Biwabik, Minnesota isn’t likely to be on anybody’s Top 10,000 golf destinations. (Let’s get the pronunciation down first: “Bi,” like a baby’s bib, but without the final ‘b. “Wa” like a baby’s cry, and “Bik” like the namesake pen. Now say it out loud slowly, with the emphasis on the second syllable: “Bi-Wa-Bik.") But up in the state’s northeast corner, in the infamous Iron Range, not too far from Hibbing (boyhood home of Bob Dylan and Celtics Hall-of-Famer Kevin McHale) and within striking distance of the city of Duluth, lies a couple of fine golf courses at a resort called Giants ...

My email inbox often serves as a clearinghouse for the PR reps of every crackpot, half-baked, trivial, ridiculous and downright unnecessary golf contraption known to mankind. Time and space constraints prevent me from any sort of comprehensive listing, but rest assured, there are people out there this minute trying to trumpet a new improved tee, glove, divot repair tool, “magic pendant,” ball marker, fake-driver-that-doubles-as-urinal, and a hundred other harebrained golf-oriented schemes. Silly. Once in awhile though, something comes down the cyber-pike well worth one’s time and attention. Tin Cup is a clever name, and a brilliant concept. Cover your golf ball ...

You can burn through multiple tanks of gas traversing all of Minnesota’s highways, byways and fairways in search of the state’s best golf. But if time and efficiency are the watchwords, there’s one single destination that will satisfy: Brainerd Lakes Region, less than three hours from the Twin Cities. Even the most ardent golfer will find a full week’s worth of excellent venues in very close proximity. On the “to-do” list: Deacon’s Lodge, a first-rate Arnold Palmer design. Grand View Lodge, with two fine choices: The Pines course, and even better, The Preserve course. There’s Golden Eagle Golf Club, Whitebirch at ...