The Legend at Giant’s Ridge – Played September 2021
- Rankings: None of my four lists
- Location: 6325 Wynne Creek Road, Biwabik, Minnesota
- Year: 1997
- Architect: Jeff Brauer & Lanny Wadkins
- Course Access: Resort
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Gold: 6,930 yards, Par 72, 74.6 Rating/136 Slope
- Blue: 6,528 yards, Par 72, 72.6 Rating/132 Slope
- White: 6,112 yards, Par 72, 70.6 Rating/129 Slope
- Red: 5,084 yards, Par 72, 70.2 Rating/125 Slope
Remember when I said I wouldn’t have played only one Jeff Brauer course for long? I played my second at The Legend at Giant’s Ridge as the beginning of another 36-hole day.
The Legend pairs with The Quarry to form the Giant’s Ridge golf operation. Golf isn’t the only thing on offer at this year round resort. Biking, climbing, and other activities are available in the summer. The winter understandably centers around skiing and snowboarding with plenty of other snow-laden choices. But as you know, I’m almost always going somewhere for the golf. So let’s get into it!
Check out the tee markers and signs below.
Hole 1 – 365 yards – Par 4
This isn’t an overly long hole to start, but you’ll need to fit your drive between woods and sand. If you can do that, the approach is an opportunity to attack.
Hole 2 – 146 yards – Par 3
The large green here is an inviting target with a short club. Anything that gets to the front of the green should be a simple par.
Hole 3 – 476 yards – Par 5
You can tell from the first photo here that this hole features a bit of quirk. Here at Giant’s Ridge, there is a giant footprint with the bunker arrangement. It’s kind of silly but I like it.
A good drive on this short, dogleg left will allow some to get home in two. Plenty of sand awaits wayward shots though.
Hole 4 – 381 yards – Par 4
Something about the view from this tee makes me want to let the driver loose.
I like the use of subtle undulation in the green.
Hole 5 – 398 yards – Par 4
What you see is what you get on this slight right bender.
Hole 6 – 180 yards – Par 3
This tee shot plays to a massive green with plenty of room to maneuver. But if you falter, the front bunker is lying in wait.
You can see the scope of the green here.
Hole 7 – 388 yards – Par 4
From the tee down to the green, this hole curves left all the way. With ample corridors, however, a par should be well within reach.
Hole 8 – 445 yards – Par 4
There’s no messing around on this long, uphill monster. Middling shots won’t cut it here.
The second shot is likely to be long for most players.
It’s a pretty view from behind the green, but can be hell getting there.
Hole 9 – 516 yards – Par 5
Unless you have supreme confidence and an aerial attack, patience is the name of the game here. A drive and a sensible layup can put you in position to make an easy five.
After the left bend from the tee, the green comes into view, guarded by the pond in front.
The approach shots are quite downhill.
Hole 10 – 378 yards – Par 4
With trouble all around, something in the fairway off the tee is all you need.
The bunkers are not actually near the green. The putting surface is only protected by rough and slopes.
Hole 11 – 130 yards – Par 3
From this yardage, this hole is a scoring opportunity. Any wayward shots pay high prices though.
The green slopes from back to front, but is not overly severe.
Hole 12 – 383 yards – Par 4
If you can hit a draw off the tee, this hole sets up perfectly for your game. The hole continues around the trees to the left.
Good drives place you in prime scoring territory.
Hole 13 – 392 yards – Par 4
This fairway is a bit pinched with trees and sand on either side. Drives to the left side of the fairway have the best angle to the green.
You don’t always see trees in the bunker islands. Something different is good in certain doses.
Hole 14 – 480 yards – Par 5
It’s go time when you’re standing on this tee. Two good shots will get a lot of players home.
Even if you don’t hit the green, plenty of sand allows for chances to get up and down.
Hole 15 – 424 yards – Par 4
The tee shot and approach are not tricked up. The length means you just need to hit solid shots to find the green.
The green is an open, inviting target which is commensurate with a longer approach shot.
Hole 16 – 493 yards – Par 5
The second of sub-500 yard par fives offers up another chance to get one back against par. The green is off to the left slightly, but the hole is straight overall.
The greens at the Legend are more role players than stars. They complement the course as opposed to defining it.
Hole 17 – 216 yards – Par 3
Go big or go home on this long one-shotter. A deeper green would provide more relief, but the dry land is a large enough target.
I always like to see a course honor their own.
The green was enveloped in shadows so you can’t quite see the depth issue I referred to earlier.
Hole 18 – 337 yards – Par 4
Long hitters have choices here, but so do shorter players. Driver off the tee or play for position. Whatever you choose, the hay is made around the green.
I found the Legend to be a serene and tranquil resort course. As I mentioned, the greens won’t blow anyone away, but the course was enjoyable from start to finish. More importantly, resort guests won’t get beat up or take 5+ hours to finish (at least they have no excuse to do so). Northern Minnesota probably doesn’t get the volume of visitors it deserves, so don’t make that mistake and go check out the Legend.