
Minnesota Valley Course
Minnesota Valley Country Club


About this course
Minnesota Valley Country Club occupies rolling terrain along the Minnesota River valley in Bloomington, a southern suburb of Minneapolis. Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay designed the course, which opened in the early 1970s during Palmer's active period of design work with his longtime partner Seay. The layout reflects the design principles Palmer favored as both player and architect: strategic bunkering, generous landing areas that reward aggressive play, and greens that demand precise approach shots. The routing takes advantage of the property's natural elevation changes and mature tree cover. Several holes play along ridgelines or down into valley corridors, creating variety in both shot values and visual character. The course moves through wooded sections and more open areas, with the Minnesota River valley providing a distinctive backdrop. Water comes into play on multiple holes, typical of courses built in this region during the era. Minnesota Valley has served as a private club for over five decades, hosting regional amateur competitions and maintaining a membership drawn largely from the Twin Cities business and professional community. The club operates as a family-oriented facility with tennis and swimming amenities alongside golf. The course has undergone periodic updates to bunker styles and green complexes while preserving the fundamental Palmer-Seay routing and strategic design intent that defines the layout.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Private column compares member-only and guest-restricted courses.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in MN
Quick facts
- Location
- Bloomington, MN, USA
- Access
- Private
- Year built
- 1924
- Holes
- 18
- Designer(s)
- Arnold Palmer, Ed Seay
- Par
- 73
- Length
- 6,787 yards
- Difficulty
- 73.6/139
- Course Vaults score
- 7.9
Getting there
Minnesota Valley Country Club is most readily accessed via Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), situated approximately 20 minutes south of the club's Bloomington location, making it one of the most convenient arrivals in the Upper Midwest. The drive from MSP traces a direct path through the suburban landscape of the Twin Cities' southern corridor, with the final approach unfolding along quiet residential avenues that frame the club's verdant grounds. For those arriving by private aircraft, Flying Cloud Airport (FCM) in Eden Prairie offers an intimate alternative just minutes away, allowing a seamless transition from tarmac to fairway. The entire journey - whether commercial or private - remains refreshingly brief and unhurried, befitting a club that has anchored Minnesota's golfing tradition since 1927.

FAQ
Common questions about Minnesota Valley
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Minnesota Valley has a Course Vaults score of 7.9 out of 10 based on 27 logged golfers.
Minnesota Valley was designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay.
Minnesota Valley is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Minnesota Valley is 73.
Minnesota Valley plays 6,787 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Minnesota Valley is 139.






