Distance: 145 yards (Red) | 195 yards (White) | 218 yards (Blue)  

Par: 3

Your round at Rivers Bend starts with a breathtaking tee shot from an elevated position atop the bluff edge, overlooking the Root River. This par 3 demands both distance control and accuracy—being short risks finding the river, while anything long or left leaves a challenging chip back onto the green with the lengthy rough. A rewarding start for those who can dial in their club selection and embrace the challenge!

Distance: 309 yards (Red) | 359 yards (White) | 448 yards (Blue)  

Par: 4 

Hole 2 may seem straightforward, but it’s secretly one of the toughest tests at Rivers Bend. A well-placed tee shot is essential—stray too far right, and you're flirting with Heron Rd, while the only pond on the course comes into play as the fairway bends slightly left. The elevated green is protected by woods on the right and back, which slope downward into the hole, making approach shots especially tricky. Accuracy and course management are key to escaping with par here.

Distance: 102 yards (Red) | 110 yards (White) | 122 yards (Blue)  

Par: 3

A short but deceptive par 3, The Barn Backdrop challenges golfers with a tight tee shot framed by pines and a green that drops off into a pond at the back. Precision is everything—too long, and you're wet; too short, and you’ll be left scrambling. As you step up to the tee, take in the stunning view of the barn and Hole 4’s green, making this one of the most picturesque shots at Rivers Bend.

Distance: 227 yards (Red) | 300 yards (White) | 305 yards (Blue)  

Par: 4

This par 4 is reachable for long hitters, offering a thrilling eagle opportunity—but precision is key. A pond guards the front of the green, while woods surround the sides and back, punishing any wayward approach. Adding to the challenge, long rough runs along the majority of the right side of the fairway, forcing golfers to be strategic off the tee. The smart play? Lay up to a comfortable wedge distance and attack the pin with control. However you choose to play it, Hole 4 will test both your risk tolerance and shot-making skills.

Distance: 236 yards (Red) | 289 yards (White) | 291 yards (Blue)  

Par: 4

Hole 5 may be a shorter par 4, but it demands careful strategy. Long rough lines the right side of the fairway, while pines border both the right and left, adding a narrow feel to the tee shot. The real challenge comes at the green—it sits significantly elevated, with a steep slope rolling back toward the fairway. Approach shots landing too close to the front risk a tough chip back up. Meanwhile, the woods behind the green present an out-of-bounds hazard, with the hill sloping down into the green from the trees. Precision is key to walking away with par on this well-protected hole.

Distance: 303 yards (Red) | 357 yards (White) | 370 yards (Blue)  

Par: 4

One of the most scenic holes on the course, The View Par 4 starts from an elevated tee box overlooking the entire front nine. Golfers are treated to a breathtaking perspective before taking on this strategic par 4. The fairway slopes downward midway, creating a natural landing zone that adds extra roll to well-placed tee shots.

However, precision is key—woods run the entire right side, ready to catch errant drives, and they wrap around the back of the green, making long approaches risky. The fairway levels off near 100 yards, setting up a more controlled approach. Those who find the fairway off the tee are rewarded with a runway effect, guiding shots toward the green. Once there, golfers can soak in a stunning view of the barn and Root River, making this hole as memorable as it is rewarding.

Distance: 129 yards (Red) | 132 yards (White) | 141 yards (Blue)  

Par: 3

Don't let the short yardage fool you—The River’s Edge Par 3 is as tricky as it is beautiful. The Root River flows alongside the entire right side, creating a natural hazard that demands precision off the tee. The green slopes from back to front, meaning any approach shot beyond the pin will leave a challenging downhill putt. Distance control and accuracy are crucial here, as anything too long or too far right can turn a birdie opportunity into a tough scramble for par.

Distance: 388 yards (Red) | 485 yards (White) | 578 yards (Blue)

Par: 5

A strong test of strategy, Hole 8 is a dogleg left par 5 that rewards well-placed drives. From the blue tees, the hole stretches to 578 yards, requiring a bold tee shot over the Root River. Woods line the entire right side, while intentionally tall rough separates it from Hole 9, making placement off the tee crucial to set up a successful approach.

Distance: 438 (Red) | 510 yards (White) | 546 yards (Blue)

Par: 5

Hole 9 features a dramatic dogleg right, requiring length off the tee, and precision to navigate the turn. The giant old cottonwoods standing left of the green define the hole’s character. With intentionally tall rough splitting it from Hole 8, this hole demands accuracy and thoughtful shot placement, especially from the 546-yard blue tees.

Distance: 127 yards (Red) | 135 yards (White) | 195 yards (Blue)
Par: 3

One of the most talked-about holes at Rivers Bend—and the first glimpse of the course from Heron Rd as you arrive. This breathtaking peninsula par 3 is surrounded by water on three sides, with the Root River wrapping tightly around the turtle-shaped green. Anything left, long, or right is likely lost to the current.

Precision is everything—a well-struck tee shot sets up a prime birdie opportunity, but even a slight misfire leaves a tough recovery. A visual stunner and a mental test, this signature hole is equal parts beautiful and brutal.ption goes here

Distance: 295 yards (Red) | 410 yards (White) | 420 yards (Blue)
Par: 4

Don’t let the wide view from the tee fool you—this is the hardest hole on the course, according to the Minnesota Golf Association. Tee shots must carry the Root River and clear the corner of a left dogleg, requiring at least 220 yards just to find the fairway. From there, golfers face a steep uphill climb to a two-tiered green with no room for error on the right. Distance control and smart club selection are everything—sometimes multiple clubs down is the only way to hold the green.

Distance: 104 yards (Red) | 112 yards (White) | 119 yards (Blue)
Par: 3

This short par 3 is all about trust. From the elevated tee, the green is mostly hidden, forcing players to pick a distant tree as their target line. It’s a straightforward distance—but the woods that line the entire right side and back of the hole are ready to catch anything errant. Stick your number (around 110–120 yards), and you’re in great shape. Overthink it, and it gets dicey quick.ription goes here

Distance: 359 yards (Red) | 426 yards (White) | 444 yards (Blue)
Par: 5

Hole 13 may be short by par 5 standards, but don’t let the yardage fool you—this one is full of trouble. The Root River bike trail and woods line the entire right side, while tall rough and a row of pines divide it from Hole 14 on the left. As you near the green, Watson Creek makes its first appearance, curling tightly around the left side.

The green is small and demands finesse, often best approached with a bounce-and-roll from short. Big hitters may be tempted to go for it in two, but be warned: this is a bold risk-reward hole where one wrong bounce can mean disaster.ption goes here

Distance: 238 yards (Red) | 302 yards (White) | 327 yards (Blue)
Par: 4

This unforgettable hole features a 90-degree dogleg right, where shot placement is everything. A 215-yard drive from the whites (or 240 from the blues) is needed to land in the perfect spot—between two towering boxelder trees. Overshoot or undershoot, and you’ll need to go over the trees. The green is completely encircled by Watson Creek, and its slight tilt makes putting no picnic. A beautifully carved hole that rewards precision over power.

Distance: 119 yards (Red) | 165 yards (White & Blue)
Par: 3

It doesn’t look terrifying—until you try to hit the shot. That’s the magic (and madness) of The Gauntlet. From an elevated tee tucked into the woods, golfers face a short par 3 that somehow gets the best of nearly everyone.

Two tall trees frame the green, Watson Creek cuts across the front, and the distance sits right in that tricky mid-iron range—close enough to feel makeable, but far enough to punish indecision. Even players who aren’t nervous step up and walk away shaking their heads.

Commit to your shot, clear the creek, and thread the needle. Sounds simple. It rarely is.

Distance: 449 yards (Red) | 511 yards (White) | 570 yards (Blue)
Par: 5

The second signature hole at Rivers Bend, Hole 16 is a long, demanding par 5 that winds through a tight, tree-lined corridor. Accuracy is everything—there’s no safe miss from tee to green, and every shot requires smart planning and confident execution.

The approach is nothing short of dramatic. A bluff wall guards the left side of the green, while Watson Creek wraps around the right and back, leaving little room for error. Stick it close, and you’re rewarded with a stunning view of the bluffside green, the mouth of Watson Creek feeding into the Root, and often a deer or two passing by. A fan favorite for its beauty—and its bite.

Distance: 325 yards (Red) | 374 yards (White) | 410 yards (Blue)
Par: 4

Hole 17 is a long, uphill battle that forces players to earn their score. The climb to the green is steep, and the fairway tilts right near the top—sending shots that miss slightly rolling even farther off target. Miss left, and you're facing a near-impossible chip onto a long, narrow green. The back pin location plays even tougher. This hole tests both your club selection and your willpower.

Distance: 322 yards (Red) | 368 yards (White) | 376 yards (Blue)
Par: 4

A perfect closer—and a tough one. Hole 18 features a Root River crossing that forces a decision: lay back or push it close. A 250-yard drive sets up the best angle, but going long risks the river. The green has a signature tilt, and without height on your approach, it’s hard to stick. The smart play? Lay up, land short left, and bump and run to the pin. It’s a true test of patience and placement—don’t chase birdie, play for par.