Review: TPC Twin Cities Golf Course

Take Advantage of a Priceless Experience.
By now you’ve seen numerous MasterCard commercials talking about a priceless experience.  If you use their card to purchase some items the experience might just turn into something you can’t buy.  One of those offers is exclusive access to TPC golf courses around the country.  At first glance it might not seem like much or it might feel kind of spendy, but it is a priceless experience that you might want to take advantage of.
The deal is: as a MasterCard user, you can book rounds at TPC courses to play rounds you might not otherwise be able to play, they call it the MasterCard experience.  With a World or World Elite MasterCard you can take advantage of their Private Club Access which is how I got to play TPC Twin Cities.  It runs over $100 per person so some might balk at the price, but considering what a local muni charges for 18 holes and a cart, it doesn’t look so expensive.  I’m not saying I’d want to do this for every round, (I can’t anyways) but at least once it is worth the experience.  They also have the MasterCard Club Series that includes breakfast or lunch, $25 merchandise credit and the opportunity to attend the Finale at TPC Sawgrass in November. (the next opportunity to play TPC Twin Cities is Oct. 6th)
 

TPC Twin Cities is an Arnold Palmer design that hosts the Champions Tour 3M Championship every summer.  It is a private course that offers an opportunity to play where the pros play through MasterCard.  It adds to the enjoyment when you have watched them play there in person or on TV and then get to try it for yourself.  Tom Watson hit a 4 iron into the green when I hit a 6-iron, or Fred Couples hit one in the water that I cleared easily, or Bernhard Langer made a putt from the corner of the green that I couldn’t get to stop within 10 feet of the flag.

TPC Twin Cities is a fantastic design with numerous great and memorable holes.  While the houses and condos are a little tight to the course on many holes, the actual layout is superb.  It can play over 7000 yards, yet has multiple forward tees for a more friendly experience.  We played the tees that they use for the Champions tour which play around 6800.  If you arrive early, which I suggest you do, take advantage of the awesome practice areas too.

There were a number of really memorable holes.  Like hole 2 which requires a solid tee shot, possibly a 3-wood to avoid the water hazards, then a precise approach to hit the peninsula green.  Hole 7 is a short par 4 but is really challenging considering the water, bunkers and OB. Hole 9 is a challenging finish to the front side as the water hazard to the right of the green makes you think about attacking the flag or playing it safe. The back 9 has a large lake that comes into play on holes 13 and 17.  13 is a big sweeping dogleg left around the lake while 17 is a short par 3 over the water that also guards the left side.  But the 18th had to be my most memorable hole.  I ripped a drive right up the middle almost 3 bills.  It almost reached the pond that guards the front of this par 5.  The safe play is to hit left to more fairway and then into the green on your third shot, or you can risk it and go at the green from about 200+ out.  I opted to hit the 4 iron at the green. 2-putts later I walked off with a birdie on 18. Priceless.

Beyond the course, the staff was awesome and the food was delicious.  You can make a whole day of your visit to TPC Twin Cities as a member for the day.  If you’re not in the Twin Cities, MasterCard offers these deals at TPC courses around the country. You might just find it to be a priceless experience.


For more information: www.tpc.com/twincities
or
www.PricelessGolf.com


Quick Hits
+Amazing Conditions
+Very nice layout
+Private Experience
+Worth the price
+Excellent dining

–Lots of homes around the holes