Nebraska may not be the first destination that pops into your head for top-notch golf, but the Sand Hills region stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Scotland’s links and Melbourne’s Sand Belt. Featuring minimalist designs and dramatic elevation changes, these courses present an exhilarating challenge.   Here’s a rundown of the top 10 golf courses in Nebraska that should definitely be on your bucket list.

Top 10 Nebraska Golf Courses That You Must Play

This course feels more like a discovery than a design. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw carved fairways through rolling sand dunes, moving only 4,000 cubic yards of earth. The outcome? A timeless links-style gem where even the bunkers shift with the breeze. It’s no wonder this remains the top-ranked course in Nebraska.

1. Sand Hills Golf Club, Mullen, NE

What started as a 20-year dream has become a reality, blending contrasts beautifully. Half of its holes wind through gentle dunes, while the other half hover on the edge of the Snake River Canyon. Designed by Gil Hanse, CapRock Ranch offers stunning views and a layout that strikes a perfect balance between playability and challenge.

2. CapRock Ranch, Valentine, NE

Perched on towering loess bluffs, Landmand is the boldest design in Nebraska. The course spans massive ridges and valleys, featuring fairways that can be as wide as 100 yards and some of the largest greens in the U.S. Rob Collins and Tad King went all out on scale, turning every hole into a visual and strategic journey.

3. Landmand Golf Club, Homer, NE

Tom Doak allowed the land to guide this design, shaping greens into the rugged hillsides with minimal alteration. There are no conventional tee boxes, just broad landing zones that make each round a unique challenge. It is golf at its most wild and untamed, where strategy wins out over brute force.

4. Dismal River Club, Red, Mullen, NE

Despite its Midwest location, this course has a lot of elevation changes. Established in 1899, it combines rolling hills with contoured greens, making accuracy essential. As a host of the U.S. Senior Open, Omaha Country Club demonstrates that classic parkland courses can still challenge the best players.

5. Omaha Country Club, Omaha, NE

This links-style course is characterized by sweeping sandhills, wide fairways, and hidden greens. The par-4 second hole, bordered by a barbed-wire fence, sets the stage for a round filled with quirky, strategic choices. If you enjoy the unpredictability of true links golf, this course certainly delivers.

6. The Prairie Club, Dunes Course, Valentine, NE

Jack Nicklaus’ interpretation of the Nebraska Sand Hills is both bold and dramatic. The terrain is more extreme than that of its Red Course counterpart, featuring deep valleys and high ridges. While some renovations have softened a few holes over time, the risk-reward nature of the layout still makes it a must-play.

7. Dismal River Club, White, Mullen, NE

A hidden gem in the heart of Nebraska, Wild Horse offers pure, no-frills golf. Built for under $1 million, it provides a Sand Hills-style experience at a fraction of the cost. With rugged bunkers, firm fairways, and a natural layout, it stands out as one of America’s best-value public courses.

8. Wild Horse Golf Club, Gothenburg, NE

This course has two personalities: half pine forest, half prairie. Eleven holes wind through rolling dunes, while the others cling to the edge of a canyon, providing stunning views of the Snake River. It’s a diverse and visually striking course that guarantees no two rounds are ever the same.

9. The Prairie Club, Pines Course, Valentine, NE

Pete Dye’s sole design in Nebraska offers a true test of precision. The course presents challenges with its deep pot bunkers, angled par-3 greens, and a short par 4 featuring a blind, mound-hidden green. As the home course for the University of Nebraska golf team, it stands out as one of the toughest layouts in the state.