Spring Hill Golf Club in Wayzata, Minnesota is an exclusive, invitation-only private club featuring Tom Fazio's first Minnesota design on a championship 7,035-yard course with an estimated $200,000-$300,000 initiation fee and notable members including Michael Jordan.
Located just 20 minutes west of Minneapolis, this limited-membership club (215 members) operates with mandatory caddies, walking-only play, and ranks among Golf Digest's top courses nationally while maintaining elite conditioning standards across its unique layout connected by an underground tunnel.
Keep reading for detailed insights into the course's signature holes, membership requirements, architectural features, and what makes this one of the most prestigious golf destinations in the Midwest.
Strategic Location and Accessibility
Spring Hill Golf Club occupies a prime position at 725 County Road 6 in Wayzata, Minnesota 55391, placing it strategically within Hennepin County just 20 minutes west of Minneapolis.
This proximity offers members convenient access to one of the state's most exclusive golf experiences without the lengthy travel typically required for premium private clubs.
Club Operations and Contact
The club maintains a deliberately low profile with member-only access and seasonal operations spanning roughly seven months annually—a standard timeframe for Minnesota golf courses navigating harsh winter conditions.
You can reach the golf shop at (952) 473-1500 for any inquiries, as the club currently relies on direct phone contact while developing their new website presence.
Exclusive Private Structure
Spring Hill operates under a strict private club model with carefully controlled membership numbers.
This limited-access approach ensures the intimate, exclusive atmosphere that defines the club's character while maintaining the pristine course conditions and unhurried pace of play that members expect from a premium golf experience.
The club's location in Wayzata—one of Minnesota's most affluent communities—reinforces its positioning as a destination for discerning golfers who value both convenience and exclusivity in their club selection.
Fazio's Minnesota Debut
When Tom Fazio designed Spring Hill Golf Club in 1999, he brought his renowned architectural vision to Minnesota for the first time.
The course represents one of Fazio's most naturally integrated designs, where he worked with the existing rolling topography rather than against it, requiring minimal earth movement to create a layout that feels indigenous to the landscape.
Innovative Infrastructure Solution
The course's most distinctive feature solves a unique design challenge: County Road 6 bisects the property, requiring an underground tunnel to connect the course sections seamlessly.
This engineering solution allows seven tree-lined fairways north of the road to integrate with the main layout, creating a cohesive 18-hole experience despite the geographical obstacle.
Course Flow and Connectivity
- Opening sequence: Holes 1-6 establish the round's rhythm
- Underground transition: Tunnel passage maintains uninterrupted play flow
- Northern section: Seven fairways offer distinct playing experiences
- Closing stretch: Holes 14-18 provide dramatic finishing sequence
Natural Environmental Integration
Fazio masterfully incorporated the site's existing natural features into his design philosophy.
Wetland areas and small ponds punctuate the rolling terrain organically, while thick evergreen forests create natural corridors between holes.
The mature maple tree sections transform into spectacular displays each fall, adding seasonal beauty that enhances the visual experience beyond pure golf strategy.
This environmental sensitivity reflects Fazio's mature design approach—creating memorable golf holes while preserving the land's inherent character and ecological balance.
Championship Specifications and Challenge Level
Spring Hill's championship layout stretches 7,035 yards from the back tees with a demanding rating of 74.2 and slope of 152—numbers that immediately signal serious golf for accomplished players.
The course maintains par 72 across all tee configurations, ensuring consistent strategic demands regardless of which tees you choose.
Tee Options by Skill Level
Tee Color Yardage Rating Slope Target Player
Championship 7,035 74.2 152 Scratch/low handicap
Green 6,781 73.1 149 Single-digit handicaps
Blue 6,352 71.1 145 Mid-handicap players
Silver 5,938 69.3 141 Higher handicaps/seniors
Premium Playing Surfaces
Both greens and fairways feature bentgrass throughout, providing the consistent ball roll and premium feel expected at an elite private club.
This grass selection thrives in Minnesota's climate while maintaining the putting quality and fairway lies that complement Fazio's strategic design elements.
Conditioning Excellence Through Limited Play
Spring Hill's pristine conditions result directly from restricting annual rounds to approximately 8,000—roughly half the volume of typical private clubs.
This low traffic preserves the course's immaculate presentation where finding a blade of grass out of place proves nearly impossible.
The reduced play also maintains faster pace, allowing members to complete rounds without the delays common at busier facilities.
Elevation Strategy
The significant elevation changes throughout the property demand thoughtful shot placement and club selection, transforming routine approaches into strategic decisions that separate good rounds from great ones.
The Signature 16th: A Dramatic Par 5 Masterpiece
Spring Hill's 16th hole stands as the course's signature experience—a 508-yard par 5 that mirrors the famous 4th hole at Bethpage Black through its dramatic elevation play.
Your tee shot drops 40 feet before the hole demands a punishing 60-foot climb to reach the perched green, which remains hidden from view during most of the ascent.
This creates a thrilling blend of risk and reward where club selection and course management become paramount.
Strategic Water Features
Three holes showcase Fazio's masterful integration of water hazards:
- 8th Hole: This 231-yard par 3 tests precision with sand and marsh protection guarding the target
- 13th Hole: A lengthy 590-yard par 5 culminates with a marsh-fronted green approach that demands accurate distance control
- 18th Hole: The 411-yard finishing par 4 requires one final wetlands carry, creating memorable pressure on the home stretch
Course Character and Design Philosophy
Spring Hill's defining characteristic lies in its complete hole isolation—thick forest corridors separate each playing area, creating an intimate, secluded feel rare in modern golf design.
This forest framework combines with tight fairways bordered by marshland to present constant strategic decisions rather than simple power displays.
Elevation and Green Complexity
The course's rolling terrain generates numerous uphill approach shots into elevated greens, where subtle movements in the putting surfaces add layers of complexity to scoring.
This elevation variety, combined with exceptional diversity in hole lengths, shapes, and orientations, ensures that each round presents fresh challenges and prevents predictable shot patterns from developing.
The result creates what many consider Fazio's most naturally integrated design—golf holes that feel discovered rather than constructed.
Ultra-Exclusive Membership Cap
Spring Hill maintains strict exclusivity through a hard cap of 215 members—a deliberately small number that preserves the intimate club atmosphere and ensures optimal course access.
This limited membership operates on an invitation-only basis with an existing waiting list, meaning prospective members cannot simply apply but must be sponsored by current members and demonstrate alignment with the club's culture and values.
Financial Investment Structure
The club's premium positioning reflects in its substantial financial requirements:
- Initiation fees: $200,000 to $300,000 estimated range
- Annual dues: $20,000 to $30,000 estimated range
- Total first-year cost: Potentially reaching $330,000 for new members
These figures place Spring Hill among the most expensive golf clubs in the upper Midwest, reflecting both the course quality and exclusivity premium.
Membership Categories and Access Levels
Full Golf Membership provides unlimited access to both the course and all club facilities, representing the standard membership level for serious golfers.
Social Membership offers clubhouse privileges and social event access while allowing golf play for additional greens fees—ideal for those prioritizing networking over frequent golf.
Junior Membership extends limited access to children of full golf members, fostering multi-generational club involvement.
Notable Member Profile
The membership roster includes high-profile figures such as Michael Jordan and several Minnesota Vikings players, establishing Spring Hill's reputation as a destination for celebrities and professional athletes seeking privacy and world-class golf.
Jordan's membership particularly elevated the club's national profile when it opened.
Strict Privacy Protocols
Member-only play restrictions ensure complete privacy and exclusivity, with no outside play permitted under any circumstances—a policy that maintains the intimate atmosphere valued by high-profile members.
Traditional Golf Experience Through Professional Caddies
Spring Hill honors golf's finest traditions through its mandatory caddie program, requiring professional caddie assistance until 3:00 PM daily.
This policy combines with a strict walking-only approach to create an authentic golf experience that connects members with the game's historical roots.
The professional caddies prove particularly valuable given the course's significant elevation changes, providing crucial distance calculations and green-reading expertise that enhance both strategy and enjoyment.
National Rankings and Recognition Trajectory
Spring Hill's reputation extends well beyond Minnesota borders through consistent national recognition:
Golf Digest Rankings:
- Current: 106th in Second 100 Greatest (2025-26)
- Peak performance: 69th position (2017-2018)
- Sustained excellence across multiple ranking cycles
Golf Week Recognition:
- #71 on top 100 modern courses list
- Validates Fazio's architectural achievement among contemporary designs
Regional Dominance in Minnesota
Spring Hill has established unquestioned regional supremacy through sustained ranking performance.
The club has held the #2 position in Minnesota consistently since 2011 and maintained top 5 status since 2001—a remarkable 24-year streak that demonstrates both course quality and conditioning consistency.
Industry Expert Consensus
Golf course architecture experts and industry publications universally recognize Spring Hill as “Minnesota's finest course” and “the best course in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.”
This expert consensus validates the club's positioning as the state's premier golf destination, supporting its exclusive membership structure and premium pricing.
The combination of professional caddie service, walking-only tradition, and sustained national recognition creates a golf experience that justifies Spring Hill's status among America's elite private clubs.
Conclusion
Spring Hill Golf Club represents the pinnacle of Minnesota golf through Tom Fazio's masterful design, ultra-exclusive 215-member structure, and consistent national recognition as one of America's finest courses.
The combination of mandatory caddies, walking-only tradition, premium bentgrass conditions, and dramatic elevation changes creates an authentic golf experience that justifies initiation fees reaching $300,000.
For those seeking the ultimate private club experience in the upper Midwest, Spring Hill delivers unmatched exclusivity, course quality, and prestige that few clubs can rival.
