Superior National at Lutsen - Canyon Nine

Superior National Golf Course is nestled between the ski slopes of the Lutsen Mountains and the shore of Lake Superior, providing spectacular views of mountains or lake on almost every hole. The course was renovated three years ago and the former three nines that played interchangeably were reconfigured into the “Premier 18” hole track (the River and Canyon nines), and the old Mountain 9 used for nine hole play or for FootGolf. This review covers the Premier 18. The course features expansively wide fairways and dramatic elevation changes on many holes. Rough is not very high, so losing a ball that wanders a little off the short grass is unlikely, but balls that go farther astray will almost surely be lost in the deep woods that lie beyond. There are five sets of tees ranging from 6,763 yards to 4,238 yards. Based on our average drive and the scorecard recommendation, we played the middle (Blue) tees at 5,857 yards (68.9 rating, 127 slope) and found this to be a wise choice, providing some moderately easy holes and a few real challenges. Greens were large and undulating, with some breaks that were very difficult to read. However, one major disappointment was the speed of these greens- definitely on the slow side. Every member of our foursome left many putts short and many chips from off the green failed to get anywhere close to the hole. We speculated that winter kill may have led the greenskeepers to leave them longer than usual in order to help them heal. Nevertheless, our overall experience of the course was very positive, and the views were amazing. The course starts with an easy par 4 that gives no hint of what is to come. The fun begins on the second hole, a 135 yard par 3 that is all carry over a whitewater canyon of the Poplar River. A 135 yard shot is usually no big deal, but the canyon and the whitewater can definitely get in your head, and two of our group failed to make it across and onto the green. From there the course provides right and left dogleg holes, more forced carries over canyons and many elevation changes. Well-placed fairway bunkers caught many otherwise good drives, and the many greenside bunkers ruined a few approach shots. The par 4 eleventh hole is 399 yards from the blue tees, with a canyon running across the fairway about 300 yards out. From there it’s almost all carry to the green, so following your drive you must assess your ability to carry the hazard or choose to lay up. Only one of our group managed to par this hole. Probably the most spectacular hole on the course is the short (110 yards from the blue tees) par 3 fifteenth. From a severely elevated tee you must choose the right club to carry the river canyon. If you’re long, you’ll find yourself chipping back from a slope that serves as a backstop past the green that is wide, but not very deep. Once again, one member of our group lost a ball in the river. And there was no drop zone.

As stated earlier, the only shortcoming of this course was the speed of the greens. The variety of holes and the challenges presented by the many different looks of the fairways and greens made the experience very enjoyable. Every member of our group took at least a few pictures of the views. I will definitely plan to come back.

Superior National is a beautiful course with a great location and views. However the customer service leaves a bit to be desired. I have played there 2 times this summer and each time the lack of customer service was disappointing. The first time it had rained and no one bothered to offer a towel to wipe off the golf cart even though the party ahead of us got huge towels to wipe off the cart seat. I guess since I was not a regular I didn't get the same service. I asked for a towel and was given a bar towel. Not exactly adequate.

The second experience wasn't much better. Made a tee time, checked in (all by the same person) and headed out to the first tee. I was told by the starter I was playing with another party. However no one told me that when I made the tee time or when I checked in. The party i was paired with had specifically asked to play alone when he made a tee time a week in advance. No one told him either he would be playing with another party. It was very busy and I understand being paired is sometimes necessary but common courtesy is to let golfers know they are being paired. Neither of us would have had an issue had we just been notified before heading out.

If Superior National wants to become a destination golf course they definitely need to improve on their customer service!

Superior National at Lutsen has finished an 18-hole renovation of the River and Canyon courses. It is scheduled for a grand re-opening spring of 2018. This 4.6 million dollar renovation improved the courses tremendously! There are now five sets of tees, expanded fairways, improved irrigation, new green complexes and "Ohio's Best" white sand bunkers. We hope with time and funding we can make the needed improvements on the Mountain 9-holes.

I appreciate all comments and we are doing everything within our means to provide you with a great golfing experience. I rate us an overall 4 today, we will always strive to be better!

Heath Ekstrom

PGA Head Professional

Before I drove almost four hours to get there, I called the Pro Shop to ask about course conditions. After letting him know that I would be driving cross country I was told that the course was in "outstanding shape". It is not. Actually, its in deplorable condition. The fairways look like a tractor pulling contest was held on them, very deep ruts all over, huge areas of dead and dying turf, uncut rough and traps that are filled with rock hard black dirt. The course has three nines and only one

( RIVER ) is playable. I was charged $68 plus tax for nine playable holes. No wonder there were very few golfers even though the weather was ideal. Save your money and your time. If you want t look at the lake you can do so from the dozens of free rest areas.

I've been making the 4.5 Hour trip from Minneapolis yearly to play this course; the scenery is really tough to beat.

However, I really can't stay silent any longer about the terribly rude staff that works at this course. I don't know if it's stemming from an iron-range dislike for "city folk" or if it's reverse age discrimination, but it get's worse every year.

These managers need to wakeup and realize that a course like this can't sustain itself by locals only, it depends on tourism golf- just be kind to everyone that comes up to spend $75 in greens fees for "so-so" conditions, along with the $40 spent on lunch and beer, not to mention the support to the local economy.

Love the course. One my favorites. Goldstrand did a fabulous Job on the newest layout. Very picturesque.

The staff at the course did not monitor pace of play and this is killing the game of golf ion my view. Nor did they make us aware that this course was under construction before we drove 150 miles so we could determine whether we even wanted to make the trip which we would not have if this information was provided. Would not make the drive again based on these facts.

Beautiful scenery with views of Lake Superior.
Excellent price on Golfnow

Beautiful scenery. It's good they are redoing the course because it's in bad shape. Greens very slow. Personnel were helpful.

Very nice setting as advertised. Lots of construction going on River nine is closed Canyon 9 not to be missed.
Nice, helpful staff.

Great course. The RIVER course is a must if you are golfing this course, you will not forget the views from this 9. The mountain 9 is nice also but more like a average golf course. Putting was difficult as the lake "pulls" the ball toward it, so you will have to be aware of where the lake is when you are on the green.

Great views and scenery but fog on lake diminished it a lot on our day. Fairways were in fair condition, greens excellent. Not overly tight driving but with rough baked out and mostly running away to woods or water for drainage I suppose, any moderate miss was gone. Putting was a bit of a mystery due to lake effect. Only real negative I had was when going into woods there were to many times the drop offered no shot to green. In effect a double penalty. I recommend the mountain/ canyon, skip the river. Mundane after the other two nines.

we played this morning on a disc. our overall experience was amazing. the course was in pristine shape with the exception of the couple of greens that appeared to have suffered winterkill. I was surprised at the time of play because of the beauty, the lake views, water falls & the rivers where amazing, will definitely play again with another discount.

I used GolfNow to purchase my first round at Superior National at a discount. I enjoyed the course, but I would not walk into the ProShop and pay the normal rates. This is simply my snapshot summary. I expected the course to be pristine. I don't know why, I just did. There were plenty of rough patches around the course that were either bad grass or patchy grass. I can't say enough about the scenery. There were countless views of Lake Superior and the River and Canyon lived up to their names. I became frustrated not too far into the round because the course is so short. I knew this when I purchased my tee time, but it was shorter in person. I just wished there was another tee box or two to extend the course. I found a few locations that gave yardages to points of trouble on the course, but for the most part I had a hard time figuring out where to play shots and ended up hitting through fairways. So, if you have some kind of GPS I'm sure you'll do better than I did. I know I could tee off with other clubs, which would also make the course feel longer, but I didn't drive up there to hit 4 irons all day. I'll know better lines next time...because there will be a next time. I want another shot at this course. If you play here you'll enjoy the golf, but make sure you take time to look around and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you as well.

We where unfortunate to experiance playing through fog all 18 holes. We could not see any shot 50 yards our more on all 18 holes. Apparently this golf coarse offers outstanding views of Lutsens majestic scenery. Unfortunatley we where unnable to see antything.

This course is a favorite of mine. It is an expensive course that I probably would not play very often at its standard rates. I appreciate the hot deals rate that was offered.