The five best golf courses in South Dakota are Sutton Bay Golf Course, The Golf Club at Red Rock, Hart Ranch Golf Club, Minnehaha Country Club, and Dakota Dunes Country Club.
Keep reading to discover what makes each course exceptional, from championship designs by legendary architects to award-winning layouts that have earned national recognition.
Sutton Bay Golf Course
Sutton Bay stands as South Dakota's undisputed champion—a private club perched dramatically atop the bluffs of Lake Oahe near Agar, about 40 miles northwest of Pierre.
Australian architect Graham Marsh designed this inland links masterpiece that opened in 2003, routing 7,226 yards of golf through rolling prairie terrain with minimal tree coverage and sweeping elevation changes that showcase the Missouri River below.
The course features some distinctive design elements you won't find elsewhere in the state.
Double greens at holes 1/8 and 3/6 add strategic interest, while the layout maximizes those stunning water views at every opportunity.
With a par of 72 and a rating of 74.9, Sutton Bay plays from bent grass greens and blue grass fairways.
The current “Mark II” version came about after erosion threatened portions of the original design—the redesign solved stability issues while maintaining exceptional quality.
Two holes particularly stand out: the challenging 268-yard par-3 7th and the scenic 577-yard par-5 18th running parallel to the river.
Golf Digest consistently ranks Sutton Bay just outside its Second 100 Greatest courses nationally.
This isn't just a golf course—it's a comprehensive resort offering hunting, fishing, and luxury accommodations.
You'll need to book at least one night in the on-site lodging to access the course.
The Golf Club at Red Rock
Red Rock has claimed the title of South Dakota's #1 public course for 11 consecutive years according to Golfweek Magazine—and Golf Digest agrees.
Located just minutes from Rapid City within Black Hills National Forest, this Ron Farris design from 2003 delivers a mountain golf experience unlike anything else in the state.
The course routes through dramatic elevation changes, with fairways playing into, out of, and over a series of canyons.
Towering ponderosa pines frame holes surrounded by native fescue grasses, while links-style bunkers guard USGA-specification greens that typically feature 3-4 tiers.
Water rarely comes into play except for the pond protecting the par-4 10th.
Red Rock offers serious versatility with four tee placements per hole.
You can play anywhere from 5,032 yards up to a formidable 7,114 yards with a slope rating of 142.
The championship tees measure 7,006 yards at par 72 with a 73.0/142 rating/slope combination.
Here's something unique: Red Rock is reportedly the only course in South Dakota open every month of the year.
Practice facilities include target greens, a short-game area, and a large undulated putting green.
The Rock Bar & Grill handles dining in the clubhouse.
Pricing: Walking runs about $51, with carts adding $19-20 to your round.
Hart Ranch Golf Club
Hart Ranch has captured GolfWeek Magazine's #1 Public Course award for three straight years—2023, 2024, and 2025.
Located in the Black Hills foothills just south of Rapid City, this Patrick H. Wyss design from 1995 sits in a valley where Spring Creek winds through the property at 6,841 yards and par 72.
The course gives you a “tale of two nines” experience.
The front nine plays like traditional parkland golf, while the back nine includes four dramatically different holes carved into the adjacent hillside ridge.
These hillside holes hit you with significant elevation changes, blind landing areas, and severely sloped greens that contrast sharply with what you played on the front.
This variety keeps the round interesting rather than repetitive.
Hart Ranch earns consistent praise for having the smoothest, truest greens in South Dakota—they roll firm and fast.
Multiple tee placements accommodate different skill levels, with the Brown tees playing to a 73.8/132 rating and slope.
The signature par-5 third hole frequently gets mentioned as a course highlight.
You'll find friendly service and exceptional conditioning here.
The course opens year-round when temperatures exceed 40 degrees and greens are snow-free.
Pricing: $65 Monday through Friday, $74 Saturday and Sunday, with carts adding $20.
Minnehaha Country Club
Established in 1905, Minnehaha Country Club represents South Dakota's premier private club with over a century of golf history.
The current layout dates to 1922 when legendary architects William Langford and Theodore Moreau created the design.
Golf Digest has consistently ranked it as the state's second-best course from 2019 through 2026.
This traditional parkland course stretches 6,424 yards at par 71 with tree-lined fairways, elevated greens, and deep bunkers defining the character.
The layout carries a 72.4/131 rating and slope, with lush grass coverage ensuring minimal ball loss potential throughout your round.
A major flood prevention project necessitated significant changes in 2010-2011, with Graham Marsh Golf Design overseeing renovations that affected more than half the holes.
The 4th hole was removed, a new 8th installed, ten bunkers added, and twenty-four bunkers modified to accommodate the new infrastructure.
Two signature holes stand out: the dramatic downhill par-5 12th at 509 yards and the scenic par-5 16th running 551 yards along the Big Sioux River.
The course has hosted professional tournaments, including the PGA Tour Champions Sanford International won by Steve Stricker in 2018.
Historic legends like Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen have walked these fairways, adding to Minnehaha's rich tournament pedigree.
Dakota Dunes Country Club
Dakota Dunes Country Club opened August 14, 1991, as the centerpiece of the master-planned Dakota Dunes community in extreme southeastern South Dakota.
Legendary golfer Arnold Palmer designed this private club with Ed Seay, creating a championship layout that both Golf Digest and Golf Week Magazine have rated as the best course in the state.
The 7,165-yard course nestles among wooded dunes along the Missouri River at par 72, with challenging lakes and bunkers set against this picturesque backdrop.
Palmer's design carefully balances his competitive vision with the natural landscape, preserving the delicate wooded dune ecosystem throughout the routing.
Five separate tee boxes per hole make the course accessible to all skill levels—the forward tees drop total length to approximately 5,200 yards.
The club has successfully hosted 10 professional tournaments on what became the Nationwide Tour, including Nike and Buy.com events.
An estimated 3,000 spectators turned out to watch Palmer play his newly designed course at the grand opening celebration, cementing its status as one of the Midwest's most unique golf destinations.
This is a full-service private club offering the complete country club lifestyle: dining facilities, fitness center, swimming pool, and tennis courts complement the championship golf experience.
Planning Your South Dakota Golf Experience
Access strategies differ significantly between public and private courses.
The three elite public options—Red Rock ($51-70), Hart Ranch ($65-74), and Prairie Green ($37-43)—welcome tee time bookings, while private clubs require member connections, guest policies, or resort stays.
Sutton Bay specifically mandates at least one overnight stay in their on-site lodging to access the course.
Geographic Clustering & Timing
Black Hills courses (Red Rock and Hart Ranch) sit conveniently near Rapid City, while eastern courses cluster around Sioux Falls and along the Missouri River.
Peak season runs April through October, though Red Rock and Hart Ranch offer year-round play when weather permits. Book several weeks ahead for peak summer months.
Budget & Value Considerations
Prairie Green deserves special recognition as GolfWeek Magazine's #2-ranked course in South Dakota for 2024.
This Dick Nugent-designed municipal course opened in 1996 and delivers 6,900+ yards of prairie links-style golf at just $37-43 for 18 holes—exceptional value among top-tier courses.
Most public courses offer both walking and cart options, with carts typically adding $19-20.
Consider pairing your golf trip with South Dakota tourism highlights like Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park to maximize the experience.
Conclusion
South Dakota offers genuine diversity in its golf experiences—from championship prairie links overlooking the Missouri River to mountain courses carved through Black Hills canyons.
You'll find options whether you're seeking public accessibility at award-winning facilities or exclusive private club experiences designed by legendary architects.
Plan your trip around the courses that match your preferences and budget, and you'll discover why South Dakota has become a legitimate golf destination.
