Ready to enjoy the perfect up north Minnesota golf weekend? We thought so.
Escape the cities and get ready for a relaxing weekend filled with great company, beautiful scenery, and of course, fantastic golf. To make sure you enjoy every moment of your golf getaway, we’ve put together your perfect Northern Minnesota golf weekend itinerary, so all you have to do is get here!
Friday: Arrive and settle in to your Northwoods lodging, The Cottage
Booking accommodations close to the course is key. You want to make it easy to get out for those early morning tee times and squeeze in as many rounds as possible during your weekend up north. The best lodging to maximize your golf weekend?
Welcome to The Cottage at Golden Eagle
The Cottage is built for golfers, offering the ultimate stay-and-play experience in the Brainerd Lakes Area. The Cottage is nestled right on the 15th fairway of one of the most scenic golf courses in the state: Golden Eagle.
Along with championship-style golf right outside your door, this deluxe cottage features four bedrooms, each with two queen-size beds, its own private bath, desk, dresser, and TV (two upper units have their own small refrigerator), kitchen, dining area, and living room with sofa sleeper and TV, screened porch, gas fireplace, outdoor fire pit, and a deck with picnic table overlooking 15th fairway.
Depending on the size of your party, you can reserve one, two, or four bedrooms with a capacity of up to 13 guests, making The Cottage an ideal choice for golf buddy trips, annual foursome getaways, bachelor or bachelorette weekends, and family golf retreats.
And when you book The Cottage at Golden Eagle, you're also eligible for stay and play packages that include discounted golf at Golden Eagle during your stay, which means you can enjoy more rounds during your weekend.
Golden Hour Round
Once you’re settled into The Cottage, it’s time to head out for your first round at Golden Eagle Golf Club. And honestly, there may not be a better way to kick off a Northern Minnesota golf weekend than with a sunset round.
As the temperatures cool off and golden hour hits, the course takes on an entirely different feel. Add in pristine summer course conditions, gorgeous Northwoods scenery, and long summer evenings, and it’s the perfect start to a weekend on the course.
Grab a Bite
After your round, head to The Clubhouse for dinner. We serve up tasty classics like our pulled pork sandwich, chicken sandwich, sloppy joes, pizza, and hot ham and cheese baskets all served seasoned kettle chips and pickles.
Or if you rather head out for your first night, grab a bite at nearby Andy’s or Zorbaz in Crosslake. With a great patio and bar, Andy’s offers up a relaxed atmosphere and a delicious menu, serving up everything from hearty burgers and steak to fresh walleye and shrimp.
Zorbaz sits right on the lake, providing a fantastic backdrop as you enjoy this Mexican-pizza joint. Their menu favorites include flavor bombs like Macho Nachoz or their BBQ Chicken pizza with fajita chicken, bacon, red onion, BBQ sauce, and extra cheese.
Before you tuck in for the evening, consider swinging by Reed’s Market in Crosslake to grab any groceries you might need for the weekend, including your favorite snacks and s’mores supplies. They’ll have all the basics and more you need to stock up your kitchen back at The Cottage.
*Pro Tip: Make Reed’s Market a stop on the way up in case you decide you’d like to eat in and stay put for your first night.
Relax and Unplug
After dinner, head back to The Cottage to relax and unwind. Our best advice? Get the outdoor fire pit going with your favorite beverage in hand and soak in the peaceful Northwoods surroundings.
Saturday: The Ultimate Golf Day
Saturday starts bright and early with your morning tee time. But before you hit the links, you'll want to get fueled up. Take advantage of The Cottage's full kitchen and whip up your own breakfast or head right over to Golden Eagle's Clubhouse. The kitchen opens early, serving up tasty breakfast sandwiches so you can get going on the greens as soon as possible.
One of the biggest advantages of a Stay & Play package at Golden Eagle is how easy it is to maximize your time on the course. With lodging located directly on property, you can spend less time driving and more time playing.
If you’re looking for a great sit-down breakfast spot, head over to Pine Peaks Restaurant in Crosslake, just a short 15 minute drive away, where they serve up all of your favorite breakfast classics, including fresh omelets, homemade hash browns, hand-pattied burgers, and their specialty, Joe’s Famous French toast.
Warm Up
If you like to loosen up before your round, Golden Eagle’s full driving range is the perfect place to dial in your swing, find your rhythm, and settle into the game before heading out onto the fairway.
To work on your short game before you tee off, head to our practice green or our greenside bunker where you can practice the chip-and-bunker combos you’ll see on holes 5 and 12.
Be sure to also swing by the Pro Shop to get the latest Up North golf fit and chat with the staff to learn the best course secrets before you tee off.
Tee Off
Once you’re warmed up and standing on the first tee, you’ll quickly understand why Golden Eagle has been voted as the #1 golf course in the Brainerd Lakes area by the Brainerd Dispatch’s Best of the Best, and recognized by Minnesota golfers in the Star Tribune’s Minnesota’s Best reader’s choice awards for five consecutive years.
Golden Eagle is truly one-of-a-kind. Sitting on 210 acres of a former private preserve, the 18-hole course was designed to work with the landscape, built to work within the stunning Northwoods forests, wetlands, and rolling elevation changes. Fairways wind through old-growth forests, and when you hit the elevated tees you’ll be greeted with sweeping views of Eagle Lake. Each hole has its own character because every hole had to answer to the land it was carved from.
You couldn’t ask for a better design.
Each hole also offers its own level of play. Hit from the back tees for championship-caliber play or play from the forward tees for a more fun and friendly game.
And be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife sightings. You may catch a glimpse of bald eagles, deer, foxes, and more.
Lunch Break
If you don’t want to interrupt your round, grabbing a cold one from the beverage cart between holes is a great option. For a quick bite at the turn, you can call ahead at The Clubhouse to place your order so it’s ready to go once you arrive, allowing you to quickly get back out on the course.
Choose from hot dogs, brats, pre-made sandwiches, chips and snacks. Or if you’re looking for something more filling after 18 holes, you can opt for our heartier meals. We also have eight different beers on tap along with seltzers, canned cocktails and more beer selections, wine, and spirits.
Afternoon Activities
After your round, you may be ready to go again and replay 9 or 18 holes. Many Stay & Play guests do exactly that, taking advantage of discounted golf and the convenience of staying right on property. Or, if you’re interested in trying out a different course, you don’t have to go far.
Just head into the clubhouse to try out Golden Eagle’s golf simulator lounge where you can play over 1,000 different courses. The simulator lounge is a great place to relax, enjoy a bite, and socialize before heading back out on the fairway.
Explore the Brainerd Lakes Area
The Brainerd Lakes area is truly beautiful and packed with countless activities and experiences whether you love to hike, boat, fish, dine out, or discover local shops. You won’t regret taking an hour or two in the afternoon to explore the Brainerd Lakes area.
For hikers, the nearby Rock Creek Trail and the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail are both great hiking spots that immerse you in nature and aren’t too strenuous.
For boating and fishing, the Whitefish Chain of Lakes that’s just a short drive from Golden Eagle offers world-class fishing with 14 interconnected lakes. If you need to rent a boat, check out Larry’s Lake Rentals or Crosslake Rental.
If you’re in the mood for a great meal, head to nearby Crosslake. Check out Moonlight Bay or The Wharf, both situated on the water and offering up great fare with Moonlight Bay’s menu serving more American-style and The Wharf dishing out great seafood selections.
For shopping, it doesn’t get better than Nisswa, about a half hour away from Golden Eagle. Their charming, historic downtown is packed with local shops you’re sure to love, including great gifts from Northern Gifts & Sweets, unique toys and souvenirs from Duck Duck Turtle Toys & Gifts, sweet treats from The Chocolate Ox, and Up North apparel from Lake Latitude.
If you stop in Nisswa, Fritz Loven Park is definitely worth a visit. This beautiful 80-acre park has a great picnic area, playground, and several great hiking trails set against tall Northwoods trees and even a babbling brook.
And after all this shopping and hiking, relax at downtown Nisswa’s Main Street Ale House and enjoy their extensive selection of craft beer, wine, and spirits along with their fresh menu, serving up dishes like walleye, wild rice burgers, and shrimp tacos.
Relax at The Cottage
After a long day on the links and exploring the area, you’re probably ready to relax and recharge so you can get in one more round the next morning before heading home.
With the peaceful, quiet surroundings at The Cottage at Golden Eagle, enjoy a drink with friends on the deck, watch the sun set and the stars come out. Fire up the outdoor fire pit one last time with some s’mores, and then head to bed so you’re ready for your morning tee time.
Sunday: One More Round
Step out The Cottage's door, grab a cup of coffee, and head right back onto the course for one last round before the drive back to the cities.
Now that you’re more familiar with Golden Eagle’s course, Sunday’s round is the perfect opportunity to hone your skills and improve on Saturday’s score.
After your final round, settle into the clubhouse for one last meal before packing up and heading home. It’s the perfect time to relive the weekend’s best shots, favorite holes, and moments spent on the course together.
And after a few days of beautiful summer temperatures, pristine fairways, and laid-back Northwoods vibes, chances are you’ll already be planning your next Northern Minnesota golf getaway before you even pull out of the parking lot.
Ready to Plan Your Own Northern Minnesota Golf Weekend?
Book The Cottage at Golden Eagle and take advantage of our Stay & Play packages, combining discounted golf, on-course lodging, and easy access to the best of the Brainerd Lakes Area.
Whether you’re planning a golf trip with friends, a family getaway, or an annual foursome tradition, Golden Eagle offers everything you need for an unforgettable Up North weekend.
