Sand Hills country. · Vol. 01

The Ultimate
Nebraska Golf Trip.

Nebraska is one course: Sand Hills Golf Club in Mullen. The Coore & Crenshaw original that launched the modern minimalist movement. Awkward to get to (fly into Denver, drive five hours; or fly into North Platte) but routinely on every architect's top-10-in-the-world list. The Prairie Club is the public-access counterpart an hour south.

Above · Sand Hills Golf Club

ISand Hills Pilgrimage IIOmaha Trip IIIDismal River Trip

Route I of III · Western Nebraska

The Sand Hills Pilgrimage

Sand Hills + The Prairie Club

Duration3 days

Total drive130 mi

Tariff$$$

Approx. $2,200 / person, 3 days. Sand Hills is sponsored-play only; Prairie Club is public-resort. Lodging on-site at both.

Day
1
Sand Hills Golf Club
Day 1 · Sand Hills Golf Club
Fly into Denver, drive five hours northeast. Or fly into North Platte and drive two. Members typically play 36.
- Sand Hills Golf Club
  Sand Hills, Coore & Crenshaw 1995. The course that started the minimalist movement.
Day
2
Sand Hills Golf Club
Day 2 · Sand Hills (replay)
There is no second course at Sand Hills. Walk it again. The routing reveals different decisions on the second loop.
- Sand Hills Golf Club
  Sand Hills, take two, the lodge dinners are mandatory.
Day
3
The Prairie Club
Day 3 · The Prairie Club
Drive an hour north to Valentine. Three layouts (Dunes, Pines, Horse Course par-3).
- The Prairie Club
  The Prairie Club, Tom Lehman/Chris Brands Dunes + Graham Marsh Pines.

Route II of III · Eastern Nebraska

The Omaha Trip

Omaha CC + Champions + Dismal River crossover

Duration3 days

Total drive25 mi

Tariff$$$

Approx. $2,300 / person, 3 days. Omaha CC + Champions are sponsored-play.

Day
1
Omaha Country Club
Day 1 · Omaha Country Club
Fly into OMA. Tom Bendelow 1899 / Perry Maxwell 1937 redesign.
- Omaha Country Club
  Omaha Country Club, Perry Maxwell 1937.
Day
2
Day 2 · Champions Run
Pete Dye 1990. Top-100 modern in America.
- Champions Run Country Club
  Champions Run, Pete Dye 1990.
Day
3
Day 3 · Indian Creek
Elkhorn. Public-resort closer.
- Golf at Indian Creek - Red Feather Course
  Indian Creek Golf Course. Omaha public.

Route III of III · Sand Hills North

The Dismal River Trip

Two Tom Doak / Jack Nicklaus layouts

Duration3 days

Total drive12 mi

Tariff$$$$

Approx. $3,800 / person, 3 days. Members + sponsored-play. Walking-only, lodge stay-and-play.

Day
1
Dismal River Club
Day 1 · Dismal River Red
Fly into Denver, drive 5 hours NE to Mullen. Jack Nicklaus 2006.
- Dismal River Club
  Dismal River Red Course, Jack Nicklaus 2006.
Day
2
Dismal River Club
Day 2 · Dismal River White
Sister course. Tom Doak 2013.
- Dismal River Club
  Dismal River White Course, Tom Doak 2013.
Day
3
Sand Hills Golf Club
Day 3 · Day off + Sand Hills crossover
Drive to Sand Hills Golf Club for 18 if you have a sponsor.
- Sand Hills Golf Club
  Sand Hills Golf Club crossover (sponsored-play only).