You’re driving south on Highway 52, leaving the Twin Cities' noise behind, and the landscape starts to roll. It gets interesting. Most people are just blasting through on their way to Rochester, but if you take that exit into Cannon Falls, you’re hitting one of the more underrated golf pockets in Minnesota. Honestly, Cannon Golf Club is a bit of a local secret that shouldn't be a secret anymore. It’s not one of those sterile, over-manicured country clubs where everyone’s wearing $200 polos and whispering. It’s a classic, walkable, and surprisingly tricky par 71 that sits right along the Little Cannon River.
It's been around since the late 1920s. Think about that. While many modern courses are carved out of housing developments with bulldozers and massive budgets, this place grew into the land.
The first thing you’ll notice isn’t the clubhouse or the carts. It’s the oaks. Huge, towering bur oaks that have been standing since before your grandfather picked up a hickory stick. These trees don't just provide shade; they dictate how you play. If you can’t keep your ball straight, these trees will eat your scorecard alive. You’ve been warned.
Why the Layout at Cannon Golf Club Works
Most golfers expect a standard "out and back" feel, but Cannon Golf Club has this weirdly satisfying flow. It’s basically two different personalities stitched together.
The front nine is where you try to make your money. It’s a bit more open, giving you room to breathe, but don't get cocky. The greens are small. When people talk about "old school" golf, they’re talking about these types of putting surfaces. They aren't the massive, undulating tiered monstrosities you see on TV. They are subtle. A slight tilt toward the river can turn a "guaranteed" birdie into a frustrating three-putt.
Then you hit the back nine. This is where the Little Cannon River starts to get loud.
Water comes into play on several holes, most notably the stretch from 11 through 15. The 12th hole is a par 3 that looks simple on the card—it’s short—but when the wind kicks up off the valley floor, that narrow window to the green feels like trying to thread a needle while riding a rollercoaster. The river isn't just a hazard; it's a mental block. You see it, you hear it, and suddenly you're gripping the club way too tight.
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The "Little Cannon" Factor
The river is the heart of the property. Because the course is situated in the valley, the drainage is generally excellent, but the proximity to the water means the turf stays lush even in a dry Minnesota July.
I’ve seen guys try to "hero" their way over the bends in the river. It rarely ends well. The smart play here is almost always a mid-iron to a specific landing area. Cannon Golf Club rewards the thinker, not the bomber. If you show up trying to drive every par 4, you’ll be buying a new box of balls at the turn.
The Vibe: No Pretense, Just Golf
Let's talk about the culture. Minnesota is full of "prestige" courses that charge $150 for a round and make you feel like you're an intruder. Cannon Golf Club is the polar opposite.
It’s a community hub. You’ll see farmers who just finished a shift, local business owners, and city dwellers who made the 45-minute trek because they know the value is unbeatable. The clubhouse is functional. It’s got what you need: cold beer, a good burger, and a porch that overlooks the 18th green.
- The rates are actually reasonable.
- The pace of play is usually better than the 5-hour slogs you find in the metro.
- The staff actually seems happy to be there.
There’s a certain grit to the place. It’s well-maintained, but it’s not "soft." The rough is thick. The bunkers aren't filled with that white powdery sand you see at Augusta—it’s real sand that requires a real explosion shot. It’s honest golf.
Technical Specs and Course Conditions
For the gearheads and stat junkies: the course plays about 6,200 yards from the back tees. That sounds short by modern standards. You might think, "I'll just overpower this."
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You won't.
With a slope rating of around 128 and a course rating of 70.4, it plays tougher than the yardage suggests. The tightness of the fairways on the back nine effectively "stretches" the course. A 380-yard par 4 feels like 450 when you’re hitting out of a chute of timber.
The superintendent and the crew at Cannon Golf Club deserve a shoutout for how they handle the Minnesota seasons. Coming out of a rough winter, this course usually bounces back faster than the courses on the heavy clay soils further north. The valley floor has a sandy loam base in spots that helps with that early-season playability.
The Dreaded 14th Hole
If you ask the regulars, they’ll all point to the 14th. It’s a par 4 that requires a precise tee shot to avoid being blocked out by trees on the right, but anything too far left is wet or in the thick stuff. The approach shot is usually into a green that feels like it’s being guarded by the river itself.
Getting a par here feels like a birdie. If you walk off 14 with a four on the card, go ahead and treat yourself to an extra bratwurst at the snack shack. You earned it.
Planning Your Trip to Cannon Falls
Don't just drive down, play, and leave. Cannon Falls is a legit destination.
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- The Cannon River Winery: It’s right downtown. Perfect for a post-round stop if your spouse or friends aren't into the "sitting in the golf lounge" vibe.
- The Wheel Trail: If you have non-golfers in the group, they can hit the bike trail while you play. It runs right near the course.
- Dining: The local spots are solid. Hi Quality Bakery is mandatory. Grab a "long john" donut before your morning tee time. Seriously.
The course is located at 8606 295th St E, Cannon Falls, MN 55009. It’s easy to find, but GPS sometimes tries to take you through some back gravel roads if you’re coming from the east—stay on the main blacktop as long as you can.
Common Misconceptions About Cannon Golf Club
People hear "small town course" and assume it's a goat track. That’s a mistake. The greens here are often faster and truer than the high-end daily fee courses in the suburbs.
Another myth is that it’s "easy" because it’s short. Tell that to the guy who loses three balls in the river before he hits the 16th tee. The defense of the course is its precision requirements. You have to shape shots. You have to know which side of the fairway gives you the angle. It’s a "second shot" golf course.
Actionable Steps for Your Round
To actually enjoy your time and not leave frustrated, follow these three rules:
Leave the driver in the bag on the tight holes. Honestly. A 220-yard hybrid in the short grass is infinitely better than a 290-yard drive in the Little Cannon River.
Watch the grain on the greens. Even though they aren't mountain greens, the proximity to the river valley influences the break more than you think. Everything wants to bleed toward the low point of the valley.
Book in advance. Especially on weekends. Since the word has gotten out that this is one of the best values in the state, the tee sheet fills up fast. They use standard online booking engines, so it's easy to snag a spot.
Cannon Golf Club is a reminder of what golf used to be before it got obsessed with "signature" holes and celebrity designers. It’s a walk in the woods with a stick and a ball. It’s challenging, it’s beautiful in that rugged, Midwestern way, and it’s a hell of a lot of fun. Pack your bag, check your ego at the gate, and enjoy the valley.