Last weekend I paid my third visit to the Oaks Golf Club in Hayfield, Minnesota (which is located about 30 miles southwest of Rochester). Just like the last two times, I played with the Miller family. And also just like the last two times, wind played a huge part in the round.

The people of Hayfield seem to crave two things with their golf: carts and fast rounds. I’d see big caravans of carts and think they allowed fivesomes or sixsomes, but in reality, people there just like to drive carts solo. If you walk, be prepared to play ready golf or you will get run over.

The course was in good condition and some of the rough was already somewhat long. The course isn’t very long (under 6,500 yards from the tips), but remember that wind impacts nearly every shot here and there are really only two flat greens out of the eighteen. The walking weekend rate was $31.50.