10 Best Golf Courses in Kansas
A relaxing game of golf on a scenic course is hard to beat, and Kansas offers a wide range of options. Buffalo Dunes Golf Course keeps things simple and affordable on the southwest plains. Firekeeper Golf Course adds resort accommodations and a stay-and-play feel near Topeka. Flint Hills National presents a Tom Fazio design in the south-central tallgrass. Kansas City Country Club, founded in 1896, runs an A.W. Tillinghast layout in Mission Hills. The ten courses below show how much variety the state's golf scene actually holds.
Buffalo Dunes Golf Course
Buffalo Dunes Golf Course is located just 20 minutes from the regional airport in Garden City, Kansas. It spans 6,806 yards with a 72.5 course rating and a 124 slope rating. Memberships are available for adults, seniors, families, and youth aged 21 and under. Standard green fees are $10 for students and $27 to $42 for everyone else, depending on whether they play nine or 18 holes and on whether they play on the weekend or a weekday. The course features a fully stocked golf shop carrying sunglasses, polo shirts, and custom-fit clubs. A practice course is also available where visitors can brush up on their game before hitting the main course.
The course is situated in the hot, dry region of southwest Kansas, and there are few trees to offer shade. The best time to visit is in the spring or fall, before summer heat sets in. Visitors from out of town can stay at one of several hotels in Garden City, such as the Holiday Inn Express Garden City East or Hampton Inn Garden City.
Colbert Hills Golf Course
Colbert Hills Golf Course in Manhattan, Kansas, offers an exceptional golfing experience. Designed by PGA Tour winner Jim Colbert with the help of architect Jeff Brauer, this public course features rolling greens surrounded by scenic hills and native prairie tallgrass. The course is open between April and November, and standard green fees plus cart rental range from $80 to $115. Discounts are available for active-duty military, seniors, and Kansas State University alumni. Memberships are available through the Champions Club. A pro shop supplies a range of golfing necessities.
Colbert Hills features various amenities. The Founders Room, Dining Room, and Clubhouse all provide spaces where guests can host events of all sizes, including small luncheons and full weddings. Colbert's Bar and Grill offers indoor and outdoor dining options. The Samy Family Stay and Play Lodge offers on-site sleeping accommodations for families, wedding parties, or business groups.
Firekeeper Golf Course
Located in Mayetta, Kansas, near the state capital of Topeka, the Firekeeper Golf Course has hosted various professional and elite amateur golf tournaments. PGA Tour winner Notah Begay III and architect Jeff Brauer designed the par-72 course, preserving much of the natural landscape in the process. The scenic course features patches of native tallgrass and stands of trees between the greens. The course is open year-round, with discounted day rates available between December 1 and February 28. Standard green fees range from $80 to $160, with discounted rates of $30 to $40 available for Prairie Band Potawatomi members. Tee times can be booked online or by calling the course directly. The course's pro shop provides any golf supplies visitors may need.
Firekeeper is a main attraction at the Prairie Band Casino and Resort, which features a wealth of gaming opportunities, live entertainment, hotel rooms, and several restaurants. Guests can unwind in the hot tubs at the hotel, try their luck at bingo or slot machines, and enjoy their favorite music in the ballroom. On-site restaurants include Three Fires Steakhouse, Hot Stuff Pizza, and Kapi Coffee Bar.
Flint Hills National Golf Club
The Flint Hills National Golf Club is a membership-based course in Andover, Kansas, just east of Wichita. The course was designed by golf course architect Tom Fazio, who claims it is "as good a course as I've ever designed." It sits in the scenic Flint Hills region of south-central Kansas, offering a peaceful setting for anyone at the top of their game. Several group, family, and individual memberships are available, and interested parties are encouraged to call or email the club for more information. Members have year-round access to the course, golf shop, and various lodging, dining, and resort options.
Six lodges on-site offer overnight accommodations for members and their guests. The Log Cabin Lodge features a dining hall where meals are made from scratch with high-quality ingredients. The Clubhouse offers additional dining options, men's and women's lounges, and a cigar room. Flint Hills National members also enjoy privileged access to Flint Oak, a hunting, shooting, and fishing resort, and can buy a home in the Flint Hills National Residences.
Ironhorse Golf Club
The Ironhorse Golf Club is in Leawood, Kansas, just south of Kansas City. It is the only Troon-managed course in the Kansas City area and was designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan. The course features dramatic elevation changes surrounded by natural limestone formations and giant sycamore trees. Tee times can be booked online or by phone. Golf leagues are available for ladies and seniors, while the annual Triple Crown Pass provides access to benefits such as unlimited golf, product and event discounts, and discounted guest fees.
The course features a fully stocked golf shop, a practice facility, and golf lessons for those just learning the game. Vista 154 at Ironhorse Golf Club is a venue that hosts weddings and other events. Greenside Grille offers a casual dining experience where golfers can grab a bite before or after their time on the links. Those looking for overnight accommodations can stay at Element Hotel by Marriott Overland Park.
Nicklaus Golf Club at LionsGate
Nicklaus Golf Club at LionsGate in Overland Park, Kansas, offers the only links-style golf course in the Kansas City area. Designed by legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus, this private club sits among the green scenery of native Kansas grass, trees, and ponds. It offers various membership levels tailored to the needs and preferences of different groups and individuals. The 18-hole course features a clubhouse with separate men's and women's locker rooms, a golf shop, and dining rooms. An on-site swimming pool provides a place to receive swim lessons and cool off after a day of golfing.
Sand Creek Station Golf Course
Sand Creek Station Golf Course is located in Newton, Kansas, north of Wichita. The scenic course, designed by Jeff Brauer, is set amid green hills and remnants of railroad history, offering a unique experience. Many of the holes border recreated railways. The course has a continual water supply from Sand Creek, helping it maintain its rich green appearance. As a public course, daily green fees range from $23 to $52, depending on player age, time of day, and day of week. Passes and leagues are also available. The best time to visit the course is after 4 p.m. each day, when golfers are eligible for discounted rates. Those interested in learning to play golf can sign up for lessons.
The Caboose 305 Cafe, located on-site, is actually housed inside a caboose. Visitors can stop by to enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, and other classic American favorites. Those looking to stay in town during their golf outing can book accommodations at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Newton.
Shadow Glen Golf Club
Shadow Glen Golf Club is located in a wooded area of Olathe, Kansas. This private golf club has been ranked the top golf course in Kansas City by Golf Digest. Access to the club is by membership only, and those hoping to become members can submit an interest form through the club's website. A clubhouse provides a space where members and guests can get to know one another and enjoy fine dining. Both indoor and outdoor dining options are available. Those hoping to stay nearby have a range of options in Olathe, including Four Points by Sheraton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, and Holiday Inn Express and Suites.
Wolf Creek Golf Club
Wolf Creek Golf Club is another top golf course located in the Kansas City suburb of Olathe. Originally founded in 1969 by six men during a hunting trip, the club has grown in prestige and amenities. The course, set amid trees and waterways, is a coveted spot for those seeking a new golf club membership. As a private club, only members and their guests can golf at Wolf Creek. New membership is available only through sponsorship from a current member.
Those enjoying a day of golf can stop in for food and drink at the clubhouse. No on-site sleeping accommodations are available, but guests can stay at nearby hotels in Olathe, such as Candlewood Suites.
Kansas City Country Club
The Kansas City Country Club, located in Mission Hills, Kansas, has been around since 1896 and was founded around a love of golf. The current golf course was built in the 1920s with design influences from a well-known course architect of the day, A.W. Tillinghast. The private, family-focused country club provides a peaceful space for members of all ages to enjoy golf and other recreational activities.
The country club offers several dining options, including the West Room, Terrace Room, Men's Grill, Eagle Terrace, and Main Bar. Swimming facilities support events like pool parties and swim meets. Nearby hotels, such as The Fontaine, are available in Kansas City, Missouri.
Explore Golf Courses in Kansas
Playing golf is a great way to relax in the beauty of serene natural surroundings, and Kansas offers plenty of beautiful courses. Private membership courses like Shadow Glen and Flint Hills National sit at the top end of the price ladder. Public options like Sand Creek Station and Colbert Hills offer affordable day rates for anyone who wants to try their hand at the sport. With course options and amenities that include restaurants, lodging, and recreational activities, Kansas works as a destination for a full golf-focused outing.
