Clifton Highlands Golf Course – River Valley High

I know a guy who lives in Prescott – a friend who told me for years about a course just up the road (a few miles) from his house. He told me about a course with another course – a Par 3, 9-hole course essentially built on top of a mountain. That’s 27 holes for this facility – immediately worthy of a visit for anyone who loves to fill up their days with a lot of good golf in ONE place.

Clifton Highlands is that course, and at just three miles north of Prescott, Wisconsin (overlooking the scenic St. Croix River Valley) it is essentially within the reasonable geographic definition of the Twin Cities metro. (Only 20 miles south of Woodbury.)

“Other than 27 holes of golf, what makes the course so special,” I asked said friend. “The value,” he replied. “The Minneapolis Star-Tribune listed it within the ‘Top 5 Bang for Your Buck Courses in the entire Twin Cities Area’ AND… it was rated 4.5 Stars by Golf Digest.”

“What about conditioniong?” I asked. “Exceptional. Some of the greens are a bit small, but they roll great – very true. I enjoy the layout and that it is so playable from several different tee boxes.” That’s always something I’m looking for as well. I want to make sure each set of tee boxes is calculated and not an afterthought, as my wife and son play from different lengths than I do. Hearing that our different golf games could all survive (and perhaps thrive) there made Clifton Highlands even more appealing for a visit.

Regularly in Hudson for golf, I figured I’d add the 27 holes at Clifton Highlands to one of those trips (only 14 miles apart). It was a beautiful day and those 45 holes of golf made the day even more beautifuller. (I think that’s a word.) We arrived for lunch and found a great sandwich and grill menu at the Highlands Grill. I couldn’t pass up the “Boss Hog” (especially for under $10) and while devouring those various forms of pork (and some Cowboy Corn Bites) I found several other menu items I’ll be trying on future visits. In fact, next time I’m coming for breakfast – their Sunday Breakfast menu is as diverse and strong as any diner’s menu (with a better view).

Clifton Highlands has a full fleet of golf carts, but I’m a sucker for GolfBoards and ANY chance I get to ride one of those while I golf, I do it. (You have to watch a safety video before playing, but it is well worth it for the experience, and they are SUPER easy to control!)

I caught up with Ken Bramhall (PGA Head Professional) before stepping out on the course and asked him what he’d tell people who have never been to his course. “Well,” he said. “I’d tell them we have a wonderful collection of golf holes with excellent course conditions, and friendly outgoing people ready to serve them. An incredible overall golf experience.” True to that quote, I found that Clifton Highlands has a fully certified PGA Staff, able to do club fittings and lessons, and a complete practice facility for all those tune-ups and educations. They run plenty of golf outings there (which makes perfect sense) and it seems like they are quite flexible to handle all event related sizes and needs.

I’ll validate the friendliness of service. They didn’t know who I was, or that I was there for a future story, but they treated us like we were… well… friends, and that’s always appreciated. Better yet, the playing experience exceeded expectations, especially on the Par 3 Course. HIGH above the Championship 18, the Par 3 Course gives amazing views and some pretty fun holes (ranging from 43 yards to 136), especially the peninsular 4^th. You take a scenic tram ride to the first tee, and end with a 140-foot drop from tee box to green. (They even schedule outings/parties JUST for the Par 3 Course!)

I did agree that some of the greens on the championship 18 were a bit small (I NEED them really wide though…LOL), but was thrilled by the condition of the course. With water in play on only six holes, and only a couple dozen bunkers on the entire course, the playability was also great (as advertised)!

If you loved the experience at Clifton Highlands (excellent service, food and conditioning) they are part of a 3-Course link known as the River Valley Golf Trail (with Red Wing Golf Course and Gopher Hills) and pride themselves on the consistency of their operations. I’d say you need to play all 27 at Clifton Highlands. But, then again, I’d tell you to visit all three.