The Pines - Woods 9 at Grand View Lodge

The Pines Woods 9 at Grand View Lodge in Nisswa forms part of a larger golf complex in Minnesota's Brainerd Lakes region, an area known for its concentration of resort courses set among dense pine forests and glacial lakes. Joel Goldstrand, a regional architect active in the Upper Midwest during the mid-to-late twentieth century, designed this nine-hole layout to complement the resort's other golf offerings. The Woods 9 name reflects its routing through the property's forested sections, where players navigate corridors carved through stands of mature pines and encounter the rolling topography characteristic of Minnesota's glacial moraine landscape.

Grand View Lodge operates as a family-oriented resort destination, and its golf facilities cater to a range of abilities and playing preferences. The Woods 9 likely serves as either a shorter companion loop or an alternative routing option when combined with other nines on the property. Courses in this region typically feature tree-lined fairways that demand accuracy off the tee, with native grasses and sandy soil providing firm playing conditions during summer months. Elevation changes, though modest by mountain standards, add strategic interest to approach shots and green complexes.

The Brainerd Lakes area has long attracted golfers from Minneapolis-St. Paul and beyond, particularly during the warm-weather season when northern Minnesota's lakes and forests provide a recreational retreat. The Pines Woods 9 fits within this tradition of accessible, wooded resort golf that emphasizes playability and natural setting over championship length or severe difficulty.