You’re driving down Highway 61, south of the Twin Cities, and the landscape starts to shift from suburban sprawl into that classic, rolling Minnesota farmland. Just outside of Cannon Falls, there’s this spot that most locals know but travelers often overlook. It’s called Gopher Hills. If you’ve spent any time golfing in the Midwest, you know the drill: usually, it’s either a flat parkland course with a few oaks or a punishingly tight woods-fest.
Gopher Hills Golf MN doesn't really fit into those boxes. Honestly, it’s a bit of a weirdo in the best possible way.
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Designed by Dr. Gordon Emerson, the layout is actually twenty-seven holes, but it’s the split personalities of the nines that really get people talking. You have the Heath, the Glen, and the Willow. Most people show up expecting a standard 18-hole round, but they end up realizing that depending on which two nines they pair together, they are playing a completely different game of golf. It’s hilly. It’s windy. Sometimes, it’s downright frustrating if you can't keep your ball on a shelf.
The Links Style vs. The Trees
Let's talk about the Heath nine. If you’re a fan of that wide-open, Scottish-inspired vibe, this is your jam. It’s got that "big sky" feel where you think you can just grip it and rip it. But there’s a catch. The wind out in Cannon Falls can be brutal. Because the Heath is so exposed, a three-club wind is a very real thing here. You’ll see fescue swaying in the breeze, waiting to swallow a ball that’s just five yards off the fairway. It’s deceptive. You think you have all the room in the world until you realize the undulations in the fairways are specifically designed to kick your "perfect" drive into a grassy abyss.
Then you have the Glen.
Total 180.
The Glen nine is where the elevation changes really start to mess with your head. It’s tucked into the trees and follows the natural carve of the land much more tightly. You’ll find yourself standing on tees where the drop to the green is so significant you start second-guessing your yardage. Do I hit a wedge? A 9-iron? If you’re playing Gopher Hills Golf MN for the first time, the Glen is usually where the scorecard takes a beating. It’s gorgeous, sure, but it requires a level of precision that the Heath doesn’t demand.
What People Get Wrong About the Difficulty
A lot of golfers check the slope and rating and think they’re going to tear the place apart. On paper, it looks manageable. In reality? The greens are the equalizer.
The greens at Gopher Hills are notorious for being fast and, more importantly, tiered. If you end up on the wrong level of a Heath green, you’re looking at a guaranteed three-putt unless you possess the touch of a surgeon. I’ve seen grown men nearly toss their putters into the tall grass after a ball catches a ridge and rolls forty feet away. It’s not "unfair" exactly, but it’s punishing if you’re aggressive at the wrong times. You have to play smart. You have to realize that center-of-the-green is almost always the right play here, regardless of where the pin is tucked.
The Willow Nine: The Hidden Gem
Most people ignore the Willow nine because it’s the shorter, "executive" style layout. That’s a mistake.
While the Heath and Glen are the championship draws, the Willow is arguably the most fun you can have in an hour and a half. It’s a par-32. It’s tighter. It’s more technical. If you’re a high handicapper or just someone looking to work on your iron play without the stress of a 600-yard par 5, the Willow is basically a playground. It’s also where a lot of the local junior programs run, which gives the whole facility a very "community" feel rather than a stuffy country club vibe.
The "McArthur" Factor and the Clubhouse Vibe
One thing that makes Gopher Hills Golf MN stand out isn't just the grass. It’s the atmosphere. It’s owned by the McArthur family, and you can tell. There’s a lack of pretension here that’s refreshing. You’ll see guys in hoodies playing alongside people in full Sunday-best golf attire.
The clubhouse—specifically McArthur’s Bar & Grill—is actually a destination in its own right. People from Cannon Falls and Red Wing drive there just for the burgers even if they aren't golfing. It’s got that heavy timber, lodge-like feel. Sitting on the deck with a beer looking out over the 9th and 18th greens while the sun sets? That’s peak Minnesota summer.
Dealing with the "Gopher" Logic
Yes, the name is Gopher Hills. No, it’s not a reference to Caddyshack, though everyone makes the joke. The terrain is genuinely riddled with elevation shifts that feel like mounds. Because the soil in this part of the state can be a bit sandy in spots, the drainage is actually way better than the swampier courses closer to the Cities. If we get a massive rainstorm on a Tuesday, Gopher Hills is usually playable by Wednesday morning while other spots are still cart-path only.
Why the Location Matters
Being situated where it is—roughly 30 to 40 minutes from St. Paul—puts it in a weird geographic sweet spot. It’s far enough away that the tee sheet doesn't always feel like a crowded subway station, but close enough for a Saturday morning round.
Nearby, you’ve got the Cannon River and the bike trails. A lot of groups make a whole day of it: golf in the morning, then head into Cannon Falls for a stop at the winery or the local brewery. It’s a different pace of life.
Practical Advice for Your Round
If you’re actually going to head down there, keep a few things in mind. First, check which nines are open for your 18. If you can, try to get the Heath/Glen combo for the full "clash of styles" experience.
Second, bring extra balls. Seriously. Between the fescue on the Heath and the drop-offs on the Glen, you’re going to lose a couple. Even the pros would.
Third, don't ignore the wind. If the flags are whipping, subtract or add at least 15 yards to every approach shot. The elevation changes amplify the wind's effect. A ball caught in a crosswind on one of the higher tees will end up in a different zip code.
The Bottom Line on Gopher Hills
It’s not a "bucket list" course in the sense of a multi-hundred-dollar resort, but it is a "staple" course. It represents what Minnesota golf is actually about: varied terrain, slightly punishing conditions, and a really good burger at the end of the day. It’s a place that rewards local knowledge. The more you play it, the more you realize that the "safe" shot is almost always better than the "hero" shot.
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- Book your tee time at least a week out if you’re looking for a weekend morning; the secret is out and the locals fill it up fast.
- Check the weather for Cannon Falls, not just the Twin Cities. The river valley creates its own microclimate.
- Focus on your short game. Spend 20 minutes on the practice green before you tee off. You’ll need to get the speed of those tiers down before you hit the first hole.
- Try the Willow nine if you’re short on time or just want a low-stress afternoon with a kid or a beginner. It’s one of the best value-per-minute experiences in the region.
Pack a light windbreaker, grab a yardage book, and don't get too mad when a 10-foot putt turns into a 30-foot comeback. That’s just the character of the hills.