15 Best Golf Courses in South Dakota
Golf is one of the most historic, iconic, and greatest sports that bring people together. The United States has some of the world's most wonderful and iconic golf courses. South Dakota, nicknamed "the Mount Rushmore State," has its share of fantastic golf courses to explore. There are approximately 130 golf courses in South Dakota; 84 of them are public, 36 are municipal courses, and eight are private country clubs. No matter which golf course people choose to take their swing at, it will be a wonderful time. Here are the 15 best golf courses in South Dakota.
The Golf Club at Red Rock
The Golf Club at Red Rock in Rapid City is regarded as one of the best golf courses in the state. The course was designed by Ron Farris (who has designed courses in China, the United States, and Japan) and opened in 2003 as a public golf course. This immaculate, pine-covered course is located in the Black Hills, with a vast amount of pine trees in the distance, green hills throughout, and a meandering course through a residential neighborhood.
The course is open all year round and is an 18-hole Championship Course with tee times around $65. However, the cost lowers to $40 for times around 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The best time to golf at Red Rock is during the spring and early summer, when the temperatures are pleasant. The Rapid City Regional Airport is approximately 17 miles (25 minutes) away from the course, and downtown Rapid City is about eight to nine miles north of the course.
The amenities at Red Rock include the Red Rock Bar and Grill at the Clubhouse. Patrons can sit back, relax on the patio, or hang out in the clubhouse. The Happy Hour is from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, while Wednesday is Happy Hour all day. Best of all, people don't have to be members to come and enjoy lunch and/ or dinner at the Red Rock Bar and Grill.
Sutton Bay Golf Course
Right off the coast of the Missouri River is the Sutton Bay Resort and Golf Course. It's a breathtaking course with endless views of the river and the plains landscape all around. Sutton Bay was created by South Dakota native Mark Amundson, who hired Australian golfer Graham Marsh to design the course. The course on the Missouri River bluffs overlooks the beautiful Lake Oahe. The course has 18 holes and has a 147 slope. The short course is extreme yet very fun to play, and sits in a natural bowl, which minimizes the wind factor while playing, and is a great way to warm up or wind down after hitting the main course.
Although the Sutton Bay Golf Course is a private country club, it's still open to the public. The cost for guest fees is $210.00; cart fees are $40.00, and one-time membership fees are around $50,000 to $90,000. The best time to golf at Sutton Bay is in the spring or fall because of pleasant temperatures and less wind.
The closest city to the Sutton Bay Golf Course is Pierre, the state capital, which is about 40 to 46 miles south of the resort. The Pierre Regional Airport is about 50 miles away, making it the closest airport in the region to fly into for people looking to visit Sutton Bay. The city of Aberdeen is approximately 130 miles northeast of the course and is much further away than Pierre. Even though Agar, the town Sutton Bay is in, is very small, the course offers a lot of excellent amenities for patrons. Visitors can hunt, test their target practice at the rifle range, shoot sporting clays, and enjoy fishing and boating on the Missouri River.
Elkhorn Ridge Golf Club
Elkhorn Ridge Golf Club is a remarkable golf course located just east of Spearfish in the western part of the state. Elkhorn Ridge has a modern 18-hole championship layout, similar to the Golf Club at Red Rock, as it also goes through some residential neighborhoods. Elkhorn Ridge is regarded as one of the best golf courses in the state, thanks to its beauty, views of the Black Hills, and the prairie from the course. The course was designed by Rapid City-based architect Patrick Wyss, who developed the course back in 2007 with the first nine. Golfers could play the entire 18-hole course in 2009, two years after Elkhorn Ridge broke ground.
The rates at Elkhorn Ridge cost around $80 for 18 holes out of season and $100 to $120 for 18 holes in season. A Centennial single season pass costs around $1,600, a couple's season pass costs around $1,900, and the Elkhorn single seven-day pass costs around $2,500 while the couple's seven-day pass costs $2,800. The best time to golf at Elkhorn Ridge is during the shoulder seasons: spring, late summer, and early fall.
The Elkhorn Ridge Golf Club is about eight miles away from downtown Spearfish and 15 miles west of Sturgis. The closest commuter airport to Elkhorn Ridge is the Rapid City Regional Airport, 55 miles southeast. Some of the amenities at Elkhorn Ridge include the Miller Creek Pub. One of the pub's signature dishes is the Elk burger, which looks incredible and delicious. The Pub also gives golfers and visitors exquisite views of the Black Hills landscape and the course while enjoying a nice meal on a peaceful sunny day. The Elkhorn Ridge Golf Club has tennis courts, a pool (open from Memorial Day until Labor Day from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.), a resort lodge, a general store, and basketball courts. The Course has cabins and sites for tents and RVs for anyone looking to stay overnight or so.
Hillsview Golf Course
Located in Pierre (the state capital), Hillsview Golf Course is just east of downtown, right on top of the Missouri River. Golfers are treated to seeing rolling hills, a small neighborhood next to the course, and trees growing all around. Charles Maddox designed the course in 1964, a man who also designed courses in many other states, including Illinois.
Anyone looking for a yearly pass at Hillsview can purchase an individual one for $590, and then the price increases for individuals with children, married couples, and married couples with children. Golfers can also join leagues at the course. Guest fees range from $21 for nine holes to $32 for 18 holes, and cart fees range from $10 for nine holes to $20 for 18 holes. The best time to go to Hillsview is during the spring months of May through June and the fall months of September through October. The course is about five miles from the Pierre Regional Airport and about four miles from the heart of Pierre, where golfers can explore the city's local restaurants and bars.
Hillsview also features a restaurant, ideal for anyone seeking an after-game snack or meal, a Pro Shop filled with merchandise and accessories to enhance your golf game, and downtown Pierre is close by, offering a diverse range of restaurants, hotels, and much more. As for accommodation, the nearby Farm Island State Recreation Area Campground is a great place to set up for the night.
Hart Ranch Golf Club
Right across from the Golf Club at Red Rock is the Hart Ranch Golf Club, which also has incredible views of the Black Hills as golfers play on an 18-hole championship course adjacent to a small residential community. Hart Ranch is known as a gateway to Mount Rushmore National Park, as the course is about 20 miles away from the historic monument. The course opened in 1985 as a nine-hole course, but expanded to 18 holes in 1995.
Prices for tee times can vary at Hart Ranch. The cost for the public cart with 18 starts at $85 on Fridays and weekends but decreases to $69 as the day progresses. The best time to play a round of golf at Hart Ranch is the early morning during the summer months of July and August to avoid the heat.
The Hart Ranch Golf Club is about 10 miles south of downtown Rapid City and 18 miles from the Rapid City Regional Airport, making travel to and from the city relatively easy. Because Rapid City is close to Hart Ranch, finding outside amenities is also very easy since there's plenty to do and explore in Rapid City. Hart Ranch also has its own Bar and Grill for all who have had an excellent day on the green. The Bar and Grill had a revamped menu for 2025, an air hockey table, and plenty of TVs in a lodge-style bar. The Happy Holiday RV Resort and the Chuckwagon Supper and Show are relatively close to the course for those seeking lodging and meals outside the Hart Ranch Golf Course.
Southern Hills Golf Course
Further south of the Hart Ranch Golf Course in Hot Springs is the Southern Hills Golf Course, a lavish public golf course in the southwestern part of the state. Southern Hills is regarded as one of the best golf courses in the Black Hills, with great views of the hills, pine trees in certain parts of the course, and a mixture of challenging and simple holes. The course itself was designed by Dick Phelps and opened its doors in 1977 as a nine-hole course before expanding to an 18-hole course.
The green fee for the nine-hole course costs $40, while the green fee for the 18-hole course costs $60. Southern Hills Golf Course also has a twilight rate green fee, which costs $30 and begins four hours before sunset local time. The best time to golf at Southern Hills is usually during the shoulder seasons of April/ May and September/ October, with a large part of the pleasant weather during that time. A season pass, however, costs $865 for a single adult.
Southern Hills is under three miles from downtown Hot Springs, where there are plenty of local restaurants, like the Whiskey River Bar and Grill in town. Unfortunately, Southern Hills is very far from the airports. The closest commercial airport in the state is the Rapid City Regional Airport, which is over 60 miles away from the course. Regarding amenities at Southern Hills, there is an online shop, and the clubhouse can host events. Room rentals start at around $50 for two hours or less, half a day (four hours) costs around $100, and renting a room for the whole day costs around $175.
Cattail Crossing Golf Course
The Cattail Crossing Golf Course is a family-friendly 27-hole course right off the coast of Lake Kampeska in Watertown, next to the Watertown Country Club. Patrick Wyss designed the course in 1925, with bluegrass fairways and bent grass greens. It is a great public course to play a round or two in the Northeastern part of the state.
The Daily Green Fees at Cattail Crossing for nine-hole golf start at around $25 on weekdays and are $30 on weekends; 18-hole golf at Cattail costs around $40 on weekdays and $45 on weekends. The season ticket rate as of 2024 for adults 24 and older for seven days costs $700, married couples pay around $950, and seniors who are 65 and older pay around $600. The best time to start golfing at Cattail is when the course opens at 10:00 a.m. local time or late afternoon/ early evening.
Cattail Crossing is less than five miles from the Watertown Regional Airport and downtown Watertown. In town, golfers can find restaurants, hotels, and other amenities outside of the course. Cattail Crossing recently added a patio, which is great for events, gatherings, and relaxing after a nice round of golf with friends and family. Watertown has some amazing restaurants to try outside of Cattail Crossing, like the Downtown Sushi Restaurant and Dempsey's Brewery Restaurant, and Pub. Both restaurants are located on Broadway and five miles east of the course. Meanwhile, the nearby Ramkota Hotel is a great place to stay for the night.
Boulder Canyon Golf Club
The Boulder Canyon Golf Club is approximately 15 miles southeast of Elkhorn Ridge, just west of Sturgis. It is a wonderful 18-hole par-72 course with green hills and ponderosa pine trees as spectators; it has its challenges, is very beautiful, and is a staple in the Black Hills. The course has been open to the public since 1948 and is open to the public. Rates at Boulder Canyon begin at $45 for 9-hole golf with carts, and 18-hole golf with carts costs $70 from April 1 to May 28 and September 29 to October 31. The closest airport to Boulder Canyon is the Rapid City Regional Airport, which is about 45 miles away.
Amenities at Boulder Canyon include the Boulder Canyon Sports Bar and Grill on the course, which serves fried pickles, burgers, wraps, and much more. The pro shop ensures that every golfer stays up to date on the latest trends in the sport. Those who want to stay the night can book a room at the Hotel Sturgis nearby.
Prairie Green Golf Course
Prairie Green is one of a few golf courses in Sioux Falls, which is praised for its challenging layout, well-maintained greens, and friendly staff. The course goes through a nice residential neighborhood, has calming views, and is very walker-friendly. The course was designed by Dick Nugent, who also designed the Minnehaha Country Club in Sioux Falls. Prairie Green is a public course and is open to anyone in the Sioux Falls area looking to play a calming game of golf.
The rates at Prairie Green begin at $28 for nine-hole golf on weekdays and rise to $35 on weekends. The rate for 18-hole golf at Prairie Green is $41 on weekdays and $47 on weekends. The best time to golf at Prairie Green is around the early mornings in the summer months to avoid crowds and cooler weather.
Prairie Green may be in Sioux Falls, but the course is about seven miles from downtown and ten miles from the Sioux Falls Regional Airport. Prairie Green has a restaurant at the clubhouse for golfers to unwind after a long day on the course with menu options like breakfast burritos, brats, quesadillas, flatbreads, burgers, fries, and much more. While the course doesn’t have lodging options, Home2 Suites by Hilton is a great place within a 15-minute drive.
Tomahawk Lake Country Club
Tomahawk Lake is a luscious country club in the heart of the Black Hills and just outside of Deadwood. Tomahawk Lake was designed in the 1930s by Lawrence Hughes, who designed the Thunderbird Country Club in Rancho Mirage, CA. Tomahawk Lake has a nine-hole course nestled in the Black Hills with breathtaking views of pine trees, narrow fairways, and dramatic elevation changes, making for a fun yet challenging course for all golfers to test and enhance their performance on the green.
Rates at Tomahawk Lake start around $50 for nine-hole golf with golf carts on weekdays and increase to $55 on Fridays, weekends, and holidays. The cost for 18 holes with golf carts starts around $70 on weekdays and increases to $75 on Fridays, weekends, and holidays. However, no spectator carts are allowed from Friday to Sunday. The best time to go golfing at Tomahawk Lake can be in the early mornings or late afternoons when the weather is cool enough and there are fewer people.
The Tomahawk Lake Country Club is a bit of a stretch from the Rapid City Regional Airport, as it's 45 miles northwest. The course is nine miles south of downtown Deadwood, where there are plenty of amenities. Tomahawk Lake does have a restaurant in its clubhouse called The 19th Hole, which serves French fries, Philly cheesesteaks, hot dogs, burgers, and much more. The Clubhouse at Tomahawk Lake has a pro shop, a bar, and a place to sit back and relax after a spectacular day of golfing in the Black Hills. As for accommodation, golfers can stay at the nearby Black Hills Hideaway Lodge for an experience with nature.
Hillcrest Golf and Country Club (Yankton)
The Hillcrest Golf and Country Club is a beautiful semi-private country club in the northeastern part of Yankton, which gives golfers and all who visit a warm welcome. Hillcrest has an 18-hole course known to challenge amateur and professional golfers who visit the club. Hillcrest was designed by Homer Fieldhouse in 1954 and spans up to 6,874 yards from the back tees. Golfers have raved about the pace of play at the course and the golfing excellence the course presents to all. The prices for tee times range from $75 to $100 for 18-hole golf with no golf cart, and cart fees cost $20. The best time to golf at Hillcrest is the early morning, with fewer crowds and cool weather.
The Hillcrest Golf and Country Club is a stretch from the Sioux Falls Regional Airport, as it's over 80 miles away. Luckily, downtown Yankton is right around the corner for golfers looking to explore a small city. For the golfers wanting to take a relaxing break from being on the green, Hillcrest has a swimming pool to cool off in, a lounge with top-class dining open from 11:00 a.m. local time to Tuesdays through Fridays, and from 5:00 p.m. to close local time on Saturdays. While no lodging is on site, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Yankton is a popular option.
Bakker Crossing Golf Course
Just south of Sioux Falls and between Tea and Harrisburg is the Bakker Crossing Golf Course, an 18-hole, par-71 semi-private course with a full driving range set in a very quiet neighborhood known for its playable design. Kevin Norby designed the course, which opened in 2002.
The rates for nine-man golf at Bakker Crossing begin at $40 on Mondays through Thursdays, and Fridays to Sundays cost $45, while prices for 18-man golf begin at $55 on Mondays through Thursdays, and Fridays to Sundays cost $60. The best time to go golfing at Bakker Crossing is late afternoon to early evening due to fewer people during peak hours and cooler weather. However, there are ride-along fees for non-golfers, which start around $10 for nine-hole golf and $15 for 18-hole golf.
The Bakker Crossing Golf Course is about 15 miles away from the Sioux Falls Regional Airport and ten miles away from downtown Sioux Falls, where there are a lot of wonderful restaurants and amenities to discover outside of the course. If golfers choose to stay near Bakker Crossing, at spots like the Gateway Park Hotel, the course has a fitness center for all to use before or after hitting for an extra workout. The fitness center has treadmills, dumbbells, and ellipticals, and is open 24 hours a day throughout the year. Bakker Crossing also has the Duffers Bar and Grill at the clubhouse, where it offers golfers and members pizza, boneless wings, fries, club sandwiches, and much more.
Willow Run Golf Course
Just further north of Bakker Crossing is the Willow Run Golf Course, which is just east of Sioux Falls. Willow Run is considered one of the nicest courses in the state. Its 18-hole course is combined with a wonderful scenic 6,520-yard, par-70 layout with luscious greens, a couple of small ponds, and is next to a peaceful residential neighborhood. The course was designed by Joel Goldstrand.
The rates for nine-hole golf at Willow Run start at $40 on weekdays and increase to $45 on Fridays, weekends, and holidays. The rates for 18-hole golf at Willow Run cost $55 on weekdays and increase to $60 on Fridays, weekends, and holidays. The best time for a golf outing at Willow Run is the early morning or late afternoon/ early evening, with fewer people on the course and cooler weather. There are cart fees for nine-hole golf starting at $15 and $25 for 18-hole golf.
Willow Run is about 12 miles east of Sioux Falls Regional Airport, making it easily accessible. Similar to Bakker Crossing, Willow Run also has a fitness center, which is open 24 hours a day, and it features a plethora of exercise equipment, a sauna, and a jacuzzi to help golfers and everyone else looking to unwind after a long workout. Golfers and club members can also have a bite to eat and a drink at the Willows Restaurant, where people can enjoy loaded nachos, Caesar salad, or a wrap, flatbread sandwiches, and much more. As for accommodation, GLō Best Western Dawley Farms in Sioux Falls is a quaint 3-star property nearby.
Two Rivers Golf Club
The Two Rivers Golf Club is an immaculate course right on the South Dakota and Iowa State line and is just west of Sioux City, IA, and is right on the Big Sioux River and not too far from the Missouri River, splitting the state's border lines apart. The course was designed by architect Leonard Macomber and was built by Bill Adams in the 1930s. The par for the course is 70, and the yardage is over 6,000 yards. Two Rivers has two sets of rates: If people choose to walk and play nine-hole golf, the price is $25, and if they ride a golf cart, it costs $40. Walking for an 18-hole golf costs $45, riding golf carts costs $70, season passes for 2025 cost $1,300 for walking and playing, and $2,145 for those who'll ride golf carts. The best time to begin golfing at Two Rivers is during the early morning before the rush and when the weather is not hot.
If people want to get to the Two Rivers Golf Club from the Sioux Falls Regional Airport, it's about 90 miles from the course. Luckily, Sioux City's Airport is much closer to the course, as it's 15 miles away from the course. The Two Rivers Golf Club has some great amenities available on site. It has a golf simulator for anyone looking to get some practice shots in before hitting the course for an outing with friends, co-workers, and family. The clubhouse has lounges and patios, which have been remodeled and will give golfers a nice warm welcome before and after a long day on the course. Those looking to stay for a few days will adore the Holiday Inn Express & Suites next door.
Dakota Dunes Country Club
Just south of the Two Rivers Golf Club is the charming Dakota Dunes Country Club, which is located right above the Missouri River, and the small beach dunes make for a marvelous course to visit in the state. The course is nestled in a very nice neighborhood and has 7,165 yards of fairway to explore. The course itself was designed by golf icon Arnold Palmer and opened in 1991. It has hosted ten professional golf tournaments in the club's lifetime.
Guest fees at Dakota Dunes cost $110 with a golf cart included, which may not be cheap to some. However, it's well worth it for those wanting to play on the course Palmer himself designed and played on. The best time to golf at Dakota Dunes is the late afternoon on Fridays and Sundays or in the late evening after league play concludes, since the course will be less crowded.
The Sioux Gateway Airport is approximately 15 miles from the course, and downtown Sioux City is about seven miles east of the course, where golfers can find a vast number of restaurants, hotels, and other amenities outside of the course. Dakota Dunes has its fair share of on-site amenities, including a dining room and Palmer Lounge, open from Tuesdays to Sundays, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time. Meals available at Dakota Dunes include steaks, cedar plank salmon, the Dunes burger, and much more. Dakota Dunes features a fitness center with a sauna, a workout area with plenty of machines for an incredible workout, and yoga rooms. Accommodation options are plentiful, such as the Holiday Inn Express & Suites and Country Inn & Suites by Radisson.
Final Thoughts
Overall, each of these 15 courses has its unique charm. It's sometimes not about the course, but rather what people do at the courses, making for a fun and memorable experience no matter which course someone plays. South Dakota may be known as the state where Mount Rushmore is, but it has some of the most breathtaking golf courses for anyone looking for an incredible weekend of golf, no matter the season.
