The Pines

The Pines, as the name suggests, plays through the kind of mature conifer canopy that defines this corner of Minnesota. Resort golf in this region tends to reward the experience as much as the scorecard — tree-lined corridors, clean air, and the quiet that comes with playing well north of the Twin Cities. A par 72 layout gives the course room to mix longer, more demanding holes with shorter ones that keep the round accessible and enjoyable.

As a resort course, The Pines is built around hospitality and repeat visits. Players here are typically on vacation, which shapes the atmosphere — unhurried, social, and oriented toward enjoyment as much as competition. That said, the Brainerd Lakes area has a discerning golf audience, and courses in this market generally maintain strong conditioning standards to keep up with regional expectations.