Discover 80+ golf courses across South Dakota, from Black Hills mountain layouts to prairie links-style courses
South Dakota offers exceptional golf experiences across diverse landscapes, from the majestic Black Hills mountain courses near Mount Rushmore to wide-open prairie links in the eastern part of the state. With 80+ courses ranging from championship layouts to affordable municipal tracks, South Dakota provides outstanding golf value with green fees typically $25-$75, significantly less than neighboring states.
The golf season runs May through October, with shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) offering the best conditions. Top-ranked courses like Sutton Bay, The Golf Club at Red Rock, and Hart Ranch consistently rank among the best public courses in the nation, while cities like Sioux Falls and Rapid City serve as major golf destinations with 18+ courses each.
These championship courses consistently rank among the best public golf courses in the nation and define South Dakota golf excellence.
📍 Agar (40 miles NW of Pierre)
South Dakota's top-rated course sits just outside Golf Digest's Second 100 Greatest ranking. Designed by Graham Marsh and opened in 2003, this 7,245-yard championship layout drapes over the rolling bluffs of the Missouri River with many characteristics of a seaside links. Created by South Dakota native Mark Amundson on Lake Oahe, Sutton Bay offers bent grass greens, bluegrass fairways, and world-class amenities including upscale lodging.
Course: 18 holes, Par 72, 7,245 yards | Style: Links-style on Missouri River bluffs
📍 Rapid City (Black Hills)
Repeatedly ranked the #1 Public Golf Course in South Dakota and voted 2019-2020 #1 Best Golf Course in the Black Hills by local residents. This minimalist course design features mountainous terrain that showcases the natural beauty of the Black Hills. The 6,900-yard, par-72 championship layout offers dramatic elevation changes, stunning vistas, and challenging shot-making on every hole.
Course: 18 holes, Par 72, 6,900 yards | Contact: golfclubatredrock.com
📍 Rapid City (Black Hills)
Voted the #1 Public Golf Course in South Dakota by GolfWeek Magazine in 2023, 2024, and 2025. This championship course offers dramatic Black Hills scenery, challenging layout for all skill levels, and exceptional playing conditions. Hart Ranch has become one of the most celebrated courses in the region, combining natural beauty with outstanding course management.
Course: 18 holes, Championship layout | Contact: hartranch.com
📍 Spearfish (Northern Black Hills)
Ranked by Golf Digest as one of the top public courses in South Dakota, Elkhorn Ridge offers breathtaking Black Hills scenery on each hole. Located minutes from Spearfish and Deadwood, this course provides a fun yet challenging experience with stunning mountain vistas. The layout winds through ponderosa pine forests and offers dramatic elevation changes characteristic of Black Hills golf.
Course: 18 holes, Championship layout | Website: elkhornridgeresort.com
📍 Sioux Falls
Ranked #2 golf course in South Dakota by GolfWeek Magazine in 2024. This 18-hole championship municipal course in southern Sioux Falls is the best of three terrific public layouts operated by Landscapes Golf Management. Prairie Green offers links-style golf on wide-open prairie terrain with strategic bunkering, native grasses, and exceptional playing conditions year-round.
Course: 18 holes, Championship layout | Type: Public/Municipal
📍 Dakota Dunes (near Sioux City)
Bounded by the mighty Missouri River, this Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay designed course (1991) lies within a 2,000-acre residential development. Dakota Dunes features dramatic river views, strategic bunkering, and championship conditions. The layout showcases Palmer's signature style with risk-reward opportunities and memorable finishing holes along the Missouri River.
Course: 18 holes, Par 72, Arnold Palmer design | Type: Private/Semi-Private
The Black Hills region offers spectacular mountain golf with ponderosa pine forests, dramatic elevation changes, and stunning vistas. This is South Dakota's premier golf destination, conveniently located near Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Deadwood.
All Black Hills courses offer stunning mountain scenery and ponderosa pine-lined fairways.
South Dakota's largest city offers 18+ courses with the highest concentration of golf in the state. Sioux Falls features excellent municipal courses, championship public layouts, and several private clubs.
Season Passes Available: City of Sioux Falls offers affordable season, cart, and range passes at all municipal courses.
Eastern South Dakota features prairie-style golf with rolling terrain, tree-lined fairways, and numerous water features. This region offers affordable golf with excellent course conditions.
Central South Dakota offers unique golf experiences on Missouri River bluffs and prairie landscapes, featuring the state's top-rated course at Sutton Bay.
Location: Agar (40 miles NW of Pierre, on Lake Oahe)
South Dakota's most exhilarating golf experience. This 7,245-yard Graham Marsh design drapes over Missouri River bluffs with seaside links characteristics. Stay-and-play packages available with onsite lodging, restaurant, and world-class amenities. Private course requiring overnight stay for access.
Website: suttonbay.com | Phone: (605) 264-5530
Complete alphabetical listing of golf courses organized by city throughout South Dakota.
South Dakota offers exceptional golf value with rates significantly below national averages:
💰 Value Tip: Sioux Falls and Rapid City municipal courses offer excellent season passes ($600-$1,200 for unlimited golf).
Season: May through October (6 months)
Weather Note: South Dakota summers are hot and dry. Fairways can get hard and fast, making early tee times preferable.
Combine world-class golf with iconic attractions in the Black Hills:
Golf Vacation Tip: Stay in Rapid City for access to 9 courses within 15 miles plus major tourist attractions.
Black Hills Golf Weekend (3 days):
Sioux Falls Value Tour (2 days):
Ultimate SD Golf Week:
The official golf association for South Dakota, providing comprehensive course listings, tournament information, handicap services, and player development programs. The SDGA organizes courses by region (Black Hills, Southeast, Glacial Lakes, Great Lakes) and maintains the most complete directory of golf courses in the state.
Visit SDGA WebsiteProfessional organization for golf course superintendents across South Dakota. The SDGCSA promotes excellence in golf course management, continuing education for turf professionals, and environmental stewardship. Their work ensures the high-quality playing conditions found at South Dakota courses.
Visit SDGCSA WebsiteSutton Bay near Agar consistently ranks as South Dakota's #1 golf course and sits just outside Golf Digest's Second 100 Greatest courses nationally. This 7,245-yard Graham Marsh design drapes over Missouri River bluffs with stunning links-style characteristics. However, public access requires overnight stay in their onsite lodging.
For accessible public play, The Golf Club at Red Rock and Hart Ranch in Rapid City are repeatedly ranked #1 public courses in the state by various publications. Both offer championship golf with dramatic Black Hills scenery and are open to all golfers with advance tee times.
South Dakota offers exceptional golf value with rates well below national averages:
Season passes are available at municipal courses for $600-$1,200, providing unlimited golf and excellent value for extended stays or residents.
The best time to golf in South Dakota is during shoulder seasons: April-May and September-October. These months offer pleasant temperatures (60-75°F), excellent course conditions, fewer crowds, and often lower rates.
Peak summer (June-August) features hot, dry weather that can bake fairways hard and fast. Book early morning tee times to avoid afternoon heat (often 85-95°F) and thunderstorms. The official golf season runs May through October (6 months), with most courses closing November through April due to winter weather.
Special consideration: Avoid the first week of August if visiting the Black Hills, as the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally creates extreme crowding and limited availability.
Rapid City is the premier golf vacation destination with 9 courses within 15 miles, including Red Rock and Hart Ranch. You'll also be 30 minutes from Mount Rushmore, 40 minutes from Crazy Horse Memorial, and close to numerous Black Hills attractions.
Sioux Falls offers 18+ courses with excellent municipal options (Prairie Green, Elmwood) and numerous hotels, restaurants, and shopping. It's ideal for budget-conscious golfers wanting high-volume golf at affordable rates ($25-$45 per round).
Spearfish/Deadwood provides access to Elkhorn Ridge, Spearfish Canyon, and Boulder Canyon courses, plus casino entertainment in historic Deadwood.
Sutton Bay requires overnight stays in their onsite lodging for course access, offering all-inclusive golf packages on South Dakota's top-ranked course.
Walking policies vary by course and season. Most municipal courses (Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen) allow walking, especially during non-peak times. Green fees are typically $5-$10 less for walkers.
Black Hills mountain courses (Red Rock, Hart Ranch, Elkhorn Ridge) have significant elevation changes making walking extremely challenging. Most require carts due to terrain and distance between holes.
Prairie/flatland courses in Eastern South Dakota are generally walkable when weather permits. Many 9-hole courses welcome walkers anytime.
Peak season weekends: Many courses require carts to maintain pace of play. Call ahead to confirm walking policies, especially at championship courses.
Top-rated courses (Red Rock, Hart Ranch, Elkhorn Ridge, Sutton Bay): Book 1-2 weeks ahead, especially for weekend tee times during peak season (June-August).
Municipal and daily-fee courses: 3-7 days advance booking is usually sufficient for weekdays; book 7-10 days for weekends.
Shoulder seasons (April-May, September-October): Most courses have better availability; 3-5 days advance booking is adequate.
Walk-on availability: Weekday mornings often accept walk-ons at most courses. Call the pro shop day-of to check.
Sturgis Rally week (first week of August): Book Black Hills golf and lodging 2-3 months in advance as the region sells out completely.
South Dakota offers diverse golf experiences across its varied landscape:
The variety means every golfer can find their preferred style, from mountain target golf in the Black Hills to wide-open prairie links in the eastern plains.
Yes, several excellent courses are located near Mount Rushmore National Memorial:
Within 30 minutes of Mount Rushmore:
Within 45-60 minutes:
Most golfers stay in Rapid City, which offers 9 courses within 15 miles and easy access to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and other Black Hills attractions. This makes it ideal for combining world-class golf with America's most iconic monuments.
Absolutely! South Dakota punches well above its weight in public golf quality. The Golf Club at Red Rock and Hart Ranch consistently rank among the top public courses in America, with Red Rock repeatedly named #1 Public Course in South Dakota.
Elkhorn Ridge near Spearfish ranks in Golf Digest's top public courses. Prairie Green in Sioux Falls was ranked #2 in the state by GolfWeek in 2024 despite being a municipal course with very affordable rates ($30-$45).
Most South Dakota courses are public-access, with only a handful of private clubs. This means visitors can play championship layouts like Meadowbrook, Spearfish Canyon, Southern Hills, and numerous others without membership requirements.
The combination of nationally-ranked quality + public access + affordable rates ($25-$75) makes South Dakota one of America's best golf value destinations.
South Dakota has approximately 80+ golf courses distributed across the state, offering a surprising density of quality golf for a state with under 900,000 residents.
Regional distribution:
Course types: Approximately 60-65 are public-access (municipal or daily-fee), with only 15-20 private clubs. This ensures excellent access for visiting golfers.
The South Dakota Golf Association (SDGA) maintains the official course directory at sdga.org/golf-courses.
USA Golf: Comprehensive guide to golf in the United States including associations, professional tours, education, juniors, news, pro players, seniors, and women's golf.
South Dakota: Complete guide to South Dakota attractions, outdoor activities, tourism, and things to do.
Last updated on November 24, 2025