The Refuge GC: #7
View from the 7th white tee at The Refuge Golf Club
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Rating Index Rating
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4.1
369 Reviews (369)
5 Stars
196
4 Stars
119
3 Stars
28
2 Stars
12
1 Stars
14
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.1
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
3.7
Amenities
4.0
87.0%
Recommend this course
333 out of 369 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
4 Reviews (4)
5 Stars
2
4 Stars
2
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.3
Value
5.0
Layout
5.0
Pace
5.0
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.5
100.0%
Recommend this course
4 out of 4 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
39 Reviews (39)
5 Stars
20
4 Stars
13
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
3
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.2
Layout
4.3
Pace
3.9
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.6
94.9%
Recommend this course
37 out of 39 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
The Refuge delivers a challenging, beautifully laid-out course with pristine fairways, fast greens, and conditions that consistently impress recent golfers. Exceptionally friendly staff and strong value for money make this course a compelling repeat destination.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 6534 yards
Slope 143
Rating 72.3
Book a Tee Time at
Refuge Golf Club & Wedding Venue
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Course Details

Year Built 2001
Fairways Blue Grass
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season March - October
Architect Kevin Norby (2001) Don Herfort (2001)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - $18
GPS Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes
Practice Hole Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted Visa, Mastercard, American Express
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code A collared shirt and golf pants/shorts are preferred, but not required.

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in Minnesota (2019 #24)
The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
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$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
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12 rounds of waived fees
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Reviews

4.1
369 Reviews (369)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 18
Patio Dining 12
Dinner 6
Course Challenges Include:
Forced Carries 33
Bunkers 28
Water Hazards 25
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 22
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 22
Locals 15
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 27
In the 'Burbs 19

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 55
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Always in good shape!

Course was surprisingly in great shape for the time of year & as much rain that we have gotten.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

3 hours for 9 holes and quit

It took 3 hours to play 9 holes and we quit. There were 3 of us and the 4th was a member of the club. He quit after it took an hour to play 3 holes. Stacked 3 group wait on every hole starting at hole 2. People behind us were quitting after 4 holes saying they were on pace for a 7 hour round. Not recommended to play here unless you want to make a day of it. I will not be returning as this isn’t the first time this has happened

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Response from on 04/22/2025:
Thank you for the honest feedback. It’s disappointing to hear things went poorly, and we’re committed to resolving the problems you encountered. We hope you’ll consider giving us another try.
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 32
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Good Early Season Golf

I had a great early season round. course was dry, pace of play was excellent, can’t complain about Golf in March. The tee markers on the boxes aren’t out yet and greens were a little shaggy, but nothing u wouldn’t expect from a round in March. The course staff deserves kudos, as course conditions were better than expected.

It appears they are redoing their bunkers throughout the course so you’ll see those tore up. outside of that I don’t recall any ground under repair or any unemployable areas.

Looks like the greens crew cut down all the long grass prior to winter so course is played far easier than it will mid season.

Overall was satisfied with my experience. good value for the money will play again

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Golfing in March!

For only being open right after we had 12 inches of snow it was amazing! The course is an incredible shape this early in the spring. I love the layout.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Response from on 03/24/2025:
Thanks for the five-star rating. We’re thrilled you enjoyed your visit and appreciate your support. Our team looks forward to delivering the same level of excellence next time.
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

First Time playing

First time playin the Refuge! Course was in great condition other than some greens and fairways weee completely covered in leaves which made putting difficult, but that’s understandable this time of year but also made the views that much better.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Another round at Refuge with terrible pace

I told myself not to come back here but my friend would like to play. Last time I came, there was a same issue...pace of play was too long. We played 4 holes in 100 minutes. We have up after 9 and the staff was nice enough to provide rain check. There was a starter but nobody else to help to move the golfers along.

I should have learned my lesson. Stay away from this course.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Played On
Reviews 28
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Pace of play - poor course maintenance

Not worth $90+ and it took almost 6 hours to get through 18

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Poor
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 24
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Rough but unique

Everything about this course was beautiful. Tee to green, cart could use new seats but had GPS and plenty of storage and USB power port.

Greens were punched early in my opinion but not horrible to play on. The course offered nice technical shots but the rough... Oh the rough. I've never seen green side rough that was 12 inches long before. I could understand if they had a 1st cut but to lose your ball 3 inches off the green... That's a bit extreme. Otherwise a great course to play.

All that aside, play once for the bucket list, but if you don't want to lose a ball or 4 to the rough; it might not be a repeat experience. Overall 4.5/5 stars.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Worst golf experience in 20 years

Speed of play was atrocious - 5 1/2 hours; course, especially greens was very poor and staff was non-existent. Will NEVER play the course again.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Slow Play

Pace of Play was horrible! Recommendation need Ranger out on course to keep groups moving! Lastly if you’re going to aerate greens need to top dress putting surface was unacceptable for the Price we pay!

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

overpriced

Overcharged for greens that were punched 5 days prior. Needed way more sand topping.

Should have to inform on their golf now about course conditions before we book so we know what were paying for.

The course also played 5 1/2 hours long.

unacceptable.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Quality course

I played for about half the usual price due to the greens being aerated earlier in the week. The booking clearly stated this was the case and even though the greens weren't perfect, the rest of the course was well maintained! The Refuge has always been up front about the greens during these aeration periods for which I am grateful

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
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