StoneRidge Golf Club

Things I liked:

- Course is in fantastic shape. Greens roll very fast, fairways and tees are perfect, and bunkers are well prepared.

- There is a good variety of long/short/challenging/straightforward holes to mix things up.

- The course is an unrelenting test of your golf skills.

Things I did not like:

- As noted in other reviews of this course, you spend all day heading either east or west. The course does not change direction much and it just feels like you are going down and back across the property.

- Though it looks like a links course, with the speedy fast greens and slow soft fairways it plays a bit more like a traditional American golf course. Running the ball up onto the green isn’t (or at least wasn’t when I played) an option.

Things important to me:

- Rates are posted thru their booking system.

- Though hilly in parts, the course is walkable. However, the green fee isn’t adjusted for not taking a cart, so take the cart.

- No water coolers on the course, but they had a cooler of bottled water in the 1st tee. Thank you!

- A plastic poker chip ball marker. Blah!

This course was absolutely amazing. This course is the best Scottish styled course I have ever played. Fast and responsive greens, deep ruff, very nice and difficult bunkers, very nice and well cared for fairways, nice tight fairways, very good pace of play, and very score able. Would recommend this course to anyone at any skill level 10 times out of 10

Not sure why this is ranked as the #1 public course in Minneapolis. Sure, the turf conditions were excellent, but the holes go back and forth right next to each other and you have constant freeway noise. Not a lot of memorable or scenic holes, so I was expecting more for near $100.

I hadn't played StoneRidge in a few years and it did not disappoint. From the moment I stepped on property the staff was kind and the starter was amazing in his love and passion for StoneRidge and golf in general.

The course was in amazing condition, the greens rolled very fast (12-13) and were smooth while the rest of the course was immaculate. Kudos to the superintendent and his staff for their great work. Because we played 36 that day (the 2nd round at another course) I did not get a chance to go inside and enjoy lunch but the patio was busy around lunch and I'm sure the food was excellent as usual. StoneRidge is a must if you are near the Stillwater area and I would highly recommend it.

The junior rate here is an amazing value. I'd play here for $35 any day of the week. This course is an absolute bear. Playing at just over 7000 yards at a par 72 and a slope of 139, this course may not seem that tough on paper compared to other courses in the area, but don't let that fool you. This course can turn a good round into your worst round of the season in the blink of an eye. If you want a pure and tough test of your game, skip Royal and go right to Stoneridge.

Royal Golf Club is only 5 minutes away from here, and it's quickly stealing a lot of attention from Stoneridge. I've played both and I prefer Stoneridge. If you want a real country club experience, then go to Royal. But if you're in it for the golf, then go to Stoneridge. Stoneridge is on a whole other level when it comes to golf.

The Good: StoneRidge can best be described as the golf design equivalent of “Back to the Future”, with a rustic, old school bunkering look that pays homage to Donald Ross and a modern minimalist usage of width and strategy utilized by the greater designers of today. A Bobby Weed triumph on an otherwise fairly boring piece of property, StoneRidge has a “Poor Man’s Shinnecock” feel when you walk the grounds. Primarily a heathland setting, the front nine is more exposed to wind and the inward half weavers through more woodlands. Incredible course conditions overall and some of the most fun, unique green complexes I’ve played in the Midwest. The Par-4 variety is some of the strongest of any public course I’ve played and several Par 5’s have significant elevation change for the area. Nice clubhouse and excellent patio dining setting makes you feel like you’re at a resort. Superb pace of play and accommodating staff. One of the best values in the Midwest at under $100 during peak season.

The Bad: If I’m forced to nitpick, the Par 3’s aren’t as interesting as the longer holes. The practice facility is serviceable but there are improvements to the short game area that could be useful. No GPS on the carts, however well-marked.

The Verdict: StoneRidge was one of the most pleasant golfing surprises I’ve had in a long time. As well-conditioned and fun of a public facility under $100 that you can find.

Best Hole: While the Par 4’s on the front are extremely interesting, nothing beats the long Par-4 12th, which requires a long drive through a shoot and then an approach to a plateau green with a huge run-off on both sides if you hit an errant approach. Just a bear of a hole!

Great course, perhaps the best public course in the Twin Cities metro area. Course is always in terrific shape. Fairways are lush, greens fast and well-kept, challenging golf. Staff is friendly and welcoming. A little pricier than other public courses, but worth it. The Senior Rate includes a warm-up bucket. The White/Green combo tees are good for senior golfers.

StoneRidge has been on my list of must plays for a while now and I pulled the trigger this weekend and made the drive. What a treat and a work of art. Awesome place and you won't be disappointed. Fastest greens I have played this year with a very well maintained course to boot. We ran into a little bit of a pace issue on the back 9, 3 groups ahead of us slowed down pretty bad and was leaving 2 groupings on the tee. The course recognized this and handled it, they started picking it up again and it got better. It was nice to see a course recognize it, and deal with it. I have no problem with people enjoying their round and not sprinting back to the cart, but I also think you have to respect everyone a little as well and realize you are backing people up. If you hate bunkers, if they make you break clubs, do not play here. You will go insane. This place is a beach with super green grass, its incredible how much sand they have here. Bunkers galore, and it is awesome. It provides a challenge and you either avoid them, or your sand wedge is going to be used a lot. The next thing is the knee high natural grass rough, extremely cool and something you really don't see much in MN. Practice area is great and the clubhouse is very nice with a great pro shop. Spendy round, but in my opinion, this is a Minnesota must play. I recommend this course 100% and then some.

I love this course. It's a top course in MN and you'd be hard pressed to get a better public track on the east side of the Twin Cities. It's considered a premium public course for good reason. The greens are fast and consistent- and you can three putt just as easily as roll in a 20 footer. The bunkering and waste areas are a great view, and if you bring your best game, you can make some great shots using the slope of the undulating greens. The varying lengths of all the holes, and ease of navigation makes every round different.

I have no complaints about the course, other than how hard it can play when the wind is up! Bring your best sand game.

If I dig really really deep for a complaint, I guess it would be the road noise from I94 only being a few trees and an access road away, and that it can be hard to get to the location if you're unaware of how to navigate to it. Once you reach the parking lot and appreciate the view from up on the hill, your concern about finding the place will be replaced with awe. Love it!

Stoneridge is unlike other courses in area in only a couple trees in play on the whole course. Wide fairways off T but quite a few holes have fairway sand bunkers and/or high prairie grass if you miss fairway. Assuming your not too wild off T, this course is all about your green approach shot and ability to putt fast & sloping greens. The greens are well protected with deep bunkers (often well below the green surface), high grass waste areas, false fronts that run off, etc. The day i played was very windy which made hitting greens more difficult. If you miss the green here. you are probably looking at double bogey or worse. Once on the green your challenge will be not to triple putt. I normally score in mid to upper 80s but shot a 101 on this windy day. Play from the proper T's. Ahead of us was 4 guys in late 20s/early 30s who were playing from blues and they slowed everyone else up because they were clearing playing from too far back relative to their skill level. I walked this course. It is not an easy walk but doable if you are in decent shape. Course is in great condition, practice area is good and they have a top notch (somewhat pricy) restaurant here.

This is on the eastern side of the Twin Cities just before crossing into Hudson, WI. The land is rolling and very pleasing visually with native grasses and mature woods. This course is a modern design with character. There is plenty of sand and waste areas to be found. The pace was a bit slow, 330 pm on a weekday. It wasn't a particular group, just normal I guess. I am a 84-88 ish player and lost ball strokes caught up to me. From tee to green, one of my favorite courses in the twin cities. The greens were like putting on an ice rink though. Fast, fast and really fast. This course has a natural rival across in WI, Troy Burne. In my opinion, this course is better. Both are wonderful tracks though. If this course has a knock, it's the price. I am not independently wealthy so I pinch a penny where I can. I have never found a deal on this course, maybe I am looking in the right place.

One hundred and fifty-eight bunkers amounting to 14.2 acres of sand. Unless you're very lucky, or very good, you will find the beach when you play StoneRidge Gold Club. The good thing is that the bunkers are well kept, with good quality sand, so a well-played shot will get you out with no problem. The rest of the course is a golfer's dream, with wide, undulating fairways and large, fast, true greens. Don't stray too far from the fairway, or you'll find yourself in tall fescue and possibly taking a lost ball penalty. Four sets of tees give golfers the opportunity to select the course length that suits their game. But be careful, because several holes play longer than the indicated yardage. The par 5 fourth hole, for example, is listed at 580 yards from the back tees, but an elevated green that is guarded in front by a massive bunker makes it play like at least 600 yards. Similarly, the par 4 eighth hole plays significantly uphill to a very deep green, so you'll want to take at least one more club on your approach shot. And speaking of the eighth hole, StoneRidge is a little quirky in that “the turn” is after this hole, not after the ninth. Plan accordingly. One of the most interesting holes on the course is the par 5 eleventh. You'll need to play your tee shot between a circa 1875 barn on the left and a large tree on the right. The beverage cart girl advised me that the barn was a ball magnet. Sure enough, my ball found the barn and I was forced to take an unplayable lie. I don't play StoneRidge as often as I'd like, because it is a bit pricier than other courses in the area. However, it is a good value and a great golfing experience.

Links style course, almost no trees to contend with. Wide fairways that have strategically placed bunkers & waist high prairie grass in summer if you miss fairway (not so bad in spring or late fall). Greens big, undulating in levels & quick (good luck if you are on a level above the hole). Also greens guarded with plenty of deep and large bunkers. Key to playing this course is picking the right tee box for you to play from. If you have to hit approach shots with hybrids or long irons, you will struggle here. Very fair layout & fun to play. I only play it in the late fall when rates are affordable - pricey otherwise.

I booked tee time online, wanting to play a top rated public course in MN. But the pro shop guy insisted that my prepay did NOT include golf cart, which I thought it did. He was nice finally and comped the cart. I was paired with a newbie, but the round was fun anyway. Only problem was on the back nine when a fivesome was playing and held up play for a long time, 20+ minutes to play a hole several times. Otherwise a great course.

This course is right up there in quality to the TPC. The greens are quick and rolling. The layout is great, the bar and grill is top notch. Love this course!

Great course - very unique compared to others in area with a Links style. Greens roll quick and true. Good variation of holes - back plays more difficult than front. Overall a great course and would highly recommend it.

great track one of the best in metro,got the green fees up way to much,no specials on golf now for 2013 !.

Very nice course. Good condition, nice layout, good mix of holes. Staff is helpful, excellent replay rate for same day.

I found this course very challenging and well maintained. Took pictures of several holes. The undulating greens were in very good condition and rolled true. Bunkers come into play on every hole. Definitely one to play if you are in the area.

This is no doubt one my favorite courses in MN.

They work hard to keep the course in immaculate shape and the pace of play is always good. Good food and a nice bar to top it all off!