Top public and private courses in Nebraska

Nebraska’s golf scene has exploded onto the national stage in recent decades with layouts that take great advantage of the state’s sand dunes and other natural wonders. The No. 1 modern course in the U.S., the private Sand Hills, is in the Cornhusker State, and the top public-access layouts that followed in its wake are nothing short of astounding.

And the progress hasn’t slowed. Two new layouts, Landmand Golf Club and Lost Rails Golf Club, opened in 2022 and promise to join the Golfweek’s Best rankings as they garner enough votes. There’s more to come, too.

Golfweek’s Best offers many lists of course rankings, with that of top public-access courses in each state among the most popular. All the courses on this list allow public access in some fashion, be it standard daily green fees, through a resort or by staying at an affiliated hotel. If there’s a will, there’s a tee time.

Also popular are the Golfweek’s Best rankings of top private courses in each state, and that list for Nebraska’s prestigious private offerings is likewise included below.

MORE: Best Modern | Best Classic | Top 200 Resort | Top 200 Residential | Top 100 Best You Can Play

(m): Modern course, built in or after 1960
(c): Classic course, built before 1960

Note: If there is a number in the parenthesis with the m or c, that indicates where that course ranks among Golfweek’s Best top 200 modern or classic courses. 

* New to or returning to list

The Dunes Course at Prairie Club in Nebraska (Courtesy of Prairie Club)

1. Prairie Club (Dunes)
Valentine (T79m)

2. Wild Horse
Gothenburg (T110m)

3. Prairie Club (Pines)
Valentine (m)

5. Quarry Oaks
Ashland (m)

Dismal River Club’s Doak Course (Red) in Nebraska (Courtesy of Dismal River)

1. Sand Hills
Mullen (1m)

2. CapRock Ranch*
Valentine (m)

3. Dismal River Club (Red/Doak)
Mullen (39m)

5. ArborLinks
Nebraska City (m)