This story was originally featured in Edina Magazine · May 2025 — Read the Original Article ↗
Making Every Swing
an Adventure
Mountain Golf is a thrilling and challenging combination of the classic game and wild terrain.
A Family Game Goes Wider
For as long as Robert and David Linner can remember, Mountain Golf has been a part of their family get-togethers. Now, the brothers are hoping to share their love of the game with a wider circle of friends.
While Edina resident Robert has been working to perfect the equipment, Apple Valley resident David has been designing a pair of courses that will allow others to take a whack at the game.
"It's a fun outdoor game of skill. It can endure for generations."— Robert Linner
"It has this tie that binds."— David Linner
Wild Terrain, One Goal
Like golf, the object of Mountain Golf is to get the ball from the tee into the hole in the fewest number of strokes — but that's where the similarities end.
Rather than being meticulously groomed and maintained, a Mountain Golf course is fully dependent on the terrain, with the natural characteristics of the land — from roots and rocks to trees and even the occasional well head — making each course unique.
The Mountain Golf club is made of turned wood and resembles a croquet mallet with a teaspoon scoop attached to one end (to rescue your ball from an unhittable spot), and the ball is like a dense, rubberized croquet ball.
"You have to have enough weight to get over acorns and roots."— Robert Linner
Born in Scotland's Footsteps
The Linner family first learned about Mountain Golf when their grandfather H.P. Linner built a course with his neighbor J.H. Mayhew at their cabin property on Lake Minnewashta.
Mayhew had seen the game played during a trip to Scotland in the 1930s and thought their property on Red Cedar Point might provide the perfect location for a course. In 1938, the course was completed, and the competition began.
"Our father won the first championship. He was 16."— Robert Linner
A Course, A Cup, A Tradition
The boys grew up watching Mountain Golf tournaments on the shores of Lake Minnewashta, and they couldn't wait to get their hands on a club and try the course. Both have, in time, succeeded in getting their names on the trophy.
In 1985, years after the Lake Minnewashta cabin was sold, a second course was designed and built at the family cabin on Sylvan Lake in the Brainerd Lakes area. A new generation of Linners began holding tournaments on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day.
The family eventually added a Fathers' Weekend tournament for the dads, while the moms were gifted with a weekend of peace and quiet.
"It has strengthened our family and friendships. It really does pull us together."— Robert & David Linner
Beyond the Family Cabin
In 2023, the Linners partnered with the Yellowstone Club, a private residential club in Big Sky, Montana, to open a 10-hole Mountain Golf course. Another course is currently in development in Park County, Montana, at Crazy Mountain Ranch.
The Linners would love to see Mountain Golf become the next pickleball — a game accessible for all ages and abilities.
"It's designed to play at your cabin or in your yard. It's competitive and fun."— Robert & David Linner
As they work to spread the word and the fun of Mountain Golf, the Linners continue to keep the tradition alive in their family, playing every chance that they get.
"It keeps giving us an event, a reason to come together. We'd love to see other families forge the same bond around the game."— Robert & David Linner
Bring Mountain Golf Home
Whether you're curious about setting up your own course or just want to learn more about the game, we'd love to hear from you.
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