GRAND NATIONAL GOLF CLUB- Hinkley, Mn

Senior age: 55

Senior rate: Monday-Friday before 10AM  $44 w/cart and range

Yardage: 5100-6894

Website: www.grandnationalgolf.com

Dress code: none

Review:

Let's just start by saying you won't be sorry playing this course.  Fairways and greens are in great shape.  Found the front nine to be the scoring nine.  The back nine is a little longer and raises the difficulty level up a notch, but not to the degree of frustration.  We found the greens to be some of the most fun we've run into in our course reviews.  They are in great shape and roll very true.  Found them to be easy to read with slight undulations.  Didn't run into any surprises.  Didn't have to use our Skycaddie as the carts have GPS.  Scenery is a plus.  Casey Fahey is the golf pro and seems to have a good handle on how to keep a course successful.  He showed us future plans and changes that are in the works to improve an already very good course.  Steve Benson is the groundskeeper and surely knows what he's doing.  One of the more interesting hole was the 300 yard par-4.  On paper it looks like it should be a piece of cake until you take a look at the trouble surrounding the green.  Holes 15-18 make for some of the best finishing holes we've played.  Overall we gave this course a 4.3 out of 5 rating.  Fun, right degree of difficulty, friendliness of staff, GPS with tips, free coffee all made it a most enjoyable experience. 

A footnote:  Found the Grand Hinkley Inn a great place to stay for very reasonable.  It's part of the Casino's sprawling interests as is the golf course.  AARP members receive discounts, and the casino is a 2 minute shuttle ride from the Inn  If you weren't lucky on the course, maybe the casino will help your sorrows.