South Dakota, known for its picturesque landscapes and iconic landmarks, offers golf enthusiasts a variety of impressive courses to enjoy. The state’s diverse terrain, from the stunning Black Hills to the rolling prairies, provides a perfect backdrop for a memorable golfing experience. With numerous top-rated courses designed by renowned architects, golfers of all skill levels are sure to find a challenging and enjoyable game.
Some of the best golf courses in South Dakota include Sutton Bay, Minnehaha Country Club, and Dakota Dunes Country Club, each offering a unique blend of challenging play, impeccable course conditions, and amazing scenery. Furthermore, there are gems like Elkhorn Ridge in Spearfish and Red Rock in Rapid City, delivering exceptional golf experiences in the heart of the Black Hills. As the golfing community continues to grow, South Dakota is undoubtedly becoming a premier destination for golf lovers seeking unforgettable experiences on and off the green.
Thanks go to Jerry for the featured image of Minnehaha Country Club in Sioux Falls, SD.
Top Golf Courses in South Dakota
South Dakota is home to some exceptional golf courses, providing golfers with a variety of impressive designs and challenging layouts. In 2021, several standout courses in South Dakota have been recognized for their exceptional quality. This article will focus on three of them: Sutton Bay, Dakota Dunes, and Elkhorn Ridge.
Sutton Bay
Sutton Bay is the top-rated course in South Dakota, earning high praise for its remarkable design and stunning views. Located in Agar, this private club boasts an exceptional layout that challenges golfers of all skill levels. Featuring rolling hills, native grasses, and breathtaking vistas, Sutton Bay provides an unforgettable golfing experience for its members.
Dakota Dunes
Dakota Dunes, situated in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, is another noteworthy course in the state. As a top-rated course, Dakota Dunes offers golfers a challenging and enjoyable experience. Designed among natural dunes, the course offers picturesque views and a contemporary design, providing golfers with a unique and memorable round.
Elkhorn Ridge
Elkhorn Ridge, located in Spearfish, is a popular public course in South Dakota. The course’s design takes advantage of the beautiful Black Hills scenery, providing golfers with impressive views as they navigate the challenging layout. Elkhorn Ridge offers an enjoyable and accessible golf experience for golfers of all abilities.
With these three outstanding golf courses, South Dakota continues to prove itself as a fantastic destination for golf enthusiasts. Sutton Bay, Dakota Dunes, and Elkhorn Ridge each provide unique challenges and stunning visuals, ensuring that golfers will have a memorable experience on the greens of South Dakota.
Planning Your Golf Trip
Travel Tips
When planning a golf trip to South Dakota, it’s essential to consider the location and time of year. The state offers a diverse range of golf courses suited for different skill levels, so researching suitable options is crucial. Public access courses are popular in South Dakota, allowing players of all levels to enjoy a game without membership requirements.
Weather can significantly impact a golf trip, so it’s recommended to visit between May and September when temperatures are more suitable for outdoor activities. However, it’s crucial to book accommodations and tee times in advance, as these months can also be quite busy with tourists and golf enthusiasts alike.
Some popular golf courses in South Dakota include Sutton Bay, Red Rock, and Elkhorn Ridge. Each of these options has unique features, making them attractive to different audiences of golfers.
Affordable Green Fees
South Dakota offers a variety of golf courses with affordable green fees, making it an excellent destination for budget-friendly golf trips. To maximize savings, consider:
- Booking tee times during off-peak hours, such as weekdays or early mornings
- Utilizing discounts for seniors, students, or military personnel
- Checking for online specials or seasonal promotions
Top affordable golf courses in South Dakota include Elmwood Golf Club and Southern Hills Golf Course. These courses provide players with a memorable experience without breaking the bank, proving that a fulfilling golf trip in South Dakota can be possible within a budget.
By keeping these travel tips and affordable green fee options in mind, golf enthusiasts can plan an enjoyable and budget-conscious golf trip to South Dakota.
Course Ratings and Reviews
Golf Digest Rankings
According to Golf Digest, some of the top golf courses in South Dakota include Sutton Bay Golf Course in Agar, Minnehaha Country Club in Sioux Falls, Dakota Dunes Country Club, The Golf Course at Red Rock in Rapid City, and Elkhorn Ridge Golf Course in Spearfish. These courses have consistently ranked high, making them some of the best options for golf enthusiasts in the state.
Golf Digest uses a panel of course raters and applies a Ratings Index logic to determine its rankings. This process incorporates weighted subcategory averages, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of each eligible golf course’s quality.
Golfers’ Choice Lists
The Golfers’ Choice lists are updated annually and are determined by community reviewers who contribute their ratings and reviews for various golf courses across South Dakota.
Some notable courses that have made it on the Golfers’ Choice 2021 list for South Dakota include:
- Southern Hills Golf Course in Hot Springs
- Belle Fourche Country Club in Belle Fourche
- Elmwood Golf Club in Sioux Falls
- Golf Club at Red Rock in Rapid City
- Rapid City Elks Golf Course in Rapid City
The Golfers’ Choice rankings encourage golf enthusiasts to get involved and review a golf course to contribute to the ever-evolving lists. Golfers’ Choice 2023 provides updated rankings across all 50 states, offering valuable insights to players who want to discover the best options for their next golf outing.
Unique Course Features
South Dakota offers a variety of golf courses with unique features that are bound to make your golfing experience unforgettable. This section will highlight some of the most interesting aspects of these courses, focusing on their challenging greens and scenic roughs.
Challenging Greens
Golf courses in South Dakota are known for their diverse and challenging greens. For instance, Sutton Bay in Agar, one of the top-ranked golf courses in the state, features fast and tricky greens that require precision and excellent green-reading skills. The undulating greens will test your ability to judge speed and break, making it both challenging and fun.
Another course, the Red Rock Golf Course in Rapid City, is known for its elaborate greens with subtle breaks. These greens require golfers to carefully study the slopes and contours before attempting their putts. This level of complexity in green designs will definitely keep golfers on their toes and engaged throughout the round.
Scenic Roughs
South Dakota’s golf courses are not just about challenging greens; they also provide breathtaking views and scenic roughs. For example, Elkhorn Ridge Golf Club in Spearfish is set amongst the picturesque Black Hills, offering golfers a serene and natural backdrop while they navigate the course. The unique landscape filled with rolling hills, lush vegetation, and interesting rock formations provides a beautiful setting for your golfing excursion.
Another example is the Dakota Dunes Country Club, which boasts a beautiful blend of natural elements in its design and provides a stunning view of the Missouri River. Golfers can enjoy the sight of sand dunes and native prairie grasses as they make their way through the course.
In summary, golf courses in South Dakota offer a mix of challenging greens and beautiful scenery that will undoubtedly heighten your golfing experience. Give these courses a try to enjoy an unforgettable round of golf in the beautiful state of South Dakota.
Get Involved and Stay Updated
Newsletters
Subscribing to newsletters is a great way to stay informed about the latest happenings in the world of golf in South Dakota. There are various sources, including golf clubs, associations, and foundations, that release periodic newsletters with updates on tournaments, course improvements, and golf news in general. Receiving these newsletters ensures one is always in the loop, whether it’s about events, course improvements, or the achievements of the local golf community.
Community Reviews
South Dakota’s golf community is filled with passionate players who often share their experiences and opinions about the different courses in the state. Engaging in this community can be done by reading and contributing to course reviews through platforms like GolfPass or GOLF Magazine’s raters. This allows golfers to learn from one another and make informed decisions about which courses to play or even plan a golf trip.
Participating in community reviews also allows golfers to voice their opinions and contribute to the overall improvement of courses in the state. Honest feedback from players is essential for course managers and owners to understand what works and what needs to be improved, ultimately leading to better experiences for everyone involved.
By staying involved and connected to the golf community in South Dakota, enthusiasts can contribute to its growth and enjoy continuous improvement in the quality of the courses and overall golf experience. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with local clubs, associations, or foundations to learn more about how one can make a difference in the local golf scene.
Frequently Asked Questions
Top golf courses in the Black Hills?
The Black Hills region of South Dakota offers several beautiful golf courses. Two of the most popular among them are the GC at Red Rock Rapid City and Hart Ranch Rapid City. Both courses offer picturesque surroundings and challenging layouts for golf enthusiasts.
Top 3 golf resorts in SD?
Here are three outstanding golf resorts in South Dakota:
- Wild Oak Golf Club: Wild Oak Golf Club in Mitchell offers a great golf experience and is highly regarded among golfers.
- Prairie Green: Prairie Green is located in Sioux Falls and is one of the top public golf courses in the state.
- Willow Run: Also in Sioux Falls, Willow Run offers a top-notch golfing experience for players of all skill levels.
Popular courses in Rapid City?
Rapid City, South Dakota has several popular golf courses, featuring scenic views of the surrounding landscape. Some of the most sought-after courses are Meadowbrook and Hart Ranch Rapid City, both offering challenging and enjoyable golf experiences.
Highly rated courses in SD?
South Dakota boasts a variety of highly rated golf courses suitable for all types of golfers. Some of the top-rated courses include Sutton Bay in Agar and Red Rock in Rapid City, both providing spectacular views and challenges for avid golfers.
Sutton Bay details?
Sutton Bay is a beautiful golf course located in Agar, South Dakota. It has been consistently ranked as the best golf course in the state by various publications. Sutton Bay features a stunning terrain, incorporating natural beauty and challenging elements that make it a must-play for golf enthusiasts.
Neighboring state top courses?
When it comes to top golf courses in neighboring states, there are several exceptional options. A few examples include Minnesota’s Hazeltine National Golf Club and North Dakota’s Hawktree Golf Club, both offering world-class golf experiences with picturesque landscapes and challenging layouts.