From Sod Farm to Showpiece
The rolling land of TPC Twin Cities was once a flat sod farm, transformed by Arnold Palmer's team into a strategic championship venue. That humble origin is lore among regulars and pros alike.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
TPC Twin Cities
Blaine, Minnesota
Established
2000
Architect
Arnold Palmer with Tom Lehman (consultant)
Access
Public
Par
Par 72
Length
5,029 – 7,164 yds
Green Fees
$$$
The verdict
Tournament-Tested Modern Parkland
TPC Twin Cities serves up a polished championship experience with broad playability and PGA TOUR-level challenge. Rolling ground, abundant water, and generous fairways create a modern parkland test—serious yet scorable. It's a regional must-play and Minnesota's home for top-level professional golf.
Course DNA
Difficulty
81
Scenery70
Conditioning87
Shot Variety78
Walkability62
Green Complexity74
Wow Factor73
Design Quality71
Don't miss
Sneak a look at the Palmer statue near the clubhouse—locals say touching his shoes brings good luck before your round.
At a glance
Quick facts
Site history
Built on a former sod farm
Bodies of water
27 lakes and ponds in play
Tournament host since
3M Open (PGA TOUR) since 2019
Former professional event
3M Championship (Champions) 2001–2018
Tees available
Five sets, including family tees
Course rating / Slope (back)
77.2 / 146
Practice facility
Extensive range and short-game area
The design
The architecture
TPC Twin Cities merges classic Minnesota prairie openness with modern tournament strategy—thank Arnold Palmer, Tom Lehman, and 27 lakes, weaving risk and reward into nearly every hole. While the routing takes full advantage of rolling former sod farm terrain, cunning use of water, sprawling bunkers, and raised, contoured greens demand planning from every player. The finish, especially from 16 on, piles on the drama with risk-reward choices that have defined moments in 3M Open history.
Arnold Palmer’s vision, shaped with input from Tom Lehman, created a signature TPC blend: spectator-friendly corridors, heroic shot options, and finishes made for a big event.
Defining features
- Numerous risk-reward par 5s with strategic layup zones
- Abundant water hazards affecting 14+ holes
- Wide, receptive fairways but penal rough and bold bunkering
- Multi-tiered, tournament-conditioned greens
- Dramatic closing stretch with scoring swings
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 6
Double Water Gauntlet
PAR
5
YARDAGE
571
A bold, sweeping par 5 that dares long hitters to challenge both water and sand for a shot at eagle. Most players must negotiate a risk-laden layup over water, then a precise approach into a raised green guarded on all sides.
Play it smart
Stay left off the tee, then weigh an aggressive layup over water versus laying back for a safer but lengthier approach.
Where it bites
Misjudge the layup or stray with your approach and you’ll find water lurking left or bunkers grabbing from the right.
Course management
Shots to think about
Approaching the many water-guarded greens from any lie.
Don’t attack tucked pins unless you have the perfect yardage—take your par and move on.
Laying up on par 5s, especially on 6 and 12.
Pick a comfortable number that avoids crossing water and sets up a full wedge—heroics rarely yield rewards.
Hitting driver on short par 4s like 7.
Play to your consistent yardage; bunkers and water squeeze the landing zone for reckless bombs.
Facing wind across the open prairie holes.
Club up and play for a controlled, lower ball flight—the wind can shift quickly and affect judgment more than you’d expect.
Pressure tee shots late in the round, particularly at 17 and 18.
Focus on routine and alignment—the closing stretch has shifted entire 3M Opens in minutes.
Navigating the sloped, multi-tiered greens.
Commit to your read, aiming for below-the-hole—it’s easier to chip from collar than to putt from above.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Tour-quality turf, crisp tee boxes, and fast, subtle greens year-round.
Pace
Rounds average 4.5+ hours on weekends, as visitor groups and tournament setup can slow play.
Vibe
Polished and big-league, but welcoming to everyday visitors—expect tournament energy without pretension.
Dress code
Standard golf attire required (collared shirts, no denim); confirm latest guest policy before arrival.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Dial In Long Irons
You’ll face several 200+ yard par 3s and long approaches, so be ready to hit hybrids and long irons confidently into firm greens.
02
Hydrate and Pack Snacks
With little tree cover and rounds often topping four hours, bring water and energy boosts for the mid-round grind—especially in July’s tournament heat.
03
Tune Up Bunker Play
The course’s sprawling sand traps, especially around finishing holes, punish weak extraction—rehearse your up-and-down recipe before teeing off.
The lore
How it came to be
- 2000
TPC Twin Cities opens, designed by Arnold Palmer with Tom Lehman
- 2001
Hosts first 3M Championship (Champions Tour)
- 2011
Ranks 15th in Golf Digest's Minnesota Best in State
- 2018
Final 3M Championship on Champions Tour
- 2019
First 3M Open (PGA TOUR) hosted
- 2024
Bunker repair after storm; continues as PGA TOUR host
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Where Water Reigns
With 27 separate bodies of water shaping drives and approaches, pros and amateurs alike feel the pressure of precise ball control. At TPC Twin Cities, water isn't window-dressing—it dictates every scorecard.
3M Open’s Midwest Stage
Since 2019, the 3M Open has brought the world's top golfers to Blaine, creating late-July drama and a festival atmosphere. Its finish—birdies, blowups, and all—has quickly become a staple of the summer golf calendar.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
The course features a Palmer statue by the clubhouse, a nod to its designer and player inspiration.
2
Each year’s 3M Open finish has produced dramatic swings, including one of the PGA TOUR’s lowest aggregate weeks in 3M Open history.
3
Water hazards come into play on 14 of 18 holes, giving the course its identity and teeth.
4
TPC Twin Cities is uniquely playable for pros and amateurs, offering wide fairways but demanding approaches.
Build the trip
If you’re planning a Twin Cities golf adventure
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Rush Creek Golf Club
Public
Consistently ranks among Minnesota’s best public-access tracks—resort conditions and a fun, approachable routing.
The Jewel Golf Club
Semi-Private
Stunning riverside vistas and a high-end, modern feel—ideal for a destination outing.
Pheasant Acres Golf Club
Public
Affordable, player-friendly, and less crowded—a reliable backup or warmup loop.
Hazeltine National Golf Club
Private
Major championship history—worth a detour if you can grab an invite.
Blaine or north Minneapolis suburbs for easy commutes to TPC Twin Cities and other top metro courses.
Course DNA
If You Like TPC Twin Cities
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.8
TPC Myrtle Beach
Murrells Inlet, South CarolinaConditioning
Why it matches: If TPC Twin Cities is your kind of course, TPC Myrtle Beach is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Strong DNA Match8.0
Brickyard Crossing
Indianapolis, IndianaConditioning
Why it matches: If TPC Twin Cities is your kind of course, Brickyard Crossing is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Strong DNA Match8.3
Sand Ridge Golf Club
Chardon, OhioConditioning
Why it matches: If TPC Twin Cities is your kind of course, Sand Ridge Golf Club is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Community Sentiment
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