The Prairie Club (Dunes Course)
Valentine, NE, United States • Public
Stephen Szurlej
Overview
The Dunes Course, as the name implies, flows through a rumpled blanket landscape of the rugged, treeless, windswept sand hills of central Nebraska. Most fairways are generously broad, most greens are perched, tucked or otherwise half-hidden to reward only shots correctly placed at certain angles. The most fascinating hole comes early, the par-4 second with out-of-bounds indicated by a barbed-wire fence hard along the right from tee to green, but other holes like the par-4 eighth with a notch in a dune that gives players a peek-a-boo look at the green as they approach and the multi-option sixth and 13th are just as entertaining.
About
Awards
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked 184th, 2017-'18.
100 Greatest Public: Ranked since 2015. Highest ranking: No. 35, 2015-'16. 2023-'24 ranking: No. 41.
Best in State: Ranked third, 2021-'22.
Current ranking: Sixth.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“(Dunes) -- much like Landmand/Sand Hills this is routed in a wide expanse of property. Visually stunning like Landmann and the first six holes were awesome – one of the best starts I have played. 1 & 2 were stern par 4’s measuring 458 and 478 yard. The 3rd was 590 yards that had some massive movement on this lengthy par 5. The 4th at 145 yards featured a great green complex. The 4th was a slight dog right up the hill at 371 yards and then finishing the stretch was a shorter par 5 at 542 yards with a fairway similar to 3, but played in the opposite direction. The rest of the course was solid and the finishing two holes were a beast, It had a great variety of hole lengths, green shapes (mostly large greens) and plenty of uphill holes adding to the difficulty. Like Landman if the wind is whipping this course plays way harder. The conditions when I played it was maybe a one-club wind."
Read More2024
Review
“Big fast greens, fast and firm wide fairways, fun and difficulty factors goes up when the wind blows."
Read More2023
Review
“Exceptional course with incredible views of the prairie on every hole. This is the public's Sand Hills, a wonderful test on the windswept prairie. Pairs well with other resort offers to create a complete destination/experience."
Read More2022
Review
“An excellent inland links course with excellent conditions."
Read More2021
Review
“The Dunes Course provides a better golfing experience more typical of the Sandhills region and it is the better of the two courses at Prairie Club."
Read More2021
Readers
Collection of reviews from our readers
There are no readers reviews yet. Be the first to write a review.