Breezy Point Resort

These days, if you're looking to travel for a new golf experience, you have no shortage of options. There are new golf resorts and destinations popping up all over the country. This year, I chose Deacon's Lodge at Breezy Point Resort as the venue to introduce me to Minnesota golf after hearing so much about the course over the years. Even with all the hype, the course exceeded my expectations.

The two words that kept coming to mind during my experience today were quality and consistency. From the opening tee box to the last green, the course showcases an excellent Arnold Palmer design. Every patch of grass on the course is lush and trimmed. The strategically-placed bunkers are well manicured. Greens are perfectly-sloped with their speed, and roll predictably and fairly. Despite hitting my ball all over the place today, I never found myself in play with an unkempt lie.

Deacon's Lodge beautifully threads a difficult balance of exclusivity and inclusivity. The positioning of the holes far apart and the attention to detail in the course conditions add to a feeling of exclusivity, while the restraint of not growing the fescue high in certain areas for aesthetics lends a more inclusive feel for recreational golfers. The view from each tee box offers an inviting look at the hole ahead with only a few blind tee shots. But even those are simple enough to perceive and you are rarely punished for hitting your ball towards the center of the fairway.

Outside of the course itself, the consistent quality continues with self-parking electric carts that are thankfully void of any annoying GPS nanny (they are equipped with ball/club washers). The practice facilities are top-notch—a dozen pyramids of fresh practice balls greeted me at the driving range before my round. Speaking of greetings, every member of the staff from the cart attendant to the starter/course ranger to the waitress in the restaurant was welcoming, attentive, and professional. Even though it was a busy Saturday, they made me feel that my visit was appreciated. That’s not a gimme in the current golf boom, where poor service has become far more common.

As someone who weighs the value of a round of golf more than most, I found $160 greens fee to be a better-than-average value for the experience today. I have played comparable courses in nearby states costing twice as much. With additional courses, amenities, and comfortable lodging here at Breezy Point, Deacon's Lodge is well worthy a trip to enjoy. In my eyes, it is the gold standard for a public golf experience in the Gopher State.

First Time at Whitebirch. Nice course. Two drawbacks: one, no yardage markers. Two: no water in the cart ball cleaner. What little there, was muddy. Small things count. But the course was nice. We teed off at 11:30am and there were few on the course (Tuesday). Love that. Discount put it at a better price than other local courses.

Course is dry. Grass is dying. Greens are very short and fast.

The course is very challenging!

Beautiful day on the course. They staff was friendly and helpful from the golf shop, the cart staff, the player assistant (Dave Nelson) was a great cheer leader! We also had a nice dinner after completing play.

We’ll be back.

Challenging course by Breezy Point, but I prefer the Pines and other courses nearby. Marshall came around a few times saying he’d speed things up, but play only got slower. 5 1/2 hours for 18 holes is not fun. No water or ice on the course . Had to bother the bartender to get both. Over priced for the area.

Great course and in great shape. Everyone was welcoming and willing to help. Play went fast on a Saturday. Great food at the lodge as well. Look forward to playing again. Greens get fast in the PM with some tough hole locations, but if you want easy...

The course over all was average but the green's made a challenge

COVID-19 rules at this course required replacing divots. This didn’t work, and course should be sanding divots as fairway were really beat up in common landing areas.

Have been golfing here for 20 years, and have seen continuous decline of the course since Breezy Point took over. Driving range in horrible shape, balls stacked on tin tray. No yardage book, towel, tees on cart. Not worth $120 during prime time or $90 in Fall. Management is clearly no longer interested in keeping this course as a prime destination in this area.

I went into this round not knowing what to expect based on the reviews I read. I was really impressed with the course and the friendliness of staff. The back nine was especially scenic. My phone is full of pictures! It wasn’t terribly busy so that helped with pace of play. Lots of opportunities to lose balls so make sure you have enough. We ate at the Antlers restaurant afterwards and that was equally good. Highly recommend this course.