You’re driving down St. Anthony Parkway, maybe heading toward Northeast Minneapolis for a beer, and you see it. A massive stretch of green that looks way too nice for a municipal course. That’s Gross National Golf Club. Most people just call it "Gross." No, it’s not a comment on the conditions—which are actually surprisingly solid—it’s named after Francis A. Gross, a former Minneapolis Park Board president who basically lived and breathed the city's park system.
It’s an old-school track. We’re talking 1925 vintage.
If you grew up playing golf in the Twin Cities, you know this place has a specific vibe. It’s not the country club glitz of Interlachen or the pristine, quiet suburban feel of some newer courses in the suburbs. It’s gritty. It’s hilly. It’s loud because of the nearby traffic, but that’s part of the charm. It’s one of the few places where you can show up in a t-shirt, shoot a 95, and feel like you actually belong there.
The Layout That Most People Get Wrong
People think "muni" and think "flat and boring." They’re wrong. Gross National Golf Club is built on some of the most undulating terrain in the city. If you’re walking this course, prepare for a workout. Your calves will be screaming by the time you hit the turn.
The front nine and back nine feel like two different worlds. The front is relatively open, but the elevation changes are sneaky. You’ll stand on a tee box thinking you’ve got a clear shot, only to realize the wind is whipping across the ridge in a way you didn't account for. The back nine gets a bit tighter. There are trees. Lots of them. Oak, elm, and maple lining the fairways, just waiting to swat your ball into the tall grass.
Why the Third Hole Ruins Everyone's Scorecard
Let's talk about hole number three. It’s a par four, and it looks innocent enough from the tee. But the approach shot is usually blind or semi-blind depending on where you land your drive. You’re hitting uphill to a green that slopes more than it looks. If you leave it short, it’s rolling back toward you. If you go long, you’re dead. Honestly, I’ve seen more "blow-up" holes on the first five at Gross than almost anywhere else in the Minneapolis Park system.
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It’s a par 71, but don't let the yardage fool you. From the back tees, it plays around 6,100 yards. On paper, that sounds short. In reality, because you’re constantly hitting up or down hills, the effective yardage feels closer to 6,500.
The Francis A. Gross Legacy
So, who was Francis A. Gross? He wasn't some pro golfer. He was a banker. He served on the Park Board for over 30 years. He was the guy who fought to make sure that "regular" people had a place to play. Back in the early 20th century, golf was a rich man's game. Gross pushed for the expansion of public courses because he believed the city’s land belonged to everyone.
When the course was first laid out, it was actually called Armour Golf Course because the land was purchased from the Armour family (the meatpacking giants). It wasn’t renamed until 1948. There’s something cool about playing a course that was literally built to be the "people's club."
The 2026 Reality of Public Golf
Right now, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is juggling a lot. They have to manage Columbia, Hiawatha, Meadowbrook, Wirth, and Gross. There's always talk about water management and environmental impact. At Gross, the challenge has always been the drainage. Because it’s so hilly, some spots get swampy after a heavy rain, while the hilltops can dry out fast.
But here’s the thing: they’ve poured a lot into the maintenance lately. The greens are usually some of the fastest in the city for the price point.
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What to Expect on the Ground
If you’re booking a tee time, use the online system. It’s the easiest way. But be warned, weekend mornings at Gross are packed. It’s a popular spot for local leagues. The "Gross National" regulars are a specific breed. You’ll see guys who have been playing the same Tuesday morning loop since the Nixon administration.
The clubhouse is functional. Don't go there expecting a five-star dining experience. You go there for a hot dog, a Gatorade, and maybe a sleeve of balls because you lost yours in the woods on the 13th. The patio, however, is a great spot. Watching people finish on the 18th while the sun goes down over the city skyline is one of the better low-key views in Minneapolis.
Breaking Down the Cost
- Weekday vs. Weekend: Like most munis, you’ll save about $10 if you play Monday through Thursday.
- The Patron Card: If you live in the Twin Cities and play more than five rounds a year, just get the card. It pays for itself.
- Walking vs. Riding: If you can walk it, walk it. But again, those hills are no joke. If you have knee issues, get the cart.
Technical Nuances of the Course
You have to play for the "Minneapolis kick." Because the ground can get firm in the summer, shots that look like they’re heading for the fairway will hit a slope and bounce 20 yards into the rough. You have to aim for the "high side" of almost every fairway.
The greens are relatively large, but they have subtle breaks. They aren't as crazy as some modern courses where the greens look like potato chips, but they are tricky. Most putts break toward the Mississippi River, even if it doesn't look like it. It’s a local rule of thumb that actually holds up most of the time.
- Check the wind at the clubhouse. It’s often different than what you feel on the sheltered tee boxes.
- The par 3s are the secret to a good score. They aren't overly long, but they require precision.
- Don't be a hero on the back nine. It’s tighter than it looks. Leave the driver in the bag on a couple of those narrow par fours and just hit a long iron or hybrid to the center.
Realities and Misconceptions
One big misconception is that Gross is "too loud" because it’s near the industrial areas and New Brighton Boulevard. Yeah, you’ll hear a truck or a train. But honestly? After three holes, you don't even notice. The topography shields a lot of the noise once you get into the "bowls" of the course.
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Another one: "It’s an easy course." Look, if you’re a scratch golfer, you can tear it up. But for the average 15-20 handicap, Gross is a challenge. It punishes bad lies. You’re rarely standing on flat ground for your second shot. Learning how to hit a ball when it’s six inches above your feet is a requirement here.
Comparing Gross to Other City Courses
If you want flat and easy, go to Hiawatha. If you want a scenic, sprawling layout that feels like a hike, go to Theodore Wirth. But if you want a classic, "shot-maker's" course that rewards smart play and punishes ego, Gross is the one. It’s more rugged than Meadowbrook but more polished than Columbia. It sits right in that "Goldilocks" zone of public golf.
Planning Your Visit
Gross National Golf Club is located at 2201 St. Anthony Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55418.
If you're coming from St. Paul, it's a quick jump off I-35W. If you're coming from the West Metro, take Highway 280. It’s tucked away in a spot that feels very "Northeast." After your round, you’re five minutes away from some of the best breweries in the state.
Pro Tip: If the parking lot looks full, don't panic. There’s usually an overflow area, and the pace of play is generally decent because the Marshals actually do their jobs.
The Actionable Bottom Line
Don't just show up and wing it. Gross National Golf Club requires a bit of strategy if you want to break 90.
- Book 7 days out: The best times go fast, especially the "early bird" slots.
- Practice your uphill lies: Go to the range and specifically work on maintaining your balance on uneven ground. You’ll need it.
- Walk the course first: If you really want to learn the layout, walk your first round. You’ll see the nuances of the slopes that you miss when you're zipping around in a cart.
- Check the aeration schedule: Like all Minnesota courses, they aerate the greens in the spring and fall. Check the MPRB website so you don't get stuck putting through "plugs."
- Visit the Grill: Even if you aren't hungry, get a drink and sit on the deck. It’s one of the most underrated social spots in the area.
Playing Gross is a rite of passage for Minneapolis golfers. It’s not about luxury; it’s about the game in its purest, most accessible form. It’s hilly, it’s historic, and it’s arguably the best value for your money in the 612.