| Minnesota golf courses come in a wide variety from | | | | to Canyon combination plays 6,768 yards from the |
| 9-hole mom and pop courses to 54-hole resort | | | | back tees with a course rating of 73.0 and a slope |
| complexes. In this series of articles we have been | | | | index of 133 and par is also 72. |
| discussing different destination. Today we will highlight | | | | The River 9 is named for the Poplar River that runs |
| Superior National at Lutsen, which is located on Lake | | | | through the property. The river does come into play |
| Superior?s north shore in Lutsen Minnesota. | | | | on a couple of holes, most notably on number 2 and |
| Lutsen has long been a travel destination for | | | | number 9 where the rush of the river on the tee |
| Minnesota skiers and the business of tourism is alive | | | | shot can play mind games on the golfer. If you |
| and well throughout the entire North Shore region. | | | | concentrate and block out the sights and sounds of |
| There are plenty of places to stay from economy to | | | | the beauty around you and play the golf shot, both |
| luxury with many lodging facilities working with | | | | of these are relatively easy golf holes. If your mind |
| Superior National to offer discounted greens fees. | | | | wanders a double bogey or worse can be made on |
| To get to Lutsen from the Twin Cities is | | | | these two or any of the holes for that matter. |
| approximately 245 miles north. Begin by taking I-35 | | | | The Canyon 9 is named again for the deep canyon |
| north from the Twin Cities and then continue on | | | | the Poplar River cuts through the area of the course |
| Hwy. 61 north from Duluth. The distance from Duluth | | | | on holes 5 and 6. The first time I played this course |
| is a little over 90 miles, and residents of Duluth have | | | | as I proceeded from the green on number 4 to the |
| been visiting the Lutsen area for many years as a | | | | tee box on number 5, I heard a dull roar. I stopped |
| favorite weekend destination. | | | | the golf cart to listen and to my wonder as I came |
| Superior National is a 27-hole facility that has three | | | | around the turn and stood on the tee box of number |
| distinctively different 9-hole courses. These courses | | | | 5 a smile came across my face that was hard to |
| have a couple of things in common. First, the | | | | contain. The elevated tee on number 5 is one of the |
| influence that Lake Superior has is indescribable until | | | | risk/reward holes at Superior National. The carry over |
| you have played here. The optical illusion that the | | | | the river is 225 yards, there is a false front to this |
| lake creates along with the pull the big water has | | | | green, but at least that is dry land. Most balls find a |
| even on uphill putts is incredible. Second is that each | | | | landing spot somewhere in the raging river and end |
| of these courses do have risk /reward holes on | | | | up in Lake Superior about a mile away. I elected to |
| them. The question you have to ask yourself is | | | | hit a mid-iron to the center of the fairway with a 9 |
| ?does the reward out weigh the risk?? Third is that a | | | | iron into the green. I like to take a par anytime it |
| strong wind off of the lake can make holes play 3 to | | | | presents itself. After finishing this fun hole you climb |
| 4 clubs longer or shorter depending if you are going | | | | back up to another elevated tee box for number 6 |
| into or with the wind. This course can make a good | | | | which is a 150ish yard par 3 again with the Poplar |
| golfer look foolish. | | | | River cutting through just in front of the green. |
| The three courses are The River, The Mountain and | | | | Elevation, wind, pin placement and even humidity |
| The Canyon. An 18-hole round will alternate two of | | | | levels of the air make club choice interesting on this |
| the three courses from day to day. Superior National | | | | hole. Number 8 is the signature hole on the Canyon 9. |
| also offers unlimited play daily packages so that you | | | | On a clear day the backdrop of Lake Superior is |
| experience all of the holes, more than once if you | | | | absolutely breathtaking. This par 3 hole also plays |
| start early enough! The Canyon to River combination | | | | from an elevated tee box and features a drop of |
| plays 6,369 yards from the back tees with a course | | | | over100 feet to the putting surface. Make sure you |
| rating of 71.1 a slope index of 127 and a par of 72. | | | | select the proper club; because the Poplar River is |
| The River to Mountain combination plays 6,323 yards | | | | lurking behind the green and is ready to give any ball |
| from the back tees with a course rating of 70.9 with | | | | hit long a ride to Lake Superior. |
| a slope index of 130 and a par of 72. The Mountain | | | | |