Featured course: Oak Marsh Golf Course

The par-4 second hole is one of only a handful that will give the average golfer trouble. (Photo: golfing.mn)

Make sure to spend some time at the practice area, including
two large putting greens.

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Course profile:
Oak Marsh Golf Course

• 18 holes, 6,184 yards, par 70

• Weekdays: $31, Weekends $36

• Pro shop, driving range, putting green, chipping/bunker area, bar/restaurant/
  event facilities

• Hit away: everyone - only a handful of holes
  will really scare you

• Beware: golfers scared of hitting it into
  the drink - just enough water to make your
  knees knock

If golf is a "good walk spoiled," the staff at Oak Marsh has gone above and beyond to make sure that your "hardship" is as comfortable as possible.

The Oakdale course, built in 1996 and surrounded in recent years by residential and commercial developments, isn't exceptional in any one category. It's not the longest, most grueling test of golf you'll find (the blue tees are only a hair over 6,000 yards with a par of 70), nor it is the most meticulously designed and landscaped track (though it's been in fantastic shape the two times I've played it this year). Oak Marsh doesn't trick you, it doesn't intimidate you, and it doesn't make you take every club out of your bag at least once.

That's not to say that a trip to Oak Marsh isn't a fun round of golf on a well-maintained course. And there are holes where you can get into a lot of trouble if you don't hit a straight or well-placed shot - like the par-4 second hole, with a long carry over marshland to a relatively small landing area, or the 18th, with it's bunker in the middle of the fairway forcing you to take the long route or risk sand or water in order to set up a shorter approach. But the majority of holes play pretty much straight-forward with a minimal amount of difficulty, and the average golfer should be able to shoot a nice score if they can avoid trouble on the handful of holes with forced carries or water hazards.

If there's one overriding reason to play this course compared to others in the cities, it's the amenities. Start with the clubhouse, which is beautiful and well-appointed. The golf shop is fully stocked with clothing, clubs, balls and everything else you'd expect. The staff is friendly to everyone who steps on to the course, from the pro shop attendants to the starter to the bartender at the turn. Speaking of the turn... lots of courses have GPS yardage on their carts these days, but not many public courses under $40 a round allow you to pre-order a hot dog or a burger from the 8th hole.

Walkers will enjoy the mostly flat terrain, but cart riders will have the
advantage of GPS yardage. (Photo: golfing.mn)

Before your round, make sure to leave time to prepare your game on one of the best practice facilities in the eastern metro, with a large grass driving range, two large putting greens and a chipping/bunker practice area, all adjacent to the first hole. On the course, I've found pace of play to be acceptable, having yet to experience too big of a backup between holes. The track is flat and walkable, but you will have a couple long walks, especially from the clubhouse to the first hole and between holes 13 and 14.

If you're still not sold (or you prefer your rounds to be less than $30), take advantage of one of Oak Marsh's many discount offers. You'll find them on the Minnesota and MN Section PGA golf cards, and Oak Marsh has their own free Players Club Awards Card, good for 10% rewards on all greens and cart fees, range balls and golf merchandise, as well as a free round of golf anytime during your birth month (or in April for winter birthdays).

So if you're an average golfer, pamper yourself a couple times a year and play a fun course with all the trimmings. If you're a golfer who likes competition, check out their website for Oak Marsh's tournament calendar, which boasts a schedule that often features more open-to-the-public scrambles and charity events per month that just about any other course. And while you may spend a little more for your round here than at other courses, sometimes, you get what you pay for.