Best Twin Cities practice facilities, part 3

July 2, 2:08 PMMinneapolis Golf ExaminerKyle Anway

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Golf nuts can satisfy their cravings under the lights at a handful of
locations, like the Ponds at Battle Creek in Maplewood.

In the last two editions of this “best of” series, you learned about the best driving ranges and the best places to improve your short game. But what if you like hitting the occasional bucket, but you don’t want to spend a lot of money, don’t want to be around a lot of people, or want to swing the sticks at, say, 9:00 p.m.? Well then, this was written especially for you. Without further ado, the best driving ranges for the thrifty, shy and night owl golfers.

Cheapest bucket: Hidden Greens
There are dozens of golf courses that offer $6 buckets… in fact, $6-7 seems to be the standard when it comes to a “large” or “two-token” bucket in the Twin Cities. Some courses offer buckets at $5.50 or lower, but you’ll either have to deal with a shorter range (Gross National) or lose your savings in the gas money it takes to get there (Links at Northfork, Deer Run). So depending on where you are located, if you can find a range that will sell you a practice bucket at a dime per ball or better, I’d say take that deal.
In terms of naming a “best of the cities” award winner, I’m giving it to Hidden Greens in Hastings. The course isn’t too far out of the shadow of St. Paul, and at $4 for a bucket of 50 balls, they are among the most affordable in the Twin Cities. But if you are serious about spending the better part of the day solving your driver woes, Hidden Greens offers a 150-ball mega bucket for just $8, or less than some courses charge for a 70-ball “large.”
To tee it up:
12977 200th St. E, Hastings, MN 55033
(651) 437-3085
hiddengreensgolf.com
1 token (50 balls) $4, 3 tokens (150 balls) $8
Honorable mention: Deer Run ($5 – 2 tokens); Gross National ($5.25 – 3 20-ball tokens); Loggers/Sawmill ($5.50 – large); Links at Northfork ($5.62 – large).

Rarely will you find more than 2-3 players hitting balls at Chalet Drive
in Bloomington.

Best anonymous practice: Viking Meadows and Chalet Drive
Imagine you are just coming off the course after your third 100+ round of the year, when you normally average in the high 80’s or low 90’s. You want to work on the horrible banana slice or hosel rocket you’ve somehow developed, but you want to avoid the prying eyes of other golfers (and avoid hitting any innocent bystanders) while you fix your swing flaws. And the more anonymous you can be, the better.
If you live in the northern suburbs, take highway 65 out to Viking Meadows golf course in East Bethel. Having been to their driving range a number of times, I can honestly say that I’ve rarely seen more than 2 people working on their swings at any given time. The range at Viking Meadows is a little bit of a walk away from the clubhouse, but it’s quite secluded, with only the occasional golfer at the 16th tee noticing you’re there. If you’re afraid of your wayward shots making their way towards golfers on the course, fret not, for the range faces away from the course, the clubhouse, the parking lot, and anywhere else where you might do damage. And at $6.50 for a large bucket, you can afford to practice for as long as you need.
The southern metro’s best option is the Chalet Drive practice facility, otherwise known as the Hyland Hills Ski Area in the winter. Not many people know it even exists, and thus, the mat range is usually pretty empty. What’s great about the facility (other than a $6 two-token bucket) is pitching green with a large practice bunker and room to practice approach shots from up to 75 yards away.
To tee it up:
Viking Meadows
1788 Viking Blvd. NE, East Bethel, MN 55011
(763) 434-4205
vikingmeadows.com
small $3.50, large $6.50
Chalet Drive
8800 Chalet Road, Bloomington, MN 55438
(763) 694-7800
www.hylandski.com/chaletdrive.cfm
½ bucket $4, full bucket $6
Honorable mentions: Rum River Hills, Country Air, Mississippi Dunes

Eagle Lake in Plymouth is great for target practice, especially in
the early evening thanks to their system of floodlights.

Best evening bucket: Eagle Lake
The golf itch can hit at any moment. If you suddenly have the urge to hit golf balls just as the sun is beginning to set, you have a couple options in the Twin Cities. And if you live in the western metro, you’re in luck, because Eagle Lake Practice Center is the cream of the crop when it comes to the area’s lighted driving ranges. Unlike other facilities that only light the hitting area, Eagle Lake lights a good portion of the range, meaning that your shots won’t merely disappear into the dark. And they’ll leave the lights on later for sleepless golfers, allowing you to hit until 10:30 p.m. depending on the weather.
To tee it up:
11000 County Road 10, Plymouth, MN 55442
(763) 694-7695
eaglelakegolf.com
1 token (35 balls) $4
Honorable mentions: Begin Oaks, Island Lake, Ponds at Battle Creek