Practice Programs
We studied this course layout and mapped exact drills around stroke index, handicap index and distances. Practice like you know The Lakes.
Total Programs
17
17 complete programs built for this course
Unique Drills
95
Total unique drills across all programs
Skill Pillars
12
Accuracy · Aim · Alignment · Dispersion · Distance Control · Green Reading
Session Durations
7
3 days , 4 days , 5 days , 6 days , 7 days , 8 days , 9 days
We've mapped a comprehensive practice profile for The Lakes, identifying the specific skills this course demands most. The skill distribution below shows which areas of your game will be tested most frequently based on the hole-by-hole analysis (hole handicaps, stroke index, yardage, etc.), while the handicap ranges indicate the typical player profiles who perform well here.
Focus your practice on these key skills to maximize improvement and lower your scores. Check the practice programs below for targeted drills that address these specific skills.
Free eBook
Curated selection of drills based on The Lakes hole-by-hole data.
Available immediately. No cost. Download link + Email Delivery
"I agree to the privacy policy and terms of service." My rewards.
Skill Distribution
The handicap ranges shown represent the typical performance levels for this course. Players within these ranges can expect competitive scores, while those outside may yield benefits or may need additional practice in the highlighted skill areas to perform at their best.
Top Drills
Most-used drills from for this course. Practice as standalone drills or scroll down for full programs.
Make 10 out of 20 putts, underneath the hanging string line.
Align a bucket of balls (avg. bucket is 40 balls) into 2 parallel lines 20 balls per line and stop flop shots inside 9 Stop Zones. Count the number of successful stops.
Complete the Progressive Targets Challenge using irons only. Hit one bucket of ~50 balls.
Work only on backswing using mid irons only. Hit one bucket of ~50 balls.
Work only on downswing using mid irons only. Hit one bucket of ~50 balls.
Produce low/mid/high shots using mid irons only. Hit one bucket of ~50 balls.
Everything you need to know about The Lakes.
Phone
+44 (0)1250 872622
Fax
+44 (0) 1250 872622
Dave.Sadlowsky@ruttgers.com
Resident Professionals
Resident professional Greg can help you get in shape for The Lakes.
Greg Snow
Head Golf Professional
Coaching here? We'll bring you new lessons. .
Contact links shown for featured coaches.
25039 Tame Fish Lake Road
Ruttger's Bay Lake Resort is a historic lakefront resort in Deerwood, Minnesota, offering a variety of lodging options, golf, dining, and event facilities for families, couples, and groups. The property features lakefront cabins, villas, lodge rooms, and other accommodations on Bay Lake, with activities including golf, boating, fishing, dining, and weddings or meetings. Located in the Brainerd Lakes Area of Minnesota, it markets itself as a multi-generational vacation destination with a long-standing resort tradition since 1898.
lakefront cabins • golf resort • bay lake • deerwood minnesota • brainerd lakes area • family vacation • weddings and groups • lodging options • lake activities • dining options • specials and packages • marina rentals • guided fishing • pool and spa • events venue • real estate opportunities • tame fish lake road • mini golf? • resort tradition • family resort • hospitality • conference center • golf • spa • events
Holes
27
Par
72
Type
Parkland
Architect
Gerry Pirkl/Donald Brauer
Opened
1977
Interested in our comprehensive dataset of 40,000 golf courses? Contact us to learn more.
Drill Library
Explore the full on-course drill library built for this venue. Open any drill to review setup, coaching instructions, and target scoring benchmarks.
Category
Duration
Free eBook
Curated selection of drills based on The Lakes hole-by-hole data.
Available immediately. No cost. Download link + Email Delivery
"I agree to the privacy policy and terms of service." My rewards.
Free eBook
Curated selection of drills based on The Lakes hole-by-hole data.
Available immediately. No cost. Download link + Email Delivery
"I agree to the privacy policy and terms of service." My rewards.
Free eBook
Curated selection of drills based on The Lakes hole-by-hole data.
Available immediately. No cost. Download link + Email Delivery
"I agree to the privacy policy and terms of service." My rewards.
Free eBook
Curated selection of drills based on The Lakes hole-by-hole data.
Available immediately. No cost. Download link + Email Delivery
"I agree to the privacy policy and terms of service." My rewards.
Free eBook
Curated selection of drills based on The Lakes hole-by-hole data.
Available immediately. No cost. Download link + Email Delivery
"I agree to the privacy policy and terms of service." My rewards.
Free eBook
Curated selection of drills based on The Lakes hole-by-hole data.
Available immediately. No cost. Download link + Email Delivery
"I agree to the privacy policy and terms of service." My rewards.
Programs
We studied the course layout and prepared practice programs to lower your scores. The programs are purpose-built for each tee to align with the course strategy. Each program consists of curated drills, with pre-defined modules designed to deliver results.
Filter programs by category (select one)
Showing 17 Programs
% match to course practice profileHit putts with both left and right breaks, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Perfect aim and stroke, for a 3-handicap player, ~10 minutes.
A complete and progressive long-term development curriculum mapped from easier to harder drills, specifically for The Lakes. Start with the basics and work your way towards more challenging drills. Commit to 14 weeks of training and get in proper shape. Four days counts as a week.
Full 55 days 75 page practice program designed specifically around this course hole by hole data.
Putting · 9 ft (3m) only
Control 9 Ft Putts
Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 17.0
Putting · 3 ft (1m) only
Perfect Every 3 Ft Putt
Difficulty: Expert · Program HCP 2.0
Short Game · Bump'n'Run
Bump'n'Run From 5–10 Yds
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 35.0
Short Game · Mixed
Short Game 5–20 Yds From Fringe Or Rough
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 35.0
Short Game · Pitch
Check your clubface: does it match your target?
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 27.0
Driving Range · Wedges (LW,SW,GW,PW)
Control Wedge Roll
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 35.0
Driving Range · Mid irons (7,6,5)
Mid-Iron Distance Control 150–180 Yards
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 35.0
Driving Range · Driver
Can you match your swing to the perfect trajectory?
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 30.0
Driving Range · Long irons (4,3,2)
Control the spin: height and roll as needed
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 29.0
Download Premium PDF Program
Full flagship program designed around The Lakes hole by hole data. Contains 55 practice days and 55 unique drills.
One-time purchase • Secure Stripe checkout • Email + instant download
Mobile app
Save it to favorites, get personalized recs, and track completions anywhere.
Use the same account to keep your starred curriculum synced.
Flop from bunkers, for a 3-handicap player, ~10 minutes.
Roll the ball low and straight, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.
Control distance, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Control mid iron arc, for a 25-handicap player, ~20 minutes.
Get personalized coaching and custom training programs tailored to your game.
Get StartedStick approaches, for a 17-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Land 2 feet away, for a 4-handicap player, ~10 minutes.
Pick line and commit, for a 23-handicap player, ~20 minutes.
Keep near hole, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.
See landing and roll, for a 15-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Get square for strike, for a 28-handicap player, ~20 minutes.
Control distance inside 100, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.
Control distance 150-180, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.
Draw or fade long irons, for a 29-handicap player, ~20 minutes.
Match swing to trajectory, for a 31-handicap player, ~30 minutes.
Match swing to trajectory, for a 26-handicap player, ~20 minutes.
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Follow a complete multi-week structured practice program ahead of the upcoming events and arrive prepared.
No upcoming tournaments at this time.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about playing The Lakes and what to expect.
The Lakes is regarded as a strategically complex layout. The 120 slope rating keeps it accessible for developing players. The course rating of 70 reflects on scoring relative to par 72.
A 15 handicap golfer should consider tees closer to 6000 yards. The back tees extend to 6500 yards, which makes approach shots longer and scoring more challenging.
With a course rating of 70 and par 72, a mid-handicap golfer would typically score in the mid to high 80s. Stronger players aiming to break 72 must manage approach shots and avoid penalty strokes.
At a full length of 6500 yards, it balances distance with positional strategy.
Architecturally, it reflects a Parkland style. Overall, the setup will reward players who place the ball in safe positions far from hazards. Also, type of shot is more crucial rather than just trying to gain distance.
The combination of a slope rating of 120 and yardage reaching 6500 yards creates consistent pressure on approach shots. You will need to balance risk and reward, especially on longer par 4s and protected greens.
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Same Architect
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