As the high handicap in the group, I can say, I understand why people appreciate it, but I didn’t enjoy it. Didn’t help that I’ve developed the driver yips, but had I been hitting the ball my best it still would have been a difficult course. Forced carry after forced carry just isn’t fun, or quite honestly, original.
Can’t knock the conditioning, it was in amazing shape. At that price though, I think the one time I’ve played it will be enough.
The Stay-and-Play is highly incentivized at all of the Brainerd resorts
It was also a little foreboding as @ajtwenty1 and I stood around talking to the starter, and he was telling us how hard the course would be for us wasn’t a great sign. I guess I appreciate the honesty, and him sizing me up pretty quickly and knowing I was about to get my ass kicked.
Most people confuse good conditions with good architecture.
How are the Grandview courses - Pines and Preserve? I have a family trip up there this summer and wondering how to allocate rounds to the various courses in the area.
Brace yourself, strong opinions coming
Preserve is better than the Pines, but is also offsite.
That said, I wouldn’t say I was overly impressed by the Preserve when I finally played it for the first time last year.
@munihack7 can you imagine being part owner of a Doak course?
Played them 3 years ago and do not remember a single hole. Not sure what that says.
I will actually be heading up there this week so will report back if I remember a hole this time.
No, sadly I cannot 
When are you up there? I’ve played them both the last two summers and would echo TJ’s sentiment. Pines is fine, Preserve is always in better shape but neither are particularly memorable. Pines also has 3 nines and I believe “Woods to Marsh” is the best experience there. I remember hating the Lakes for some reason.
Edit: Maybe it’s the Woods I hated. Who can say.
I am up there late August. We did the Craguns courses last year, which were fine. I have not played the Classic and its been years since I went to Deacons, which was before I really got into golf. Just wondering if it was worth getting off property or if I should just stick with staying at the resort.
I’d go for Deacons over the Preserve if going off property.
Including me, for most of my life.
Just got off The Preserve this morning. Good conditions but the greens were a swift kick in the nuts. I play off a vanity 7, my buddy a vanity 11 and my other buddy a vanity 22 and all of us shot way above an average round. The greens were dialed up for speed and we were exhausted at the end. Being hungover didn’t help but isn’t usually that big a swing for me, have had lots of practice. Some good holes out there but it was a grind. Legacy at Craguns yesterday was much more forgiving.
Interesting on the green speeds.
When I was there last year they were incredibly slow for the way they looked, as they had that glassy fast AF sheen to them but then nothing would roll out.
This is how they were for me last year as well. They were firm as hell but not very fast, which is always a strange combo
Has anyone played Craguns since they started working on the courses?
Heading up to Nisswa in a few weeks for our annual summer cabin rental and was thinking about playing there but just heard they were renovating. Sounds like they still have 27 holes open, just not sure what the conditions are.
Other thoughts were The Preserve or possibly The Classic as I’ve never played it, just never been super excited about paying so much to quite possibly get my teeth kicked in; but one of these years I’ll have to bite the bullet.
Played course 1 and 2 yesterday, great condities. Construction doesn’t affect your play on the current 27. Shouldn’t be a problem.
First time looping yesterday and got my career started HOT by leading my guy to a comfy Triple (he bladed it, I SWEAR I gave him a good number). Followed up with Birdie Birdie and finished with a steady even par for the day.
Also my first time at Chaska Town Course and I was really impressed. Cool mix of holes, some really fun risk/reward short par 4’s, greens were fantastic and had some neat movement. Hopefully can get out and play sometime this summer
