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
37 Reviews (37)
5 Stars
18
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
94.6%
Recommend this course
35 out of 37 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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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 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played

This place sucks, go anywhere besides here

The course staff is useless. They don’t manage pace of play, and they over book tee times. 4 hour pace for 9 holes. $90 round just to sit around with 3 other groups at each tee box.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Worst Round of Golf I've Played

The pace of play was terrible. Let multiple groups go out before us that were playing multiple balls per golfer and taking there sweet time. When brought up it wasn't addressed. Had 5 other people get paired with us that all gave up because they were playing so slow.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 14
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Excellent day of gollf

Course in excellent condition. They paired my wife and I with a great guy and we had a great round of golf.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 32
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 32
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Fun & Challenging Course

The refuge continues to be one of the better values in the Twin Cities. For under $50 w cart, the course delivers more than expected.

The course is currently wet and properly marked. Due to its location, that’s the way it’s gunna be, swampy area. This last rd, the greens showed some wear from spikes in the wet soil. Tht will get cleaned up. When comparing public courses, I rank the refuge above most of the north metro and STP city courses. It’s like if Goodrich and Eagle Valley had a baby.

Staff js amazjng EVERY time I go there! Every time I leave, there’s a challenge and reason for me to come back. Probably see you next week!

Also… I holed out my longest shot ever! 🤙

Hole 1 | 2nd Shot | 134yds | Eagle | PW

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 32
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart

Great course & challenge

Great course to play. In good condition and offers a challenge. Played here on Twilight round. Had no problem with pace of play. Was able to get all 18 in 2 hr 15 mins. Will be back soon.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

The Refuge

We had a good time with the Refuge. Fairways were excellent but the Par 3 tee boxes were rough and the greens were full of ball marks. People, if you stick a tee in the ground you can repair ball marks!

There is a lot of slope on the greens so stay below the pin.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
4.0
Previously Played

Must get better

The refuge is a nice course and the staff are cool people's. The problem here is the problem in many places and I'm challenging The Refuge to find a solution. The problem is the golfers who do not repair their pitch marks and the greens become damaged as a result. I had the second tee time of the day and on every green there was fresh pitch marks, and the guys were decent golfers so they know the etiquette. I expect this type of behavior from a cheap municipal course, not a $70 round at the refuge. I would recommend hiring a ranger to do constant rounds and kick people off who cannot adhere to this simple etiquette.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fun-filled round

The amenities are top tier and the course was a good challenge. The layout was challenging and left me with plenty of shots to take. The quick food and food after the round was delicious.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Course solid, don’t expect much in terms of post round food

Course was in really good shape. My only course criticism is green maintenance. The number of divots I repaired on the greens was insane. So - not the course’s fault but players…c’mon!

Was hoping to eat after - choice was hot dog, brat or pulled pork. Unimpressive.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Very well maintenance course

Course was in excellent shape. Greens played nice. Interesting layout.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
First Time Playing

Should’ve listened to previous reviews

Extremely disappointed with Refuge. Was excited to give it a shot, but after 5.5+ hours to play 18 among other things, I won’t be making the hour trip back.

We were backed up right from the beginning and didn’t tee off until 20 minutes past our tee time. Meanwhile the starter didn’t seem to concerned with trying to help move things along. We saw the ranger out a few times, I let him know that we were currently on pace for a 6 hour round, which he responded by telling me I was wrong and everyone is on pace.

At the turn, we stopped inside quick, nice break from waiting in line at the teebox. The manager came up to us and said it actually only took us 2.5 on the front because we teed off late. Still unsure what point he was trying to make as that’s still a 5 hour pace, and I expect to start at the time we paid for.

Overall, the refuge could be a great course. The layout and design is really unique compared to other courses in MN, and should be a fun experience to play. However, given the extremely slow pace of play and employees arguing and trying to justify the pace, it was one of the worst experiences I’ve had playing in MN.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 78
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
4.0
First Time Playing

5hr+ round of golf

Waited on every tee box, oversold the course. If playing on the weekend, expect to clear your entire day.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Enjoyable As Always

It's always a fun and challenging round at the Refuge!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 55
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
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