Stonebrooke Golf Club: Where Hole 8 Needs a Ferry

Stonebrooke Golf Club in Shakopee sits about 25 miles southwest of Minneapolis, and it plays nothing like a suburban filler course. Tom Haugen designed this 18-hole layout in 1988 on land shaped by lakes, woods, and wetlands, and the result is a par-71 that gets genuinely interesting. Golf Digest rates it 4 stars. Local players have voted it the best course in the southwest metro. And at some point during your round, a pontoon boat will transport your golf cart across a lake.

The Numbers

From the Blue tees, Stonebrooke measures 6,475 yards with a course rating of 71.2 and a slope of 134. The White tees play 6,104 yards with a 69.5 rating and slope of 130. For shorter hitters, the Gold tees come in at 5,401 yards (66.3/124) and the Red tees at 4,820 yards (63.9/118). The par-71 layout runs 35 on the front and 36 on the back, with six par-3s spread through the round. Those short holes are no throwaway -- the elevation changes and water hazards make them play every bit of their yardage.

Water and Elevation Shape Almost Every Hole

Water comes into play on 13 of the 18 holes. Lake O'Dowd runs through the heart of the property and borders several fairways, while marshland and wetlands line the edges of others. The mature trees frame nearly every corridor off the tee, and the elevation changes that run through the layout are less common in this flat stretch of Minnesota.

Several holes call for blind or semi-blind tee shots, which reward players who know the course and punish those who try to overpower it. Course management matters here. The bent grass greens hold approach shots reasonably well, but getting to them often means threading drives through tree-lined chutes or committing to carries over water at the right moment.

The 8th Hole: You Take a Boat

Stonebrooke's most talked-about feature is not a scenic viewpoint or a demanding forced carry. It is a literal pontoon boat. After playing your tee shot on the par-4 8th hole, you board a ferry that shuttles carts across Lake O'Dowd to reach the green. A cart path alternative exists, but almost nobody uses it. The boat captain has become a genuine part of the experience -- reviewers mention him specifically and consistently as a highlight of the round.

The hole plays as a solid par-4 in its own right, with the lake crossing adding both drama and a natural mid-round pause. It is one of the more memorable golf holes in Minnesota, and it is the kind of thing players describe to friends long after the round ends.

Conditions and Course Setup

Stonebrooke earns consistent praise for conditioning from spring through midsummer. The bent grass greens typically run true and hold a fair pace. The bluegrass fairways come in well-maintained during peak season, though some player reviews note conditions can soften later in the year. The course runs daily shotgun starts and books heavily on weekends, so weekday rounds tend to move at a better pace.

Walking is permitted, which is worth noting for players who prefer to carry their own bag. The pro shop is well-stocked, and the starter's box staff sets an upbeat tone before rounds go out.

After Your Round

Tavern 19 occupies the Stonebrooke clubhouse and runs a full-service restaurant and bar with an outdoor terrace overlooking the course. The patio views include the waterfall and lower sections of the layout, making it a solid place to sit after 18 holes. It goes well beyond a halfway house setup.

Stonebrooke also runs Waters Edge, a 9-hole par-3 course on the same property, useful for short game work or a quick loop before the main event. A driving range and practice greens round out the practice facility. The banquet rooms also host outings and events, so if your group wants a tournament day, the infrastructure is already in place.

Who Should Play Stonebrooke

Stonebrooke plays well for mid-to-high handicappers who want a real challenge without getting beaten up on every hole. The four tee options give golfers a fair look at the course from any distance, and the six par-3s create scoring opportunities for shorter hitters. Scratch and low-handicap players will find the Blue tees at 134 slope demanding enough to stay engaged. For out-of-town golfers looking for a distinctly Minnesota round, the terrain, the lake crossings, and the ferry ride deliver exactly that.

Green fees sit in the mid-range for the Twin Cities market, and the 4-star Golf Digest recognition backs up the value when conditions are at their best.

Ready to plan your round? View the full scorecard for Stonebrooke Golf Club on Stymie, with hole-by-hole yardages and tee details for all four playing options at stymie.golf.