-10:00 pmFri 8:30-11:00 pmSat 6:30-11:00 pmSun 7:30-10:00 pmContact: 952-937-6251 golf@insideedgegolf.com
Location: 3601 W 145th St., Burnsville, MN 55306Burnsville Indoor Golf, otherwise known as A Lot of Green Golf, has been a local favorite ever since it debuted in 2004. With cutting-edge golf simulators that can provide high-resolution graphics of over 20 of the best courses around the globe, residents have looked to Burnsville Indoor Golf to maintain their playing ability and sharpen their skills well into the off-season. There are five hitting bays on-site, each accommodating up to 4-5 players per set. All simulators provide detailed visuals and instant feedback of every swing, deftly capturing a golfer’s shot distance, clubhead position, swing impact, and spin rate to assess their overall skill. Players can try their hand at some of the most iconic holes in the world from courses like Bethpage Black and Pinehurst No. 2, or spend a few rounds on masterpieces like Jack Nicklaus’ Cabo Del Sol, Pete Dye’s Casa De Campo, and Canada’s most prized course, Banff Springs. Aside from this, Burnsville Golf also hosts a few competitive indoor leagues and offers both individual and group lessons from their PGA Teaching Pros on-staff. Guests can also treat themselves to a delicious meal and some beverages from the on-site restaurant, the 19th Hole Sports Grill, which serves beer, burgers, sandwiches, pizza, and more. You can also save a few dollars from their already affordable rates by availing specials for seniors or early birds. Hours:Mon-Fri 9:00-10:00 pmSat-Sun 8:00-10:00 pmContact: 952-746-4534info@alotofgreengolf.com
Location: 8670 Credit River Blvd., Prior Lake, MN 55372Though you may associate the Legends Golf Club with their 18-hole public golf course, it is also home to an indoor golf simulation center that’s among the best in the state. Only a quick 25-minute drive from downtown Minneapolis, the Legends Golf Club is an easily accessible virtual golf studio lying along the state boundary to Wisconsin. It flaunts two of the most advanced modern golf simulators available in the market and a Sony Laser 500 LCD Projector, combining actual images with geophysical data to produce photo-realistic 3D visuals that perfectly replicate the course. For serious players who are looking for more than just casual golf, there are three PGA Professionals on-duty at Legends Golf Club who offer private lessons and professional instructions. There are also junior leagues and golf programs for the younger players who are interested. Other amenities include, as previously mentioned, a 7,000-yard, 18-hole championship layout designed by Gill Miller; a state-of-the-art outdoor practice facility that’s among the finest in Minnesota, with a 380-yard bent grass teeing area; a driving range with bent grass target greens and white sand bunkers; professional club fitting services; a pro shop; a clubhouse; and a full-service restaurant and bar called the Legends Grill. The venue also offers spaces that can be rented for corporate outings, parties, or other private events. Hours:Mon-Sun 9:00-10:00 pmContact: (952) 226-4776legendsgc.com
4. The Bunker Indoor Golf Center
Location: 23470 Minnesota 7, Excelsior, MN 55331Established in 1997, The Bunker Indoor Golf Center is among the oldest virtual golf facilities in the state and one of the very first to introduce the industry to Minnesota. Open all-year round, The Bunker is more than just another indoor golf establishment. It sets itself apart from the competition by flaunting a sports bar-esque interior design and an ambience more casual than your typical virtual training center. It is home to over twelve first-rate golf simulators, the latest widescreen FullSwing models, that are unmatched in their accuracy and visual detail. At The Bunker Indoor Golf Center, players can choose from a vast collection of 80 of the finest championship courses in the world. Some of its most famous offerings include Pebble Beach, St. Andrews, Torrey Pines, and Bay Hill. The simulators can also be configured to a driving range, a chipping and putting green, and other practice settings to suit every player’s needs.Aside from this, guests can sign up for any of the golf leagues that the facility regularly hosts, such as the 2-Man Scramble and the Floating League. There’s also an on-site bar that serves pizza, hot dogs, snacks, beverages, and beer. Though walk-ins are welcomed, booking ahead is recommended due to the limited number of game bays available and its often jam-packed schedule. Hours:Wed-Fri 5:00-9:00 pmSat 10:00-2:00 pmContact: 952-936-9595bunkerindoor.com
5. Moose Mountain Adventure Golf
Easily one of the most fun-filled indoor golf options in the state, Moose Mountain Adventure Golf is an 18-hole miniature golf course youngsters (and those young at heart) are sure to have a blast playing on. With a theme that honors Minnesota’s state animal, Moose Mountain Adventure features a one-of-a-kind whimsical design heavily inspired by the northern woods of long ago. Though the area is a bit small, it makes up for it with some fun and fair challenges. The track is riddled with plenty of decorative vehicles like a logging truck, a steam time, and even a bi-plane. Kids are sure to have a memorable playtime at this family-friendly adventure course. The best part? After a few rounds, families can stroll around and explore one of the state’s most popular tourist spots as the course is conveniently located inside the Mall of America.Hours:Mon-Fri 10:00-9:30 pmSat 9:30-9:30 pmSun 11:00-7:00 pmContact: 832-243-1403
Location: 1815 Van Dyke St., Maplewood, MN 55109Next up on our list is the Midwest Golf Dome. An indoor driving range that’s served Minnesota’s recreational golfers for over 20 years, Midwest Golf Dome is a dependable choice for players looking to practice their swing or sharpen their skills further regardless of the weather outside. It is equipped with 33 individual stalls for guests to practice on, as well as a chipping green and a putting area. For those interested, private lessons are also provided by any of their three professional golf instructors on staff. The facility is heated during the winter months to ensure customer comfort and, during the summer when playing conditions are ideal, there’s also an 18-hole outdoor miniature golf course for those who prefer the open air. Hours:Tue-Sat11:00-8:00 pmSun 12:00-6:00 pmContact: 651-777-0500midwestgolfdome@gmail.com
7. The Caddy Shack – Indoor Golf and Pub
Location: 2023 W Superior St., Duluth, MN 55806Previously known as The Sweet Spot, this indoor golf center and pub was recently moved to a new location in Duluth and renamed The Caddy Shack. Amidst its casual and inviting ambiance, it is home to five state-of-the-art Full Swing golf simulators, programmed with over 87 of the most popular golf courses from around the world. With top-notch graphics and highly accurate logistics that assess a golfer’s key swing characteristics to provide instant feedback, honing your skills has never come so easy as it does here at The Caddy Shack. The simulators also offer up to 30 different games for patrons to enjoy, aside from the usual round of virtual golf. They have an on-site bar of the same name that serves craft brews and liquors, as well as pizza, sandwiches, and other light food. Guests are also welcome to order-in food from other local eateries nearby.Abuzz with a host of various day and night-time entertainment, The Caddy Shack offers free games of ping-pong, shuffleboard, pool, darts, bean bag toss, life-sized Jenga, and a variety of board and card games. There’s also open-mic karaoke and trivia night on Wednesdays and Thursdays, as well as live music every other Tuesday. With such exciting recreational activities available, don’t pass up the opportunity to drop in and visit The Caddy Shack if ever you’re in the area. Hours:Tue-Sat 10:00-midnightContact: 218-624-7768caddyshackduluth.com
Location: 5862 Omaha Ave. N, Stillwater, MN 55082Located within a bowling center named Stillwater Bowling, The Heights is one of the newest indoor golf facilities in the state. It comes equipped with four of the most advanced Full Swing simulators that allow players to choose from any of the 32 world-renowned courses they have available. Aside from the bowling center, other amenities include an on-site bar with a guest lounge area that serves homemade pizza and burgers. The greater complex encompassing all the facilities also holds karaoke on Friday evenings and live music from bands every other Saturday evening. They have event spaces available for rent, which are excellent for birthdays and children’s parties as the facility also offers packages and services to those interested in renting out the venue for such occasions.Hours:Mon-Fri opens 9:00 amSat-Sun opens 10:00 amContact: 651-430-3836
9. Chip & Putt Center of Golden Valley
Location: 9010 Olson Memorial Hwy, Golden Valley, MN 55427Although the Chip & Putt Center of Golden Valley is a practice facility limited only to a chipping and putting area, it’s a convenient and easily accessible indoor golf center that’s great for practicing your short game. With a humble 3,000 square-foot area, the Chip & Putt Center is also home to two hitting cages for golfers looking to refine their full swing. In their guest lounge, there are 3 flat screen, high-definition TVs for live-streaming all your favorite sporting events and, should you choose to avail of the private lessons and professional instruction from their certified golf coaches, your recorded sessions can be played back here and used for video-based instructions and practice session.Hours:Mon-Sat 12:00-6:00 pmSun 12:00-4:00 pmContact: 763-270-0464chippandputtgv.com
Location: 6589 Laketowne PI, Albertville, MN 55301Representing the city of Albertville is inFIT Golf Simulators, an indoor golf studio located within a much larger personal health and fitness center of the same name. InFIT Golf Simulators is equipped with some of the finest golf simulators the industry has to offer that provide high-definition graphics for an authentic, ultra-realistic virtual golf experience. These unique simulators utilize real images and actual course photos, enhanced by 3D graphics, to perfectly replicate all 28 of the world-famous courses they have available for play. Some of the favorites include Banff Springs, Bethpage Black, Cabo del Sol, Caso de Campo, Kiawah Island, Pacific Dunes, Pebble Beach, Pinehurst No. 2, The Links at Spanish Bay, and St. Andrews. There are also two PGA Professionals on staff that offer one-on-one lessons to help you improve your skills and enhance your overall playing ability. With the planned future upgrade of the simulator bays to include multiple camera angles for a more thorough swing analysis, it will make it even easier for guests to improve their game and perfect their swing for better scores the next time you hit the course. With early beginnings of a small, single room studio helmed only by a team of fitness professionals, inFIT Golf Simulators has gone on to flourish as an indoor golf establishment with complete first-rate services and amenities guaranteed to satisfy players of all skill levels. The fitness center – the larger overall complex housing inFIT – also has homeschool Physical Education and Health Classes, as well as therapeutic, Swedish, and sports massage available to those who may be interested.Hours:Mon-Sun 6:00-11:00 pmContact: 763-424-4435info@inFIT.org
11. Brooklyn Park Indoor Golf & Sports Center
Location: 8401 83rd Ave N., Minneapolis, MN 55445Another solid albeit low-key option for recreational golfers, Brooklyn Park Indoor Golf & Sports Center is a humble indoor recreation establishment in Brooklyn Park. A two-level studio, It has a total of 32 practice stalls for players looking to improve their game in the off-season and welcomes senior and junior golfers as well. It also caters to groups and families. With serviceable amenities and a friendly staff who will be more than happy to help you out with whatever you need, Brooklyn Park Indoor Golf & Sports Center is an excellent, inexpensive alternative that, though relatively basic in terms of facilities, is still guaranteed to satisfy avid golfers who are in need of a few rounds no matter the weather. Hours:Mon-Sun 9:00-7:30 pmContact: 763-424-2929bpsportscenter.com
Location: 605 Brookside Pkwy, Rush City, MN 55069Fully furnished with three highly advanced About Golf simulators with 52 of the most prestigious championship courses around the globe, Bulrush Golf Club is the crowning jewel of all of Rush City’s virtual golf centers. Challenge yourself to play against the infamous but beautiful water hazards of Atlantis or the iconic Donald Ross memorial; experience for yourself the Robert Trent Jones masterpiece, The Heather, or Arthur Hill’s Bay Harbor; travel across international waters for a few rounds on The Far East Tour and Jack Niklaus’ Gapyeong Benest. At Bulrush Golf Club, all these golf courses and so much more are at your fingertips. Here, award-winning, internationally-renowned golf courses and private clubs are always accessible for playing, to practice and putt on all year-round, no matter the weather condition outdoors.Bulrush Golf Club also provides one-on-one and group lessons from their very own PGA Teaching Pro, Dennis Johnson. Afterward, you can make your way towards the on-site Rush Hour Bar & Grill, a full-service restaurant and sports bar, to have a few pints or have a quick bite and unwind after a good game of virtual golf. Aside from the simulator bays, they also have spaces that can be rented out for private occasions and celebrations. Bulrush Golf Club offers top-quality service and great value for your money that’s among the best in the entire state.Hours:Sun-Thu 9:00-9:00 pmFri-Sat9:00-10:00 pmContact: 320-358-1050kayla.defenbaugh@bulrushgc.com
13. Grand Slam Sports & Entertainment Center
Location: 12425 River Ridge Blvd., Burnsville, MN 55337The final entry on our list also hails from the city of Burnsville, same as our first featured indoor golf facility. The Grand Slam Sports & Entertainment Center sets itself apart from the rest, however, as it is an 18-hole pirate-themed miniature golf course located inside a family-friendly entertainment center. Kids will be thrilled to know that the Grand Slam mini golf course traverses through a large cave, onto the deck of a large pirate ship and through a treasure chest, complete with plenty of whimsical obstacles that aspiring swashbucklers are sure to enjoy.Once you’re done making your rounds here, there’s more in store as the greater complex is also home to a laser tag arena, bumper cars, an indoor trampoline room, batting cages, a video arcade, and a three-story play zone. With so many fun, exciting activities to choose from, families love to flock to the Grand Slam Sports & Entertainment Center for some memorable bonding time with the kids. There’s also an on-site snack bar that serves pizza, burgers, pretzels, fries, soda, coffee, dessert and more, making it the perfect venue for birthday parties and other special occasions. HoursSun-Thu 10:00-9:00 pmFri-Sat 10:00-midnightContact(952) 224-0413grandslammn.com
Wrap up
Minnesota has a widely varied topography that has inspired many distinguished, award-winning architects to craft stunning showpieces like the White Bear Yacht, Spring Hill, Golden Valley, and many more, it’s certainly earned its place at the top of many avid golfers’ list.Unfortunately, golfers are at the mercy of the fickle climate and changing Minnesota weather which oftentimes make it almost impossible to spend just a few hours on the course. Thankfully, the state also offers a lot of exciting options for the next best thing: virtual indoor golf. Recreational golfers can rejoice in the abundance of indoor facilities and virtual golf centers that Minnesota has to offer, as they now have a place to practice and play all year-round no matter the weather, with other amenities to enjoy as well.
