Spring Golf is Calling in the Brainerd Lakes Area

Home Things To Do Spring Golf is Calling in the Brainerd Lakes Area

Spring Golf is Calling in the Brainerd Lakes Area

April 16, 2026

From championship resort courses to scenic local favorites, here’s your guide to when and where to tee off, featuring more than 200 holes of golf across the Brainerd Lakes Area.

Spring Golf is Calling in the Brainerd Lakes Area

As the snow melts and the days get longer, there is one thing on everyone’s mind in the Brainerd Lakes Area: golf season is back.

Whether you are planning a spring getaway, itching to dust off your clubs, or just looking for an excuse to get outside, courses across the region are opening up and ready to welcome you. What makes golf here truly unique is how close everything is. You can experience multiple standout courses in a single trip, each with its own distinct layout, scenery, and level of challenge, all just a short drive apart.

Within the Brainerd Lakes Area alone, you will find over 200 holes of golf, giving you an incredible variety of options without ever needing to travel far. In fact, you could spend a full week here and play a different course every day, and still have plenty left to come back for.

Early Season Openings

Golf season kicks off quickly in the Brainerd Lakes Area, with several courses opening as early as the second week of April.

The Vintage Golf Club in Staples opened on March 30

Crosswoods Golf Course in Crosslake opened April 9

Madden’s on Gull Lake Airport Driving Range opened April 10

Pine Beach West at Madden’s opened April 11

These early openings are perfect for golfers eager to get the first round of the year in.

Mid-April Openings

By mid-April, more courses across the area begin to open, offering even more options.

Grand View Lodge – The Pines opened April 15

Pine Beach East at Madden’s opened April 15

Cragun’s Resort Dutch 18 and driving range opened April 16

Breezy Point Resort Whitebirch opened April 16

Whitefish Golf Club opens April 17

This is when the season really starts to feel underway, with a variety of courses ready for play.

Late April Openings

By the end of April, most of the area’s premier courses are open or preparing to open.

Cragun’s Lehman 18 opens April 23

Golden Eagle Golf Club opens April 23

The Preserve – Grand View Lodge opens April 24

Deacon’s – Breezy Point Resort is targeting April 24

Madden’s Social 9 opens April 24

Lakes Area R&R in Merrifield – Lakes Area Links Championship Putting Course opens April 24

These early openings are perfect for golfers eager to get the first round of the year in.

Into May and Beyond

A few courses hold off a bit longer to ensure optimal conditions.

Madden’s on Gull Lake The Classic opens April 30

Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort Jack’s 18 opens May 1

Wildwedge Golf in Pequot Lakes opens May 1

Ruttger’s Alec’s 9 opens May 8

Plan Your Golf Getaway

With courses opening throughout April and more than 200 holes to explore, there has never been a better time to plan your next golf trip to the Brainerd Lakes Area. Whether you are here for a quick weekend or a full week on the fairways, you will find no shortage of incredible courses, welcoming communities, and memorable views. Start mapping out your tee times, book your stay, and get ready to make the most of golf season in the Brainerd Lakes Area.