Nebraska’s 192 golf courses span from the Omaha metro’s quality daily-fee tracks to one of the most celebrated — and hard to play — private courses in the world. The state’s Sand Hills region in central Nebraska has become a golf pilgrimage destination: vast expanses of naturally sculpted terrain that produces course designs of unparalleled minimalism and quality, including Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw’s Sand Hills Golf Club, consistently ranked in the top five courses in the United States.
For everyday golfers, Nebraska is a genuine value market — quality public rounds at $30–$55 are abundant in Omaha and Lincoln, and the Sandhills region has opened more accessible resort options through The Prairie Club. The state’s golf culture is active and passionate in a Big Ten university community way: Cornhusker country takes its outdoor activities seriously, and the courses reflect that care.
Nebraska Golf by Region
Omaha Metro
Greater Omaha has the state’s strongest concentration of public and semi-private golf. Quarry Oaks Golf Club — a public layout mixing woodland holes with dramatic quarry lake settings — is widely considered Omaha’s top public-access daily-fee round. Tiburon Golf Club, Tregaron Golf Club, and Willow Lakes round out a strong public market where competition keeps conditions high and prices reasonable. Omaha Country Club (private) is historically the area’s top-ranked club with dramatic elevation changes unusual for the region.
Lincoln Metro
Nebraska’s capital offers solid public golf anchored by Wilderness Ridge — an 18-hole championship layout alongside an executive course that’s become Lincoln’s top public daily-fee track. Firethorn Golf Club (semi-private) is another strong Lincoln option for members and their guests. The university community creates a sustained demand for quality affordable golf throughout the season.
Sand Hills / Valentine Area
The Nebraska Sand Hills are the state’s golf landmark. Sand Hills Golf Club (Mullen) — a Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw design from 1995 built by moving just 4,000 cubic yards of dirt — ranks consistently in America’s top five courses of any kind, public or private. It is private and invitation-only, but The Prairie Club resort near Valentine has opened the region to visiting golfers with multiple courses: Tom Doak’s Red Course, Jack Nicklaus’s White Course, and additional layouts through the dramatic Snake River Canyon. Plan a multi-night stay — this is destination golf at its finest.
Top Courses in Nebraska
- Sand Hills Golf Club (Mullen) — Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw design consistently ranked America’s top 5 courses overall. Built on naturally sculpted sandhills terrain with minimal earthmoving. Private/invitation-only.
- The Prairie Club — Red Course (Valentine) — Tom Doak design; part of a multi-course resort complex in the Sandhills. The most accessible way to experience Sand Hills-quality terrain. Resort access; green fees ~$150–$250.
- The Prairie Club — White Course (Valentine) — Jack Nicklaus design at the same resort; strong contrast in architectural style with the Doak Red. Resort access; green fees ~$125–$200.
- Quarry Oaks Golf Club (Ashland) — Nebraska’s top-rated public daily-fee course near Omaha; mix of woodland and quarry lake holes. Green fees ~$40–$70.
- Wilderness Ridge Golf Club (Lincoln) — Lincoln’s top public layout; 18-hole championship course alongside an executive course. Green fees ~$35–$60.
- Tiburon Golf Club (Omaha) — Popular semi-private course with strong conditions in Omaha; 36 holes (Gold and Silver courses). Green fees ~$35–$55.
- The Knolls Golf Club (Omaha) — Well-maintained public course; one of Omaha’s consistently top-reviewed daily-fee options. Green fees ~$30–$50.
When to Play Golf in Nebraska
Nebraska’s golf season runs April through October, with peak conditions from May through September. Summers are warm to hot (85–95°F in July and August) with moderate to high humidity; early morning rounds are popular. The Sand Hills region tends to be slightly cooler and breezier than eastern Nebraska, which helps in midsummer. September is often the finest month across the state — comfortable temperatures, excellent course conditions, and more relaxed tee time availability than peak summer. The Prairie Club in Valentine runs roughly Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend, with the season bookended by weather rather than calendar. Eastern Nebraska (Omaha, Lincoln) gets a longer season by a few weeks on either end.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many golf courses are in Nebraska?
Nebraska has 192 golf courses in our database, ranging from municipal layouts in Omaha and Lincoln to the world-famous private courses of the Sand Hills region. The state has an outsized golf reputation nationally because of Sand Hills Golf Club and The Prairie Club.
What is the best golf course in Nebraska?
Sand Hills Golf Club (Mullen) is universally cited as Nebraska’s best course and one of the top five courses in the United States by Golf Digest and others — a private invitation-only layout. For accessible play, The Prairie Club’s Red Course (Tom Doak) is the nearest most golfers will get to the Sand Hills experience, and it’s exceptional in its own right.
When is the best time to golf in Nebraska?
May through September. September stands out for comfortable temperatures and excellent course conditions. Prairie Club and Sand Hills courses are best June through August when conditions are warmest and most stable.
How much does golf cost in Nebraska?
Public courses in Omaha and Lincoln run $30–$65; The Prairie Club resort courses run $125–$250; and Sand Hills Golf Club (private) is by invitation only. Nebraska is considered good-to-excellent value for everyday public golf in the metro areas.
Can I visit Sand Hills Golf Club as a public golfer?
No — Sand Hills Golf Club is strictly private and invitation-only; it has no public tee times. The Prairie Club resort (Valentine) is the closest accessible alternative and provides a genuine Sandhills golf experience through multiple nationally ranked courses with resort lodging.
All Golf Courses in Nebraska
Browse all 192 Nebraska golf courses in our database below, including green fees, location, and course details.