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Course Report
Prairie Club (Dunes) boasts some of the widest fairways in America—averaging nearly 60 yards across—and the entire course covers over 100 acres of maintained playing surface.
About
The Prairie Club (Dunes) is a 2010 Tom Lehman and Chris Brands design, set in Nebraska’s vast Sandhills south of Valentine. Frequently ranked among America's top modern public courses, it offers immense fairways, sandy blowouts, and dramatic prairie vistas. The wind and rolling elevation changes challenge strategy and shot-making, evoking a genuine links feel in the heartland.
Caddie Tip
Play smart—don't just bomb drivers everywhere. Favor the correct side of the fairway to angle into massive greens, and check the wind direction on every shot. Approaches should aim for proper green quadrants to avoid monster lag putts; short game creativity and calm putting nerves are essential here.
The Main Challenge
The Dunes Course’s greatest challenge lies in managing its exposed, wind-swept setting. Accurate club selection and course management are a must to navigate wide—yet subtly defended—fairways and huge, undulating greens. Potent crosswinds and tough native rough penalize poor shots. Surviving the long par 4s and precision into multi-tiered greens is essential.
The Good
Golfers rave about the sheer scale and visual majesty: vast fairways, enormous greens, rolling Sandhills, and unspoiled prairie vistas without any homes or urban distractions. The feeling of links-style golf in a landlocked region creates a unique experience. The wind and natural terrain mean every round feels fresh and different.
The Not So Good
While the Dunes course receives high marks for design and conditioning, players occasionally mention slow play, the exhausting length on windy days, and the challenge of extreme distances between holes. Some wish for even more on-course signage or amenities (like water and shade) given the remote setting.
Signature Hole:
#
4
The par 3 4th hole is one of the most memorable, featuring an expansive double-tiered green over 80 yards long bisected by a sharp ridge. Playing from roughly 145 yards for most, this hole rewards creative approaches and precise club selection, as a pin on the wrong side can greatly test your short game and lag putting.
Clubhouse
The lodge features golf shop, spacious locker rooms, grill/restaurant with panoramic views, outdoor decks, fire pits, and overnight accommodation options ranging from rooms to cabins. Guest services are attentive, and the property is tailored for true destination-golf experiences.
Practice Facilities
Expect an expansive double-ended driving range bordered by prairie, large putting greens with undulations mimicking the real course, a strong short game area, and well-stocked teaching setups. The main clubhouse offers a pro shop, full-service restaurant, bar, resort hotel rooms, firepit terraces, and on-site locker rooms for comfort before and after your round.
Dress Code:
Standard
No dress code enforced. All attire is permitted.
Collared shirts not required. Clean, athletic or golf-appropriate casual wear is acceptable.
Collared shirts required. No denim, gym wear, or overly casual clothing.
Collared shirts must be tucked in; no cargo or athletic shorts. No hats indoors.
Elite club standards; jackets required indoors, no changing shoes in the parking lot, and specific attire rules based on the area of the facility.
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