Gunflindt Hills Golf Course - Grand Marais, MN
Lake Superior Circle Tour Golfing Guide
Gunflindt Hills Golf Course Review
Located 4 miles North of Grand Marais along the Gunflindt Trail, Gunflindt Hills is a scenic nine hole course set among the woods and wilderness in the hills far above Lake Superior.
My wife Jo and I played the course in early July of 2021 mostly using the shorter tees which run 2575 yards. From the longest tees it tracks at 3030 yards and carries a slope rating of 133 and a course rating of 71.
Gunflindt Hills Golf Course Description
The wooded course has a goodly amount of elevation change and a nice variety in the layout of the holes - each one has a unique personality. In most cases it is a short distance from the green to the next set of tee boxes. Although hilly, we found it a very walkable golf course.
Thick woods line many of the fairways and some of the fairways tend to be narrow. The greens tend to be small and some are tucked in close to and surrounded by woods. These factors and some water hazards are likely what accounts for the high slope rating on a course only 3000 yards long. Ponds and marshes add to the overall attractiveness (and to the course difficulty!).
The nine hole course also has a driving range and a tiny practice green.
Gunflindt Hills Pro Shop and Club House
The Pro Shop/Club House is on the modest side. There is a modest selection of golf balls and golfing accessories. Club and cart rentals are available. There's a snack bar and some microwave food stuffs available, but no grill. Beer and pop in the cooler. A modest indoor lounge area and a decent size outdoor patio overlooking the course. Looks like a reasonably pleasant ambience for a barley pop after your round. However, we didn't sample it, preferring to drive back into Grand Marais for some tap beer, a decent menu, and breezes off Lake Superior.
This is the third time I've played this course and on each occasion I found the maintenance below average - which is surprising considering the town of Grand Marais owns and operates the course. It has some attractive and interesting holes and some golfing challenges that more proficient golfers will value. But the lower handicap golfer will be "turned off" by the poor condition of the fairways and greens. And the modest handicap golfer who might be more accommodating to poorer course maintenance will be "turned off" by losing golf balls due to the tiny greens tucked into the woods and the narrow wood-lined fairways. The green fees are on the high side for the state of the condition of the course. For these reasons I rate Gunflindt Hills as a below average golfing value.
What to Like About Gunflindt Hills Golf Course
- Variety of hole layouts
- An easy to navigate and walkable course
- Was not busy
- Offered some challenge for more proficient golfers - water hazards, bunkers, small greens, some narrow woods lined fairways. All fair challenges.
- Affordable green fees
- Friendly Club House Staff
What We didn't Like About Gunflindt Hills Golf Course
- Fairways were spotty, some bald spots
- Some greens had scabs on them
- The tee boxes too dry, not watered.
- Inadequate graphics showing layout of the holes. There were none by the tee boxes, and those on score card lacked definition of hazards.
- The entrance drive and parking lot aren't paved, very dusty gravel. Plan on washing your car after your visit!
- Cart Paths not paved - also dusty gravel
- While Green Fees affordable, they are high for the below average maintenance condition of the course
See more course information & our detailed course rating
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Golf Course Review Rating Card |
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Gunflindt Hills, Grand Marais, MN |
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