Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort - Quarry Course

Course conditions were perfect. For nearly $100 though, I would have expected GPS carts. It would have been helpful as there are some "target golf" holes where I took penalties because I didn't know distances.

The Quarry at Giant's Ridge is one of two courses designed by Jeff Brauer at The Giant's Ridge Resort, and it's definitely not for the faint of heart. This is one of the more challenging courses you'll find anywhere, but it's also one of the most fun courses you'll find anywhere.

The Quarry is built on top of an old mining quarry, which lends itself to some massive land forms and wild golf holes. If you can check your ego and hit fairways and greens, you'll score well. But when you get out of position, that's when the fun begins. You'll have chances for hero shots, but fail at those and you'll be looking at double bogey or worse.

The conditioning of The Quarry is outstanding! The greens were some of the purest and fastest I've played. The fairways were firm but fair, and good shots are definitely rewarded.

There are a couple of odd holes on the back 9, specifically 15 and 18, both of which require a lay-up off the tee and then a long 2nd. But they don't detract from the overall experience.

When you play here be sure to grab lunch on the patio at the Wecootah Grill. You'll be treated to a fantastic lake view while you dine on some really good food.

My favorite hole is the par 5 2nd hole. You can't believe the scale of the hole until you see it in person. It requires three good shots to reach the green, and then a deft putting touch to make your birdie or par.

We took a golf junket in early October and was treated to spectacular fall colors and a visually intimidating track. But we played it from our tees and it was fun round, the wind gusts into the 40-50 range made driving a challenge but we survived. Will go back and play the Legend, its a great track and the staff let us do a cart tour during the frost delay which let us plan our round better. A great time, will definitely be back.

Jeff Brauer has built four stellar golf courses here in UP NORTH Minnesota and Quarry is his most revered-a Top 35 US golf course according to Golf Digest. Everything is excellent here, from the staff to the service, to the amenities, and riding the course on the GolfBikes was a new kind of awesome.

The Quarry course is NOT a course for beginners. Regardless of which tees you play it is bound to require your best play. It is a ruggedly beautiful round and single-digit handicappers definitely will love every bit of it. It is absolutely a must-play, and Head Golf Professional John Kendall is without a doubt one of the state's best golf ambassadors.

I love Giants Ridge. As a disclaimer, I am an absolute sucker for heavily wooded golf courses. I love the scenery aspect of golf courses and this course nails that on the head. I have played both the Legend and the Quarry and will definitely be back. The clubhouse is alright, but the patio area where you can eat your lunch between rounds is incredible. It looks over the old filled in mine, just a huge lake now. And it is awesome. That is my favorite place that I have had food/drinks on any golf course. The course is great, a lot of elevation changes and tons of rock structures. The scenery is incredible and the course is a challenge. Pace was pretty good until about hole 15 but it was just a minor wait. This is a northern treat and rewards those who are willing to drive. Do it.

Played both courses back in 2013, just before Golf Advisor was launched. Both are very nice, and it was fun to see the land of Bob Dylan, walleye and giant hockey sticks. Wrote up the trip for GolfChannel.com: http://www.golfchannel.com/news/travel-insider/minnesotas-iron-range-land-lakes-legendary-giants-and-spectacular-golf-giants/

I Played 36 holes at the Quarry and I really enjoyed it. The course was in really good shape and challenging. Played the course from the tips and it was a good test of golf. I feel like the Architect would have used the natural mounds better. Seems like as I looked around he could have created a more memorable golf course but still a great course.

The course is beautiful with a wide variety of holes. Weather was a little muggy and plays longer than advertised. Greens, fairways and tee boxes are immaculate. Challenging course, but a lot of fun to play. Also got a great rate on a midweek room at the lodge which is also spectacular.