The most famous attraction to South Dakota must be Mount Rushmore, in fact it’s nickname is The Mount Rushmore State. This incredible feat of human engineering in the Black Hills features the faces of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln carved into the granite in a huge memorial to these men. Just down the road another similar monument in celebration of Crazy Horse is under construction too. South Dakota is a state with many historical links including the Lewis and Clark memorial trail. South Dakota isn’t the first name that springs to mind when considering states to visit for some golf. Don’t be fooled though, this state has many great offerings for you to discover and who doesn’t like being the first among friends to find a new gem of a destination?
Sutton Bay Golf is one of the finest courses in the area. This championship course sits on the banks of Lake Oahe and the dramatic landscape surrounding the water provides some of the most breath-taking scenery you are likely to see on any golf course. This layout of this course was carefully considered to maximise the scenery that golfers can enjoy as they make their way around the course. It includes some double greens, as seen on The Old Course at St Andrews and the ever-changing terrain of the course makes for a unique and interesting golfing experience.
Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay worked together to create the course at Dakota Dunes Country Club and what a place it is! Like Sutton Bay, this course has been meticulously designed to work in harmony with the wonderful natural surrounds and wooded dunes as it makes its way along the Missouri River. At 7,165 yards, it isn’t the longest course in the world and four separate tee boxes give golfers the opportunity to play it at a length that will enhance their experience.
The Golf Club at Red Rock sits in the Black Hills terrain and provides players with some enticing risk vs. reward golf. This is a very well regarded pay and play course and each hole is both distinctive and memorable, it should be high on your list. Finally, the lush and perfectly groomed parkland terrain of Minnehaha Country Club is one of South Dakotas premier golf courses. This course has been enjoyed by true greats of the game such as Gene Sarazen and Walter Hagen. If this place is good enough for them then it’s certainly good enough for us!