Minnesota should be called the Land of 10,000 Golf Courses, not 10,000 Lakes. Okay, there may not be that many courses in this great state, but there are 65 within 20 minutes of downtown Minneapolis, all of which are worthy of a tee time.

Friday

4 p.m.

Ease into your weekend at Brookview Golf Course in Golden Valley on the 18-hole regulation course. With some of the most reasonable rates in the Twin Cities, this straightforward course provides a fair challenge with Bassett Creek running through and beside six of its holes. If you want a shorter game, play the par-3 nine-hole course. The course’s greens and fairways are well groomed and will give you a taste of Minnesota’s best: beautiful nature with views of downtown Minneapolis in the distance.

8:30 p.m.

Swing by Brookview Grill for a laid back, affordable dinner—we’re talking $7 burgers and $10 beer pitchers. For other dinner options, The Shops at West End are just down the road in St. Louis Park, where you can get Irish pub fare at Cooper, top-notch Mexican food at Rojo, or a long list of tap beers and molten pizza at The Loop.

Saturday

7:30 a.m.

For years StoneRidge Golf Club in the eastern suburb of Stillwater has been crowned the No. 1 public access golf course in the Twin Cities by Golfweek Magazine. Be sure to reserve a time at least two weeks in advance, and tee off early to take it all in. Native grasses frame rolling fairways and sprawling greens, which allow you to experiment with your long and short game.

11:30 a.m.

Not only does StoneRidge’s course continue to win awards, so does its restaurant. Danny’s Bar and Grill is arguably one of the best 19^th holes in the Twin Cities. Their menu changes with the seasons, but you can always rely on mouthwatering burgers, tacos, pastas and more to refuel you for the next round.

1 p.m.

If you want another crack at StoneRidge’s course, get the Hall Pass rate: a play-all-day special that includes the cart. Otherwise head to another of Minnesota’s greatest courses: Prestwick Golf Club in Woodbury. The par-72 championship course has piled up the accolades, including a 4.5-star rating by Golf Digest, and it was named one of the top three public course experiences in the state by Star Tribune. Choose from five tee boxes to tailor your game on this manicured course, which is especially beautiful in fall.

5:30 p.m.

An early day calls for an early dinner. Try Osteria at Prestwick, the classy establishment that has stepped up Prestwick’s overall caliber since it opened in 2015. Grab a seat on the patio, or sit inside where floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the 18^th fairway. The head chef’s Italian heritage shines through in dishes like bruschetta, eggplant carpaccio and tagliolini puttanesca, but the menu extends far beyond that.

8 p.m.

Make downtown St. Paul your final stop for a night cap at Saint Dinette or OxCart Ale House where the cocktails are strong and the prices are right. Otherwise stop at The Happy Gnome for your choice of 89 craft beers on tap and 250 different whiskies.

Sunday

11 a.m.

You worked hard yesterday, so wake up slow and then tee off at Rush Creek Golf Club. The Maple Grove course is repeatedly hailed as a public course with a private feel, from the beautiful clubhouse to the well-kept fairways and greens. Carts are equipped with GPS technology and help you navigate the wide variety of holes that cater to all levels of play. If you aren’t up for a full 18 holes, the par-three nine-hole course is a superb option to wrap up your weekend of golf.

3 p.m.

Rush Creek’s dining option is The Highlander, where their specialty is anything smoked—they smoke it onsite in their Ole Hickory Smoker, so you know it’s going to be good. Unwind on the roomy patio with a cold beer from a local brewery and start planning your next Twin Cities golf getaway.