15 Best Golf Courses in Nebraska
Nebraska's Sandhills have produced some of the top-ranked golf courses in the world. Standout courses also sit along the state's canyon rims and river valleys. Sand Hills Golf Club in Mullen has ranked among the top hundred worldwide since 1995. The course was shaped by prairie winds and natural dunes with almost no earthmoving needed. CapRock Ranch near Valentine winds between Ponderosa pines and the carved cliffs above Snake River Canyon. The list ahead covers public, private, and resort-style courses across the state.
Sand Hills Golf Club
Sand Hills Golf Club lives up to its name. Set within the Sandhills of Nebraska, the course takes advantage of its natural surroundings, sits above the Dismal River, and features holes shaped by prairie winds, wide fairways, and far-reaching vistas. Its location in Mullen is remote, but this private Nebraska course has frequently ranked among the top hundred worldwide since it debuted in 1995. Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, Sand Hills plays to its strengths. The course is minimalist and true to the natural landscape, with sandy terrain and tall prairie grasses along the fairways.
Sand Hills is considered one of the most exclusive courses in the US, as it is very difficult to become a member. Green fees are not made public; they are accessible only to members and their invited guests, or upon inquiry. With a rating of 73, it is a challenging course to play, too.
Accommodations are available onsite at Sand Hills, and they are rustic. Golfers can rest after their rounds at two- and four-person cabins. There is room for approximately 55 people to stay on-site at the golf club. Getting around the course, whether between holes or between the clubhouse and onsite pro shop and the green, can be done by cart, but many golfers opt to walk the grounds as they play. This course is quite isolated. The town of Mullen, home to fewer than 500 people, is approximately a five-hour drive from major airports like Eppley Airfield in Omaha.
CapRock Ranch
Another standout Nebraska course set in the state's Sandhills is CapRock Ranch. Located in Valentine, Nebraska, CapRock Ranch features a course with a challenging 73.9 rating that offers plenty of fun for experienced golfers. Designed by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner, this 18-hole private course incorporates the cliffs of Snake River Canyon, rolling sandhills, and a backdrop of native Ponderosa pine trees. Specifically, eight of the holes sit on the edge of the Snake River Canyon, offering a change of scenery as golfers wind across the terrain.
It is a relative newcomer to Nebraska (and the golf scene at large), as CapRock Ranch opened in 2021. The views are wide-open as you play, too. On the sixth green, you will be able to see the Snake River (a tributary of the Niobrara River) below, and on the 14th, you will have wide-angle views of the naturally-carved caprock cliffs.
CapRock Ranch is an exclusive golf club, so the course is limited to members and invited guests. Memberships are offered by invitation only; the cost of membership and playing fees are provided upon inquiry. For those who do visit, on-site amenities include lodging, dining, and a comprehensive pro shop. Guests and golfers can book clubhouse-adjacent lodging including suites, cottages, and bunkhouses, with up to 58 people able to stay on-site at a time. When it is time to dine, members and guests can visit the on-site restaurant. The course's location in Valentine makes it remote. It is a 2.5- to 3-hour drive from Rapid City Regional Airport and North Platte Regional Airport, the two closest options.
Lost Rail Golf Club
Located in Gretna, a city in Nebraska's Sarpy County not too far from Omaha, Lost Rail Golf Club offers 18 holes, each with its own unique flair thanks to the course's changing landscape. Rolling sandhills, tall green prairie grasses, and even bridges over ravines dot the course and offer players plenty of scenery. Designed by Scott Hoffman, approved and broken ground in late 2020 before opening in 2022, Lost Rail uses land that was once part of the Burlington Northern railroad line (hence its name), which linked Omaha to Sioux City, Iowa. Late summer is a fine time of year to visit. July through September brings warm weather and reliable playing conditions.
With a 74.7 rating, golfers will face a challenging route that takes advantage of the natural landscape and offers long views into the distance (the ravines are a notable highlight as golfers traverse the course). For shorter visits, you can opt to try out Lost Rail's short course or putting course. If you are interested in playing, note that the course is open to members and their invited guests; membership fees and green fees are provided upon inquiry.
Though this course sits on a relatively compact 150 acres, it still includes a clubhouse and on-site pro shop, as well as practice facilities, a bar, and a dining room. While the club is private for members, guests can visit and enjoy these on-site amenities, including outdoor patio spaces complete with fire pits and seating designed for gathering. However, there are no non-golf extras on-site, such as a spa or other recreational activities. Thanks to its proximity to Omaha, it is easy to find alternative accommodations in the larger city. Hotels such as Embassy Suites by Hilton and Aloft by Marriott Omaha West are approximately 7 to 9 miles away from the club. This course also places visitors within half an hour of a major nearby airport.
Landmand Golf Club
Landmand Golf Club, a public course located in the city of Homer, welcomed its first golfers in 2022. Situated approximately 15 miles from Sioux City, Iowa, the course is considered one of the top public golf destinations in the US and one of Nebraska's best. Landmand, which translates to "farmer" in Danish, is a regulation-style 18-hole course with a difficult 74.7 rating that spans 580 acres in the Loess Hills. Owned by Will Andersen and designed by Rob Collins and Tad King, the course transformed the Andersen family's former farmland into hills, carved-out bunkers, punchbowls, and wide views of the Loess Hills and farms toward the Missouri River.
However, you will need to book your tee time early. This public course is so popular that open slots tend to sell out as soon as they become available. For 2026, the per-golfer rate to play 18 holes is $160, with a golf cart included. The golf season here typically runs May through early October, and the best times to play are September (warm weather and the start of fall foliage) or June (slightly cooler but pleasant).
Should you secure a tee time at Landmand Golf Club, you will find numerous amenities on-site that you can enjoy between rounds or at the end of your day, including a pro shop. If you would like to stay overnight, cabins are available to book for approximately $800 per night, with individual porches that overlook the course (and full kitchens and washing facilities are included in each one). For food and drinks, a food truck called The Farmer's Table is right onsite.
Dismal River Club (Red Course)
Dismal River Golf Club in Mullen, Nebraska, offers wide views of all that makes this plains-based state so distinctive. There are two private courses to choose from at Dismal River: the White Course and the Red Course. The Red Course, designed by Tom Doak and Renaissance Golf Design, was created with minimalism in mind. As a result, it plays to the natural shape of Nebraska's Sandhills, with views of the prairie landscape and rolling hills. The 18th hole offers panoramic views of the club and the surrounding land toward the namesake river. As a whole, the Red Course, which is rated 72.3, turns natural landforms into well-positioned vantage points.
Green fees and membership costs are provided upon inquiry for Dismal River. They offer stay-and-play booking, with membership adding priority and guest privileges. Both individual and corporate club memberships are offered. If you want to play the Red Course when the weather is warm, July and August are the best months. If you want cooler weather, you should play the course earlier in June.
While golf is the star of the show at Dismal River, there is a wealth of other activities visitors can take part in. The club offers stay-and-play bookings that include both tee times and lodging. This course offers onsite lodging that encourages guests to stay awhile, with rooms, cabins, and homes for small and large groups. The clubhouse features a comprehensive pro shop and three on-site dining options, including an elevated clubhouse restaurant and a bar and grill. On-property shooting ranges, fitness centers, an outdoor pool, spa services, and even hunting excursions create plenty of additional ways to fill a stay.
The Prairie Club (Dunes Course)
Roughly 17 miles outside of Valentine, Nebraska, you will find the Prairie Club, which capitalizes on the state's wide prairies to offer almost infinite-feeling views of sandy and grassy hills with wide fairways. Here, there are two courses to choose from, but the slightly more dramatic one is the Dunes Course, designed by Tom Lehman and Chris Brands. This walkable course features particularly large greens that read as oases set against the natural sand hills of the surrounding landscape. It welcomed its first golfers back in 2010, and the 75.5-rated course still feels remote enough today to give players that wide-open windswept land underfoot.
If you are interested in visiting this semi-private, resort-style course that is open to members and non-members, public day-play green fees start at $389, while stay-and-play packages start at $559 per person. That means they include golfing on the Dunes Course at the Prairie Club and other amenities or add-ons, such as onsite lodging, access to practice facilities, and dining. For the least amount of wind and the most pleasant temperatures, the best time of year to play this course is September and early October.
The Prairie Club offers four lodging options: the Lodge, the Bunkhouse, the Cabins, and the Guesthouse, each suited to different group sizes. Its central hub is the Lodge, which houses a pro shop, bar, restaurant, and both guest rooms and suites. A putting course, 17-acre practice facility, and golf shop round out the amenities here. Because it is a remote Nebraska course, the Prairie Club's Dunes Course is about a 2.5- to 3-hour drive from Rapid City Regional Airport and North Platte Regional Airport, the two closest options.
GrayBull Club
Spanning 600 acres and 7,100 yards with 18 holes on its regulation-style course, GrayBull Club is a destination worth seeing in Maxwell, Nebraska, if you are searching for the most striking courses in the state. Though it is relatively young (it opened in 2024), the 74.2-rated course takes advantage of the sandhills landscape and winds its way around dunes and dips into valleys. Designed by David McLay Kidd, the private, members-only course uses the natural dunes and weaves between them to blend a luxury course with the prairie itself. Tactical golfers will love the strategy required at GrayBull to master those famous prairie winds, a spin on an Alps hole at the sixth, and the semi-blind approaches that pop up thanks to dunes.
In order to play the GrayBull Club course, which is reserved for Dormie Network members, non-members must be sponsored or invited guests. Membership fees and green fees are provided upon inquiry. For those who do visit, on-site accommodations, meals, and golf are typically rolled into one price. Stopping by the pro shop to purchase gear, however, is not included in that fee.
Available tee times and reservations do disappear quickly, so both members and sponsored non-member guests need to book well in advance of their intended visit. June, July, and August are considered peak playing months and the best time to visit. While GrayBull Club is just 22 miles from North Platte Regional Airport, those who want to fly out of a larger airport will find that Denver International Airport is a 4.5-hour drive.
Wild Horse Golf Club
Considered one of the best public courses in the US, Wild Horse Golf Club stands out for being both accessible and visually striking. Located in Gothenburg, this course, designed by Dave Axland and Dan Proctor and opened in 1999, blends into its surrounding prairie landscape. Players feel as though they are golfing through native grasses, windblown bunkers, and open farmland.
It is not quite as fancy or elevated as some of the other courses on this list, but Wild Horse blends the farm-forward scenery of the Midwest with 18 challenging holes. Plus, thanks to readily available tee times, interested players can experience this standout course during the general golfing season from April 1 to October 31. With warm, pleasant weather in June, July, and August, these are typically the best months to play this course.
In recent years, Wild Horse has expanded its offerings as well. Golfers can visit simply to play through, or they can stay on-site in recently added cabins equipped with living rooms, dining areas, kitchenettes, and multiple bedroom and bathroom configurations. New players or those looking to brush up on their skills can take advantage of a pony course, junior golf, and even on-site golf instruction. The clubhouse is a destination worth stopping by, too, with a pro shop and an on-site restaurant. However, since Gothenburg is a more remote location, Wild Horse is located three and a half to four hours away from Omaha and its large airport. The closest option is the regional North Platte Airport.
The Prairie Club (Pines Course)
The remote location of the Prairie Club, outside Valentine, Nebraska, offers expansive views of the local landscape. And, as mentioned previously, this golf destination is home to two distinct courses, both of which are notable. If you want something different from the prairie-inspired nature views of the Dunes Course, the Pines Course is just the right fit.
Like its sibling, this semi-private course, open to members and non-members, features 18 holes, and packages start at $559 per person. However, as it is built along the rim of the Snake River Canyon, it offers fewer prairie views and feels more like a retreat set in the pine-filled forests of Colorado or South Dakota's Black Hills. Tall trees envelop the course, making it feel like a contained escape (though some portions do still wind past those Nebraska sand hills for more open views). The best time to visit and play the Pines Course is in September and early October, when the weather is pleasant and the winds are not as strong.
With a 74.6 rating, the Pines Course is a slightly less challenging option at the Prairie Club, but its fairways and greens, designed by Graham Marsh, will still deliver regulation-style twists and turns to keep golfers strategizing. Off the course, golfers and guests can take in the beauty of the Prairie Club grounds by staying in one of the three different accommodation options available on-site, as well as the clubhouse, pro shop, restaurant, and practice or putting facilities. Because the Prairie Club typically shuts down for the winter each year, reservations for non-members have, in years past, opened at the start of the new year in January.
Dismal River Golf Club (White Course)
As mentioned above, Dismal River Golf Club in Mullen, Nebraska, offers golfers two standout courses: the Red Course and the White Course. While the Red Course offers wide views of the natural prairie landscape, the White Course takes a different, more traditional approach. This Jack Nicklaus-designed layout offers 18 holes that require golfers to employ a bit more strategy. When it comes to the course's character, it offers views that feel similar to those of the Rocky Mountains of Montana and the landscape of Wyoming. Golfers can take in the towering Big Horseshoe Hill in the distance and the winding Dismal River as they wind down into valleys and higher up onto windswept hills.
Green fees and membership costs are not publicly available for Dismal River; they are provided upon inquiry. Individual and corporate club memberships are offered. The golf season runs mid-May through early October, and the best time to visit for cooler days is June. If you prefer hotter weather, the summer months of July and August are ideal.
With a 74.9 rating, the White Course offers even more of a challenge than its younger sibling, the Red Course. Since it shares the same property, golfers can also take advantage of the on-site lodging options (rooms, cabins, and homes) to book stay-and-play packages that bundle overnight stays with tee times, other excursions, and amenities. The Red Course also shares the three dining options available at Dismal River, giving guests an elevated, casual, and on-the-course option. The clubhouse, complete with a pro shop, is shared between them, too. Whether you enjoy the vantage points from the course's 18 holes or one of the offered hunting or fishing experiences, the views will be quite unique here.
Omaha Country Club
A staple in Omaha since 1899, with a small men's course and even shorter one for women and children in its early years, the Omaha Country Club is a private course located right in the city itself. It is not only one of Nebraska's best, it is also one of the oldest clubs in the entire Midwest. The standout character (and challenge for golfers) of this course is its undulating nature, which draws on the local topography to deliver greens and fairways that climb and descend, along with severe contouring. Over the course of its history, the club has been relocated and seen many architects and designers, but major renovations were directed by Keith Foster in 2005.
Unlike many of the state's other courses, Omaha Country Club features less of a prairie-driven design. It runs more classic, with shady trees lining the edges and defining each hole. Summer and fall bring pleasant weather here, and the course looks particularly striking in September as foliage begins to change while temperatures remain warm.
With a 74.6 rating, Omaha Country Club's course presents plenty of challenges for golfers. Membership comes in a few varieties, including Regular Golf and Executive Golf, among others. Membership fees and green fees are provided upon inquiry. Visitors are welcome if they are registered with a member in advance. On-site, guests and members can take advantage of amenities such as a pro shop, restaurant, pool, and practice or training facilities. Thanks to its central location in Omaha, it is easy to find off-site accommodations such as Holiday Inn Express & Suites Cherry Hills or Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Omaha Northwest, both of which are just 2.8 miles from the course and club.
Firethorn Golf Club (North and South)
Firethorn Golf Club in Lincoln, Nebraska, has been operating since 1986, and its Pete Dye-designed courses are quite in demand. This private course is where the University of Nebraska's golf teams play and practice, and its design is a prairie-type layout, meaning it leans into the land's natural contours and abundant native vegetation. It has expanded over time. The two original nine-hole courses are now one North-South 18-hole course. A third nine-hole course, the West course, was added between 1998 and 2000.
It is a classic golf course, which is why it stands out as one of the state's best, steeped in history and a favorite of many Lincoln locals. Late summer and early fall, August through September, are among the most pleasant times of year to visit. Because Firethorn requires membership (only members and invited guests can play here), its green fees are provided upon inquiry. Members must be logged in to book tee times.
Firethorn Golf Club is more than a course, though. As a country club, it also offers a wealth of other amenities and recreational activities, including a fully equipped pro shop, three on-site dining options, a large aquatics facility with a pool and splash pad, tennis courts, and a fitness center. Additional on-site perks, including the clubhouse and plenty of practice or training space (with putting and chipping greens), round out Firethorn's offerings. And thanks to the course's location in Lincoln, it is an option that is easy to reach. It sits just 15 minutes from the regional Lincoln Airport and roughly an hour from the larger Omaha Airport (also known as Eppley Airfield).
ArborLinks
Designed as an "off-grid" course, ArborLinks in Nebraska City is a regulation course that feels like a secluded destination. It was designed by Arnold Palmer and opened in 2002, and it took advantage of the region's rolling farmland to create a golf experience that feels like wide Midwestern farmland. With a 74.6 rating, it still presents plenty of fun challenges. However, the rustic course feels like classic, pure golf with a touch of forest at its edges. Sights and scenery like ravines and man-made lakes round out the course, and the cornfields surrounding its greens and fairways make it feel like a true Nebraska destination.
ArborLinks is a private, members-only course, so guests must be invited by a member to play. It was the first course within the Dormie Network. As a result, it is difficult to play without a connection to an existing Dormie Network member. A 2016 ArborLinks membership offering listed individual membership at $2,995 per year and corporate membership at $8,995 per year. Guests must also pay fees starting at $115 per person to access the course, and the rate increases if guests are not sponsored by a member or visit on weekends and holidays. For the best foliage, early fall is the best time to visit, though the course opens each year on Master's weekend.
Should you be able to play this Nebraska course, you will find extra perks and amenities right onsite. The course offers 60 rooms that include standard rooms, cottages, duplexes, and even more elevated lodging options. Dining options include snack choices and a bar, and there are practice facilities and a pro shop on-site, too. Plus, this standout course is just 45 miles from Eppley Airfield (Omaha's airport), making it easily accessible.
Bayside Golf Club
If you are surprised that Nebraska is home to a golf course named Bayside Golf Club, you should know that this waterfront option is one of the most striking out on the prairie. Located in Brule, a Keith County village with fewer than 350 residents, Bayside Golf Club was designed by two of the individuals who helped bring Sand Hills to life: Dan Proctor and Dave Axland. You can see wide views of the Nebraska prairie landscape while playing at Bayside, but the real draw of this course lies in its blue waters. The course sits near Lake McConaughy, and golfers can enjoy views of its open surface at each of the 18 holes. One of the other standout features of this waterfront course is its 17th hole, which is shorter than the rest. Here, a ready-made putting surface and bunker add another memorable design feature.
Bayside Golf Club is a public course, making it one of the easiest to play in Nebraska. Playing nine holes on a weekday costs as little as $51 per person, with 18-hole games starting at $71. Weekends in June and July, when the weather is warm, tend to book up quickly. This is one of the best times to play Bayside, but the weather can be pleasant through September.
If you would like to explore more than just the course itself, you will also find on-site lodging at Bayside, including cabins and suites. A clubhouse, complete with a recently renovated pro shop stocked with popular gear and brands, and an on-site restaurant, rounds out offerings accessible to both members and the public. If you are interested in non-golf activities, the lakefront location here also offers numerous water sports, fishing, and even swimming during your stay.
Tatanka Golf Club at Feather Hill
Another of Nebraska's top destinations is Tatanka Golf Club at Feather Hill, a public course open to everyone. The course, located in Niobrara, features a 76.2 rating that will please most golfers and 18 holes spread across more than 7,400 yards. Under the ownership of the Santee Sioux Nation and designed by Paul Albanese, the course offers eye-catching perks for players, including far-off rolling prairie hills, up to 40 miles of distant views, and appearances by local wildlife. For the best weather, plan to play at Tatanka in the late spring through early fall. September often offers the warmest, most pleasant conditions.
The current Tatanka layout dates to a 2015 revamp that reshaped earlier course holes and incorporated the land's history and the Santee Sioux Nation, lending it a perspective that goes well beyond the basic principles of golf. Before you hit the green, stop by the on-site full-service pro shop for any essentials you might need for your golf game, putting practice, or meals.
Unlike other Nebraska courses, Tatanka Golf Club also has another distinguishing feature. It is connected to the Ohiya Casino and Resort, which offers standard hotel rooms and suites. As a result, visiting golfers or guests can stay at the casino's hotel for convenient lodging, with other desirable amenities, such as on-site restaurants. The club also offers local airport pickup to make getting on the green quick and easy. Rates to play the Tatanka course start at $90 for 18 holes when booked online, with more affordable options such as twilight play after 4 p.m. for $80.
How Nebraska's Landscape Shapes Its Best Golf Courses
At Nebraska's best courses, the landscape is part of the experience. Each of the courses on this list takes advantage of rolling hills, prairie grass, and local landmarks like rivers, towering hills, and pine-filled forests to set 18 holes against a distinct backdrop. That variety, along with the state's wind, gives each course its own character and challenge.
