'Pitch-and-putt' courses provide fun, fast and affordable golf for families and beginners

Pitch and putt courses can provide golf fun for families with not a lot of
time or money to spend.

The days are getting shorter, and the kids are back at school, but that doesn't mean the family can't enjoy a couple more rounds of golf before the snow flies. And even if work, homework or extra-curriculars eat up much of your time, there is an option that offers quick, easy and affordable golf fun for the "pappa duffer," "momma hacker" and your "kiddie loopers" in your family foursome.

It's called the "pitch and putt" course, a hybrid between the convenience of mini golf and the challenge of a regular course. All that's required to have a good time is a wedge or two, a putter, and about an hour of your time. And for the experienced golfers in the family, the "pitch and putt" can provide practice for the part of your game that is often the most neglected: the short game.

There are three great pitch and putt options in the Twin Cities, and each of them provide their own benefits and challenges:

The signature 13th hole proves that short does not mean simple.

Country Air Golf Park: Woodbury, MN
The course at Country Air is the only 18-hole pitch-and-putt in the Twin Cities, and it's a definite must-play when it comes to the short course experience. Country Air looks to the golfer's eye as a full-sized course shrunk down to miniature size. There are bunkers, water hazards (including a creek that runs through the facility) and contoured greens throughout, yet the course measures only 1,042 yards, with the longest hole a beefy 75 yards. 18 holes can easily be played in less than two hours.
The signature thirteenth hole is 65 yards and features a tee shot over a small, reed-lined pond to an elevated green, which is guarded in back by two sand bunkers. When you step on the tee, you may forget for just a moment that you're on a pitch-and-putt course.
Who should play: The layout is short enough that beginner golfers won't get frustrated, but the various hazards as well as undulating terrain makes for some intimidating tee shots for more experienced players. The course is fit snugly into a small parcel of property, so parents should keep their eyes on their kids, who could
enter a dangerous situation if they wander off into an adjacent fairway.
Cost: 18 holes - $15 adults, $14 juniors/seniors, $12 eight and under; 9 holes - $10/$9/$7.
Other amentities: Country Air has an indoor/outdoor driving range that's open year round, as well as a practice putting green and practice bunker.
How to tee it up:
Country Air Golf Park
404 Lake Elmo Ave. N.
Lake Elmo, MN 55042
(651) 436-7888
countryairgolfpark.com

Parker's Lake may be the shortest course, but many of the "tee shots"
are trickier than you may expect.

Parker's Lake Golf Center (Conviction Creek course): Plymouth, MN
The nine-hole reversible course is the most realistic and challenging short game test of the three pitch-and-putts in the area. At each "tee," each hole essentially puts you in the position of a golfer's worst nightmare: a missed green on a conventional golf course in the worst possible position. You'll face short-sided pins, false fronts, closely mown slopes, carries over sand and water, and undulating greens... everything your pre-round practice routine doesn't prepare you for. But unlike a similar situation on a regulation 18-hole course, facing these short game situations is more like a fun skills contest.
The reversible nature of the course not only provides you with a different challenge every time, but allows the teeing areas to heal themselves between rounds, providing the player with a quality experience every time. Also, Conviction Creek (named for the nearby corrections facility) has lovely landscaping and was in mostly fantastic shape, with only one or two rough spots on their full-course quality greens.
Who should play: The course is the shortest of the three (no holes longer than perhaps 40 yards or so - more of a "chip-and-putt"), but that doesn't mean that kids and beginners will have an easy time. The course, however, is very walkable - not much longer than a mini-putt course, and they provide loaner clubs for the first time golfer. It's a great place to take someone to get their cleats wet, as it were.
Cost: $6 a round.
Other amentities: Parkers Lake Golf Center features a full driving range and putting green, and offers lesson packages for all ages.
To tee it up:
Parkers Lake Golf Center
1050 Vicksburg Lake
Plymouth, MN 55447
(763) 475-4668

The lighted pitch-and-putt course at Eagle Lake is the most suited
for children and beginners.

Eagle Lake Golf Course (Birdie Course): Plymouth, MN
Eagle Lake Golf Course is home of the First Tee of the Three Rivers Park District, and everything about the facility is about providing fun and functional ways to work on your game. The 575-yard pitch-and-putt course is perhaps the best way to introduce children to the game of golf. The tees are in good shape, the fairways are wide and accommodating for the shortest of hitters, and the greens have subtle break, but aren't confusing. And for families that want to enjoy some golf but aren't exactly sure when they can fit it in, Eagle Lake's Birdie course provides not only an open schedule where tee times aren't necessary, but the 9-hole course is also lighted, allowing for play until 10:30 p.m. during the height of the golf season.
Eagle Lake was in the best shape of the three, but for experienced golfers, you won't find much difference between this course and similar executive layouts, except that these holes are not as long. Each hole is straightforward with minimal difficulty: it's a great place for beginners, but the better golfers of the foursome may not find the skill-building challenge that the would at the other two.
But the best aspect of Eagle Lake's facility is the step-by-step approach that they've taken to help beginners and children learn the game of golf. They can start out with a putt-putt course currently in construction, and should be ready for play by next year. They can graduate to the pitch-and-putt, or perhaps lessons on the lighted driving range. And finally, once they're ready, they can tackle the "Eagle Course," a nine-hole, 1,808-yard, par-31 executive track.
Who should play: Children and beginners will be right at home at the Eagle Lake's Birdie course. The course is wide open, and holes are spaced far enough apart to avoid dangerous situations, yet remains walkable for all ages.
Cost: $7.50 for adults, $6.00 for juniors
Other amentities: As said before, they feature a lighted driving range, practice putting greens and sand bunker, as well as a par-31 executive course.
How to tee it up:
Eagle Lake Golf Course
11000 Bass Lake Road
Plymouth, MN 55442
(763) 694-7695
eaglelakegolf.com