The Refuge Golf Club

Second time Ive played the Refuge this year. Both times took Over 5 hrs! I was told they had 2 rangers on the course to maintain pace of play. They definitley need to teach them what a rangers job is to do. Its very frustrating to wait almost 10 mins per hole!

The architecture of this course is amazing. You really have to be hitting the ball straight though the fairways are small! The pro shop is great and the resturant/bar has very good service. The carts are nice and play is smooth except for a few areas. There needs to be some rangers out pushing the pace of play. Other than that great course and very good looking.

This was the second time playing this course this year, first was in the spring.

The club house is very elaborate and gives your the impression that your in for a great round. However, not the case. The putting green and chipping area are nice. Large and open, however the range, on both of my visits, was looking thin and burnt out. I looked for the best piece of lawn to hit off of and that wasn't even very good. It looked like the hitting lane hadn't been moved in weeks.

The course itself is a nice layout. Challenging holes, which I love. However the course is so freakin dry that when your ball hits the fairway it bounces like it hit a cart path. The greens are the same way, can't tell you how many 120yrd approach shots I watched hit the green and bounce over the back. And I'm talking about the ball bouncing a good ten feet off the ground and hardly a divot. They may keep it this way for a reason, I noticed a large number of bunkers not raked along with divot marks, club head marks and shoe scuffs on the greens from people that don't know how to clean up after themselves or fix what they damaged. Some holes had thick lush ruff that peanalized you, other holes it was just burnt grass.

Let's talk a moment about the carts. If you are going to go play here. I highly suggest using a range finder (I learned my lesson in the spring). The cart gps system is way off on a lot of the holes in side 150yrds. Also you don't get the carry distances off the tee boxes over the multiple marsh lands, but instead you get info like "365yrds to a green side bunker". Gee thanks, that helps me a lot. Multiple holes, I would range a flag and my buddy would tell me what the cart said, giving the cart a good minute or so to make sure it was updating, and found some of the readings on the gps to be off a good 20yds. I would prefer a cart that is newer with no gps over what they currently offer.

So overall, I would not make the hour fifteen drive to play this course again. The house is nice, staff was nice, but in the end this course suffers. I have played many courses in this state and would put this right there with an inner city muni.

Greens were fast but fair. 5 tee boxes allow for all types of players. 4 1/2 hours for a Saturday is an acceptable time. Worth the drive.

Very clean facility. Professional young staff that really takes pride in doing good work. Could use better course management equipment on the carts and at the tee boxes.

buddy and I went ot for a round of golf on a beautiful summer say course was nice shape even though greens were a little rough from golfers usage overall a very enjoyable time

I wish it was closer to where I live. I would definitely play it more often!

Pace of play was poor. So poor that the pro-shop attendant warned us prior to starting. We were given a rain check after a 3 hour front nine. This was very nice of the attendant.

Conditions are pretty nice. Layout is impressive. It is short course (back plays under 6,600 yds) so dog legs and other elements are introduced to keep it challenging. It is in no way "gimmicky". Sand is great (imported from Ohio?). I would make the drive for this one more frequently but the pace of play is a deterrent.

This has almost a resort course feel (scenery, layout, quality) packed into a decent public option for the north metro.

It took our foursome 5 hours and 15 minutes, we waited on every hole to tee off. The course is in great shape, but beginners should golf this course.

Spent Fathers Day golfing with my daughter, son in law and grandson. They were very impressed with the golf course. My son in law who has golfed all over the twin city area said, "I can name 10 private country clubs in the cities that aren't as nice or have better greens than The Refuge. I love this course."

Being that I'm a pretty average golfer, I thought The Refuge might be overwhelmingly difficult and too tough to enjoy. It was indeed more challenging than the courses I normally play, but it was very fair and my partner and I really enjoyed our round. We lost more balls than usual due to the marshes and woods, but we didn't mind. The marshes and woods are part of what make it a beautiful and peaceful course. It feels kind of like you're way up north somewhere. The greens were a bit faster than I'm used to, but they were in near perfect condition. There are some marshes and water to carry and contend with, but we both agreed that they provided challenges that were pretty fair. Along with the pleasant staff, very nice clubhouse and beautiful weather, it was a great day of golf. Already planning our next visit!

The course was in excellent shape. We had a great time, paired up with two friendly gentlemen. Lost a few balls, but it was fun to play a different course.

You had better know where your golf ball is going on this course, if you stray too much it will get very interesting in a bad way. Having said that, if you keep it in play it is a really fun course with great conditions and great greens.

Loved the way the course was designed into the existing setting. Great use of wetlands and the natural surroundings to define the course and layout.

I'm sure most of you checking out these reviews have heard of The Refuge being named in any number of magazines as a "Top Twin Cities Course" and I have to say I agree.

I golf almost exclusively through GolfNow and therefore I usually only pay ~$20-25 to play Refuge w/ a cart, and frankly, I feel like I'm getting away with a crime.

This my my home course and I try to play it at least once a week, it is always well kept and the undulating/elevated greens are always challenging. If you are a lower handicap looking for a good challenge, play the tips. By playing the back tees the course really changes. Having said this, however; I feel the need to mention that the course plays completely different from the white tees, so if there are some not-so-long guys in your group, know that they will be able to enjoy themselves as well. If you choose to play the tips, bring your hammer.

Friendly staff, well-maintained course especially this time of year and moderately challenging.

Very well kept. Played early spring and it was already in great shape. The course is very fair. You can score well if you play well. Retail price is kinda high but they have many deals. I'll be back next time there is a good deal :)

Course was in good shape for this early in the year. Fun course, very challenging from the black. Range finders in the carts are very helpful.

Course was challenging and fun to play as usual, but spring conditions don't really showcase The Refuge. You need the greens cut tight and fast, and than you've got your hands full.

This was my first time playing The Refuge. It's only 15 minutes from home. I had booked Purple Hawk and arrived to find Purple Hawk was flooded and we couldn't get on the course. I got a refund from Golfnow and booked The Refuge. When I pulled up to the course I was blown away!!! All this time and I never considered playing there. What was I thinking?!? My new favorite course. Absolutely beautiful!!!