The $12,000-in-gold land deal
Legend has it the club’s founders secured the property by paying the local farmer in gold, after he tried to raise the price. The symbolic purchase set the tone for a club built on vision and tenacity.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Interlachen Country Club
Edina, Minnesota
Established
1911
Architect
Willie Watson (1911), Donald Ross (1919-1921), Robert Trent Jones Sr. (1963), Geoffrey Cornish (1986), Garrett D. Gill & Andrew Green (2023)
Access
Private
Par
Par 72
Length
5,187 – 7,201 yds
The verdict
Bucket-list championship Ross experience
With a rich U.S. Open and Solheim Cup history and a pedigree rooted in Donald Ross’s strategic genius, Interlachen is pure championship golf for the discerning player. The club’s combination of pristine restoration, demanding shot values, and old-school walkability make it a destination worth crossing the country for.
Course DNA
Difficulty
88
Scenery78
Conditioning95
Shot Variety86
Walkability82
Green Complexity91
Wow Factor82
Design Quality93
Don't miss
On 18, remember Bobby Jones stood here in 1930 needing only two putts from about 40 feet to win the U.S. Open — and instead buried the first one for birdie on his way to the Grand Slam.
From golfers who've played it
At a glance
Quick facts
Location
Edina, Minnesota
Established
1911 (as 9 holes); 1921 (Ross 18-hole layout)
Primary Architect
Donald Ross
Recent Restoration
Andrew Green (2023)
Championships Hosted
1930 U.S. Open, 2002 Solheim Cup, U.S. Amateur
Signature Hole
No. 9, the par-5 'Augusta-inspiring' beauty
Access
Private – members and guests only
The design
The architecture
Interlachen is a rolling, parkland masterpiece defined by Donald Ross’s legendary routing and strategic vision. The course weaves between lakes and across subtle terrain, demanding thoughtful navigation on every shot. Andrew Green’s 2023 restoration sharpened Ross’s signature features — perched greens, bold runoffs, and perfectly positioned bunkers — while respecting the centurial character and elegance. Every hole feels distinct, yet the whole plays seamlessly, inviting the golfer to craft shots and embrace risk where reward tempts.
Donald Ross’s 1921 layout defines the soul of Interlachen, with his shaping and strategic intent now reborn through Andrew Green’s historically rooted restoration.
Defining features
- Ross’s ingenious green complexes: perched, canted, run-off laden
- Restored strategic bunkering and firm, fast turf
- Classic ‘between lakes’ Minnesota scenery
- Ground-game options around many approaches
- Intimate routing that rewards walking
- Recent restoration bringing back lost contours and clarity
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 1
Opening Challenge
PAR
5
YARDAGE
531 yds
Right out of the gates, a risk-reward par 5 hints at the strategic chess match ahead — reachable in two, but only with precise navigation.
Play it smart
Favor the right side off the tee to avoid bunkers and gain the best angle, then weigh aggression into the green versus a safe lay-up.
Where it bites
Miss your spots and you’ll find sand or an awkward angle; the approach punishes the greedy.
Course management
Shots to think about
Approaching a Ross perched green
Favor the front and avoid missing long — use ground game where possible.
Fast, tournament-ready greens
Plan for firm bounces; play to safer, flatter portions unless you thrive on dicey putts.
Shaved collection areas
Bring your best short game — bump-and-run or low spinner, don’t attempt heroics if short-sided.
Hole #9 second shot
Be honest about your reach — bail right for a wedge if you can’t clear water; greed can end your hopes in a flash.
Short risk/reward par 4s (6, 7, 16)
Forget driver if uncertain — position is king for a good approach angle.
Playing into the wind on #17
Take more club than you think and trust a committed full swing; don’t flirt with front bunkers.
Long rough bordering fairways
Better to lay back with 3-wood or hybrid if unsure off the tee; must stay in the short grass to score.
Watch
See it before you play it
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Elite — firm, fast, and lush post-restoration with flawless greens.
Pace
Very fast by private club standards; little waiting even on busy days.
Vibe
Exclusive, classic, and welcoming — refined but not stuffy.
Dress code
Standard private-club attire (call ahead if unsure).
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Tune short game for Ross runoffs
Bring high confidence with bump-and-run, floppers, and Texas wedges — you’ll face countless tight lies near the greens.
02
Leave the ego at the door
Pick tee boxes to fit your comfort range; firm turf and wind exaggerate yardages.
03
Study the green complexes
Check the pin sheet twice; knowing which quadrant to attack (or avoid) is half the battle.
04
Sharpen iron control
Precision trumps power here — bring your best approach game for scoring opportunities.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1909
Club incorporated by Bryn Mawr Golf Club members
- 1911
Original 9-hole Willie Watson design opens
- 1930
Hosts U.S. Open, won by Bobby Jones (Grand Slam year)
- 1963
Robert Trent Jones Sr. updates aspects of layout
- 2002
Hosts Solheim Cup, cementing its status for major women's events
- 2023
Restoration by Garrett D. Gill and Andrew Green modernizes turf and greens
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Augusta inspiration on the 9th
The standout par-3 9th is celebrated as inspiration for Augusta National’s iconic 16th hole. While it remains more club lore than documented fact, the visual and strategic similarities are too striking to ignore.
Bobby Jones’ march to his Grand Slam
In 1930, Interlachen hosted the U.S. Open, where Bobby Jones triumphed as part of his legendary Grand Slam. The moment still echoes through the fairways, giving every round a sense of historic theater.
Major champions and pioneering club pros
Early head professional George Sargent, 1909 U.S. Open winner and future PGA of America president, set a high bar for excellence both on and off the course. His presence contributed to Interlachen’s national reputation from its earliest days.
Restoration brings Ross back to life
Andrew Green’s meticulous 2023 restoration leaned on surviving Donald Ross blueprints, reviving green contours, and reestablishing original strategic bunkering. The course now plays as true to Ross’s intent as at any time in history.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
The club founders secured the land by paying $12,000 in gold after a last-minute price hike.
2
Donald Ross’s original blueprints for Interlachen helped guide Andrew Green’s restoration a century later.
3
The legendary 9th hole is widely credited with inspiring Augusta National’s 16th.
4
Bobby Jones’s Grand Slam run passed through Interlachen at the 1930 U.S. Open.
5
The club’s name translates to 'between lakes,' nodding to its picturesque setting.
Build the trip
If you're making a Twin Cities golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Hazeltine National Golf Club
Private
Top championship venue and Ryder Cup/major host
TPC Twin Cities
Private/tournament
Modern course, home to the PGA Tour’s 3M Open
The Minikahda Club
Private
Historic elite classic, great pairing with Interlachen
Spring Hill Golf Club
Private
Critically acclaimed Twin Cities standout
Victory Links at Como Park
Public/municipal
Public track with championship roots, bookable for anyone
Edina/southwest Minneapolis or downtown Minneapolis for best access
Course DNA
If You Like Interlachen Country Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.9
Inverness Club
Toledo, OhioWhy it matches: Inverness Club is a natural next stop after Interlachen Country Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match8.7
Rolling Green Golf Club
Springfield, PennsylvaniaGreen Complexity
Why it matches: If Interlachen Country Club is your kind of course, Rolling Green Golf Club is worth a look because it demands the same precision once you reach the putting surface.
Strong DNA Match8.5
Scioto Country Club
Columbus, OhioWhy it matches: Scioto Country Club is a natural next stop after Interlachen Country Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Community Sentiment
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