Minnesota's Iron Range is thawing out, and Giants Ridge is ready. The Quarry opens May 1, with The Legend following eight days later on May 9. Tee times are open on both courses now at 218-865-8030.
Giants Ridge sits about three hours from the Twin Cities and has quietly built a case as the best golf destination in Minnesota. Both courses were designed by Jeffrey Brauer, but they play nothing alike.
The Quarry is the headliner. Built on a former sand quarry and iron ore mine, the course uses dramatically elevated tees and hazards carved from reclaimed mine land to create something you won't find anywhere else in the state. The views of the Iron Range alone are worth the drive. Golfweek's 2026 rankings put The Quarry at No. 35 among the top 200 resort courses in the country, which is serious company.
The Legend opened in 1997 and gets credit for putting Iron Range golf on the map in the first place. The layout winds through towering pines inside the Superior National Forest and along the shore of Sabin Lake. Golfweek ranked it among the top 125 resort courses in the U.S. as well.
Starting May 29 through August 23, Giants Ridge brings back its 36-Hole Golf Special: both courses, cart, range balls, and lunch between rounds for $210 on weekdays and $230 on weekends. That is a reasonable price of admission for a day you will talk about for a while.
When you are not on the course, the Iron Range delivers. Crystal-clear lakes, rivers, hiking and biking trails, and chairlift rides with views that make the whole trip feel bigger than just golf. On-site dining includes Burnt Onion Kitchen and Brews, Bunkers at The Legend, and the Wacootah Grill.
For tee times and lodging, visit giantsridge.com or call 218-865-8000.
