Golfers Will Want a Layover in Minnesota Starting Now

The Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport just became a destination for traveling golfers.

In Terminal One of the MSP Airport, just above a place called “Ike’s,” there exists 12,000 square feet of golfer’s paradise.

PGA MSP Airport on Instagram: “We are located in Terminal 1- right above Ike’s and French Meadow. Come visit us before your next flight! #PGAMSP #LoveYourLayover #PING #golf #golfsimulators #EatShopGolf”

PGA MSP Airport shared a post on Instagram: “We are located in Terminal 1- right above Ike’s and French Meadow. Come visit us before your next flight! #PGAMSP #LoveYourLayover #PING #golf #golfsimulators #EatShopGolf”. Follow their account to see 188 posts.

The PGA MSP Airport boasts six golf simulators, giving golfers fifty-four different courses from around the world to play.  It also has a pro shop, a putting green, and a bar and lounge with wi-fi.  There is even a staff of golf professionals ready to provide a quick “layover lesson.”

PGA MSP Airport on Instagram: “Happy Friday! We’re starting our weekend on the (virtual) golf course. Are you? #pgamsp #golfsimulators #LoveYourLayover #EatShopGolf #Golf #travel #MSP #MSPairport #internationalairport”

PGA MSP Airport shared a post on Instagram: “Happy Friday! We’re starting our weekend on the (virtual) golf course. Are you? #pgamsp #golfsimulators #LoveYourLayover #EatShopGolf #Golf #travel #MSP #MSPairport #internationalairport”. Follow their account to see 188 posts.

The site is the first of its kind and was designed by the PGA of America and Wexford Golf to be a “golf lifestyle facility.”  Since travelers are not allowed to bring golf clubs through security, the facility will provide some for you.  So all you need is to show up to the airport a little ahead of time—which we all have to do anyway.

“There’s people that are telling us they’re routing their connection through here,” explained Joel Burger of Wexford Golf, “And there’s also people that are making it a point to make sure that they have enough time to spend here by either showing up for their flight early, or being okay with a longer layover.”

The facility’s website offers pricing and times ranging from a 15 minute range session for $20 to a 60 minute golf simulator for $60.

The simulators already have some routine customers, who actually play at the airport every week, sometimes twice a week if schedules work out well.

PGA MSP Airport on Instagram: “Longest Drive contest today at @pgamsp. Hit balls on the range or play real courses on one of our six golf simulators. #PGAMSP #mspairport #golf #LoveYourLayover #AboutGolf @aboutgolf_simulators”

PGA MSP Airport shared a post on Instagram: “Longest Drive contest today at @pgamsp. Hit balls on the range or play real courses on one of our six golf simulators. #PGAMSP #mspairport #golf #LoveYourLayover #AboutGolf @aboutgolf_simulators”. Follow their account to see 188 posts.

How it took so long for someone to finally do this is beyond me.  I know several weekly travelers that would love to spend an hour hitting balls while they wait for their flight.  These days, security being what it is, you almost always have 30 to 60 minutes to burn at the airport.  Now you can do so in style!

Cover Photo by @pgamsp Instagram