Francis A. Gross Golf Club

Few municipal courses in the Twin Cities carry as much history as Francis A. Gross. Operated by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, the course occupies land along the Mississippi River corridor in northeast Minneapolis, where the terrain rolls naturally and mature trees frame nearly every hole. It's a public facility in the truest sense — busy, democratic, and deeply woven into the fabric of the city's golf culture.

The layout plays to a par 71, which gives it a slightly asymmetrical feel compared to a conventional 18-hole design, and the routing takes advantage of the natural contours of the land rather than imposing anything artificial on it. Gross is the kind of place where Minneapolis residents have learned the game for generations, and the worn-in quality of a well-loved municipal course is very much part of its charm.

Named for a former Minneapolis park commissioner, the course reflects the city's long commitment to accessible outdoor recreation. If you want to understand everyday golf in Minneapolis, this is a good place to start.