This story was originally featured in Sun Thisweek / Dakota County Tribune — Read the Original Article ↗
Apple Valley Man Builds
'Golf' Course in His Backyard
David Linner has been playing mountain golf since he was a little kid, but it wasn't until this year that he decided to bring some of the mountain to Apple Valley.
A Backyard Course
David Linner, a retired architect, thought since they were having so much fun with the game at their cabin that he designed a course for his Apple Valley backyard in fall 2025.
The Linners moved to Apple Valley in 1998 when they purchased the open lot, and David designed the house that's built into a hill. The hill comes into play on several of the holes, which includes one that travels over the sidewalk and patio along the north side of the garage.
To add a little challenge, at Apple Valley Hills holes 9 and 18, players are required to pitch with the spoon in the tee box.
Born on the Lake
The game was created when David's grandfather, Dr. H.P. Linner and J.H. Mayhew took a croquet mallet, a hard rubber ball and scattered some holes around Red Cedar Point on Lake Minnewashta in Excelsior, Minnesota.
They modeled the game after seeing a similar sport while on a trip to Scotland.
With distances from tee box to flag measuring in feet not yards, you don't have to be Arnold Palmer to excel at the game.
Built for the Terrain
The clubs are similar to a croquet mallet, but the ends are shaped like the bottom half of a slender bowling pin. David says that's no accident since the early clubs were sticks embedded inside a bowling pin.
The other difference is at the top of the handle — there's an oversized spoon that players can use to scoop and pitch the ball into the air.
The rubber ball, similar to a lacrosse ball, bounces quite a bit, either to the hitter's delight or chagrin. David's brother, Rob, has enhanced the game by improving the mountain golf clubs and the cavities — about 6 inches in diameter for the holes.
Every Course Needs a Clubhouse
David also designed a "clubhouse" — an 8-inch deep closet attached to his garage. Inside are mallets, balls, scorecards, and Linner's watercolor painting of the course.
It's become a bit of a buzz in the neighborhood and through the couple's other connections. On many summer days, the Linners will have their neighbors over or some folks they know at their church — Shepherd of the Valley.
"People don't know a lot about the game. Everyone who plays it likes it."— David Linner
A Game That Doesn't Take Itself Too Seriously
Some of the unusual rules lead to silliness — like a stroke penalty for swearing or complaining about the course conditions. The holes are designed with obstacles both natural and manmade in mind. Some require players to take a right at the tree or get some relief after hitting it into the garden.
If you're skilled enough to get a hole-in-one, mountain golf rules say you have to treat the crowd — which could include a round of the famous golfer's signature drinks at the 19th hole.
For decades, the Linner family has been playing the game at their cabin property. The winner of a Fourth of July tournament has their name added to a trophy. Both David and his wife, Rhonda Plautz Linner, have had their names added to it.
"It's a way to have fun. No one ever takes it too seriously."— David Linner
"People don't know a lot about the game. Everyone who plays it likes it."— David Linner, Apple Valley
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