Brainerd MN Golf Trail

Two hours north of Minneapolis/St. Paul

www.brainerdgolftrail.com, 800-450-2838 x426

T&L Golf

(This trip also made Golf Magazine's Travelin' Joe's Top 5 Golf Trips)

Brainerd Golf Trail MINNESOTA

T&L Golf

THE COURSES More than 300 holes at 18 sites in the lake-dotted woods two hours north of the Twin Cities—and all within 45 minutes of each other. An eclectic collection ranging from championship caliber tracks to novice-friendly nine-holers. Must-plays: The Classic at Madden's, a shades-of-Augusta parkland spread; Deacon's Lodge, a rolling Arnold Palmer design; the well-groomed Pines and Preserve courses at Grand View Lodge; and RTJ Jr.'s Dutch Legacy course at Cragun's, recently rated best in Minnesota.

LODGING The cabins at Deacon's Lodge are top-end on-course living. Also available are family-friendly lakeside resorts and modern hotels.

SAMPLE TRIP Four nights (at the Deacon's Lodge cabins) and four rounds (The Classic, Deacon's, The Pines or The Preserve and the Dutch Legacy), breakfast included: $859 total

BOTTOM LINE Amount of courses makes it ideal for an extended trip. Bring bug spray in summer or go when it's less crowded in spring or fall.