Lakefront and social clubs
Lafayette Club in Minnetonka Beach sits on the lake on the north shore and is known as much for its lakefront setting, dining, and events as for recreation. It is one of the area's historic institutions.
Clubs and golf
Country clubs and golf around Lake Minnetonka.
By CJ Norman, licensed Minnesota Realtor · Updated
Key takeaways
- The Lake Minnetonka area holds several private clubs, including Lafayette Club in Minnetonka Beach, Woodhill and Spring Hill near Wayzata, and Crooked Water Golf Club, formerly Burl Oaks, in Minnetrista.
- Clubs differ mainly in emphasis: some are golf-first, others center on the lakefront, dining, and family amenities.
- Membership categories, initiation costs, and waiting lists are not published in most cases and require a direct conversation with the club.
Club membership is part of how a lot of families experience this lake, and for relocating buyers it often shapes which side of the water they want to live on.
The overview below covers the clubs that come up most often. Specific membership terms come from the clubs themselves.
Golf-first clubs
Woodhill Country Club in the Wayzata area is among the oldest and most respected courses in Minnesota, with a strong competitive golf tradition.
Spring Hill Golf Club, also near Wayzata, is a private club built around a Tom Fazio-designed course.
West end options
Crooked Water Golf Club in Minnetrista, formerly Burl Oaks, is rebuilding its course under a new name. Prospective members should confirm the current construction and opening timeline directly with the club.
Public and semi-private golf is also available around the west metro, which suits households that want the game without a club commitment.
How membership actually works
Most private clubs in this area require sponsorship by existing members, board review, an initiation payment, and annual dues, and several maintain waiting lists.
Terms are rarely published. The only accurate path is a direct conversation with the club's membership office, ideally started well before a move.
Clubs around the lake
| Club | City | Emphasis | Side of the lake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette Club | Minnetonka Beach | Lakefront, dining, and social | North shore |
| Woodhill Country Club | Wayzata area | Historic championship golf | Northeast |
| Spring Hill Golf Club | Wayzata area | Private Tom Fazio-designed course | Northeast |
| Crooked Water Golf Club | Minnetrista | Formerly Burl Oaks; course redevelopment underway | West end near Mound |
Common questions
Asked and answered
What country clubs are on Lake Minnetonka?
Lafayette Club in Minnetonka Beach sits on the lake's north shore, Woodhill Country Club and Spring Hill Golf Club are near Wayzata, and Crooked Water Golf Club, formerly Burl Oaks, is in Minnetrista on the west end.
How much does a Lake Minnetonka country club membership cost?
Most private clubs in the area do not publish initiation costs or dues, and several require member sponsorship, board review, and a waiting period. Contacting the club's membership office directly is the only way to get accurate current figures.
Which Lake Minnetonka club is best for golf?
Woodhill Country Club and Spring Hill Golf Club near Wayzata are established golf-first private clubs. Crooked Water Golf Club in Minnetrista, formerly Burl Oaks, is the west-end option and is undergoing course redevelopment, so prospective members should verify its current status directly.
Is there a country club near Mound, Minnesota?
Crooked Water Golf Club in Minnetrista, formerly Burl Oaks, is near Mound and serves the west end of Lake Minnetonka. The course is undergoing redevelopment, so confirm its current status directly. Public and semi-private courses elsewhere in the west metro provide options without a membership commitment.
Does club proximity affect Lake Minnetonka home values?
Neighborhoods around the historic north and northeast shore clubs generally carry the highest prices on the lake, though shoreline quality, lot, and district matter more in most cases. CJ Norman, a Mound-based Realtor, helps buyers separate the address premium from the actual value.