There are two practice greens and one is set up for chipping. The course does not offer a driving range. In the clubhouse there is lots of seating, a grill, and they do have full bar service. There is also a limited amount of golf items for purchase. The staff was very friendly and after our round came out to meet us and ask if we wanted them to keep the grill opened for us, as they were getting ready to close, but would be happy to stay if we wanted.

Afton Alps really is two different golf courses in one. The front nine plays very nicely and is well laid out. Greens are reachable in regulation, and we found the course to be very wide open and hazards placed in the appropriate locations. We did enjoy the front nine, but found the back nine to be far different. The back nine is laid out almost entirely within the Afton Alps ski slopes, making for a very hilly and sometimes odd layout. You are literally playing golf on the same slopes that you can ski on in the winter. It really seemed to be an afterthought to have holes here, tee boxes poorly placed, blind shots around corners, ski lifts surrounding holes and snowmaking machines and piping around the course. On the plus side, there are some very scenic vantage points on the back nine, with some nice views of the St. Croix River Valley. We even spotted three deer and a raccoon on the course.

We found this course just okay. Guess it would be fair to say we felt kind of "duped." We came for 18 holes of golf and we got 9. The second nine was more of a tour of the ski resort without the snow. Would we return? Maybe, but there are many more comparable choices that would be more enjoyable. Most likely, the next time we'd return, it would be with our skis, to experience the more appropriate use of this particular parcel of real estate.

Latest Update: 5/4/2012